Parte empleada: raíz.
Usos: asma y próstata.
Preparación: para el asma, se hierve un pedazo de raíz con una ramita de jícaro y se toma una cucharada sopera, dos o tres veces al día, durante dos o tres días, dependiendo la gravedad del asma.

Origin

The species is typical of the tropical South American coast line. It is supposed that it is of South American origin.

Occurrence

Pantropical weed. In Venezuela, the species is frequent along the Caribbean beaches. It is however also found in the savanna, in the deciduous forest and in noncultivated places. STEYERMARK & HUBER 1978 found it on the Mt. Avila at altitudes between 900 and 1100 m. It often grows on dry and sandy soils, but also in inundated regions. It occurs from Texas, Florida, Mexico, West Indies down to the north of Argentina, as well as in tropical Africa, Asia and Australia

Ethnobotanical and general use

Medical use

Plantae, folia, radix, flos.

Leaf The sap of the leaves is used to promote the dentition of children and to cure scabies; it is also used as a febrifuge. The sap of the leaves squeezed into the eyes cures ophtalmia. Equally, the decoction of the leaves is applied as an eye bath. The leaves are also used to cure pruritus. The sap of the leaves is said to act as a febrifuge, aperitive and helps to cure sunstroke. The leaves are locally applied as analgesic. They have also antiinflammatory effects (especially on feet) and are used against coughs. A plaster of the leaves is applied locally to cure infections of the gum, erysipelas and bites of noxious insects. An infusion of the leaves taken orally is used against a cold.

Root. A foot-bath prepared with the infusion of the root cures frostbites. The roots are the medically most effective organs of the plant. A decoction of the root is used as a remedy against flu. The infusion of the root regulates menstruation.

Flower. The flowers in infusion are taken as a sudorific and for gargles. Flowers in decoction used internally cure whooping cough. Flowers in decoction are also applied in massages to soothe pains and swellings. Flowers are often used in the same way as leaves: Flowers in decoction taken orally cure pains and tumescences. A bath in the decoction of flowers heals pimples of the skin. Flowers and leaves are taken
against cough. The sap of the flowers mixed with oil is applied as an ointment against haemorrhoids. The decoction, left alone for 2-3 days and taken on an empty stomach is abortive.

Twigs. A decoction of the branches used as a sitz bath cures haemorrhoids. The vapour of the plant applied to the feet cures flu.

Entire plant. Eruptions of the skin, allergic eruptions, coughs and fever are cured with the decoction of the entire plant. The entire plant acts as an astringent, diuretic and solvent. The sap or decoction of the leaves and the entire plant is febrifuge, aperitive and cures sunstroke and haemorrhoids. The sap of the plant is applied to combat aphthae,angina, pharyngitis, ulcer and burns.

Method of use

The sap of the crushed and squeezed leaves is taken externally or internally. Leaves are applied locally in the form of a plaster. The sap squeezed out of the leaves is used as an ophtalmic. Leaves in decoction are applied as an eye bath. Infusions and decoctions of the leaves are used externally as a bath or internally. For the decoction, 2 handful of leaves are boiled in 1 liter of water for 10 minutes. This decoction is used for gargles. An infusion of the roots is taken internally. Infusions of the root are also used for a foot-bath. Decoctions and infusions of the root are used externally as well as orally. The entire plant is used in infusion or decoctionor in the form of a squeezed out sap to be applied externally or internally in the same way as the distinct organs (leaves, roots, flowers). Flowers in infusion are used for gargles or orally, e. g. as a sudorific. Flowers in decoction are applied internally or for massages and a bath. The sap of the flowers mixed with oil is used as an ointment Decoctions are also applied for a bath; a decoction orally taken after 3 days is said to be abortive. For a cholagogue, 30 g leaves with 20 gr flowers and 20 g root are boiled in 1 liter of water; a small cup is taken every 4 hours (BAUDI 1987).

Healing properties

Sudorific, astringent, apentlve, diuretic, abortive,analgesic, febrifugal, scabicide, ophthalmic, resolutive, choleretic, dissolving, antispasmodic (root), antiinflammatory, as a cholagogue, regulator of menstruation, against scorpion bites (spanisch name of the plant: 'rabo de alacnin'), against cough and whooping cough, against erysipelas, acne, allergy and eruptions of the skin, aphthae, pruritus, frost-bite, sun-stroke, swellings and tumescences, ulcer and burns, haemorrhoids, pharyngitis, cold, flu, angina, and against pain.

