Common Name: Kalmegh, Green chiretta. Tamil Name: Nilavempu
Kalmegh is common plant seen in road-sides and fallow lands in Peninsular India. The plant grows to a height of about 2 feet. The entire plant is extremely bitter in taste and several medicinal properties have been attributed to the same. The plant is commonly grown in home garden as a medicinal plant. The stem is square in shape, green in color and grooved. The simple leaves are arranged in an opposite and decussate manner; the leaves are glabrous. The leaf stalk and leaf length measure around 5 mm and 5.5-7 cm respectively. The leaves are lanceolate; base acute and tip acuminate. In the inflorescence is a terminal or axillary panicle. The flowers occur on one side of the axis. The calyx measure around 5 mm and are connate at base. The flower stalks measure around 6 mm, the flower measure around 1.6 cm. The flower is bi-lipped; white in color with purple spots. The fruit is in the form of a capsule which is initially green in color and turn brown in color when fully mature. The fruit is around 1.8 cm long and contain dark brown seeds which are around 2 mm in length. Green chiretta is a much valued plant in traditional Indian systems of medicine. The plant has applications in treatment of fever; as an anti-inflammatory and to treat vitiated conditions of pitta. The plant can be easily propagated via seeds.
