Spermadictyon suaveolens (Hindi-Ban champa/Padan hing/Hingwal, Marathi-Gidesa/Van champa/Jitasayo, Gujarati-Gidas, Nepali-Ban champa, Telugu-Erramogi/Kondomuritioli, Tribal-Ghetra/Padera, Popular-Forest Champa/Sweet-scented Spermadictyon)Rubiaceae. Syn-Hamiltonia suaveolens, H. mysorensis, H. dulina. It is a branched shrub growing upto 1-2 m tall. Leaves are dark green, opposite, elliptic-lanceolate or ovate, narrowed at base,15-22 cm long. Flowers are bluish-purple, fragrant, corolla tube trumpet shaped. It is native to India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan. It is found in Western Ghats and Himalayas at altitudes of 70-2300 m. It is cultivated as an ornamental shrub in the gardens. It has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti inflammatory, analgesic, antifungal, antipyretic, wound healing, antitumor, cytotoxic and antidiabetic activities. Leaves are good source of proteins, fats, fibres and carbohydrates. It has high nutritive value. Hence, leaves can be used in dietary supplements and can be a good source of food for cattle. Stems and roots are used traditionally in the treatment of various diseases. In Maharashtra, it is used traditionally in curing the diseases related to bone, diabetes, herpes, etc. The stem powder is used for the control of viral infection like herpes and also diabetes. Seeds and flowers are used to treat epilepsy. Bark powder is rubbed on the body in fever. It is also used to treat wounds and diarrhoea.
– Mukherjee Bk