Strobilanthes hamiltoniana - Chinese Rain Bells - A Beautiful and and Easy Indian Medicinal Plant

Warm greetings all. 🙏 💚

I wanted to get myself involved in the
March Challenge: Share Your 'DeTox' Herbs!, and introduce a plant that I've grown for a few years now, and have come to love, Strobilanthes hamiltoniana. With vernacular names such as Chinese Rain Bells, Pink Raindrops, Magenta Jewels, and Temple Bells, its clear that its floral beauty is well appreciated by many.

I originally collected this species from an abandoned property near Volcano, in South-East Hawai'i. The original starts did very well indeed, and over time I've planted it in many different locations of the 18-acre off-grid, food-forest jungle intentional community, where I've lived for over three and a quarter years now, in Lower Puna, in far East Hawai'i.

This plant is very easy to cultivate, and mostly takes care of itself, thriving in full sun to reasonably dense shade (it just grows slower), but it excels in part shade. It brightens up shadier spots with its happy pink dangling bell flowers. While the pink-flowered form found in cultivation does not produce seeds, it is exceedingly easy to propagate from cuttings. Even simple leaves, if given the proper conditions, can grow roots and shoots, and begin a new plant.

The genus Strobilanthes has multiple members which are quite medicinal, and this species is no exception. While there is not much information available online on this species, I have been able to track down some quite useful information.

Traditionally this plant is used to detoxify spider and snake bites, and as an anthelmintic (dewormer). The PDF linked in this post describes that its effectiveness is comparable to, or better than, Albendazole, a common deworming medication. While I haven't had occasion to utilize it specifically for these purposes, I've been making teas with this plant since I acquired it, as I had an intuitive sense that it was very beneficial. My body always likes it.

The pink-flowered form of this species the one usually found in cultivation, comes from one specific area in India (Arunachal Pradesh or Assam), and seems to be sterile, as it does not produce seeds.
Reference for the pink-flowered sterile form found in cultivation.

Indian study on the medicinal properties of Strobilanthes hamiltoniana, verifying its anthelmintic (dewormer), antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF A GARDEN PLANT STROBILANTHES HAMILTONIANA (STEUD.) BOSSER AND HEINE - Direct PDF Download

I'm tagging @kai-sunrise, in hopes that she'll be tempted to get involved.

Thank you all for allowing me to share about one of my favorite plants with you! 🙏 💚