A Humble Herb with Healing Power

The Indian Heliotrope is a hardy, annual herb native to Asia but now found in many tropical and subtropical regions around the world. It belongs to the Boraginaceae family and is often classified as a weed because it grows readily in disturbed soils.But don't let the term weed fool you this plant is valued in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and folk healing for its powerful properties.With its small lavender-blue flowers and unassuming presence, it’s easy to pass by without realizing that this little plant carries centuries of medicinal wisdom and quiet beauty.The plant stands about 15 to 50 cm tall, with coarse, hairy leaves and spiraling clusters of small, trumpet-shaped flowers. These flowers are usually pale purple, lavender, or blue, with a white or yellow throat delicate in appearance but rich in utility.Its name heliotrope comes from the Greek words helios (sun) and tropos (turn), reflecting the tendency of some heliotrope species to follow the sun though this behavior is more pronounced in ornamental varieties than in H.indicum.