The name derives from the fact that animals like goats do not eat this plant due to its extreme bitter taste.

[citation needed] The plant's native range is Afghanistan, the Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka), Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

[7] Justicia adhatoda is a shrub with 10-20 lance-shaped leaves 8-9 centimeters in length by four wide.

The leaves of Justicia adhatoda contains phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenolics and flavonoids.

Bromhexine, a serine protease inhibitor with mucolytic properties available over-the-counter in Europe, was developed from research on Justicia adhatoda.