Common Name:

General Information

Erythrococca anomala is a spiny shrub that can grow 1 - 3 metres tall[].
The plant is a valued traditional remedy for tapeworms, and is also commonly used for treating a range of other conditions. It is harvested from the wild for ocal use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

West tropical Africa - Guinea Bissau to Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Habitat

Forest relics in the savannah; riverine forest; coastal thickets; shady forest undergrowth; clearings; and open forest on skeletal soils; at elevations from sea-level up to 1,600 metres[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[].
A fast-growing plant[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are analgesic, antiseptic, laxative, purgative, and are considered very effective against tapeworm[, ]. A decoction of the leaves is taken to expel tapeworms[].
The dried and ground leaves, combined with the seeds of melegueta pepper (Aframomum melegueta) is taken as a snuff against chronic headache[, ].
Leafy twigs are used to clean and disinfect wounds and ulcers[, ]. A decoction of young leaves is applied topically as a treatment for skin lesions and subcutaneous parasites[]. The sap of the leaves is used as eye drops to treat sore eyes; as nose drops to treat sinusitis; and as ear drops to treat ear infections[, ]. To treat eye injuries, the leaves are folded into a funnel and filled with water; after a while the water is dropped into the eye[]. Leaf pulp is also used as a rub to treat local pain. The dried and powdered leaves, either alone or combined with those of Psychotria peduncularis, are mixed with clay and applied in a friction as a treatment for malaria in children, and are rubbed on the neck and throat as a treatment fort meningitis[]. A leaf macerate is applied to the tooth to treat toothache[].

The bark is used as a treatment for arthritis and rheumatism[]. It is appied topically to treat localized pain[].

The fruit pulp or the root bark are taken as a tonic to remedy general weakness[].

The roots and bark contain about 1% alkaloids, the twigs and leaves about 0.1%[].
Alkaloids have also been found in the seeds[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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