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Botany
Earect and branched plant, about
20 to 80 cm in height. Leaves are narrowly ovate, 4-10 cm long.
Involucres are crowded, about 1 cm long, calyx-like, with one
flower. The perianth is white, purple, or yellow, 3-4 cm long,
with a slightly enlarged and upward cylindrical tube and a spreading
limb. Fruit is narrowly ovoid, about 8 mm long, black and finely
ribbed.
Distribution
Througout the Philippines in settled
areas; cultivated and spontaneous.
Chemical
constituents and characteristics
Roots contain oxymethylanthroquinone.
Plant contains trigonelline, an alkaloid, that possess a purgative
action.
Also contains galactose and arabinose.
Tubers are weekly purgative and emetic.
Parts
used
Leaves, roots,
tubers.
Folkloric
uses
Pounded seed use
for making cosmetic powders.
Juice of leaves are soothing when applied to areas of urticaria.
Bruised leaves as poultices for boils and abscesses.
Juices of leaves used internally for gonorrhea.
Infusion of leaves used as a diuretic.
Commercial
availability
Wild-crafted.
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