MEDICINAL BENEFITS

Multiple parts 

• Decoction of stems, leaves, and fruits used as a bitter tonic to treat diabetes and cancer

• a poultice of the leaves  or stem bark is used to treat mouth sores, gangrenous wounds, gastric ulcers 

• Malaria, fever,

• Stomach ache, stomach acidity, diarrhoea, intestinal parasites 

Root

• The root is abortifacient and astringent 

• Shoot and tender root are for diabetes and snake bites 

• Decoction of the roots, leaves, and fruits also has a powerful effect on HIV/AIDS-related illness

Seed

• The seed contains abortifacient proteins

• The seed contains glycoproteins with abortifacient

• Oil from the seeds is used to help wounds

Leaves

• Leaves are antiseptic, blood purifier, febrifuge and vermifuge

• Infusion of leaves used to treat intestinal worms, jaundice, malaria, and other fevers 

• Decoction of the leaves and stems is used to treat diabetes, high blood pressure, and biliousness

• Leaf juice is applied externally to treat inflammation of the sole of foot, scabies, and itchy skin

• Paste of the leaves is applied as a poultice on cuts and wounds

• Leaves make an antiseptic bath for children

• Leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season and used fresh or dried for later

• Leaves are used for measles, chicken pox

Fruit

• Laxative, diuretic herb that soothes irritated tissue, lowers fevers, kills parasites, and cleanses toxins from the system

• Ripe fruit is a stomach tonic and induces menstruation

• Fresh juice is taken to treat colitis and dysentery

• Unripe fruit contains an insulin-like peptide that lowers blood sugar levels 

• Fruit is used to treat leprosy and ulcers, treat stomach worms, fever, phlegm, hypertension, and dysentery 

• Fruit is used to treat hemorrhoids chapped skin and burns, harvested young, and used to treat symptoms of diabetes 

• Juice from melon also helps the treatment of ulcers, constipation, bleeding gum, and conditions

Flower

• Decoction of the flowers and leaves used to treat hepatitis