Entry for Solenostemma oleifolium (Nect.) Bull. & Bruce [family ASCLEPIADACEAE]
Entry From
Burkill, H.M. 1985. The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol 1
Uses
leaf Drink: infusions leaf Medicines: generally healing leaf flower Medicines: blood disorders leaf Medicines: arthritis, rheumatism, etc. leaf Medicines: kidneys, diuretics leaf Medicines: venereal diseases Agri-horticulture: fodder Agri-horticulture: veterinary medicine leaf Products: dyes, stains, inks, tattoos and mordants
Description
An herbaceous plant with stems to 60 cm tall from a woody root-stock, of dry sandy semi-desert areas, known from Egypt and Arabia, and recently recorded from Chad, Niger, Central Sahara and Mali on the northern limit of the Region.Sheep graze the foliage a little at Hoggar, Central Sahara, but other stock scarcely touch it (3). In northern Mali the plant is known for curative properties and is used, as it is in the Air region of Niger, to cleanse sores on camels after which a dressing of the dried powdered leaves is applied (4). The leaves and flowers are also taken by man internally as a blood purifier (1). At Tibesti in Chad the leaves are boiled to make a sort of tea which is taken with sugar (2). At Hoggar a leaf-infusion is taken for rheumatism, blennorrhoea and haemoptysis. For these, the dried powdered leaves are boiled in milk, sweetened with dates or sugar and the infusion is drunk hot (3). This promotes diuresis by making the patient drink a lot of water.The leaves are said to be used in Egypt like henna (1).