Medical use:

Name of the drug: Ruellia tuberosa L., planta, folia, caule, radix, flos

Entire plant:

A decotion of the entire plant is used to cure wounds, it is also applied against high fever. A decoction of the plant with its root is used against deseases of the urinary tract.

Leaf:

Locally applied the leaves have an antiinflamatory effect and cure eruptions in the mouth. A decoction helps against deseases of the bronchi. Leaf ad shoot (axis) in decotion are applied against inflamations of the mammary glands.

Axis:

A decoction of leaves toguether with the axis is used against eruptions in the mouth and to cure inflamations of the mammary glands. The shoot is applied against inflamations and affections of the thorax.

Root:

The root is applied against oliguria, diabetes, hypertension, heat, flu, headache, constipation, gonorreha, leprosy, as a purgative and vomitive, a disinfectant of the genitourinary tract, a febrifigue and purifier. The entire plant and the roots are usually applied usually in the form of a decoction. An infusion of the root is vomitive and said to cure syphilis and infections of the urinary tract.

The root is the organ of the plant wich is mainly used (“raíz de barreto”).

Flower:

The sap of the flower heals wounds

Chemical composition:

Among many other compunds the plant contains gallic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, resins, phytosterols, lupeol, flavonoids, aspigenin, glycosides, sitosterols.

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Whole plant: To treat bladder diseases and frequent micturition; decoction with Petiveria alliacea is drunk to "clean out" uterine tract (dilation and curettage) or as an abortifacient.

Root: Infusion for kidney diseases; in a syrup for whooping cough; infusion or decoction for a diabetes remedy; tubers in a tea used for cleansing the blood

Root and Leaf: In a tea used for alleviating retention of urine and to remedy weakness.

Toxicity: abortive.
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Origin

Native to central America; grown in Indian gardens.

Action:

Herb—emetic; used as a substitute for ipecacuanha. A decoction is given in chronic bronchitis; also used as a diuretic for the treatment of stones in the bladder.

1) South American medicinal plants : botany, remedial properties, and general use / I. Roth, H. Lindorf. Berlin ; New York : Springer, c2002. -- p. 492.

2) Robertt, A., et al.. Medicinal Plants of the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana)/Smithsonian NMNH. cited online: 17-08-2017.

3) Khare, C.P./ Indian Medicinal Plants. -- Nueva Dheli: Springer, 2007 . - p 562.