Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 21, 2026

Oldenlandia umbellata

Oldenlandia umbellata is a low-growing plant native to India. A colour-fast red dye can be extracted from the root bark of (preferably) a two-year-old plant. Chay root dye was once used with a mordant to impart a red colour to fabrics such as calico, wool, and silk.

Last revised
Jun 21, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
204 w
Citations
3
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Oldenlandia umbellata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Oldenlandia
Species:
O. umbellata
Binomial name
Oldenlandia umbellata

Oldenlandia umbellata (called chay root or choy root, from its Tamil name, chaaya ver) is a low-growing plant native to India.1 A colour-fast red dye can be extracted from the root bark of (preferably) a two-year-old plant. Chay root dye was once used with a mordant to impart a red colour to fabrics such as calico, wool, and silk.2

It is grown on the Coromandel Coast in India.3

Medicinal use

This plant is well known in Siddha Medicine for its styptic property. It is also a drug that can be administered for bronchial asthma, as a decoction of the entire plant, a decoction made from its root and liquorice in the ratio-10:4, or the powdered root is given either with water or honey.

A decoction of the root also is a febrifuge.

References

References

  1. "chay root". thefreedictionary. Retrieved 15 January 2007.
  2. "The in vitro antibacterial activity of Hedyotis Umbellata - Short Communication". Indian Journal of Pharmacological Sciences. Retrieved 15 January 2007.
  3. "Chay Root Dye". Asia Research News. 31 July 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2024.