Chemical contents

Indicine-N-oxide extracted from Heliotropium indicum apparently exercises anticancerous effects. Other anticancerous substances found in Heliotropium indicum are taxol, philantoside, homoharringtonine. Indicine-N-oxide is clinically studied in chemotherapy of human leucaemia (NASH & MORENO 1981). Heliotrine, another alkaloid isolated from the seeds of Heliotropium indicum, has ganglionblocking activities. Other alkaloids found in Heliotropium indicum are echinatine, supinine, heleurine, heliotrine, lasiocarpine. Furthermore, precursors of pheromones, B-sitosterol and many other compounds were found in Heliotropium indicum (MEHTA et al. 1981, and the bibliography of BERNAL & CORREA 1989.

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Whole plant: Boiled and the beverage employed as a heat rash remedy in Guyana. Decoction for thrush, diarrhoea, and frequent excretion of urine. Used for diabetes and to treat venereal disease in NW Guyana.

Leaf: Juice to treat and soothe the pain of conjunctivitis. Leaf juice mixed with coconut oil and small amount of salt is administered to children for colds, grippe and coughing. Infusion for asthma, ulcers, dysentery, bronchitis, red eyes, boils, stomachic and as an antihaemorrhagic. Boiled with Mikania micrantha for upset stomach.

Flower: To control menstrual blood loss; yaws; skin ulcers.

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Range. Pantropical. In Myanmar, found in Yangon.

Uses
Whole plant: Used as diuretic. A decoction used in treating gonorrhea; one is also used for the treatment of diabetes by Kawkareik inhabitants.

Leaf: Applied to boils, ulcers, and wounds.
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Origin:
Throughout India.

Action:
Plant—diuretic, astringent, emollient, vulnerary. Used as a local application for ulcers, wounds, sores, gum boils and skin affections. Decoction of leaves is used in urticaria and fevers; that of root in coughs.
Flowers—emmenagogue in small doses, abortifacient in large doses.
Masticated seeds— stomachic.

Toxicity:
Flowers— abortifacient in large doses
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Origin

Abeokuta, Nigeria

Action:

Root

Body pain reliever

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Origin

Jamaica

Folk medicinal uses

This species is occasionally used in Jamaica in the same way as H. parviflorum. Lunan claimed that a decoction is diuretic; that the plant makes a cleansing and healing dressing for wounds and ulcers; and that it may be boiled with coconut oil to make a plaster for scorpion stings and dog bites. In Africa and India it has been employed in the treatment of fevers. skin complaints. boils. Sores. ophthalmia. head lice and insect bites.

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Origin
“Cariri Paraibano”, Brazil
Medicinal indication
As diuretic and against hepatic diseases: Aerial parts
Against conjunctivitis: Roots
Against hepatic and renal diseases and as diuretic: Leaves

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Origin
Mizoram, Northeast India
Parts used
Leaf
Ailments
Boils, insect bite

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) Plantas medicinales de La Matamba y El Piñonal, municipio de Jamapa, Veracruz/ Escamilla Pérez, Blanca Edith; Moreno Casaola, Patricia. INECOL: Mexico, 2015, 99p.

4) DeFilipps, Robert A.; Krupnick, Gary A. / PhytoKeys, v. 102. - - p. 1 - 314,  2018.

5) Khare, C.P./ Indian Medicinal Plants. -- Nueva Dheli: Springer, 2007 . - p. 836.

6) MacDonald Idu; Erhabor,Joseph O.; Efijuemue, Harriet M. / Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. – v. 9 no. 2, 2021. – p 4.

7) Asprey, G.F; Phylis Thornton/ Medicinal plants of Jamaica. Parts III & IV. – p. 50.

8) M.F. Agra; et al/ Medicinal and poisonous diversity of the flora of “Cariri Paraibano”, Brazil/ Journal of Ethnopharmacology 111 (2007), p. 388.

9) Birla Kshetrimayum/ Medicinal Plants and Its Therapeutic Uses/ USA: OMICS Group eBooks, 2017. p. 28