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Karal- lima |
| Synonyms: Vigna retusa Walp. | |
| Vernacular Name: Sinhala: Karal -lima; Eng: beach bean. | |
| Description: Herbaceous creeping vine without tendrils. Leaves alternate, trifoliate, leaflets obovate, up to 10 cm long and somewhat fleshy. Flowers small, pea-like, yellows. Fruit a black pod (legume), 5-8 cm long with several to many pea-like seeds. | |
| Propagation: By seeds. | |
| Part Used: Leaves. | |
| Chemical Constituents: Alkaloids. | |
| Uses: Healing of fractured bones; remedy for food poisoning; to treat weakness after childbirth and to treat headache; to cure stomachache. An infusion of the leaves is used as a potion, is applied as drops to the eyes, nose and mouth and is rubbed onto the body to treat disease though to be caused by spirits. Mouth infections are also treated with this plant. Leaf infusion to treat a certain type of fever in children. The plant is also used in remedies for carbuncles and abscesses. Also used to clean out the female reproductive system. | |
