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Common name: Wild Indigo, Fish Poison, Tephrosia, {Sarphonk सरफोंक, Sharpunkha शरपुंखा} (Hindi), Unhali (Marathi)
Botanical name: Tephrosia purpurea Family: Fabaceae (pea family)
Native to East India, Wild Indigo grows as common wasteland weed. In many
parts it is under cultivation as green manure crop. Its is a plant of the
genus Tephrosia having pinnate leaves and white or purplish flowers and flat
hairy pods. This plant contains a mild toxin called tephrosin which
chemically stuns fish but does not effect mammals. The extract is obtained by
crushing the whole plant by mortar and pestle, or rocks, and then scattering
it in tide pools. In a few minutes, small fish would float up to the surface
and could be caught by hand. The flesh from the fish is safe to eat. This
system of fishing, good for older people and children, was called hola.
Medicinal uses: According to Ayurveda, plant is digestible,
anthelmintic,
alexiteric, antipyretic, alternative, cures diseases of liver, spleen, heart,
blood, tumours, ulcers, leprosy, asthma, poisoning etc. According to Unani
system of medicine, root is diuretic, allays thirst, enriches blood, cures
diarrhea, useful in bronchitis, asthma, liver, spleen diseases, inflammations,
boils and pimples; Leaves are tonic to intestines and a promising appetizer.
Good in piles, syphilis and gonorrhoea.
| Photographed in
J.N.U., Delhi. |
Identification credit: Nandan Kalbag
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