a crystalline alkaloid, CHNO, extracted from the root of various rauwolfias (esp. Rauwolfia serpentina), used in the treatment of hypertension and some forms of mental illness
See reserpine in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(rĭ-sûrˈpēnˌ, -pĭn, rĕsˈər-pĭn, -pēnˌ, rĕzˈ-)
noun
A white to yellowish powder, C33H40N2O9, isolated from the roots of certain species of rauwolfia and used as a sedative and an antihypertensive.