Summary: Indigofera arrecta (Natal indigo) is a plant in the Fabaceae family. Verdica documents 0 traditional uses, 0 phytochemical compounds, and 0 herb-drug interactions for this species.
Indigofera arrecta, commonly known as Bengal Indigo, Indigo, Natal Indigo, or Java Indigo, is a tropical small shrub of herb growing up to 4 m in height with partly woody stems and slightly hairy leaves. It has pink or brown flowers. It can be found in Africa. The leaves are used in the treatment of epilepsy, nervous disorders, diabetes, peptic ulcers, sores, gum infections, snake bites, gonorrhea, and jaundice. The leaves and roots are used externally to treat itching. The fruits and seeds are used to treat ophthalmia. Young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Bengal indigo is also used as a cover crop and green manure. It is a major source of the blue dye 'indigo'. The twigs are used for cleaning teeth. Propagation methods are seed sowing and cuttings.
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate — drought tolerant once established |
| Soil | Well-drained; nitrogen-fixing — minimal fertilizer needed |
| Hardiness Zone | Varies widely (USDA 2-11) |
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