Botany
Low herb, 15 to 50
cm high, with red, ovoid, subterranean bulbs, 1.5 to 4 cm long, 1 to
4 cm in diameter, with accessory bulbs. Leaves are fistular, terete
and glaucous with pointed and subulate tips. Peducles are long, erect,
fistular and 20 to 50 cm long. Umbels are rounded, 2.5 to 3.5 cm diameter,
containing many flowers. The pedicels are 1 to 1.5 cm long. Sepals are
free, ovate-oblong, white or pale lilac, less than 1 cm long.
Constituents
and properties
• Contains ash,
phosphorus, calcium and iron.
• Bulbs considered stomachic, tonic, anthelmintic, antispasmodic,
diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypotensive.
• Contains
a volatile oil that stimulates the tear glands and upper mucous membranes
causing the eyes and nose to water. This property is the homeopathic
basis for using it in treating illnesses associated with tearing eyes
and nasal discharge, such as hay fever and colds.
• Bulbs considered aphrodisiac.
• Phytochemical screening showed presence of secondary metabolities
such as alkaloids, anthraquinones, saponins, cardiac glycosides, tannins,
cyanogenetic glycosides and flavonoids.
Uses
Culinary
• Edible parts
are flowers, leaves and roots.
• Added to salads, used as flavoriing or vegetable.
Folkloric
• Used for diarrhea,
headaches, laryngitis with hoarseness, coughs, amenorrhea, neuralgic
pains.
• Used as anthelmintic, stomachic and tonic.
• Poultice of bulb for earache; also, juice dropped into canal.
• In Africa, juice
is rubbed on the body for fevers.
• In
Malaya, juice of bulk,
with tumeric juice, is used for stomach aches.
• In the Gold Coast,
mixture of bulbs with palm oil and large Capsicums used for fever.
Studies
• Anti-Helicobacter
pylori: Crude extract
of leaf of AA showed therapeutic potential against H pylori and gastroduodenal
disorders.
• Renal
Protective / Antioxidant: Study showed the protective
potential of shallot extract against cyclosporine nephrotoxicity, a
benefit probably contributed to by its antioxidant property.
• Antibacterial:
One of 15 medicinal herbs studied for antibacterial properties, A ascalonicum
showed effect against B cereus.
Availability
Cultivated market produce.
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