Abstract:
Anisomeles indica (Lamiaceae) is a wild perennial herb growing in South and South East Asia. A decoction of
leaves and stems of this plant is said to be diuretic but this point has not been verified in a controlled scientific
investigation. The aim of the study was to scientifically investigate the diuretic activity of the decoctions of leaves and
stems of both preflowenng (El) and flowering (E2) plants. Rats were used for experiments. The results showed that A.
indica has powerful diuretic action and justify the use of the plant in traditional medicine in Sri Lanka. It is concluded that
only the preflowering plants possessed marked diuretic activity. The selection of proper stage of the plant is vital for the
induction of diuresis
