Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
at 18 h after treatment, whereas at 27 h, it was able to reduce cholesterol and LDL plasma levels. The
HDL and triglycerides were unchanged however.
932
The anticholesterol activity may be due to the
presence of stigmast-5-en-3β-ol isolated from the plant, which has been shown to have antihyperlip-
idemic and antitumor properties.
933
Miswak also showed antidiabetic activity in animal studies.
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SANSEVIERIA LIBERICA
Botanical Name —
Sansevieria
liberica
Gérôme & Labroy.
Family —
Asparagaceae
Common Names —
African bowstring hemp, leopard lily
African Names —
Efik: ekono-ekpe; Hausa: mooda; Igbo: ebube-agu; Tswana: mokgotsi (
S.
cylindrica
); Yoruba: ola-koriko
Description —
Sansevieria
liberica
is an erect herb with several stiff, red-edged, elliptic leaves,
arising from the rhizome. The leaves are upright, up to 60 cm long and 6-10 cm broad, and trans-
versely marked with dark and light green bands, and the margins are marked with red and white
lines. The flowers are white and borne on interrupted common stalks. The fruits are reddish, almost
round, about 1.25 cm long. Each fruit contains one seed.
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Habitat and Distribution —
It is commonly found in shady places near streams and rock out-
crops. It is common in the savanna regions and grassland. It is distributed from Chad to Morocco,
Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Ethnomedicinal Uses —
The root decoction is a stimulating tonic and a cough remedy and is
also administered for hemorrhoids. The roots are used in Ghana as an abortifacient and adminis-
tered during labor. The expressed juice of the leaves is dropped in the eyes and ears for infections
and inflammation. The leaf juice mixed with the fluid expressed from edible snails is used to relieve
teething pain. The fumes from the burning leaves are inhaled to relieve feverish headache and
cold. The juice pressed from the leaves or a decoction of the leaves is drunk for the treatment of
gonorrhea, earache, and toothache and applied to ulcers, sores, and topically in case of earache and
toothache. The fermented rhizomes are eaten to cure malaria. A root decoction is used as a remedy
for convulsions. As a fetish plant, it is grown on graves, at shrines, and in compounds.
1140
Constituents —
Sansevieria
liberica
contains phytosterols and their glycosides, amino acids,
vitamins, and minerals.
