Cryptolepis sanguinolenta seedlings

J. secunda consist of the fresh or dried leaves of Justicia secunda. It is an evergreen, perennial plant with stems that sometimes become more or less woody. It can grow from 90 – 200cm tall It is an erect grass of simple leaves, whose flowers are contained in terminal panicles.

The folkloric uses of the plant include wound healing, anemia and abdominal pain. The anti-sickling, haematinic, antimicrobial and anti-hypertensive activities of J. secunda have been reported.

The leaves are used in the treatment of anemia, cough, cold, fever, malaria, measles, and whooping cough.The stem and leaves are used in a clarifying infusion for the treatment of amenorrhoea