Common Name:

General Information

Ethulia conyzoides is an erect or decumbent annual plant, though it can sometimes live for more than a year. A somewhat aromatic plant with stems that can become more or less woody at the base, it can be unbranched or an branch from higher up, and usually grows up to 1.5 metres tall, exceptionally to 2 metres[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild, mainly for local medicinal use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Widespread in Africa, through Asia to the India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, southwest China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitat

Wet grassland or near rivers[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant may become a troublesome weed of cultivation[]. In Zanzibar and Pemba it invades rice-paddies[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked[]. Only rarely eaten[].

Medicinal

The leaves have a wide range of uses. They are said to be anodyne, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac, oxytocic and stomachic[]. They are used in the treatment of yaws[]. The macerated leaves are given to children to calm palpitations[]. The sap of the leaves is taken as a remedy for diarrhoea; to relieve abdominal distension and colic; and to rid the body of intestinal parasites[]. The cooked leaves are given to a mother at childbirth to stimulate uterine contractions[]. They are used in parts of Africa as a method of birth-control - they are pounded, then mixed with water and drunk 2 - 3 days after conception[]. By contrast the leaves are taken with food in Liberia in order to prevent abortion[]. A decoction of the leaves, combined with those of Baphia spp., is made into a 'hot squat' to remedy pelvic pain[].
Applied externally, the pounded leaves are applied as a poultice on tumours, cuts, sprains and fractures[]. The boiled leaves are applied to wounds and traumatic haemorrhages[]. The leaf sap is squeezed in the eyes as a remedy for sore and blood-shot eyes and headaches[].

A decoction of the root is considered aphrodisiac[]. A decoction of the fine roots is used as an abortifacient[].
The root, combined with red pepper (Capsicum spp.) is given as an enema to treat constipation[].

The seed is recorded as containing saponin[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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