The alkaloid reserpine (a naturally occurring drug) is extracted from the root of Rauvolfia vomitoria.
Reserpine has a sedative and tranquillizing effect but is not hypnotic.
In traditional herbal medicine, the root was brewed as a tea and used in humans to treat hypertension, insanity, snakebite, and cholera.
The purified alkaloid, reserpine, was isolated in 1952 and is considered the first modern drug for the treatment of hypertension.
Reserpine irreversibly binds to the storage vesicles of neurotransmitters, particularly norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine.
Eventually, catecholamine depletion occurs because of the body's inability to store these neurotransmitters.
In India Rauvolfia has been used since centuries for relief of central nervous system disorder including anxiety, excitement etc.
The chief use of the drug is as a sedative and for reducing blood pressure.
The drug is now largely used in insanity and high blood pressure.
The alkaloids stimulate the central nervous system.
It is more suitable for cases of mild anxiety or patients of chronic mental illness.

The Rauvolfia species have three main medicinal uses: raw material for the extraction of isolated alkaloids, preparation of extracts with a standardized alkaloid content and the production of powdered Rauvolfia roots.
The pharmaceutical derivatives are used mainly as antihypertensives and as sedatives.
Folk medicinal uses of the root bark and roots are extensive, particularly for their aphrodisiac, emetic, purgative, antipsoric, dysenteric, sedative, abortive and insecticidal properties.
In India, R. serpentina root preparations have been used for centuries in the relief of disorders of the central nervous system, as an anthelmintic and for the treatment of intestinal disorders as well as the stimulation of uterine contractions.

There is a South African species, Rauvolfia caffra that has the following uses :
The bark is used as an intoxicant in Tanzania by the Chagga.
In the Transkei, bark is used by traditional healers as a tranquillizer for patients believed to have been possessed by spirits.
Dried leaves are used as a snuff for headaches.
Stems are used for making beer.
Blood-purifying decoctions are made from the rootbark.
Bark is used in medicines for abdominal pain, and also to ward off evil spirits.
In Kenya, the leaves are used to help newly circumcised boys to sleep.
The alkaloid yohimbine is also present in Rauvolfia.