Tephrosia purpurea

Wild indigo
var. purpurea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Tribe:	Millettieae
Genus:	Tephrosia
Species:	T. purpurea
Binomial name
Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers.

Tephrosia purpurea is a species of flowering plant in the pea family, Fabaceae, that has a pantropical distribution. It is a common wasteland weed. In many parts it is under cultivation as green manure crop. It is found throughout India and Sri Lanka^[1] in poor soils.

Common names include:

English: Fish poison, Wild indigo

Hawaiian: ʻAuhuhu, Ahuhu, ʻAuhola, Hola

Hindi name: Sarphonk, Sharpunkha

Rajasthani: Masa

Uses

Used as a fish poison; the leaves and seeds contain tephrosin, which paralyzes fish. Larger doses are lethal to fish, but mammals and amphibians are unaffected. It is also used traditionally as folk medicine. According to Ayurveda, the plant is anthelmintic, alexiteric, alterative, and antipyretic; it is used in the treatment of leprosy, ulcers, asthma, and tumors, as well as diseases of the liver, spleen, heart, and blood. A decoction of the roots is given in dyspepsia, diarrhea, rheumatism, asthma and urinary disorders. The root powder is salutary for brushing the teeth, where it is said to quickly relieve dental pains and stop bleeding. An extract, termed 'betaphroline' (not a systematic name) is claimed to promote release of endorphins, and finds use in certain cosmetic preparations.

References

• Arnold, M.D., Harry L. (1968). Poisonous Plants of Hawaii. Tokyo, Japan: Charles E. Tuttle Co. pp. 57–58. ISBN 0-8048-0474-5. 
• Bishop Museum Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database. Downloaded on 24 September 2007.

External links

• Tephrosia purpurea in West African plants – A Photo Guide.