Seed - cooked. Very young seeds can be cooked and eaten like peas, going well in rice dishes[ 46 , 301 ]. Mature seeds are dried and added to soups and stews[ 46 , 300 ]. Small but flavourful[ 298 ]. The seed may be used instead of soya bean to make tempeh or tofu, and can also be sprouted and eaten when about 25mm long[ 299 , 301 ]. The seed is usually round or oval and up to 8mm in diameter[ 300 ]. Seedpods - cooked[ 300 ]. The unripe pods are eaten in curries[ 301 ]. The pods are up to 10cm long and 14mm wide[ 200 ]. Leaves and young shoots - cooked and used as a vegetable[ 298 , 300 ]. A strong, spicy odour, with a new flavour that is not agreeable to everyone[ 298 ]. A good source of protein[ 298 ]. The leaves contain up to 9% protein[ 301 ]. The leaves quickly become fibrous[ 298 ]. Widely cultivated in all tropical and semitropical regions. An important legume crop of rainfed agriculture in the semiarid tropics. The Indian subcontinent, eastern Africa and Central America are the World's three main pigeon pea-producing regions. Pigeon peas are cultivated in more than 25 countries, either as a sole crop or intermixed with cereals, such as sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), or maize (Zea mays), or with other legumes, such as peanuts (Arachis hypogaea).

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The roots are anthelmintic, sedative, expectorant and vulnerary[ 272 ]. An infusion of the leaves is used as a treatment for pulmonary conditions such as coughs and bronchitis[ 348 ]. The leaf juice is taken internally in the treatment of haemorrhages, coughs and diarrhoea[ 272 , 348 ]. An infusion of the leaves, combined with Dactyloctenium aegyptium, is used to accelerate childbirth[ 348 ]. Young leaves are chewed to treat boils on the tongue[ 272 ]. A decoction is used for washing ulcers[ 348 ]. The boiled leaves are applied to sores and wounds to hasten cicatrization[ 348 ]. Young shoots and the green seedpods are used to make a good pectoral infusion[ 348 ]. An infusion of the flowers and leaves is diuretic and is used as a diabetes remedy[ 348 ]. An infusion of the flowers is pectoral[ 348 ]. A decoction of the plant is diuretic and laxative[ 200 ]. It is used in the treatment of sore throats[ 200 ]. An infusion of the seeds is diuretic[ 348 ]. A flour made from the seeds is resolutive[ 348 ]. Leaf contains cholesterol[ 348 ]. The root bark contains numerous flavones including cajaflavanone and cajanone, and triterpenes[ 348 ]. The root contains cajanone, an antimicrobial agent[ 348 ]. An enzyme called 'urease' can be extracted from the plant. It has medicinal applications[ 320 ].

Other uses rating: Medium (3/5). Agroforestry Uses: A good green manure crop[ 46 , 200 ]. The plant has an extensive root system and is often grown to bind soil[ 200 , 320 ]. It is also grown to provide shelter from the wind[ 320 ]. It is also grown as a shade crop, cover crop, or as support for vanilla[ 299 ]. Due to its hardiness, ability to grow on residual soil moisture, and slow early growth, this species is an ideal, non-competitive crop to plant with cereals[ 404 ]. For hedgerow intercropping, the hedges should be cut at height of 50 - 100cm when the grain crop is fully mature. The hedges can be cut 2 - 3 times a year in areas where the dry season lasts 4 - 6 months. At pod maturity, the branches are cut at about 50cm. Higher levels of pruning can result in higher and unacceptable levels of plant mortality[ 303 ]. The root system is reported to break plough pans, thus improving soil structure, encouraging infiltration, minimizing sedimentation and smothering weeds. Leaf fall at maturity adds to the organic matter in the soil and provides additional nitrogen. It seems to have special mechanisms to extract phosphorus from black Vertisol soils[ 303 ]. The plant improves the soil through its extensive root system, nitrogen fixation and the mulch provided by the fallen leaves. Other Uses The stems are of use in basketry and thatching[ 200 ]. The plants are often used as brooms[ 272 ]. An essential oil can be collected by the steam distillation of the leaves and other aerial organs. It contains a mixture of compounds including the terpenoid alpha - copaene[ 404 ]. The macerated leaves are used as a deodorant[ 348 ]. The wood is used in light construction such as in roofing, wattling on carts, tubular wickerwork lining for wells and baskets[ 303 ]. The dried stalks and branches are used for fuel[ 320 ]. The sticks are an important household fuel in many areas. The heat value, with 1,450 kJ per 100g, is about half as high as the same weight of coal[ 303 ].

Special Uses