rauwolfia
- 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 .