Heliotropium indicum

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Heliotropium indicum
Heliotropium indicum at Kadavoor.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Heliotropium
Species:
H. indicum
Binomial name
Heliotropium indicum
L.
Synonyms

Heliophytum indicum
Heliotropium parviflorum
Tiaridium indicum

Contents

Heliotropium indicum, commonly known as Indian heliotrope, Indian turnsole is an annual, hirsute plant. It has a curved arrangement of small flowers and velvety broad green leaves.

Native to Asia, it is a common weed in waste places and settled areas. It contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids but has been used in traditional medicine.

Description

Indian heliotrope is an annual, erect, branched plant that can grow to a height of about 15–50 cm (5.9–19.7 in). It has a hairy stem, bearing alternating ovate to oblong-ovate leaves. It has small white or purple flowers with a green calyx; five stamens borne on a corolla tube; a terminal style; and a four-lobed ovary. [1] [2]

Distribution and habitat

The plant is native to Asia. It is a common weed in waste places and settled areas. [1]

Toxicity

Heliotropium indicum contains tumorigenic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. [3]

Traditional medicine

In the Philippines, the plant is chiefly used as a traditional medicine. The extracted juice from the pounded leaves of the plants is used on wounds, skin ulcers and furuncles.[ citation needed ] The juice is also used as an eye drop for conjunctivitis.[ citation needed ] The pounded leaves are used as poultice. [4]

It is widely used in native medicine in Tamil Nadu, India.

References

  1. 1 2 "Trompang elepante". Philippine Medicinal Plants oten.
  2. ↑ "Heliotropium indicum L." USDA Plants Database.
  3. ↑ Fu, P.P., Yang, Y.C., Xia, Q., Chou, M.C., Cui, Y.Y., Lin G., "Pyrrolizidine alkaloids-tumorigenic components in Chinese herbal medicina and dietary supplements", Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, Vol. 10, No. 4, 2002, pp. 198-211
  4. ↑ Onaylos, Irma Noel. Plants That You Know But Really Don't: Home Remedies from 110 Philippine Medicinal Plants. Cebu City: Our Press, Inc. p. 40.
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