Scientific Name :Indigofera arrecta Vernacular Name :Umusororo Family name :Umusororo Geographic Distribution :Savanna, regrowth forest, open woodland, fallow, along road sides and forest margins between1300 – 2200 m above sealevel.
Botanical Description Indigofera arrecta is commonly known as Benghal indigo, or Java indigo, indigo,, Natal indigo,. It is a shrubby perennial up to 2.5 m.Leaves imparipinnate with 6-10 pairs of narrowly elliptic leaflets and a terminal leaflet. Flowers in short dense axillary inflorescences, pale to deep pink;Bracts and stalks covered in densedark hairs. Fruit is a straight cylindric pod, 2-3 cm.s
Medicinal Use The roots and leaves are used externally to treat itching. Thefruits and seeds are used totreat ophthalmia. Medicines: Pain killer (Leaves and roots), sedatives (seeds and fruits), Eye treatment (root), Oral treatment (leaf and root), Stomach troubles (root, leaf), vermifuge, laxative kdneys,etc. In East Africa, the leaves are pounded and mixed with oil and the lotion is used in massaging dislocated joints. The infusion from the roots is taken in cases of stomach-ache and other stomach disorders. The roots can also be chewed and the juice swallowed. Also, the pounded leaves are used as antidote in case of snake bite (KAYIRANGA Moussa), while Kashangirwa Richard involves Indigofera arrecta crushed leaves in maceration mixture with other medicinal plants to treat poliomyelitis.
Other Use The leaves of indigofera are used in making dye. Stains, inks, mordants, manna, and other exudations.
