Narrowleaf Indigo
Indigofera linifolia · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (15 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Narrowleaf Indigo, scientifically known as Indigofera linifolia, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to various tropical regions. Renowned for its bioactive compounds, it is traditionally utilized in herbal medicine to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues. This plant offers significant therapeutic potential for modern pharmacological research and development.
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Leaves
- Common names
- Narrowleaf Indigo
- Scientific synonyms
- Indigofera Linifolia Var. Campbellii · Anil Linifolia · 9 more
Names
Common Names
- Narrowleaf Indigo
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Indigofera linifoliaSynonyms
- Indigofera linifolia var. campbellii
- Anil linifolia
- Indigofera linifolia subsp. campbellii
- Indigofera albicans
- Indigofera polygonoides
- Sphaeridiophorum abyssinicum
- Anil linifolia var. campbellii
- Anil linifolia var. lanceolata
- Hedysarum linifolium
- Hallia glauca
- Sphaeridiophorum linifolium
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following its subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Fabales and placed in the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Indigofera.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Indigofera | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple regions across Africa and Asia. In Northeast Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Eritrea, Ethiopia, and the territory of Sudan-South Sudan. The species also extends its reach into the Western Indian Ocean, specifically appearing on the island of Réunion. Additionally, its range stretches into Western Asia, where it can be found in Afghanistan. Together, these locations highlight the broad ecological adaptability of the species.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Afghanistan | WCVP |
| Arabian Peninsula | Yemen | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Indigofera liniifolia, utilizes its leaves as a primary component in various traditional medicinal applications. These leaves are characterized by their specific shape and arrangement, serving as the concentrated source of the bioactive compounds required for therapeutic use. In many practices, the leaves are harvested to prepare infusions or topical applications, leveraging their natural chemical properties to address various health concerns.| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Indigofera linifolia has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CA, CU, Essential amino acids, Flavonoids.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Ash | International journal of food sciences and nutrition (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CA | International journal of food sciences and nutrition (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CU | International journal of food sciences and nutrition (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Essential amino acids | International journal of food sciences and nutrition (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MN | International journal of food sciences and nutrition (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Unsaturated Fatty Acids | International journal of food sciences and nutrition (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| linoleic acid | International journal of food sciences and nutrition (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Indigofera linifolia has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Indigofera linifolia has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, antioxidant.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antidiabetic | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves Extract-Loaded Nanoparticles | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cooked seeds | International journal of food sciences and nutrition (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| crude extract | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| raw seeds | International journal of food sciences and nutrition (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |