This species is closely related to Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forssk., intermediates occur where their ranges overlap making a distinction between the species complicated[].

Common Name:

General Information

Cynoglossum coeruleum is an erect or ascending, herbaceous annual to perennial plant with much-branched stems up to 120cm tall growing from a thick, woody taproot[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use.

Known Hazards

No specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, but many members of this plant family (Boraginaceae) are known to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These alkaloids have a cumulative effect upon the body and, unless concentrations in a plant are high, occasional use is generally completely safe. They are derived from amino acids including ornithine. Many pyrrolizidine alkaloids have pronounced hepatic toxicity, but the lungs and other organs may be affected as well. Mutagenic and carcinogenic activities of pyrrolizidine alkaloids have also been reported[].

Botanical References

,

Range

East tropical Africa - Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi.

Habitat

Submontane grasslands[]. Found in a wide variety of habitats such as (overgrazed) grassland, bushland, evergreen forest and as a weed in fields; at elevations from 750 - 3,150 metres, occasionally ascending to 3,650 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves is drunk during delivery to promote quick removal of the placenta[]. The vapour of the crushed leaves is inhaled to treat fever and influenza[].
The crushed leaves are rubbed on scorpion sting wounds[].

A decoction made from pounded and soaked roots is drunk by pregnant women to relieve abdominal pain[]

The crushed plants are applied to wounds as a plaster and the whole plant is used as a medicine for colic[]. In DR Congo it is used as a vermifuge specifically against tapeworm[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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