Indigofera aspalathoides
DC.
Fabaceae
Aspalathus indica L.
Indigofera aspalathifolia Roxb.
Common Name:
General Information
Indigofera aspalathoides is a low-growing shrub with copiously spreading rigid branches
The plant is a popular medicine in India where it is harvested from the wild for local use and trade. It is an ingregient of various proprietary preparations[
1502- Title
- Antibacterial activity of Sivanar Vembu (Indigofera aspalathoides) against some human pathogenic bacteria
- Publication
- J. Chem. Pharm. Res., 2015, 7(3):937-941
- Author
- V. N Ariharan, V. N. Meena Devi, N. K. Parameswaran, & P. Na
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2015
- ISBN
- 0975-7384
- Description
-
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
464- Title
- A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
- Publication
-
- Author
- Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Dulau and Co; London.
- Year
- 1898
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
E. Asia - southern India, Sri Lanka
Habitat
Sandy soils in semi-arid regions[
464- Title
- A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
- Publication
-
- Author
- Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Dulau and Co; London.
- Year
- 1898
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Shrub |
| Height | 0.00 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Indigofera species generally grow best in a sunny position, preferring a well-drained but moist soil[
974- Title
- Encyclopedia of Tropical Plants - Identification and Cultivation of over 3,000 Tropical Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ahmed Fayaz
- Publisher
- Firefly Books Ltd.; New Zealand
- Year
- 2011
- ISBN
- 978-1-55407-489
- Description
- A good photograph and terse but detailed information for over 3,000 species of tropical plants. An excellent reference.
]. Many of the species will also succeed in drier conditions and in poor soils.
We have no specific information for this species, but most species in the genus have 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
None known
Medicinal
The leaves, flowers and tender young shoots are cooling, demulcent, emollient and vulnerary. A decoction is used in the treatment of leprosy and cancerous affections[
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
,
480- Title
- Green Manures and Manuring in the Tropics
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sornay P. De. Translated by Flattely F.W.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- John Bale, Sons and Danielsson Ltd.: London
- Year
- 1916
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent work on the subject, even if it was written almost 100 years ago. It also includes a section of useful Legumes. Can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
615- Title
- Pharmacographia Indica
- Publication
-
- Author
- Dymock W.; Warden C.J.H.; Hooper D.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Education Society's Press, Byculla; Mombai.
- Year
- 1890
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Information on the principal plant medicines encountered in India in the 19th century.
,
1503- Title
- Indian Medicinal Planta
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kirkitar K.R.; Basu B.D. & Indian Civil Service
- Publisher
- Sudhindra Nath Basu, BahadurGanj; India
- Year
- 1918
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
A decoction of the whole plant is used as an alterative in the treatment of secondary syphilis, psoriasis etc[
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
].
The plant is crushed and mixed with oil then applied as a poultice on oedematous tumours[
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
].
The whole plant is an ingredient of an oil preparation used in the treatment of wounds, burns, ulcers, various skin diseases, including leprosy[
1502- Title
- Antibacterial activity of Sivanar Vembu (Indigofera aspalathoides) against some human pathogenic bacteria
- Publication
- J. Chem. Pharm. Res., 2015, 7(3):937-941
- Author
- V. N Ariharan, V. N. Meena Devi, N. K. Parameswaran, & P. Na
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2015
- ISBN
- 0975-7384
- Description
-
].
The leaves are applied as a poultice on abscsses[
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
].
The root is chewed as a treatment for toothache and mouth ulcers[
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
,
1503- Title
- Indian Medicinal Planta
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kirkitar K.R.; Basu B.D. & Indian Civil Service
- Publisher
- Sudhindra Nath Basu, BahadurGanj; India
- Year
- 1918
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
An oil extracted from the root is used to annoint the head in the treatment of erysipelas[
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
,
1503- Title
- Indian Medicinal Planta
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kirkitar K.R.; Basu B.D. & Indian Civil Service
- Publisher
- Sudhindra Nath Basu, BahadurGanj; India
- Year
- 1918
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The plant has been shown to be an effective antibacterial and antioxidant[
1502- Title
- Antibacterial activity of Sivanar Vembu (Indigofera aspalathoides) against some human pathogenic bacteria
- Publication
- J. Chem. Pharm. Res., 2015, 7(3):937-941
- Author
- V. N Ariharan, V. N. Meena Devi, N. K. Parameswaran, & P. Na
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2015
- ISBN
- 0975-7384
- Description
-
].
A preparation made from the ashes of the burnt plant is used to remove dandruff from the hair[
1503- Title
- Indian Medicinal Planta
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kirkitar K.R.; Basu B.D. & Indian Civil Service
- Publisher
- Sudhindra Nath Basu, BahadurGanj; India
- Year
- 1918
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Other Uses
The twigs are used for making brooms[
464- Title
- A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
- Publication
-
- Author
- Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Dulau and Co; London.
- Year
- 1898
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Propagation
Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
