Herb's Introduction
Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers., commonly known by its Ayurvedic name Sharpunkha or Sarapunkha, is a highly valued perennial herb belonging to the Pea family, Fabaceae. This remarkable plant is recognized across various traditional medicine systems, particularly Ayurveda, for its potent therapeutic properties, earning the epithet "Plihaa-shatru" (enemy of the spleen) or "Plihaari" in Indian medicine, due to its efficacy in treating conditions of the spleen and liver. It is also referred to as "Sarwa wranvishapaha," signifying its ability to heal all types of wounds. Beyond its medicinal use, it is known as "Fish Poison" in some regions because its roots and seeds contain rotenoids, which can stun or kill fish, a traditional method of fishing, although these compounds are generally considered only mildly toxic to mammals. Native to various regions in Asia, including India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, it is a hardy plant that thrives in diverse habitats, often found as a common wasteland weed or sometimes cultivated as a green manure crop.
Name in Different Countries
Tephrosia purpurea boasts a wide array of common names reflecting its extensive geographical distribution and traditional use: English: Fish Poison, Wild Indigo, Purple Tephrosia, avasa, can-ja-da, pea bush. Sanskrit: शरपुंखा (sarapunkha), Plihashatru (Enemy of Spleen). Hindi: सरफोंक (Sarphonk), शरपुंखा (Sharpunkha). Nepali: Kande sakhinu, Sakinu. Bengali: বননীলগাছ (bannilgach). Telugu: వెంపలి (Vempali). Tamil: காவாளி (kavali), கொள்ளுக்காய்வேளை (kolluk-kay-velai). Malayalam: kozhinjil. Marathi: शरपुंखा (sharpankha), उन्हाळी (unhali). Oriya: ଶରପୁଙ୍ଖା (soropunkha). Gujarati: ઘોડાકાન (ghodakan). Kannada: empali, koggili, phanike. Chinese: Hui mao dou. French: bois-nivre (Guiana). Hawaiian: ʻAuhuhu, Ahuhu, ʻAuhola, Hola. Unani: Sarponkhaa, Sarphukaa.
Terminology
The core terminology associated with Tephrosia purpurea encompasses its botanical classification, synonyms, and chemical constituents: Botanical Name: Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. Family: Fabaceae (Pea family or Leguminosae). Synonyms: The plant has a long list of synonyms reflecting its varied appearance and widespread nature, including Cracca purpurea L., Tephrosia piscatoria (Aiton) Pers., and Galega piscatoria Aiton. Key Chemical Constituents: The plant is rich in bioactive compounds, notably: Rotenoids: Including Tephrosin and Rotenone, which are responsible for its traditional use as a fish poison and its insecticidal properties. Flavonoids: Such as Purpurin, Lanceolarin B, Karanjin, Kanjone, Quercetin, and Rutin, which contribute to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Triterpenoids: Including Lupeol and Beta-sitosterol, which are often associated with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity. Diketones: Such as Pongamol. Ayurvedic Terminology: Plihaa-shatru / Plihaari: Enemy/Destroyer of the Spleen. Sarwa wranvishapaha: Heals all types of wounds. Rasa (Taste): Tikta (Bitter). Guna (Quality): Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry). Virya (Potency): Ushna (Hot). Vipaka (Post-digestive taste): Katu (Pungent).
Availability
Tephrosia purpurea is a widely available plant, generally recognized as an herbaceous weed or a short-lived perennial sub-shrub. Habitat: It is native and prevalent throughout the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and is also found in tropical regions of Africa, Australia, and the Americas where it has been introduced. Occurrence in Nepal: It is documented in the Annotated Checklist of the Flowering Plants of Nepal, growing in the Tropical Himalayan region at altitudes typically between 150-200 meters. Source: It is primarily harvested from the wild in common wasteland areas. In agriculture, it is sometimes intentionally cultivated as a green manure crop due to its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. Commercial Availability: As a key ingredient in Ayurvedic and herbal formulations for liver and spleen disorders (e.g., Tephroli and Yakrifit), it is readily available in dried herb, powder, decoction, and proprietary medicine forms in regions where traditional medicine is practiced.
External Look
Tephrosia purpurea is a distinctive plant with specific physical characteristics: Habit: It is an erect or spreading annual or short-lived perennial herb or sub-shrub, typically growing to a height of 40–80 cm, though sometimes reaching up to 1.5 meters. It is often much branched at the base. Stem: The stem is woody, cylindrical, and often covered with fine hairs (pubescent). Leaves: The leaves are imparipinnate (compound with an odd number of leaflets), with 7 to 15 leaflets. The leaflets are usually oblanceolate or obovate (wider near the tip), with a blunt or notched tip and a small sharp point (mucronate). Flowers: Flowers are characteristic of the Pea family (Fabaceae), being pea-like (papilionaceous). They are borne in leaf-opposed pseudo-racemes (clusters), typically bright rosy purple to violet in color, and about 7 mm long. Fruit (Pods): The fruit is a linear-oblong pod, slightly curved at the tip (mucronate). A characteristic feature is that the pod is convex around the seeds with a distinctive flat area in between. Pods are typically 2.5–4 cm long and contain 5–7 dark brown, ellipsoid seeds.
