Common Name:

General Information

Thespesia lampas is an erect, slightly branched, evergreen shrub growing to 2 - 3 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of fibre and dyes. It is sometimes cultivated in Africa.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - China, India, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

Open places and thickets at low and medium elevations[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants start flowering and producing fruit when about 1 - 2 metres tall[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots and fruits are used in the treatment of gonorrhea and syphilis[].

The root juice is used in the treatment of a range of ailments and also as a health tonic[].
A root paste is used in the treatment of jaundice[].

The stem ofthe plan ist used traditionally in the treatment of inflammation, hyperacidity, epistaxis, bronchitis, cough, dysentery, fever, sun stroke, carbincles, and worms[].

Aqueous extracts of the plant, tested on tapeworms and roundworms, have shown vermicidal activity. They have been found effective as an anthelmintic[].
A study showed in vitro antioxidant activity, with a relationship between extract concentration and percentage of inhibition of free radicals, metal chelating, reducing power and lipid peroxidation inhibition[].
Studies have shown that the plant exhibits a statistically significant hepatoprotective effect, thus supporting its traditional use to treat liver problems[].
A study of extracts of the plant have shown both antioxidant activity and anti-lipoxygenase activity. Lipoxygenases are critical in the biosynthesis of leukotrines which play an important role in the pathophysiology of inflammatory disease[].
A study has established the lipid lowering properties of an aqueous extract of the roots. Total cholesterol, low-density lipids and triglycerides were significantly reduced, while the high density lipid level was significantly increased[].

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the inner bark makes a weak rope[].

The yellow petals yield a colouring matter; study yielded quercertin and protocatechic acid[].

A cotton obtained from the seeds is used to make clothing[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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