An important component of traditional medicine in India, the drug is a source of hypotensive alkaloids, principal of which are reserpine, rescinnamine and ajmaline. First isolated from the roots in the early 1950s, it quickly became important in the treatment of hypertension and mental illness through its effect as a tranquillizer. Use has decreased in view of the reports of its adverse effects at doses higher than the hypotensive dose. It continues to be used in phytopharmaceutical preparations in India and elsewhere.

Table 3.3 Some functional food components and their role in disease prevention