Find Me A Cure - Part 10

Oxalis pes-caprae

Botanical Name: Oxalis pes-caprae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Oxalidales
Family: Oxalidaceae
Genus: Oxalis
Species: O. pes-caprae

Synonyms:
*Acetosella cernua (Thunb.) Kuntze
*Acetosella ehrenbergii (Schltdl.) Kuntze
*Bolboxalis cernua (Thunb.) Small
*Oxalis biflora Burm.f.
*Oxalis burmanni Jacq.
*Oxalis caprina E.Mey. ex Sond.
*Oxalis cernua Thunb.
*Oxalis cernua var. pleniflora Lowe

Common Names: Bermuda buttercup; Buttercup oxalis; Sour grass

Habitat: Oxalis pes-caprae is native to the West coast of South Africa. It grows on roadsides and grassy places in S. Africa]. Occasionally naturalized in S.W. England but it does not flower there.

Description:
The Oxalis pes-caprae is a small perennjial herb. It’s flower is actinomorphic, with a calyx composed of five free or slightly fused sepals, a sympetalous corolla composed of five fused petals, an androecium composed of ten free stamens in two ranks, and a compound pistil. Native populations in South Africa are heterostylous, flowers of long-styled plants have a stigma held above the two ranks of stamens, mid-styled plants have the stigma in between the two ranks of stamens and short-styled plants have a stigma below both ranks of stamen. In the non-native range the plants largely reproduce vegetatively and many populations have only one style length and the plants never produce seed. Like most African Oxalis species, it produces adventitious subterranean propagules. These take the form of true bulbs in botanical terms, which is unusual among dicotyledons. In fact, Oxalis pes-caprae produces small bulbs copiously, whereas most other African species produce fewer, larger bulbs. New world Oxalis, such as Oxalis corniculata, apparently do not generally produce bulbs.

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Cultivation:
*Choose a semi sunny location.
*Till the soil and add organic matter to enrich it. …
*Plant oxalis bulbs 3-4 inches apart.
*Water well.

Fertilize once a month during the growing season with half strength all purpose plant food.
Edible Uses:
Leaves are edible, eaten – raw or cooked. A pleasant acid flavour, the make a pleasant addition to mixed salads, whilst children especially like to eat them on their own. Use in moderation, see notes at the bottom of sheet. Flowers are eaten- raw. A pleasant acid flavour, they make an attractive addition to the salad bowl. Root is cooked and eaten .
Medicinal Uses:
The plant has been used in various ways as a source of oxalic acid, as food, and in folk medicine. The raw bulbs have been used to deal with tapeworm and possibly other worms.

Other Uses:
. The lateral underground runners, which tend to be fleshy, have been eaten raw or boiled and served with milk. The golden petals can be used to produce a yellow dye.

Known Hazards:
The leaves contain oxalic acid, which gives them their sharp flavour. Perfectly all right in small quantities, the leaves should not be eaten in large amounts since oxalic acid can bind up the body’s supply of calcium leading to nutritional deficiency. The quantity of oxalic acid will be reduced if the leaves are cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition.

Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxalis_pes-caprae
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Oxalis+pes-caprae

Herbs & Plants

Carissa macrocarpa

Botanical Name: Carissa macrocarpa
Family: Apocynaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Gentianales
Genus: Carissa
Species: C. macrocarpa

Synonyms : Carissa grandiflora

Common Names: Natal plum and, in South Africa, the large num-num. In Zulu, as well as in the Bantu tribes of Uganda, it is called Amathungulu or umThungulu oBomvu. In Afrikaans the fruit is called noem-noem.

Habitat:Carissa macrocarpa is native to tropical and southern Africa. It grows mainly in coastal areas of South Africa. It grows in coastal bush, coastal forests and on sand dunes, from Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape northwards through Kwazulu-Natal to Mozambique..

Description:
The amatungulu is a fast-growing, ornamental shrub that is wind resistant and can grow in coastal areas. It usually forms a dense thorny shrub but it can grow into a small tree up to 4 m high. This species has Y- shaped thorns; the young branches are green and all parts of the plant exude a white, milky, non-toxic latex. Leaves are leathery, a shiny dark green above and paler below, 20-60 x 15-35 mm, egg-shaped, oval or almost round. The tips of the leaves are sharply or bluntly pointed and usually with a mucro, a thorn-like point. The flowers vary in size, up to 35 mm in diameter, are pure white and scented like orange blossom. The flower tube is hairy within. The large, oval red fruit is edible and is rich in Vitamin C, magnesium and phosphorus. It flowers from spring to midsummer. A low-growing form of C. macrocarpa, Green carpet, is a popular groundcover plant which seldom grows more than knee-height.

