Origin

Africa

Folk medicinal uses

Roots - A decoction of the roots is used for abdominal pains, dyspepsia, fever, stomach-ache and indigestion. The roots can be used for tooth-ache by scrubbing the affected tooth with pieces of root. In the treatment of delayed expulsion of afterbirth pieces of the root are boiled and the brew taken in a single dose; or the root is dried, ground and mixed with porridge (Harjula, 1980). The root for abdominal pains, liver trouble and carbuncle, and the gall for ear-ache. A decoction of the roots is used a a remedy for stomach-ache, epilepsy, convulsions in children and hernia.

Leaves - Young leaves are chewed and rubbed hard into a recent snake bite, while an infusion of leaves is applied to the ear as a remedy for ear-ache.

Fruit - For fresh cuts or wounds, break the fruit and apply the contents. The fruit juice applied over a finger with a whitlow is said to draw it out. The fruits are also used for the treatment of skin diseases. The fruit's juice is squeezed into sheep's nostrils to cure sheep cough. The fruit, although known to be poisonous, is given to children as an emetic. The fruit should be used with some care as it is toxic (Kokwaro, 1976). The fruit of !. incanum is used as a snake-bite remedy. For constipation a fresh fruit is cut and the contents smeared on the anus. The ripe fruit is crushed and smeared on the toes to get rid of or prevent infection by jiggers..

Plant - The plant is also widely used for chest pains, ringworm, and syphilis. The plant is also used as a remedy for tooth-ache and sore-throat (Watt and Breyer-Brandwik, 1962).

Toxicity:

The fruit should be used with some care as it is toxic (Kokwaro, 1976).

Some medicinal forest plants of Africa and Latin America 67/ FAO. – FAO: Rome, 1986. – p. 216.