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Desmodium gangeticum: An Overview

Desmodium gangeticum, commonly known as Sal Leaved Desmodium or Salparni, is a plant belonging to the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family. It holds significance in traditional medicine, particularly in Ayurveda.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC.
• Family: Fabaceae (also referred to as Papilionaceae or Leguminosae)
• Basionym: Hedysarum gangeticum L.
• Synonyms:
  • Hedysarum collinum Roxb.
  • Hedysarum lanceolatum Schum. & Thonn
  • Meibomia gangeticum (L.) Kuntze
  • Desmodium maculatum (L.)
• Varieties:
  • Desmodium gangeticum var. maculatum (L.) Baker
  • Desmodium gangeticum var. ramnagari Haines

Common Names

• Sal Leaved Desmodium
• Salparni
• Sanskrit names: anshumati, dhruva, dirghamoola, pivari, shalaparni

Distribution and Habitat

Desmodium gangeticum is found in various regions, including India and the Philippines, and ascends to altitudes of up to 1,500 meters. It is also found in Australia.

Morphological Characteristics

• It is described as an undershrub, growing to about 24 feet in height.
• The stems are irregularly angled, glabrescent, and branched.
• It has unifoliate leaves.

Traditional and Medicinal Uses

• Desmodium gangeticum is used in folklore medicine for the treatment of various ailments.
• It is an important herb in Ayurveda, where it is considered sweet in taste and mildly warming in action.
• It is one of the ingredients in Laghupanchamoola.
• Traditionally used in Indian medicine and Ayurvedic medicine.

Chemical Constituents

• The plant is known to be rich in flavonoids and alkaloids.
• Gangetin, a pterocarpan, has been isolated from Desmodium gangeticum.

Further Information

• Information can be found at NPGS/GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network).
• Multimedia resources are available on Wikimedia Commons.