Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
East Africa, the roots are either boiled or pounded and soaked in water and the extract drunk 2-3
times a day for the treatment of yaws.
378
An infusion of the plant is used as an eye lotion and for
application to cleanse ulcers. The leaf juice is administered orally as a vermifuge. It is given as an
enema and applied mixed with emollient clay to arrest abortion.
77
A related species,
H. subulatum,
is used in postpartum medication. A topical preparation with castor oil is applied to stings, poison-
ous bites, and skin eruptions.
Constituents —
The genus contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The principal alkaloids include
europine, heliotrine, lasiocarpine, and 5′-acetyleuropine,
640
as well as 7-angelylheliotrine, 9-ange-
lolretronecine, and its N-oxide.
Pharmacological Studies —
The alkaloids possess antimicrobial
641,642
and antitumor proper-
ties.
643
The pyrollizidine alkaloids from
Heliotropium
are very toxic and have been associated with
the veno-occlusive disease of the herbal tea.
644
The compounds are excreted through the milk in
lactating animals, and their presence in milk has been identified as posing a potential toxicity haz-
ard to neonates.
645
HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA
—
B I S S a P, Z O B O
Botanical Name —
Hibiscus sabdariffa
L.
Synonyms —
Abelmoschus cruentus
(Bertol.) Walp.,
Furcaria sabdariffa
Ulbr.,
Hibiscus
cruentus
Bertol.,
Hibiscus fraternus
L.,
Hibiscus gossypifolius
Mill.,
Hibiscus palmatilobus
Baill.,
Sabdariffa rubra
Kostel
Related Species —
Hibiscus acetosella
Welw. ex Hiern,
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Hibiscus
can-
nabinus
L.
