Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius) sometimes referred to as Crab’s eye, Rosary pea, or Gunja in Hindi, is a small, climbing herb with very vivid red seeds. Growing over hedges, trees, and shrubs is where you can find it. Because plant seeds contain toxins called abrin, this is one of the most dangerous herbal plants.
A thin, evergreen climber that twines around hedges, trees, and shrubs is called Abrus precatorius. The leaves have long internodes and are glabrous. Its dark bark is smooth-textured and it has a cylindrical, wrinkled stem with a narrow branch.
Description
Normally, there are two forms of Rosary Pea: the form with red seeds and the form with white seeds.Preparations made from pure Gunja are effective in treating excruciating arthritis and hair loss. It’s also regarded as a strong aphrodisiac.
Botanical Name:
Abrus precatorius
Family:
Fabaceae
Leaves:
Abrus precatorius, a tiny, high-climbing perennial vine belonging to the leguminosae family, has alternating compound leaves that are 5–12 cm long and have 5–15 pairs of oblong leaflets. The absence of a terminal leaflet on the compound leaves is a crucial trait for recognizing rosary peas.
Flowers:
Pea-like blooms, small, white to pink or scarlet, with short stalks and dense clusters at the leaf axils
Pods:
Pods are short and oblong and split open when fully grown. When the pods open to release the seeds, they curl back slightly and are between 1 1/2 and 2 inches long.
Fruit:
Fruit is a small, rectangular pod that splits before falling to show 3–8 firms, glossy seeds that are red and have black bottoms, measuring 6-7 mm.
Seeds:
The Rosary pea’s most identifiable characteristic. They resemble the eye of a crab and are glossy, firm, and usually bright red with a black spot. They are the most dangerous portion of the plant, measuring roughly 6-7 millimeters in length.
Habitat:
India and several regions of tropical Asia are the rosary pea’s native range. For many years, it has been a common ornamental plant in Florida landscaping. If consumed, rosary peas can be lethal due to their high toxicity.
Parts Used:
- Root
- Leaf
- Seeds
Dosage:
- Root Powder -1 -3 g
- Seed powder – ½ to 1.5
- Leaf Powder -1 -3 g
Chemical Constituents
Mature seeds also include lipids, carbs , proteins , and fiber . Because of the presence of “arbin,” this plant is regarded as hazardous even if it is popular as a therapeutic.
Other Language Names of Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius)
Hindi name – Gunchi, Gunja, Rati, Gamanchi
Sanskrit name – Kakadantika, Kakasahavaya, Shikhandika, Sheetpaki, Rati
Marathi name – Gunj, Gunja
Persian name – Gunchi, Chashmi, Khurosa
English name – Indian licorice root, Crab’s eye, John Crow bead, Abrus seed
Telugu name – Guruvinda, Guruginia
Tamil name – Gundumani
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Abrus |
| Species | Abrus precatorius L. |
Ayurvedic Properties
Guna (Characteristics) – Ruksha (Dry), Laghu (Light)
Rasa (Taste) – Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)
Vipaka (After taste that develops post digestion) – Katu (Pungent)
Virya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot Potency)
Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius) Properties of the Herb
- It has potent aphrodisiac properties and naturally boosts libido, aiding in the treatment of sexual diseases. Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius) preparations are a natural herbal remedy for people with low sperm counts or other issues connected to sperm production.
- Similar to how Rosary Pea improves the texture of the skin and hair, its application promotes better wound healing.
- Owing to its remarkable therapeutic qualities, Rosary Pea can treat everything from minor cold and cough symptoms to rheumatoid arthritis, skin conditions, worm infestations, asthma, excessive thirst, and poisoning.
- In the Ayurvedic medical system, one Rosary Pea seed is equivalent to about 120 mg, and its size and weight are consistently employed as markers for weight assessment.
- Rosary Pea, which comes in red and white variations, has long been researched for its many therapeutic qualities that can support natural health care.
Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius) Uses
In Ayurveda:
Oil with aphrodisiac properties is prepared from the white kind of seed. A leaf tea is used to treat colds, coughs, and fevers. It is thought that seeds are utilized to treat paralysis and act as a nerve stimulator. But before eating, the seeds need to be carefully cleaned to get rid of the poison.
For coughs and colds:
A leaf tea is used to treat colds, coughs, and fevers.
As an aphrodisiac:
Oil with aphrodisiac properties is prepared from the white kind of seed.
For hair growth:
The rosary pea is occasionally used as an ingredient in Indian hair products and is also claimed to encourage hair development.
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Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius) Benefits
Treats Alopecia:
Patchy hair loss results from the autoimmune disease alopecia areata, which is caused by the body’s immune system attacking healthy hair follicles. In Ayurveda, the illness is also known as “Indralupta.” In a study involving twenty patients, lepa (hair pack) made with powdered Rosary Pea seed demonstrated new hair growth in nearly half of the subjects.
Promotes Follicle Health:
Rosary Pea has a long history of medicinal use and has been shown to improve follicle health by increasing blood flow to the hair roots. It guarantees improved absorption of nutrients and keeps your follicles from drying out, which can cause hair loss and thinning.
Prevents Scalp Infections:
Strong antibacterial and antifungal qualities of Rosary Pea aid in the treatment of ringworm, folliculitis, scalp psoriasis, dandruff, and other scalp illnesses. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory properties that calm and reduce irritation in your scalp, which accelerates the healing process.
Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius) Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Fast heart rate
- Headache
- Seizures
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Organ failure
- Nausea
Conclusion
According to Ayurveda, abrus seeds are poisonous, and there is a recorded procedure for purifying them. Purified Abrus stimulates the nerves and is used to treat vata problems such as paralysis and joint discomfort. For alopecia and other skin conditions, local application of seed paste is used.
FAQS
What are the uses of rosary peas?
The seeds were traditionally used for gold-weighing and decoration. The plant is mostly used to heal scratches, sores, and wounds from dogs, cats, and mice in traditional herbal preparations. It is also used to treat rabies, tetanus, and leucoderma.
What are the medical uses of rosary pea?
The herb has laxative, sedative, aphrodisiac, and abortifacient properties. The leaves of the Rosary pea plant are used to make tea, which is thought to help with colds, coughs, and fevers.
What health benefits do Rosary Pea?
In Ayurvedic medicine, Rosary Pea has been used to treat anxiety, depression, pain, inflammation, and digestive issues, among other things. Plant chemicals found in the herb may have neuroprotective, antioxidant, and tumor-combating properties.
What are the side effects of Rosary Pea?
According to research, most people who take Rosary Pea topically or orally experience little negative effects when using it correctly. Given that this herb has sedative qualities, some people report increased nausea or sleepiness when combined with other drugs or substances.