⚠️ Important Note:

Highly toxic if consumed raw. Seeds contain abrin, a potent toxin. Only used externally or in purified form under strict traditional medicinal supervision.

🌿 Traditional Uses of Naccukkottai (Abrus precatorius)

1. Ayurvedic Applications (after detoxification)

• Skin Disorders: Used in medicated oils to treat vitiligo, eczema, and psoriasis.

• Hair Growth: Decoctions or oils made from roots or detoxified seeds may help promote hair growth.

• Pain Relief: Applied externally for joint pain, arthritis, and inflammation.
  
  

2. Aphrodisiac & Tonic

• In very small, purified quantities, used in traditional medicine as a nerve tonic and aphrodisiac.

3. Antihelmintic

• The powdered root is used (under expert guidance) to expel intestinal worms.
  
  

🌿 Plant Classification

• Kingdom: Plantae

• Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)

• Genus: Abrus

• Species: Abrus precatorius
  
  

🌱 Plant Description

• Type: Climbing woody vine

• Length: Can grow up to 6 meters

• Stems: Slender, green or purple, twining

• Leaves: Compound with 20–30 leaflets, feather-like

• Roots: Used medicinally after purification
  
  

🌸 Flowers & Seeds

• Flowers: Small, pale violet or pink, pea-like clusters

• Seeds: Bright red with black spot (often used in jewelry and traditional measurement)
  
  

🌿 Growth Requirements

• Climate: Tropical and subtropical regions

• Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soil

• Light: Full sun

• Watering: Moderate, drought-resistant once established
  
  

🌱 Propagation

• By Seeds: Scarification (light rubbing) or soaking needed for germination

• By Cuttings: Can also propagate through stem cuttings

🗓️ Harvest Time

• Seeds: Harvested when pods mature and turn brown

• Roots: Collected after 8–10 months of growth, then processed for medicinal use

❗ Caution: Toxicity

• Raw seeds are extremely poisonous — even 1 or 2 chewed seeds can be fatal.

• Traditional systems detoxify seeds before use through boiling, drying, and specific Ayurvedic purification methods.