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Cultivatiion & propagation:
Carissa macrocarpa requires warm, moist subtropical climate. It tolerates different exposures as full sun and fairly heavy shade. As a coastal plant it can deal very well with salty ocean spray. 1000 m a.s.l. (Swaziland); likely up to 1500 m.
Carissa Macrocarpa plants like well-draining, sandy soil and can thrive in a wide range of soil pH levels. This plant needs direct sunlight for at least 4 hours a day to grow well. Being a drought-tolerant species, it requires minimal water and should be watered bi-monthly. Ideal growing temperatures range from 65°F up to 100°F (18-38°C).
The broadleaf shrub grows easily from seed and can start bearing fruit within two years. Even if the fruit falls to the ground and is covered by soil, seedlings spring up in a few weeks. Vegetative propagation is a faster method to propagate Carissa macrocarpa. However, the method is not as simple as growing other plants from cuttings.

Edible Uses:
Carissa macrocarpa fruits are indeed edible and somewhat tasty. Ripe fruit is eaten raw out of hand, enjoyed in fruit salads, adding to gelatins and using as topping for cakes, puddings and ice cream; or stew with sugar. Carissa can be cooked to a sauce or used in pies and tarts. Fruit is also suitable for sweet pickles, jams, other preserves and syrup.

Mediciinal Uses:
Carissa macrocarpa fruit is low in cholesterol, sodium free, and vitamin C, B1, B2, A, calcium, protein, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, copper and is low in fat. Carissa can be difficult to grow because the plant exudes a milky sap when cut or broken, which worsens harvest and transportation of the fruits because they can easily be damaged.
*It is enriched with iron component and is beneficial for anemic patients.
*It is also used to cure the effects of Scurvy.
*It prevents excessive secretion of bile by liver and prevents biliousness.
*It provides comfort during diarrhea.
*It effectively reduces fever.

Other Uses:
The thorny habit of this plant can be used to keep domestic animals out of the garden, by planting a hedge or edging around beds. Carissa macrocarpa is extensively planted alongside roads and parking lots throughout South Africa.

Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carissa_macrocarpa
http://pza.sanbi.org/carissa-macrocarpa

Herbs & Plants

Coleonema pulchellum

Botanical Name: Coleonema pulchellum
Family: Rutaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Sapindales
Genus: Coleonema
Species: C. pulchellum

Synonyms: Coleonema filiforme A.Juss.

Common Names: Confetti bush, Buchu, Diosma or Breath of heaven
Habitat: Coleonema pulchellum is native to South Africa because this plant will grow optimally under a direct exposure of sun light and in well-drained soil condition.

Description:
Coleonema pulchellum is woody, evergreen and rather dense shrub that is erect in posture that grows to between 0.8 and 1.6 metres (2 ft 7 in and 5 ft 3 in) high. It forms a single stem at the base, from where numerous thin and erect branches grow. The aromatic leaves are like needles and are 4 to 5 times longer (8-10 mm) than they are wide (0.8 mm). The petiole is 1 mm long. The dwarf variety ‘Dwarf Pink’ grows between 0.6 and 0.9 metres (2 ft 0 in and 2 ft 11 in).

The flowers are solitary, terminal in short axillary twigs or in small twigs, often dense towards the top of the branches. They are pink, often white, and star-shaped (7 to 8 mm in diameter), with 5 oval petals, 5.0-5.7 mm long, each marked with a distinctive central vein. The entire shrub will be covered in pink flowers from May to October, attracting bees, butterflies and other insects. The fruit is made up of a 5-chamber capsule, dotted with glands. There is a shiny black seed in each chamber.

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Cultivation & propagation:
Fresh seed is collected from the previous year’s flowers and stored upon ripening. The optimum time for sowing is during autumn. Seed are cleaned and sown on a prepared medium of sand and compost in equal parts in a seed tray. Cover seed with a thin layer of bark and water. Place seed trays in a covered area with good light and ventilation. Keep seed trays damp and germination will take place within 1 to 2 months. Seedlings are pricked out when four true leaves have developed. The growing tips of seedlings are pinched out to encourage bushy growth. Feed buchus regularly with a balanced nutrient. The yellowing of leaves can be treated with an application of iron chelate.

Cuttings have the advantage of producing a larger flowering plant quicker than seedlings. Tip cuttings, 50-70 mm, are taken from the current year’s growth. Prepare cuttings by making a clean cut below the node and remove a third of the foliage. Best time to process cuttings is during winter and spring. Dip the base of the cutting in a rooting hormone.. Firmly place the cuttings in a medium of 50% bark and 50 % polystyrene. Ideally these cuttings should now be placed in an well-aerated propagation unit with a bottom heat of 24° C. Ideally rooting occurs in 9 to 11 weeks. Carefully pot the rooted cuttings using a well-drained, humus-rich, fynbos potting medium (2 parts leaf mould, 1 part coarse sand). Plants will be ready for planting in 7 to 8 months. Feed regularly with a well-balanced nutrient.

