Indigofera heterantha Information

Indigofera heterantha is a perennial shrub belonging to the family Fabaceae, native to the Himalayas and found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. It is commonly known as Himalayan Indigo or Heterantha Indigo.

The plant grows up to 1-3 meters tall and has pinnately compound leaves with 7-11 leaflets. The flowers are pink to purple in color and appear in long spikes, usually during the summer months. The fruit is a small pod containing seeds.

Indigofera heterantha is known for its traditional medicinal properties and is used in Ayurvedic medicine for various ailments such as fever, cough, cold, asthma, bronchitis, and inflammation. The plant contains several chemical compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins, which are responsible for its medicinal properties.

In addition to its medicinal uses, the plant is also used as a natural dye, particularly for wool and silk fabrics. The leaves of the plant contain indigo, a blue dye that has been used for centuries in textile production.

Overall, Indigofera heterantha is an important plant with both medicinal and cultural significance in the regions where it is found.