Common Name: Black Sage

General Information

Varronia curassavica is an erect shrub, branching mainly from the base and growing up to 3 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of fibre. A popular herbal treatment, it is sometimes sold in local markets[]. In the early 20th century, it was grown as a biological control, being planted in the borders of sugarcane fields to attract parasitizing wasps for biological control of an insect pest[]. Today it is only a troublesome weed.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, to Venezuela and the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean - Trinidad to Antigua.

Habitat

Damp or dry thickets, hillsides, often in secondary growth areas and sometimes in oak forests, at elevations from sea level to 1,360 metres[, ].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant has escaped from cultivation in a number of areas, where it has become a nuisance. The seeds are dispersed widely by birds. The seedlings germinate in well-lit disturbed areas and grow quickly, forming dense thickets that can prevent regeneration or crowd out other vegetation[].
The leaves are strongly scented[].

Edible Uses

Although we have seen no specific information for this species, the fruits of most Cordia (Varronia) species are comprised of a thin to fairly thick layer of pulpy, sweetish-tasting flesh surrounding a single seed and are more or less edible[, ], (though some are known to cause gastric disturbances).

Medicinal

The leaves and young stems are anodyne, anti-inflammatory, aromatic, astringent, hypotensive, pectoral, stimulant, stomachic, sudorific and vulnerary[, ]. An infusion is used to treat a range of digestive disorders including biliousness, grippe and diarrhoea, as well as fevers, rheumatism, menstrual cramps, gonorrhoea, colds and chest complaints[, , ]. The juice of finely crushed leaves is used for alleviating monthly stomach pains (menstrual cramps)[]. The dried leaves are boiled in a liquid that is drunk to control heavy menstrual flow[].
The leaves are mashed and applied topically to aid the healing of wounds[]. The macerated leaves are used externally as a dandruff treatment, or are placed in a bath as a treatment for fever[].

The leaves contain several medically active compounds including artemetin, which has been documented with significant anti-inflammatory actions[].
The plant also contains naphthoquinones which have demonstrated antifungal activities against Cladosporium cucumerinum, Candida albicans and toxic properties against larvae of the yellow fever-transmitting mosquito[].
Other studies have confirmed that the plant has anti-ulcer and gastro-protective actions at very low dosages; that is has a pain relieving effect; and that is has antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including 14 bacterial strains causing the most common gastrointestinal diseases[].

Other Uses

The leaves are crushed and rubbed on the skin to prevent mosquito bites[].
The plant used to be grown along sugarcane fields in order to attract parasitizing wasps for the biological control of an insect pest[].

An essential oil obtained from the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a fragrance[].

The sap from the twigs has cleaning properties[].

A fibre obtained from the plant is suitable for coarse cordage[].

The stem is chewed until fibrous and then used to clean the teeth and destroy bad breath[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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