Family : Fabaceae

Hindi   : Salpan

English : Ticktree

Gujarati : Salvan

Sanskrit : Shalaparni

Part used : Panchang

Botanical Description: An erect diffusely branched undershruc, 90-120cm in height with a short woody stem and numerous prostrate branches provided with soft grey hair; leaves unifoliate, ovate to ovate lanceolate membranous and mottled with grey patches, flowers white, purple or lilac in elongated lax, terminal or axillary racemes; fruits moniliform, 6-8 jointed glabrescent pods, joints of pods sparsely pubescent with hooked hair, joints separating when ripe into indehiscent one seeded segments, seeds compressed reniform. Flowering and fruiting from Auguts to January.
It is found throughout India

Modern Pharmacological Action: IDesmodium gangeticum is one of the important plants used in indigenous system of medicine as a bitter tonic, febrifuge, digestive, and antiemitic in inflammatory conditions and for treatment of nervous disorders. Alkaloids isolated from aerial part comprise indol-3-alkyl-amines and β-carbolines, and have anticholinesterase, smooth muscle and CNS stimulant activities. Gangetin, a pterocarpan, shows anti-fertility, Anti ulcer, anti oxidant, cardiotonic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities.