Herb's Introduction
Indigofera astragalina, also known as Silky Indigo, is a herb belonging to the Fabaceae (pea) family. This plant is often considered a weed but is also valued for its traditional medicinal properties and as a source of fodder and green manure. The name "Indigofera" refers to its ability to produce the blue dye indigo, although other species like I. tinctoria are more well-known for this purpose.
Names in Different Countries and Languages
Common English Name: Silky Indigo, Hairy Indigo
Hindi: Dagadia
Marathi: Ranmethi (रानमेथी), Phuljhadi (फुलझडी)
Hausa (Nigeria): Kaikai koma kan mashekiya
Yoruba (Nigeria): Elu-aja
Terminology
Botanical Name: Indigofera astragalina DC.
Family: Fabaceae (also known as Leguminosae)
Synonym: Indigofera hirsuta sensu auct.
Description: "Densely hairy herbs; stems woody. Leaflets 7-9 pairs, to 3 x 1 cm, elliptic, acute, stipules lanceolate; stipels filiform. Racemes to 4 cm long, axillary. Flowers densely arranged, 8 mm long, shortly pedicelled; calyx 8 mm long, lobes linear; petals pink, glabrous. Pods 1.5 x 0.3 cm, 4-angular, densely hairy; seeds cubical, black, pitted."
Availability
Indigofera astragalina is widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is native to Africa and Asia and is now naturalized in many other regions, including Australia and parts of Central and South America. It typically grows in sandy or rocky soils in dry, deciduous forests, along roadsides, and on the margins of lakes. The plant is often found in disturbed grasslands and open woodlands.
External Look
Indigofera astragalina is an erect or spreading annual herb that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall. Its most notable feature is its dense covering of stiff, brownish hairs on the stems, leaves, and pods.
Stems: Woody and densely hairy.
Leaves: Compound leaves with 7-9 pairs of small leaflets. The leaflets are elliptic and also hairy on both sides.
Flowers: The flowers are small, about 8 mm long, and are arranged in dense, spike-like clusters called racemes. They are typically pink in color.
Pods: The fruit is a small, four-angled, cylindrical pod, about 1.5 cm long. It is densely covered in hairs and contains cubical, black seeds.
Healing Properties and Uses
Various parts of Indigofera astragalina have been used in traditional medicine for their purported healing properties. The plant contains a variety of beneficial compounds, including flavonoids and terpenoids, which are known for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects.
For Digestive Issues: The plant is considered an astringent and has been traditionally used to treat diarrhea.
For Pain Relief: The roots are used to alleviate toothaches. A powder made from the roots is also used to treat chest pain.
For Coughs and Respiratory Problems: A decoction (a liquid preparation made by boiling the plant material) of the roots is used as a remedy for coughs.
Nutritional Value: The leaves contain essential minerals such as iron, zinc, and manganese, along with crude protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins.
Advantages and Using Way
The primary advantage of Indigofera astragalina is its accessibility and its dual role as both a medicinal plant and an agricultural resource.
As a Green Manure: Due to its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, it's used as a green manure and cover crop in tropical plantations. This improves soil fertility and helps with erosion control.
As Fodder: The entire plant is used as animal fodder.
Methods of Use:
Decoction: The roots can be boiled in water to create a liquid for internal use, such as for coughs.
Powder: The dried roots can be ground into a powder and applied externally or consumed for pain relief.
Astringent Properties: The plant's astringent nature is beneficial for treating conditions like diarrhea.
Conclusion
Indigofera astragalina, or Silky Indigo, is a versatile plant with a long history of traditional use in various cultures. From its application in folk medicine for treating common ailments like diarrhea, coughs, and pain, to its practical use in agriculture for enriching soil and feeding livestock, it is a plant with significant value. Its wide distribution and resilient nature make it a readily available resource, and its rich composition of minerals and other beneficial compounds underscores its potential for both human health and ecological benefit.
