Mirabilis jalapa or clavillia is a broad spectrum herbal plant, whose medicinal properties range from fighting fungi to bacteria. Since the flowers of Mirabilis jalapa open at around 4 pm, it is popularly called the four o’clock plant. Mirabilis jalapa has always been the favourite of geneticists as the sudden change in colour and pattern of its flowers throw light on genes and mutations.
The plant, originally a native of the Andes mountains in South America, was introduced to India about 400 years ago. Since then, it has become a part of the traditional Indian systems of medicine, particularly Unani and Ayurveda. The leaves and the root of the plant are used in herbal medicines. The seeds of Mirabilis jalapa are avoided as they are considered to be poisonous.
Herbal preparations obtained from the four o’clock plant are contraindicated for pregnant women, as certain alkaloids present in the plant may lead to miscarriage.
Several scientific studies carried out on the efficacy of Mirabilis jalapa show that the plant extracts fight fungal and bacterial infections on the skin, besides treating problems like dysentery, diarrhoea and stomach pain. It has anti-cancer properties too.