Healing Properties
The therapeutic potential of Tephrosia purpurea stems from its rich phytochemistry, which imparts a wide range of pharmacological actions: Hepatoprotective and Spleno-protective: This is its most famous property. It is traditionally used to protect the liver and spleen and treat conditions like liver cirrhosis, jaundice, and splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen). It has been shown to prevent the elevation of liver enzymes (SGOT, SGPT) and bilirubin levels. Anti-inflammatory: Due to the presence of flavonoids like quercetin, rutin, lupeol, and β-sitosterol, it exhibits significant anti-inflammatory activity, useful in treating rheumatism, asthma, and various inflammatory conditions. Antioxidant: Its compounds provide antioxidant effects, helping to reduce oxidative stress and protect cells from damage. Anthelmintic (Anti-worm): It is effective against intestinal worms, a traditional application supported by its classification in Ayurveda. Diuretic and Deobstruent: The dried herb is known to increase urine production (diuretic) and remove obstructions (deobstruent) from organs like the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Antimicrobial and Wound Healing: Traditionally known as Sarwa wranvishapaha (healer of all wounds), modern studies confirm its antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral) and wound-healing properties, making it useful for skin eruptions, ulcers, boils, and pimples. Hypoglycemic: Seed extracts have demonstrated significant in vivo (in living organisms) blood-sugar-lowering activity, suggesting potential antidiabetic use. Laxative and Carminative: It acts as a gentle laxative and carminative, aiding in digestion and relieving flatulence and constipation.
Advantages
The key advantages of using Tephrosia purpurea as a medicinal herb include: Specific Organ Targeting: It is one of the few herbs specifically and highly regarded in Ayurveda for its action on the liver and spleen, making it a vital component in treating hepatosplenic disorders like chronic hepatitis and splenomegaly. Broad Spectrum of Activity: It offers a multi-faceted approach to health, with benefits for the digestive system, respiratory system (cough, bronchitis, asthma), circulatory system (blood purification), and skin health. Traditional Safety Profile: Traditional usage over centuries suggests a good safety record, with toxicological studies reporting concentrations up to 2,000 mg/kg as safe, though caution is always advised regarding its rotenoid content, particularly in high concentrations. Availability and Sustainability: It is a common, fast-growing weed or sub-shrub, making it easily accessible and sustainable for wild harvesting or cultivation. Anti-cancer and Anti-ulcer Potential: Preliminary research suggests anti-carcinogenic and anti-ulcer activities, highlighting its potential for modern drug development against serious diseases.
Uses
The whole plant, including leaves, roots, and seeds, is utilized for a vast number of ailments: Liver and Spleen Disorders: Jaundice, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen). Skin Diseases: Eczema, scabies, leprosy, boils, pimples, and wounds (applied externally and taken internally). Digestive Issues: Dyspepsia (indigestion), diarrhoea, colic, flatulence, loss of appetite, and haemorrhoids (bleeding piles). Respiratory Illnesses: Cough, bronchitis, and asthma. Urinary and Kidney Disorders: As a diuretic for Bright’s disease (nephrosis) and urinary tract infections (UTI). Blood and Circulatory System: Used as a blood purifier and for generalized edema (swelling). Anti-poison/Detoxification: Used traditionally as an antidote, particularly in cases of rat and metallic poisoning. Other Uses: Rheumatic pain, fever (antipyretic), inflammation, impotence, and sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, syphilis).
Using Way
Different parts of Tephrosia purpurea are prepared and administered in specific ways for therapeutic benefit: Decoction (Kashaya): Preparation: The dried whole plant, root, or leaves are boiled in water until the liquid reduces to a fraction of the original volume. Use: The root decoction is given for dyspepsia, diarrhoea, rheumatism, asthma, and urinary disorders. A whole plant decoction is common for liver and spleen disorders (often combined with other herbs like Phyllanthus niruri). Fresh Juice (Swarasa): Preparation: Fresh leaves or roots are crushed to extract the juice. Use: Fresh leaf juice (1–2 teaspoons) with honey is administered for dry cough, cold, and rhinitis. The root juice is applied directly to skin eruptions and taken orally for stomach disorders. Powder (Churna): Preparation: Dried parts (usually root or whole plant) are ground into a fine powder. Use: The root powder is mixed with water or other media and used to quickly stop dental bleeding and relieve pain. The powdered aerial parts are used for internal administration in various conditions. Paste/Liniment: Preparation: Root paste or a liniment prepared from the root is applied externally. Use: Applied to the skin for elephantiasis and cervical lymphadenitis (swollen glands) or directly on wounds and boils to promote healing. Seed Oil: Preparation: Oil extracted from the seeds. Use: Used externally as a specific remedy against various skin diseases like eczema, scabies, and leprosy due to its anti-parasitic and healing properties.
Conclusion
Tephrosia purpurea (Sarapunkha) stands as a monumental figure in the world of traditional medicine, particularly Ayurveda, where its identity is inseparable from its role as a powerful hepatoprotective and spleno-protective agent. Its centuries of use for a wide array of human ailments—from life-threatening liver diseases and internal inflammations to common skin disorders and parasitic infections—underline its efficacy as a multipurpose herb. Modern scientific research has validated many of its traditional claims, confirming its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and blood-sugar-lowering properties, all attributable to its rich composition of rotenoids, flavonoids, and triterpenoids. While its use as a traditional fish poison highlights a specific toxicity to aquatic life, the established, carefully prepared medicinal applications have a solid profile of safety and effectiveness. Tephrosia purpurea is, therefore, not merely a common weed but a crucial component of herbal pharmacology, representing a valuable bridge between ancient wisdom and contemporary medicine, particularly in the management of liver, spleen, and blood-related disorders.
