Eriosema chinense
StarEriosema chinense
Synonyms: Crotalaria hamiltonii, Rhynchosia grahamii, Pyrrhotrichia tuberosa, Crotalaria tuberosa, Eriosema himalaicum, Eriosema tuberosum, Rhynchosia virgata
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
The tubers of Eriosema chinense are used as a folk remedy across its Asian range: in Meghalaya and northeastern India and in Yunnan, China the roots are taken against diarrhoea and as a detoxifying medicine, while in Thailand the fresh roots are eaten as a tonic and seed decoctions are used for wound healing and as a diuretic. Tuber decoctions are also valued as astringent, diuretic, and tonic remedies (Pal & others, reviewed in Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2021). Pharmacological studies confirm antidiarrhoeal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity of the roots.
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Botanical Description
Eriosema chinense is a small, erect perennial herb of the pea family arising from cylindrical, fleshy tubers up to about 5 cm long and 3 cm wide. The stems are slender and clothed in fine hairs, bearing simple or sometimes unifoliolate, narrowly lance-shaped leaves that are softly pubescent beneath. Small pea-like yellow flowers are produced singly or in short clusters in the leaf axils, followed by small hairy pods containing a few dark seeds. The species is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical Asia and into northern Australia, growing in open grasslands, hill slopes, and disturbed ground, and is known from China, northeastern India, Thailand, and surrounding regions.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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