Whole plant: Anti-inflammatory as applied to insect bites and snakebite; infusion is cholagogue, febrifuge and used to remedy intestinal afflictions, colds and flatulence; warmed and mixed with ghee in a poultice applied to treat filaria and rheumatism. Alexipharmic. Made into a cooling drink for infants.

Leaf: Infusion used as a cholagogue and to treat diarrhoea in French Guiana. Crushed, smoked in a cigarette to relieve asthma. Bruised or chopped leaves employed in a restorative cataplasm to treat adenitis and abscesses. Used in refreshing tisanes.

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Origin: Native to the Pantropic.

Pharmacological Activities: Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antidiarrhoeal Anti-inflammatory, Antiplatelet, Antiprotozoal, Antipyretic, Anxiolytic, Diuretic, Sedative, Antianaphylactic  and Molluscicidal.

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

2) A guide to medicinal plants / Hwee Ling, Koh; Tung Kian, Chua; Chay Hoon, Tan. Singapore:  World vScientific Public Co. Pte. Ltd., 2009. p 289 p.