Origin

Jamaica

Folk medicinal uses

This plant is used to make tea for colds and is also considered to be an excellent treatment for marasmus ("mirasmy") in children. In Africa and India various species of Boerhavia are considered useful as emetics, cathartics, diuretics, febrifuges, vermifuges, expectorants; astringents used in the treatment of dysentery, gonorrhoea and wounds; and as valuable in the treatment of asthma and dropsy.

Asprey, G.F; Phylis Thornton/ Medicinal plants of Jamaica. Parts III & IV. – p. 64.