Combretaceae
Description
This item is from "Some Common Medicinal And Poisonous Plants Used In Ethiopian Folk Medicine" work, by Amare Getahun.
Combretaceae
Combretum paniculatum Vent.
baye, buggie (G)
gabai (K)
shaga (K)
A very showy shrub which grows over tall trees. It is seen growing in the warm, moist areas of Wollega and Jimma, and flowers in January and February.
The fresh flowers are ground and the juice is used in the treatment of conjunctivitis and other eye ailments. It is also used to treat leprosy. In this regard, it may actually be Terminalia glaucescens Engl. ex Benth, that is used and not Combretum paniculatum Vent. as the same common names are used for both species.
The plant should be introduced wherever possible into cultivation for its bright red flowers.
Quisqualis indica L.
rangoon-creeper (Eng)
This plant is an introduced ornamental creeper that seems to do well in Harar area.
The raw half-ripened fruits are used as a vermifuge. The plant has a high tannin content.
COMPOSITAE
Ageratum conyzoides L.
gunyato, arema (G)
Plant is commonly found in damp places near river beds under shady areas and on waste grounds.
The whole fresh plant is used to dress wounds and sores.
Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd.
ariti (A)
chukun, jukun (GH)
kodo (G)
kapani (GB)
This is a very odoriferous shrubby herb found in high altitude areas. It is invariably found in wet depressions and in meadows.
Ariti is used to relieve stomach pains. The juice of the crushed leaves is mixed with water or honey and is administered orally. It is also used to clean containers perhaps because of the pleasant odor. The plant is harvested when in the flowering stage.
Cynara scolymus L.
kenchofe (G)
Extract of leaves is used to treat liver diseases.
Galinsoga parviflora Cav.
yeshewa-arem (A)
Very common annual weed of cultivated fields and waste grounds. An extract of the fresh leaves and inflorescence is used to dress fresh wounds or cuts as well as saddle sores and rawness of the skin to foster quick healing.
Kleinia spp.
kinchive (A)
There are few species under the same local name found in a wide range of altitude but mostly at mid-altitude (2.000 meters). In most old settlements where the area is denuded and overgrazed, "kinchive" becomes plentiful because it is not browsed by stocks nor does it have other uses by man" In the absence of other sources of firewood, the natives are forced to use it for fuel" But in so doing they invite difficulties, for the smoke from the burning wood is an irritant to the eye, even causing cumulative damage to the eye sight as time goes on.
In the central province there is a severe case of kinchive damage to the eye where in one particular sub-province there is an unusually high incidence of blindness. Older people are more susceptible to it.
Sphaeranthus suaveolens (Forsk.) D.C.
(Sphaeranthus ukambesis Vatke & 0. Hoffm.)
gubbisna (G)
ala-schina (GH)
Weed of wet and low lying areas. The plant contains fragrant oil. The whole plant is used in the treatment of coughs.
Women, particularly the Gallas, use it as a perfume mixed with butter.
Taqetes minuta L.
Common weed of old and abandoned farms and dwelling areas. The plant seems to prefer well drained sites and is of variable height depending on the site. The plant has oil glands giving it a characteristic odor.
A scratch made on human skin by a branch or stem of the plant causes irritation and swelling.
The oil is reportedly used as an insecticide and preliminary results from trials carried out by the College of Agriculture, Ethiopia, showed that the whole plant if mulched or plowed into the soil controls nematode infestations.
Veronia amygdalina Del.
grawa (A)
ebicha (G)
dumoga (GH)
A very common shrub or small tree, sometimes attaining a height of 10 m. Shrubs usually grow in overgrazed areas or forest edges and in secondary scrub, in altitudes between 1700 and 3000 m.
The shrub is very conspicuous when in full bloom and is sweet-scented. It is often popular with bees when it is in bloom. The shrub is one of the fastest growing shrubs under cultivation, it reseeds itself and transplants easily.
The sap is used as purgative. The dried flower is used to treat stomach disorder.
The plant is also reportedly used in the treatment of malaria.
The leaves are sometimes used in the preparation of the local drink, tela in place of gesho (Rhamnus prinoides L’Herit.) and cooked leaves are edible. Vernonia pauciflora (Willd) Lees.
The leaves of this plant are used a s a substitute for cigarettes.
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