n any of several alkaloids extracted from the shrub Rauwolfia serpentina
n any shrub or small tree of the genus Rauwolfia having leaves in whorls and cymose flowers; yield substances used medicinally especially as emetics or purgatives or antihypertensives
Drugs made from the new plant, rauwolfia sellowi, act on the nervous system like their Indian counterparts, but with a lower toxic effect.
The rauwolfia products have been in use for 20 years, have generally been well tolerated in the dosage used by patients, and are inexpensive compared with newer medications for .