Common Name:

General Information

Plumbago aphylla is a slender shrub, producing erect or ascending, few-branched stems up to 1 metre long from a taproot. The stems often form roots at the nodes[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is sold at the medicinal herb market of Antananarivo, Madagascar[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Islands off Tanzania, Madagascar; Seychelles.

Habitat

Found mainly on the coast on coral rock and is probably dependent on bird guano there. It also occurs on volcanic soil[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A decoction of the whole plant is taken to treat diarrhoea and infections of the mouth, and is applied as an eyewash in cases of cataracts[].

A decoction of the aerial parts of the plant is used for a massage in cases of dislocation[].

A root decoction is taken as an analgesic and antispasmodic[].

The active ingredient is a naphthoquinone, probably plumbagin[].
The aerial parts tested positive for alkaloids and saponins[].
An extract of the aerial parts was active against cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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