Question 1

What is Sophora tomentosa used for in Ayurveda?

Accepted Answer

In Sri Lankan Ayurvedic medicine, Sophora tomentosa has been traditionally used in formulations relating to skin conditions, inflammation, and wound healing. Different plant parts — roots, seeds, and leaves — each have documented traditional applications. Qualified Ayurvedic practitioners prepare these carefully, as the raw seeds contain alkaloids that require proper processing before use.

Question 2

Is Sophora tomentosa poisonous?

Accepted Answer

The seeds of Sophora tomentosa contain quinolizidine alkaloids, which can be toxic if consumed without proper preparation. Traditional Ayurvedic use involves processed formulations rather than direct ingestion of raw plant material. The plant should not be self-administered without guidance from a qualified practitioner.

Question 3

Where does Sophora tomentosa grow naturally?

Accepted Answer

Sophora tomentosa is a pan-tropical coastal plant found along sandy shorelines and dry scrublands across South and Southeast Asia, East Africa, and the Pacific Islands. In Sri Lanka, it grows naturally along beach margins and coastal lowlands, particularly in the dry and intermediate zones.

Question 4

What does Sophora tomentosa look like?

Accepted Answer

It is a semi-woody shrub growing one to three metres tall, with soft, woolly compound leaves and bright yellow pea-shaped flowers. Its most distinctive feature is its beaded seed pod, where each constriction separates individual seeds, giving it the common name 'necklacepod'.

Question 5

What family does Sophora tomentosa belong to?

Accepted Answer

Sophora tomentosa belongs to the family Fabaceae, the legume or pea family. Like other members of this family, it is capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen through root bacteria, which benefits the nutrient-poor sandy soils where it typically grows.

Question 6

What is the Sinhala name for Sophora tomentosa?

Accepted Answer

Sophora tomentosa is known by local vernacular names in Sri Lanka, though it is less commonly referenced by a single standardised Sinhala name compared to more widely cultivated medicinal plants. It is primarily documented by its scientific name in Ayurvedic catalogues maintained by Sri Lankan authorities.

Question 7

Are there medicinal plants similar to Sophora tomentosa in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Sri Lanka's Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia includes numerous leguminous and coastal shrubs with similar ecological profiles. Pongamia pinnata and Acacia chundra are among the better-documented species in the same tradition, and all are catalogued as part of the island's formal Ayurvedic plant inventory.