Neelamari

A highly branching shrub which grows up to 1 m high. Stems and branches are thin with reddish tinge; leaflets which are elliptic-oblong pale greent or bluish

The plant flowers from September to November. Flowers are small, rose-coloured and are borne in axillary racemes. Pods are long and cylindrical, pale greenish grey when young and dark brown on ripening having 8-12 seeds.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES & USE

Parts used: Leaf, root, Whole plant

Formulations: Nilibhringadi oil, Neeli thulasiadhi tailam, Neeli thulasiadhi kashayam

Nili is a reputed drug used in ayurveda for the promotion of hair growth and to prevent hair fall and greying of hair.

It forms a major ingredient of preparations like nilibhringadi oil. Coconut oil boiled with the leaf can also be used as a good hair tonic.

A paste of the leaf can be applied on scabies, burns and wounds.

To remove black spots on the face, apply a paste of indigo leaves and red sandalwood.

Neelamari is effective against asthma, whooping cough, stomach ache etc.

It is also useful in treating liver, kidney and heart complaints. Application of a paste of indigo plant on the lower abdomen region removes difficulty in urination.

Leaf juice is effective against various stomach problems.

The plant is well known for its antivenomous property. Administering leaf juice mixed with equal quantity of milk is effective in rabies treatment.

For poisonous stings, apply the plant pulp on the wound and also take the plant juice internally.

Decoction with Nilamari root is a good antidote against arsenic poisoning.

The root ground and mixed with milk is effective as an antidote for mushroom poisoning.

The leaves are used for extraction of natural dye of indigo colour.

Being a leguminous crop, it improves the fertility of soil through nitrogen fixation.

The plant is ideal for bio fencing.

Neelamari