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AKOMFEMTIKRO ( AKOKOTURBATURBA II



Edible Uses

The leaves are, on rare occasions, used as a vegetable[
617
]. This could be unwise - see the notes above on toxicity[
K
].

Medicinal

The plant has been widely used for centuries to treat warts, inflammations and tumours. Throughout tropical Africa it is used as an analgesic to ease rheumatic pain, as a diuretic and to treat numerous skin problems including yaws, urticaria, scabies, ulcers, eczema and impetigo[
299
]. Throughout the Continent, there is a wide variation in the plant parts that are used, and also in methods of preparation and administration[
299
].

A decoction of the whole plant is used to treat thrush, diarrhoea, diabetes, venereal diseases and frequent excretion of urine[
348
]. The whole plant is boiled and the beverage used as a remedy for heat rash[
348
]. It is boiled with Desmodium sp. (ironweed) in a decoction that is used as a purgative of the reproductive system to function as a 'cleanout' for men and women[
348
].
An infusion of the plant is used as an eye-lotion and to clean ulcers[
299
].

The leaves are haemostatic, stomachic[
348
]. An infusion is used as a remedy for asthma, ulcers, dysentery, bronchitis, red eyes, boils etc[
348
]. The leaf juice is used to treat and soothe the pain of conjunctivitis[
348
]. Mixed with coconut oil and a small amount of salt, the leaves are administered to children as a remedy for colds, grippe and coughing[
348
]. The leaves are boiled with Mikania micrantha for treating upset stomachs[
348
].
The powdered leaves are used to treat infected gums[
299
]. A poultice made from the leaves is applied to rheumatic limbs, to wounds and insect bites[
299
].

The flowers are emmenagogue in small doses and abortifacient in large[
299
]. They are used to control menstrual blood loss; yaws; skin ulcers[
348
].

The plant contains the hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids heliotrine and lasiocarpine. The major alkaloid, indicine, shows antitumor activity[
348
].




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