Phytophtera cinnamonnii, a soil-borne fungus, attacks the roots of most fynbos species. It prevents the uptake of water causing plants to die. The fungus is most active when the soil temperature is high, especially during summer. Remove infected plants and use soil mulch to reduce the soil temperature. Treat plants with a special fungicide prior to planting out. This is a precautionary measure to control the fungus and to protect adjacent plants.
Best planted in a sunny position, it requires well-drained soil, compost and a well-balanced fertilizer (3:2:1). Plant out in groups of 3 or 5 with enough space to grow. To retain soil moisture and keep weeds to a minimum, add a layer of mulch. Like other buchus, coleonemas are best planted out during winter and spring. They require good watering in winter and moderate watering in summer. Do not allow plants to dry out and once established they will survive periods of drought.
Coleonema pulchellum can be propagated by sowing seed and by taking cuttings.

Medicinal Uses:
The branches and needle-like leaves are very aromatic, and essential oils are extracted commercially from Coleonema alba. The aromatic and deodorizing qualities of the stems and leaves can be used to repel mosquitoes and ants, and to remove odours from hands.

Other Uses:
Aside from being an attractive garden shrub, the foliage can be used in floral arrangements as a filler.
Coleonema pulchellum can be used as an accent plant or in groups to form a hedge or informal border. Use as a filler plant in a mixed fynbos bed with companion plants such as Protea, Leonotis, Metalasia, Felicia, Restio, Euryops, Pelargonium and buchu. Display it in a rockery or grow it as a potplant where it can be pruned to keep it small and neat.
The branches and needle-like leaves are very aromatic, and essential oils are extracted commercially from Coleonema alba. The aromatic and deodorizing qualities of the stems and leaves can be used to repel mosquitoes and ants, and to remove odours from hands. When does the Coleonema bloom?

Resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coleonema_pulchellum
https://drhealthbenefits.com/herbal/herbal-plant/list-medicinal-plants-south-africa
http://pza.sanbi.org/coleonema-pulchellum

Herbs & Plants

Gandhoraj (GARDENIA)

Botanical Name : Gardenia resinifera Roth
Family: Rubiaceae
Subfamily: Ixoroideae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Gentianales
Tribe: Gardenieae
Genus: Gardenia

Synonyms : Gardenia lucida Roxb.

Common Name :Gandhoraj (Bengali), King of the Day, Dikamali, Malan, Brilliant Gardenia, Cambi Resin Tree, White Emetic Nut, Brilliant Gardenia,Dikamali,Dikemali,Kambi

Habitat: Gardenia is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Madagascar and Pacific Islands, and Australia.

Description:
Gardenias are evergreen shrubs and small trees growing to 1–15 metres (3.3–49.2 ft) tall. The leaves are opposite or in whorls of three or four, 5–50 centimetres (2.0–19.7 in) long and 3–25 centimetres (1.2–9.8 in) broad, dark green and glossy with a leathery texture.
The flowers are solitary or in small clusters, white, or pale yellow, with a tubular-based corolla (botany) with 5–12 lobes (petals) from 5 to 12 centimetres (2.0 to 4.7 in) diameter. Flowering is from about mid-spring to mid-summer, and many species are strongly scented.

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Cultivation:
*Dig a hole that is twice as wide and a bit deeper than the root ball.
*Put a couple of inches of fresh soil in the bottom of the hole.
*Place the gardenia in the hole so that the top of the root ball is even with the soil surface.
*Fill in with soil around the root ball.
*Water deeply.

Propagation:
The first step in propagating gardenia is to get a cutting. A simple way of doing this is by removing a branch from your plant and putting it in water until roots form, or you have the time available to pot up the cutting. Ideally, use an old piece of pantyhose as a rooting medium so that air can pass through while still retaining moisture.

Edible Uses:
Gardenia flowers can be added to salads, used as garnish, and the fruits can be eaten out of hand. However, this herb is primarily valued for its natural yellow coloring, from its fruit, used in the food industry as a less expensive substitute for the spice, Saffron.

Medicinal Uses:
The first documented use of gardenia in Chinese herbology, or herbal medicine, was from the Han dynasty ( AD25-AD220). Gardenia leaves, flowers and fruits were included in several canon or formulas, which are mostly remedies for the common cold. In Asia, gardenia is known as the ‘happiness herb’ because it is said to detoxify the liver, thereby releasing negative emotions. This may have led to the association between gardenia and love, healing and spiritually.

