Trichodesma indicum - Indian Borage
❏ Binomial Name : Trichodesma indicum (L.) Lehm.
❏ Synonym : Borago indica,Pollichia indica,Trichodesma spinulosum
❏ Family : Boraginaceae
❏ Common Name : Indian Borage
❏ Tamil Name : Kaasithumbai
❏ Hindi Name : Chota kulpha
❏ IUCN status: Not Evaluated
Trichodesma indicum Botanical Description
Scabrous herbs. Leaves opposite and alternate, 4-5 x 0.5-1 cm, linear-oblong, apex obtuse, base auricled, scabrous. Flowers solitary, axillary or in lax racemes; pedicels 1 cm, hairy; calyx lobes 8 mm long, acuminate, sagitate, hairy, one nerved; corolla salver shaped, 9 mm long, lobes acuminate; anthers united, pubescent at base and outside, connective 5 mm; ovary 4 lobed, style 5 mm. Fl. &Fr.: February-August.
Trichodesma indicum Medicinal uses
❀ A cold water infusion of the leaves is depurative
❀ The leaves and roots are used as remedy for snake bites
❀ The root is pounded, mixed with water and given to children as a treatment for dysentery
❀ The root is pounded and made into a paste which is applied as a poultice to reduce swellings, especially of the joints