Sharpunkha, Purple tephrosia, Wild indigo, Fish Poison, Teprhosia

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 9 min read

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বাংলা রোগী নোট এখনো যোগ করা হয়নি। পোস্ট এডিটরে “RX Bangla Patient Mode” বক্স থেকে সহজ বাংলা সারাংশ যোগ করুন।

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Article Summary

Sharpunkha is an erect or spreading annual or short-lived perennial herb that is 40-80 cm tall and is widely distributed in countries such as India, China, Malay Peninsula, Sri Lanka, and Hawaii. It naturally occurs in grassy fields, thickets, waste places, and on ridges and along roadsides in Java. It is found near the shore in Hawaii. The herb is native to tropical Asia and...

Key Takeaways

This article explains Sharpunkha Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
This article explains Traditional uses in simple medical language.
This article explains How to Use Sarpunkha plant in simple medical language.

Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.

Reviewed content workflowUse writer and reviewer profiles for stronger trust.

Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

Learn safely

Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

Name	Sharpunkha
Scientific Name	Tephrosia purpurea
Native	Tropical Asia, and is found from India and Sri Lanka to southern China and through South-East Asia to tropical Australia and the Polynesian Islands.
Common/English Name	English: Purple tephrosia, Wild indigo, Fish Poison, Teprhosia; French: Faux Indigo, Indigo Rouge, Indigo Sauvage; German: Indigo; Hindi: Saraphonka, Sarphonk (सरफोंक), Sharpunkha (शरपुंखा); Tamil: Kavilai, Kawati, Kolinchi, Kollukkai Velai (கொள்ளுக்காய்_வேளை); English: Fishpoison; Hawaiian: auhuhu, auhuhu, ahuhu, auhola, hola; Malayalam: Kozhinjil, Kattamari, Kozhuva; Marquesan: kohuhu; Niuean: kohuhu, kohuhu sea; Samoan: avasā, avasa; Sanskrit: Sarapunkha, Bana, Banapunkha, Pleehasatru; Sinhalese: Gam-pila, Pila; Tongan: kavahuhu; Portuguese (Brazil): tefrósia; Rajasthani: Masa Bengali: Jangli neel (জংলী নীল), বন নীল।, Bannilgach (বননীলগাছ); Telugu: Vempali (వెంపలి); Gujarati: ghodakan (ઘોડાકાન); Kannada: Empali, koggili, phanike; Marathi: sharpankha (शरपुंखा), unhali (उन्हाळी); Nepali: Kande sakhinu, Sakinu; Oriya: soropunkha (ଶରପୁଙ୍ଖା); Sanskrit: sarapunkha (शरपुंखा); Urdu: Sarphooka, Sarphoka, Sarphuka
Plant Growth Habit	Erect or spreading annual or short-lived perennial herb
Soil	Dry, gravelly or rocky and sandy
Plant Size	40-80 cm tall
Stem	Slender, erect ordecumbent
Leaf	Imparipinnate, 1.5-9 mm x 0.1-1.5 mm
Flower	Purplish to white, 4-8.5 mm long
Pod shape & size	Flat, linear, 2-4.5 cm x 3-5 mm
Taste (Whole plant)	Bitter
Seed	Rectangular to transversely ellipsoid, 2.5-5 mm x 1.8-3 mm, light to dark brown to black

Sharpunkha Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Tephrosia purpurea

Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom	Viridiplantae (Green plants)
Infrakingdom	Streptophyta (Land plants)
Superdivision	Embryophyta
Division	Tracheophyta (Vascular plants, tracheophytes)
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Fabales
Family	Fabaceae (Peas, legumes)
Genus	Tephrosia Pers. (Hoarypea)
Species	Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. (Fishpoison)
Synonyms	Cracca piscatoria (Aiton) Lyons Cracca purpurea L. Galega piscatoria Galega piscatoria Aiton Glycyrrhiza mairei H.Lév. Tephrosia crassa Bojer Tephrosia crassa Bojer ex Baker Tephrosia hamiltonii J.R.Drummond Tephrosia indigofera Bertol. Tephrosia ionophlebia Hayata Tephrosia lanceaefolia Link Tephrosia lanceifolia Link Tephrosia piscatoria (Aiton) Pers. Tephrosia purpurea var. diffusa (Roxb.) Aitch. Tephrosia purpurea var. piscatoria (W.Aiton) Fosberg Tephrosia purpurea var. purpurea

The plant is a self-generating and perennial herb found throughout India. It is a small shrub that grows up to 1.5 meters tall with bi-pinnate leaves. The leaves have 7-15 leaflets and the terminal leaflet is solitary. Flowers are purplish to white and about 4 to 8.5 mm long. The calyx is a persistent, campanulate, cup 1.4-2.3 mm x 1.5-3.2 mm. Pods are flat, linear, 2-4.5 cm x 3-5 mm, and somewhat up-curved towards the end. Seed are transversely ellipsoid, rectangular about 2.5-5 mm x 1.8-3 mm, light to dark brown to black.

All parts of the plant possess medicinal properties such as tonic and laxative. Roots have a bitter bad taste and are an alexipharmic used for treating wounds, ulcers, bronchitis, snake bites, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, asthma, enlargement of spleen, and pimples. Leaves are tonic to improve appetite. The plant is used as a blood purifier internally and is considered cordial.

