| Oldenlandia umbellata | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Oldenlandia |
| Species: | O. umbellata |
| Binomial name | |
| Oldenlandia umbellata L. |
|
Oldenlandia umbellata (called chay root or choy root, from its Tamil name) is a low-growing plant native to India.[1] A colour-fast red dye can be extracted from the root bark of (preferably) a two year old plant. Chay root dye was once used with a mordant to impart a red colour to fabrics such as calico, wool, and silk.[2]
It is grown on the Coromandel Coast in India.
This plant is well-known in Siddha Medicine for its styptic property. It is also a drug that can be administered for bronchial asthma, as a decoction of the entire plant, a decoction made from its root and liquorice in the ratio-10:4, or the powdered root is given either with water or honey.
A decoction of the root also is a febrifuge.