Sivanar vembu (Indigofera aspalathoides)

Indigofera aspalathoides, sivanar vembu, is a small, wiry shrub of the dry, sandy country of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, with tiny needle-like leaflets and small red pea-flowers. It is an important plant in Siddha medicine, especially for skin preparations. Despite the Tamil name it is not related to neem.

Botanical name: Indigofera aspalathoides Vahl ex DC.
Family: Fabaceae
Tamil: Sivanar vembu
Hindi: Shivanimba
Parts used: Whole herb in lists
Habit: Wiry indigo; Tamil vembu is a shop word
Last updated: 2026-10-27

How to recognise Sivanar vembu

It is a low, much-branched, woody undershrub, usually under half a metre, with stiff, wiry stems.

The leaves are tiny, with a few very narrow, needle-like leaflets clustered on the stems.

Small pinkish-red pea-flowers grow singly along the branches.

The pods are small, short and straight. Other Indigofera species, such as true indigo, have broader leaflets and longer flower spikes.

It flowers after the north-east monsoon, when the bare-looking stems are dotted with small red flowers.

Traditional use of Sivanar vembu

Siddha

Sivanar vembu is a key ingredient of Siddha oils and preparations for skin conditions, used externally.

Siddha materia medica

Modern notes on Sivanar vembu

Laboratory studies of extracts report various activities, but there are no good clinical trials.

Pharmacognosy work has focused on identifying it correctly, because other small Indigofera species are sometimes substituted.

Sivanar vembu safety

Use only preparations made by qualified practitioners. Do not take it internally without advice.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows on dry, sandy and gravelly soils in southern India and Sri Lanka, including coastal scrub.

It is a nitrogen-fixing legume, like other Indigofera.

Collection of whole plants for the herbal trade can deplete local populations.

It is one of the plants of the sandy teri and coastal scrub of southern Tamil Nadu, where few larger shrubs grow.

Related plants

Also in Fabaceae

Questions about Sivanar vembu

Is Sivanar vembu neem?

No. Neem is Azadirachta indica; vembu here is only part of the Tamil name.

Where does Sivanar vembu grow?

In dry, sandy country of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

Is Sivanar vembu indigo?

It is a relative of the indigo plant, but not used for dye.

Why is Sivanar vembu called sivanar vembu?

The name links it to Shiva; its bitterness was compared to neem, vembu.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.