Plant description

Sharpunkha is an erect and perennial legume shrub that grows 40-80 (-150) cm high. Stems are cylindrical and woody at the base having stiff coarse hairs that is reddish in color. Leaves are compound, alternate, imparipinnate, and 6-12 (-14.5) cm long bearing 6-12 pairs of leaflets and one terminal leaflet at their extremity. Leaflets are 1-2.5 cm long x 0.3-1 cm wide, oboval in shape, and mucronate at the end. An inflorescence is a terminal or axillary raceme about 2-20 cm long. Flowers are pedicellate, papilionaceous, solitary, and borne in groups of two, three, or four, 6-10 mm long, and pink or purple in color. Flowers give way to green, flat, and pubescent pods which are about 2.5-4.5 cm long and constricted between the seeds. Pods are light brown at maturity and twists open to set seeds. Seeds are smooth, mottled, yellowish to dark brown or black in color, ellipsoid flattened, and about 4 mm x 2.5 mm broad.

Traditional uses

The plant is used to cure various types of external wounds and gastro-duodenal disorders.
It is used for tightness of the chest and cough.
Root decoction is helpful in the enlargement and obstruction of the liver, kidney, and spleen.
Use gargle of Tephrosia purpurea to wash out mouth.
Roots are used in skin disorders, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, flatulence, elephantitis, asthma, hemorrhoids, anemia, bronchitis, chronic fever, dysmenorrhea, gingivitis, boils, and pimples.
Seed infusion is used as anthelmintic oil.
It is useful for skin disorders such as leucoderma and scabies.
Leaves are used in pectoral disease, dyspepsia, syphilis, hemorrhoids, and gonorrhea.
The plant is used as a cure for ulcers, tumors, rheumatism, bronchitis, asthma, and allergic conditions.
Use the pod decoction for vomiting symptoms.
Use the root powder as a salutary for brushing teeth to provide relief from dental pains and stop bleeding.
Use the fresh root bark with black pepper to provide relief from obstinate colic.
Boil the root powder in milk and apply it to leprous wounds.
Fruit decoction is used for treating intestinal worms.
Leaves decoction is used against snake bite.
Mix the grounded leaves or leaf buds with salt and coconut and apply it topically for cuts and itchy skin.
In Southern India, fruit decoction is used for intestinal worms and fruit extract provides relief from bodily pains and inflammatory problems.
Root decoction is helpful for treating diarrhea, depression, asthma, rheumatism, and urinary disorders.
In Ceylon, it is used as an anthelmintic for children.
In Punjab, seeds infusion is considered cooling.
In Sri Lanka, root decoction is used as a nematicide for treating Toxocara canis larvae which causes lung disease.

How to Use Sarpunkha plant

Paste: Wash the flowers, leaves, and tender twigs and ground to form a paste.

Leaf juice: Extract leaf juice from pounded leaves and squeezed through clothes.

Powder: Clean the plant parts cut and dry it in the sun. Then dried parts are grounded to form a powder.

Decoction: Boil 5-10 grams of dried powder in one glass of water. Cook till the volume reduces to one-fourth. Filter it and take it.

Applications

Liver cirrhosis, jaundice, and other Diseases of the liver, Spleen diseases

Use the decoction of the plant and drink twice a day.
Use 14-28 ml of fresh juice twice a day.
Use 1-3 gram of powder with one cup of milk.

Enlargement of the spleen, Diseases of the spleen and the liver

Take 1-2 gram of root paste with buttermilk/Chach twice daily.
Drink plant decoction.

Dropsy

Take 14-28 ml of fresh juice of whole plant is twice daily.

Angina pain, heart palpitation

Prepare decoction by boiling 5 gram of Sharpunkha panchang, 5 gram of Arjun bark and Clove (2-3) in one glass water. Take it twice a day.

Hyperacidity

Drink decoction of Tephrosia purpurea.

Abdominal pain, flatulence

Drink decoction of Sharpunkha.

Blood purification

Use a decoction of the Sharpunkha plant with Neem leaves and drink it.

Malarial fever

The decoction of 5 grams of Sharpunkha panchang, and 5 grams of giloy powder in a glass of water. Cook it till the volume reduces to one-fourth. Filter it and drink it.

External Uses

Toothache

The pounded leaves are used to make a paste and apply it on teeth for ½ hours a day for 3 days.

Non-healing wounds

Boil Sharpunkha and a few neem leaves in water. Wash it in the affected area.

Swelling, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation

Apply the poultice of the plant to the affected area.

Precautions

People taking medications should consult the doctor for use.

Other uses

In South Africa and India, it is used as fodder before flowering.
In Australia, it is used to cause livestock poisoning.
In Northern India, dry plants are collected for fuel.

References

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

Write when the problem started and how it changed.
Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
Basic physical examination by a clinician
CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Drink safe fluids and monitor temperature.
In dengue-prone areas, discuss CBC and platelet count when fever persists or warning signs appear.
Use tepid sponging for high fever discomfort; avoid ice-cold bathing.

OTC medicine safety

For fever, common fever medicine may be discussed with a clinician or pharmacist.
Avoid aspirin/ibuprofen-like medicines in suspected dengue unless a doctor says it is safe.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Fever with breathing difficulty, confusion, repeated vomiting, bleeding, severe weakness, stiff neck, or dehydration needs urgent care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Medicine doctor / pediatrician for children / qualified clinician

Tests to discuss with doctor

Temperature chart and hydration assessment
CBC with platelet count if fever persists or dengue/other infection is possible
Urine test, malaria/dengue tests, chest evaluation, or blood culture only when clinically indicated

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?
Do I need antibiotics, or is this more likely viral?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first
If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story
Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician
A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests
Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse
If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

Ask a health question safely

Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.