Common Name: Indian Liquorice

General Information

Abrus precatorius is a deciduous climbing plant producing numerous stems from the base that can be up to 6 metres, occasionally 9 metres long. These stems scramble over the ground, twining into other nearby plants for support[, , ].
The brightly coloured seeds are popularly used as beads to make necklaces and rosaries. Although poisonous, they also have a wide range of medicinal applications. The plant is commonly harvested from the wild and is also cultivated, both for medicinal use and as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant, but especially the seeds, contain the extremely toxic substance abrin[, ]. The seeds are extremely toxic, eating even one is sufficient to cause stomach cramps, vomiting, birth deformities, sterility, coma or death[]. The seeds can even cause death if they are brought into contact with an open wound[, ]. The toxins can be destroyed by heating the seeds[].
Other parts of the plant, especially the root, are sometimes used as a liquorice substitute even though they contain minute amounts of the toxins[, ].

Botanical References

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Range

Tropical Africa; E. Asia - India, China, through southeastern Asia to the Philippines, New Guinea, northern Australia and the western Pacific.

Habitat

Lowland tropical forest[]. Trailing over thickets and hedges in open or shady places at elevations up to 1,000 metres in Nepal[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	3.50 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a rich, well-drained, sandy loam and a position in full sun or partial shade[]. Plants are tolerant of saline conditions[].
The plant has escaped from cultivation in many areas in many areas outside its native range, and become established in the wild. It establishes well in disturbed sites and spreads rapidly after fires, becoming a weed of pastures and non-cropland[].
Like many other species in the Fabaceae, this species is very sensitive to changes in the intensity of light, the leaflets hanging down vertically at night, as though asleep, and rising with the dawn. These movements are also caused in a measure by the overclouding and clearing of the sky[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

The root contains the substance gylcyrrhizin (as found in liquorice, Glycyrrhiza spp)[]. Glycyrrhizin, which is 50 - 60 times sweeter than sugar, is often used medicinally and as a flavouring. Unfortunately, the root also contains toxic, emetic compounds and so its use cannot be recommended[, ].

Tender young leaves - cooked in times of scarcity[].

Seeds - cooked[]. The seeds contain toxic substances, but these are easily broken down by heat. The thoroughly-cooked seeds are sometimes eaten in times of shortage, though they remain hard and are not very digestible[]. Temperatures in excess of 65°c are said to break down the toxic principle[].

Medicinal

The seeds contain a number of medically active ingredients, including the extremely toxic substance abrin, indole alkaloids and anthocyanins[]. They are extremely toxic but are used medicinally as an abortifacient, contraceptive, emetic and irritant[, ]. The seeds are also antiperiodic, bitter, aphrodisiac, diaphoretic, emetic, expectorant and purgative[]. They have played an important role in the treatment of conjuctivitis in various parts of the world[].
The seeds, although very toxic. are applied externally as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory poultice to accelerate the bursting of boils and to cure mastitis and galactophoritis[]. They are also used externally in the treatment of sciatica, hair loss, skin disease, leprosy, nervous debility and paralysis[].
The seeds are dried and then ground into a paste when required[].

The leaves and roots contain glycyrrhizin and minute amounts of the toxin abrin[]. They have soothing properties and are expectorant, antiinflammatory and antiallergic[]. They are used internally to treat sore throats and a range of chest conditions including asthma, bronchitis and dry coughs[, , ].

The roots have been used to treat digestive disorders[].
A paste of the roots is applied to boils[].

The stems and leaves, combined with the leaves, stems and roots of Zea mays, are made into a tisane that is used to remedy mild inflammations of the urinary tract, diarrhoea, aphthae and hoarseness[]. The leaves are boiled with the leaves of Tamarindus indica, Annona muricata and Lantana camara to make a syrup used to treat chest colds[].
A paste of the leaves is used to treat leukoderma, swellings, boils, rheumatism etc[].
The leaves can be dried for later use[].

The stem bark is emollient[]. A decoction is used as a treatment for stomach-ache, thrush, colds, coughs, sore throat and asthma[]. An extract of the bark is used as a treatment for cancer treatment[].

Other Uses

The thin stems or branches are used as temporary tying material[, ]. The bark is twisted into rough cordage[].

The brightly coloured, red and black poisonous seeds are used as beads and to make necklaces[, ]. Popular for ornamental use and for rosaries, the necklace is traditionally given to children to wear as protection against disease[].

The seeds are fairly uniform in weight (individual seeds weigh about 1.75g or 1 carat) and are used traditionally in India to weigh gemstones[, ].

A light, reddish oil is obtained from the seed[]. No uses are given.

The leaves are sensitive to light changes and droop from a horizontal to a vertical position at night and during storms. The plant is said to be able to be used as a predictor of storms based in the movement of the leaves[].

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water prior to sowing[].
Softwood cuttings.

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