Origin

Central America

Folk medicinal uses

The use of E. americana in medicine is the result of very recent studies, although according to popular tradition its roots and leaves were used as sudorifics and its flowers as expectorants. However, the use of E. americana for medicinal purposes began in the last century owing to the study made of its seeds by Mexican doctors investigating the reasons why the people considered them poisonous.

Some medicinal forest plants of Africa and Latin America 67/ FAO. – FAO: Rome, 1986. – p. 110.