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Botany
Erect stem, 0.5
to 1.5 meters high. Leaves are numerous, linear-lanceolate, 1
to 1.5 meters long, 5-7 cm wide, the margins sharply spiny-toothed,
green and shiny on the upper surface, pale on the lower surface.
Heads are terminal, solitary, ovoid, 6 to 8 mm long. Sepals are
ovate, thick and fleshy, about 1 cm long. Petals are three, oblanceolate,
about 2 cm long, white below, violet above. The fruit is 20 cm
or longer.
Distribution
Widely cultivated
in the Philippines in two forms: Native and Smooth Cayenne, the
latter introduced from Hawaii.
Chemical
constituents and properties
The native variety
has a much higher carbohydrate content than the Cayenne variety.
Both are fair sources of calcium and iron, good sources of vitamins
A and B, and excellent sources of vitamin C.
Contains citric acid,
phosphoric and sulfuric acid, lime, magnesia, iron, silica, sodium
and chlorides of potassium.
Anthelmintic, vermicide,
diuretic, aperient, antiscorbutic, diaphoretic, refrigerant,
digestive, styptic, emmenagogue.
Antihelminthic property
of fresh fruit juice attributed to its constituent, bromelin,
a proteolytic ferment, that is toxic to Ascaris lumbricoides
and Macracanthorynchus hirudinaceous.
Uses
Nutritional
Fair source of calcium
and iron; good source of vitamins A and B; excellent source of
vitamin C.
Folkloric
Juice of leaves: anthelmintic;
used for intestinal animal parasites (decoction of fresh young
leaves, 4x daily).
Ripe fruit good for acid dyspepsia and aids digestion,.
Juice of ripe fruit increases urine flow, gently laxative, cooling
and digestive.
Availability
Commercial cultivation.
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