Vetpalai, dudhi in Hindi, is pala indigo or sweet indrajao, a small deciduous tree with milky latex and white, fragrant flowers. Its leaves yield a blue dye similar to indigo, which gives the name tinctoria. Siddha practice uses vetpalai oil for psoriasis. Its soft, ivory-white wood is the traditional material of Channapatna lacquer toys in Karnataka.
- Botanical name
- Wrightia tinctoria R.Br.
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Tamil
- Vetpalai
- Hindi
- Dudhi
- Sanskrit
- Hyamāraka
- Parts used
- Leaves, Latex, Seeds in lists
- Habit
- Small deciduous tree whose leaves give a blue dye
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Vetpalai
It is a small deciduous tree with pale grey, flaky bark and milky latex.
The leaves are opposite, oval and pointed.
Fragrant white flowers with a fringed central crown grow in loose clusters.
The pods are long and slender, in pairs that are joined at the tips.
Seeds carry tufts of silky hairs.
Traditional use of Vetpalai
Siddha
Vetpalai leaves are steeped in coconut oil to make a Siddha oil for psoriasis and dandruff.
Siddha practice
Craft
The soft white wood is turned into Channapatna lacquer toys.
Karnataka craft practice
Dyeing
Fermented leaves give a blue dye for cloth.
South Indian craft practice
Modern notes on Vetpalai
The leaves contain indigo precursors, like true indigo.
Small clinical studies of vetpalai oil for psoriasis have reported improvement.
Its seeds are sold as sweet indrajau, as opposed to bitter indrajau from kutaja.
Channapatna toys, coloured with natural lac, hold a geographical indication.
Vetpalai safety
Test vetpalai oil on a small patch of skin first. Do not take the latex by mouth.
Ecology and sourcing
It grows in dry deciduous forests of India and Myanmar.
Moths visit its fragrant flowers.
Wind carries its silky seeds.
It flowers in the hot months, often when the tree is leafless.
Related plants
Also in Apocynaceae
Questions about Vetpalai
What is vetpalai?
The Tamil name for this tree.
Is Vetpalai used for psoriasis?
Yes, as an oil in Siddha practice.
What are Channapatna toys made from?
Traditionally, its soft wood.
Does Vetpalai give indigo?
Its leaves give a similar blue dye.
What is sweet indrajau?
Its seeds.
Is Vetpalai the same as kutaja?
No. Kutaja is Holarrhena pubescens, the source of bitter indrajau.
Sources
- Wrightia tinctoria R.Br. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q8038287 (Wrightia tinctoria)
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.