Brown hemp

Scientific name of Brown hemp: Crotalaria Juncea

Name of Brown hemp in different languages:-

English: Indian hemp, Madras hemp, Sunn hemp

Sanskrit: Shana

Hindi: San सन

Tamil: வாக்குன்னார் Vakkunnar

Malayalam: Kilukiluppa-കിലുകിലുപ്പ, Chanaka-ചനക

Plant description:

Brown hemp is an Annual herb, erect, commonly found as a weed in the waste land, road sides etc. It grows up to 1 meter tall, branches many, ascending, pubescent, the leaves are simple, arranged alternately, about 2.5 to 10.5 cm long, and 6–20 mm broad, oblong, obtuse or sub-acute, pubescent on both sides, leaves and young branches covered with  white soft hairs, and with a silky peripheral. Flowers are small, yellow, Inflorescence an erect terminal and lateral raceme, up to 30 cm long. Fruits are pods, 2.5 to 3.2 cm long, sessile, pubescent,10 to 15-seeded commonly found in the fruit, flowering period is May to September.

Useful plant parts:

Roots, seeds, leaves.

Medicinal uses:

Anti-ulcerogenic, to treat arthritis it is Toxic, Roots are astringent, Leaves are considered cooling, demulcent, purgative, emetic, emmenagogue and abortive.

Chemical content:

Glycosides, Steroids, Triterpenes, Flavonoids, and Phenolics