Hawaiian Fish Poisoning Plant

Tephrosia purpurea is a species of flowering plant in the 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:

• Bengali: জংলী নীল (Jangli neel), বন নীল।
• English: Fish poison, wild indigo
• Hawaiian: ʻAuhuhu, Ahuhu, ʻAuhola, Hola^[2]
• Hindi name: Sarphonk, Sharpunkha
• Rajasthani: Masa
• Tamil: Kolinchi (கொழிஞ்சி), Kollukkai Velai (கொள்ளுக்காய்_வேளை),kaaivelai(காய்வேளை )
• Telugu: Vempali (వెంపలి), Pampara chettu
• Malayalam: Kozhinjil (കൊഴിഞ്ഞിൽ)
• Kannada: Kaggi
• Duk: Jangli-kulthi

Uses

In SIDDHA ; SEED uses Anthelmintic ; ROOT uses Nutritive

Fish poison

Tephrosia purpurea is used as a fish poison for fishing. Its leaves and seeds contain tephrosin, which paralyzes fish. Larger doses are lethal to fish, but mammals and amphibians are unaffected.^[3]

Ethnomedicine

Tephrosia purpurea is also used traditionally as folk medicine. According to Ayurveda, the plant is anthelmintic, alexiteric, restorative, 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. African shepherds use crushed plants to make an antidotal beverage for animals bitten by snakes.^[3]

Feed and manure

Tephrosia purpurea has been reported to provide fodder to animals such as goats. It makes also a good green manure in fields.^[3]

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.