In China, gardenia flowers are used to flavor herbal teas, often in combination with other herbs and flowers such as chrysanthemums. Gardenia infused teas are known to detoxify the blood, relieve congestion and help lower LDL, or bad, cholesterol. Externally, gardenia is used for skin inflammation, sprains and has blood staunching properties. It is still used in the traditional medicine of Vietnam, internally as a hemostatic agent.

Nutrition: Some of the curative effects of gardenia are no doubt the result of the many phytochemicals found in the color pigments of gardenia fruits and flowers. Indeed, gardenia fruits contain carotenoids including crocin and crocetin, also found in the Crocus species of plant, of which saffron is a member. Aside from their ability to add a subtle yellow color to foods, the carotenoids have numerous health benefits.

Both crocin and crocetin, of which crocetin is a central component of, are antioxidants or free radical scavengers, and may, according to in vitro studies, reduce or inhibit the grow of cancer.
A 2009 study at the Military Medical Univercity in Shanghai, China on Crocus satvia (saffron) found that the carotenoid crocin has antidepressant properties and merits further investigation as a possible plant material for curing depression.
In another study by the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, in 2007, extract of crocin from saffron was given to male lab rats and their sexual activity was monitored. Results suggest that crocin is a natural aphrodisiac, at least for rodents.
Traditionally used as a treatment for diabetes in Chinese herbal medicine, gardenia extract was found to contain a chemical called genipin. Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that genipin inhibits the functions of an enzyme which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Other Uses: Gardenia flowers have very sweet smell , so people wants this plant in their flower garden. Parts Used Gum, Combee resin .

Known Hazards:
Gardenia might work like a laxative and cause diarrhea when taken by mouth. When applied to the skin, gardenia might cause skin irritation. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of gardenia during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Gardenia

Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardenia
https://knoji.com/article/herbs-gardenia-or-cape-jasmine-culinary-medicinal-uses-and-nutrition/

Herbs & Plants

Halerpestes sarmentosa

Botanical Name: : Halerpestes sarmentosa
Family: Ranunculaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Ranunculales
Genus: Halerpestes

Synonyms: Ranunculus sarmentosus Adams,

Habitat : Halerpestes sarmentosa is native to: Afghanistan, Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, China North-Central, China South-Central, Chita, East European Russia, East Himalaya, Inner Mongolia, Iran, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Kazakhstan, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krasnoyarsk, Magadan, Manchuria, Mongolia, Pakistan, Primorye, Qinghai, Sakhalin, Tadzhikistan, Tibet, Tuva, Uzbekistan, West Himalaya, West Siberia, Xinjiang, Yakutskiya. It grows primarly in the temperate biome(s)

Descriiptiion:
Halerpestes sarmentosa is a perennial plant. Stolons 10–20 cm. Basal leaves 8–25; petiole 1–10 cm, glabrous or sparsely puberulent; leaf blade oblate, reniform, or orbicular-ovate, sometimes pentagonal, 0.5–2 × 0.4–2.6 cm, glabrous, base broadly cuneate, truncate, or subcordate, margin with 3–9 teeth at top, or 3-lobed; central lobe entire; lateral lobes 1- or 2-dentate or entire, sometimes 3-cleft to middle part or 3-partite. Scapes 3–16 cm, glabrous or sparsely puberulent. Flowers 1, sometimes 2–4 in a monochasium, terminal, 6–10 (–14) mm in diam.; bracts linear, 3–5 mm, glabrous, vaginate at base. Sepals 5, elliptic, 2–4.5 mm, glabrous. Petals 5, oblong, 2.8–6.5 × 1–2.5 mm, apex rounded. Stamens (6–)14–20; anthers ellipsoid, 0.6–0.8 mm. Aggregate fruit ovoid, 3.5–6 × 2.2–3.2 mm; achenes obliquely narrowly obovate, 1–1.8 × 0.6–0.8 mm, glabrous. Persistent style ca. 0.3 mm, straight.

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Cultivation:
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Propagation: Through seeds. To propagate from the seeds, plant the seeds in a well-draining soil mixture. This method can be used outdoors. In cooler areas, indoor propagating is recommended.

Medicinal Uses:
The stem and leaves are used in Tibetan medicine where they are considered to have a sweet taste and a neutral potency. They are anti-inflammatory, diuretic and febrifuge. They are used in the treatment of inflammation of the ureters, pain in the joints due to arthritis, gout and retention of bodily fluids.

Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halerpestes
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:711256-1
http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000714605