Origin

Africa

Folk medicinal uses

Chabra (Pers •. Comm.) observed that A. afra is used as an anthelmintic particularly for the expulsion of roundworms and threadworm. Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk (1962) reports that a decoction or infusion of A. afra is a medicine for bronchial troubles. It is used for coughs and colds, chills, dyspepsia, loss of appetite, stomach-ache and other gastric derangements, colic, croup, whooping cough; gout and as a purgative. The infusion or decoction is also used as a lotion to bathe haemorrhoids; as a hot bath to bring out the rash in measles and in the ear for ear-ache. It is held in the mouth to ease the .pains of gum abcesses and to hasten their burning, and is taken in fever and in blood-poisoning. For further details refer to Watt and Breyer Brandwijk (1962). During the course of this study it was noted that A. afra ia also considered a cure for malaria.

Herb---- Kokwaro (1975) reports that a fermentation of the heated herb is given to children with a sore throat, also to cure fever. The plant is also used for indigestion.

Roots are boiled and the decoction drunk 2-3 times a day for intestinal worms. Roots are cleaned, dried and boiled to form a decoction which is also used for remedy of stomach diseases.

The leaves are chewed and juice swallowed as an emetic. Harjula (1980) found out that a handful of the leaves is boiled to make a dose of somewhat more than half a litre; the dose may be repeated after 2 days if necessary for cure of stomach diseases.

Some medicinal forest plants of Africa and Latin America 67/ FAO. – FAO: Rome, 1986. – p. 68.