Botanical name : Heliotropium indicum Linn.

Family : Boraginaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS

Vrischikali

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES

Rasa : Kashaya, Tikta

Guna : Lakhu, Snigda

Virya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English : Indian turnsole

Hindi : Siriyari, Hattasura

Malayalam : Tekkida, Telkada,

PLANT DESCRIPTION

A small spreading slightly succulent foetid annual herb. Grows 15- 20 cm in height. Leaves are simple alternate, or subopposite, ovate, obtuse, hispid-pubescent, filled with veins in lower side. Flowers are pale violet, found in axillary scorpiod cymes. Fruits are nutlets combined in pairs

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, vata, ulcers, sores, wounds, skin diseases, insect stings, rheumatism, fever, cough, ringworm, erysipelas and eye pain. Seeds cure stomach distress.

Useful part : Whole plant.