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Bitter Leaf

Gymnanthemum amygdalina

MEDICINAL BENEFITS

Bark

  • Bark infusions are also taken to treat fever and diarrhoea

Root

  • Root extracts are used in the treatment of malaria and gastrointestinal disorders

  • A root infusion is used to treat sexually transmitted diseases

Leaves

Seeds

  • Leaf decoction is used to treat fever, malaria, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis, and cough

  • Used as a laxative and as a fertility inducer

  • Medicine for scabies, headache, and stomach-ache

  • Leaves are placed on a wound as a substitute for iodine

  • Some compounds have significant anti-parasitic activity

Twigs

  • Chewed as stomachic tonic 

  • Treatment against intestinal worms

Flower

  • flowers against stomach disorders

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

  • The plant is used as a hedge

  • The branches are termite resistant and used as stakes to line out fields and as a live fence

  • The tree is sometimes planted to prevent soil erosions

  • Useful as a control agent against diseases in plants

  • The ash from burnt branches used for seed borne fungi

OTHER USES

  • Young shoots are edible and can be added to stews or soups 

  • Young twigs are used as toothpicks for chewing sticks

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