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Useful Tropical Plants

Indigofera aspalathoides

DC.

Fabaceae

+ Synonyms

Aspalathus indica L.

Indigofera aspalathifolia Roxb.

Common Name:

No Image.

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 *  *
HabitShrub
Height0.00 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

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.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-12. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Indigofera+aspalathoides>

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