Uraria picta is an annual woody erect herb that reaches 1 to 2.5 m in height. The stems are woody at the base. Leaves are pinnately compound with 2-5 pairs of leaflets. During the vegetative phase, leaves pairs occur without terminal leaflets. Leaflets of the lower leaf are ovate and measure 2-8 cm long and 2-3 cm broad and of upper leaves is 7-25 cm, 5-25 mm broad, and ovate-lanceolate. Flowers are 35 to 75 in number on the inflorescence (10-70 cm long on 0-5 cm long stalk) axis usually pink or purple on dense spike-like racemes which is more than 1.5 feet long. Racemes are elongated and terminal. Bracts are super persistent at the base and apex. The fruit consists of 2 to 6 seeds and segments are nearly separated. Fruits are glabrous, articulated, and gray in color. Seeds are light brown, oblong and about 2.5 X 1.5 mm. It is widely distributed in Maharashtra ranging from the Western Ghats occur only at Kalakdara. It is found in India, China, Nepal, and Northern Australia. Besides India, Uraria picta is reported from various parts of Africa (Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, Congo, and South Africa), Japan, China, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, and Australia. The species is becoming rare due to overexploitation by various pharmaceutical industries and local tribes.
Traditional uses
- The herb has healing properties that effectively heal fractured bones by lowering pain in affected areas.
- It is helpful in treating gonorrhea. It also manages the symptoms related to it such as pain in the penis, vagina, abdominal pain, painful urination, pelvic pain, pus-like discharge, and bleeding.
- Roots are used to promote libido and sexual desire and maintains good sexual health, energy, and stamina in the body.
- It is also effective in treating diarrhea and manages symptoms such as loose, watery stools, abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, fever, bloating, and blood in the stool.
- The herb has an expectorant property that treats respiratory complications such as common cold, cough, bronchitis, and asthma. It also clears mucous from the lungs and nasal airways.
- The antiseptic properties make it effective in treating bacterial, viral and fungal infections.
- It is used as a cure for malarial fever.
- It halts the growth of cancer cells and promotes the growth of healthy cells.
- It also manages problems such as anxiety, depression, and sleeping problems.
- The plant is used as an antidote to snake bites in India.
- The plant decoction is used for gout, blood dysentery, bleeding piles, insanity, acute diarrhea, alcoholism, bronchitis, cough and difficult breathing.
- Pods and fruits are used for treating oral sores in children.
- Roots are used to treat chills, cough and fever.
- In Ghana, plant is used for treating heart problems.
- In Malaysia, leaves decoction is used for diarrhea.
- For cold, prepare a decoction by boiling 10-20 grams of powder of the whole plant in 400 ml of water till it reduces to half. Filter it and add some sugar and drink lukewarm.
- For bone fracture, take 5 grams of Prishniparni root powder and 2 grams of turmeric regularly for one month.
Precautions
- Consult the health practitioner before treating any health ailments.
- Use it in moderate amounts to prevent any side effects.
- When experiencing any allergic reactions, consult the doctor immediately.
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