The plant grows in plains & in lower Himalayan ranges upto 1000 m above sea level. Principle constituents of Malabur nuts are the several alkaloids present and chief principle being quinazoline alkaloid, vasicine. The leaves are rich in vitamin C and carotene and yield an essential oil. The shrub is the source of the drug, well known in indigenous systems of medicine for its beneficial effects, particularly for the respiratory tract. The leaves, flowers, fruits and roots are extensively used for providing respiratory comfort and lung health. It acts as a sedative-expectorant, antispasmodic and anthelmintic. It is a bronchial antiseptic, bronchodilator and expectorant.

The roots, leaves and flowers and active principles of the plant possess a number of pharmacological properties.