Description

A bushy herb to 20–30 cm high, of open dry waste places, mainly in the northern part of the Region from Senegal to W Cameroons, and widely dispersed throughout the tropics.The plant bears numerous small sky-blue flowers and is cultivated in Gabon as a herbaceous ornamental (15). It is grazed by all stock (Senegal, 1; Sudan, 3; Kenya, 7). The leaves, however, are bitter and are used in Nigeria (2), Ethiopia (6), Sudan (4), Philippines (11) and in India (14) to prepare a bitter tonic and febrifuge for taking in fever. This preparation is said in India to be indicated in fever accompanied by indigestion or diarrhoea (14). It is used in the Philippines for certain bowel irregularities (11). It is also vermifugal (6, 11, 14). Infusions of roots, stalks and leaves are all used in Nigeria as stomachics (2).In Kenya (Kwale Province) sores are treated by application of the powdered leaves (8), and in Tanganyika (Lake Province) the pounded leaves are put onto enlarged glands in the neck (13). The Sukuma burn the dried leaves in a pipe as a leprosy-cure (12). Leaves are also smoked in Nigeria (2) and in India (11) in cases of asthma and chronic bronchitis. The leaves produce a somewhat fragrant smoke that is used in N Nigeria to perfume houses (Barter fide 10). In the old Sudanese Kingdom it was an ingredient along with other herbs as a charm to exorcise an evil spirit causing disease and women would burn the plant to fumigate the hut during the puerperium, and use a warm infusion as a wash during the forty days purification (Meek fide 5). The plant is sold in N Nigeria principally as a charm worn as a girdle or circlet on the arm, etc., to procure love or a favour. The Hausa name means ‘better than a malam’ for such purposes. The Fula add the plant to milk to bring success (5). The Hausa of Ghana similarly use the plant in love-potions and in religious practices (9, 10).The plant with oil has been used in India in the belief of promoting growth of the hair (11).