Kolingi, sarphonka in Hindi and sharapunkha in Sanskrit, is wild indigo, a wiry, purple-flowered herb of dry field bunds and roadsides. Farmers in Tamil Nadu plough it in as green manure. Ayurveda uses sharapunkha for liver and spleen complaints, and the Sanskrit name means arrow feather, after its narrow, paired leaflets. Related Tephrosia species are used as fish poisons.
- Botanical name
- Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers.
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Tamil
- Kolingi
- Hindi
- Sarphoka
- Sanskrit
- Śarapuṅkhā
- Parts used
- Whole herb, Root in lists
- Habit
- Wiry purple-flowered herb of dry bunds
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Kolingi
It is a much-branched herb or small subshrub, usually knee-high, with wiry stems.
The leaves are pinnate, with several pairs of narrow leaflets that are silky underneath.
Each leaflet has fine, parallel side veins and a tiny point at the tip.
Small purple to pink pea-flowers grow on long, thin stalks.
The pods are narrow, slightly curved and finely hairy, with several seeds.
True indigo, Indigofera tinctoria, has rounder leaflets and pink flowers in spikes.
Traditional use of Kolingi
Farming
It is grown or left on fields and ploughed in as green manure in South India.
Tamil farm practice
Ayurveda
Sharapunkha is used in Ayurveda for liver and spleen complaints.
Ayurvedic practice
Siddha
Kolingi root is used in Siddha preparations.
Siddha practice
Modern notes on Kolingi
Tephrosia species contain rotenoids, which are toxic to fish and insects.
Studies on extracts for liver protection are mostly in animals.
It fixes nitrogen and improves poor soil.
A relative, Tephrosia vogelii, is grown in Africa as a natural fish poison and insecticide.
Kolingi safety
Do not use it as medicine without a trained practitioner, and avoid it in pregnancy. Keep it away from fish ponds.
Ecology and sourcing
It grows across tropical Asia, Africa and Australia on dry, disturbed ground.
Bees visit its flowers.
It thrives on sandy, poor soils.
It flowers for much of the year, especially after rain.
Related plants
Also in Fabaceae
Questions about Kolingi
What does sharapunkha mean?
Arrow feather, after its leaflets.
Is Kolingi true indigo?
No. True indigo is Indigofera tinctoria.
Why do farmers grow Kolingi?
As green manure.
Is Kolingi toxic?
Related species are fish poisons; do not eat it.
What is kolingi?
Its Tamil name.
How is Kolingi used as green manure?
It is sown on fallow fields and ploughed in while still green.
Sources
- Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q3281054 (Tephrosia purpurea)
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.