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Akapulko
Common names: Katanda (Tagalog); andadasi
(Ilokano); palochina (Bisaya); ringworm bush, seven golden candlesticks
Indications and preparations: Crushed leaves, ointment for
fungal skin infections e.g. tinea flava, ringworm, athlete’s foot |
click here for enlarged picture |
| Family: |
Leguminosae |
| Description: |
A shrub, 1-2 m tall, with thick
branches, pubescent. Leaves with 8-20 pairs of leaflets oblong-elliptical. Flowers with
oblong sepals. Fruit tetragonal, winged and glabrous. Seeds quadrangular, flattened, and
shiny. |
| Ecological distribution: |
Native to South America, now
distributed throughout the tropics; abundantly naturalized in South East Asia, and
occasionally planted throughout the region for medicinal and ornamental purposes. |
| Parts used: |
Leaves |
| Traditional uses: |
root, flower and leaf decoction
– used as laxative |
|
pounded leaves – against
ringworm |
|
leaf decoction – as an
expectorant in bronchitis and dyspnea, as astringent, mouthwash and a wash for eczema. |
| Special precautions: |
Apply thinly twice daily on
affected part. Improvement should occur 2 – 3 weeks after treatment. |
| Product available: |
ointment, lotion, herbal soap. |
| Further information in: |
de Padua,L.S., N.
Bunyapraphatsara, R.H.M.J. Lemmens (Editors). 1999. Plant Resources of South East Asia
12(1) Medicinal and Poisonous Plants. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, the Netherlands.771
pp. |
| Or contact: |
RED Foundation Inc., Los Baņos,
Laguna 4031 Philippines Tel no. (63) (049) 536 0205. |
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