MEDICINAL PLANTS - RATI (ABRUS PRECATORIUS)

The seeds of Abrus precatorius are much valued in native jewelry for their bright coloration. Most beans are black and red, reminiscent of a ladybug, though other colors exist. Jewelry-making with jequirity seeds is somewhat hazardous. There are persistent reports that the workers who pierce the seeds in order to thread them can suffer poisoning or even death from a pinprick, but there seems to be little evidence. An online search found 265 scientific papers referring to Abrus precatorius, but not one of them dealt with occupational poisoning.

Traditional Health Benefits

Crab’s eye has poisonous seeds which are red in color but white seeds are also found. The other parts of the plant are used for various medicinal purposes. The leaf acts as an aid for body inflammation and wounds.

Ø Leaves are used on gum for the mouth sores and to prepare the preparations of skin cancer.

Ø The tea made from leaves is a cure for colds, fevers and coughs.

Ø In Ayurveda, the plant is used to promote hair growth.

Ø It is also used as ingredient in the Indian hair product.

Abrus precatorius, known commonly as jequirity Crab's eye, or crab's eye creeper, cock's eyes, rosary pea, paternoster pea, love pea, precatory pea or bean, prayer bead, John Crow Bead, coral bead, red-bead vine, country licorice, Indian licorice, wild licorice, Jamaica wild licorice, Akar Saga, gidee .

The plant is best known for its seeds, which are used as beads and in percussion instruments, and which are toxic because of the presence of abrin. Ingestion of a single seed, well chewed, can be fatal to both adults and children.

Uses in Jewellery