Main PageFURTHER MEDICINAL BENEFITS OF THE GIANT MILK WEED (EWE BOMUBOMU IN YORUBA LANGUAGE)
The giant milk weed also known as swallow wort
and mudar bark, is not a weed as we know weeds to be. It is a shrub
which is very common in settlements - villages and towns.
It grows easily
from the seeds where the soil is suitable, even from the side of Cemented
path ways. It grows well on sandy soil.
Scientists are not
very consistent at times in naming plants. In Traditional medicine and
Pharmacopoeia contribution to Ethno botanical and Floristic Studies in
Western Nigeria by 14 authors, published by Organisation of African
Unity/ Scientific Technical and Research Commission, the plant is called
Calotropis procera and in Ethno medical uses of plants in Nigeria by
Prof. L. S. Gill, the plant is called Calotropis procera and calotropis
gigantea.
The giant milk weed
is called Bomubomu in Yoruba and Tumfatiya in Hausa. The leaves are used
in areas where cattle is reared when coagulating milk because it is
known to prevent
small pox and measles. Such coagulating milk is called wara (cheeses) in
Yoruba. Wara can be done without it.
The leaves are also
placed in the pot before adding maize, then beans, to cook as a meal.
This is also done to prevent small pox and measles.
The ball-like shape
of the fruits is also peculiar. The fruits, hanging in bunches of two or
more like balloon have fibre-like content and remind one of the signature
of plants when some
herbalists add them to remedies for testicular problems
The natives use
giant milk weed and value its medicinal properties which scientists have
also looked into and confirmed.
The parts used are
the leaves, root, bark, flowers and the fruits.
The constituents
are listed by scientists to be alkaloids - benzoyllicolone, calotropin,
calotozin, uscharin, uscharidin, calactin, benzoylisolineolone,
voruscharine and mudarin. No doubt these are what make it a medicinal
plant; enough to
encourage and make those in pharmaceutical industries to understand what
is in the plant. They need such analysis which the herbalist, in
his/her child-like
nature, does not ask for before using the plant. His/her acceptance of
medicinal plants is based on what was passed down to him or her.
The leaves of the
plant are boiled in water to treat malaria. A tea cup of this is taken
twice a day. Whatever herb is used for malaria is to be taken for up to
one
week to ensure that
the condition clears very well.
It is not easy for
people who are not used to herbal remedies to accept that one plant can
be used for the treatment of many ailments. Such plants are many. In
fact, a part of the
plant can be used for more than one ailments. This is true of the giant
milk weed.
The root, bark of
the plant can be powdered and used in pap or as cold infusion for
diarrhoea and dysentery. The same powder is dusted on leprosy and
elephantiasis. Both are very severe skin diseases. Leprosy causes sores
on
the toes and
fingers which deform them. Elephantiasis is said to be a disease caused
by worms infecting the lymphatic circulation. It causes the foot (or
feet in
some cases) to be
fat and thick-skinned, heavy and unsightly.
The powdered bark
is also used on chronic eczema. This may be applied two or three times
daily. Skin problems arise from the poor state of the blood. It is,
therefore, essential to improve on the blood through the eating of
fruits, vegetables
in their raw state. Blood cleansing herbs are also of benefits.
To relieve pains, a
decoction of the root and leaves is recommended. This decoction is also
a bitter tonic and a good remedy for convulsion and asthma.
When there is
general water retention (dropsy) or just in the abdomen known as
enlargement of the abdominal viscera, a decoction of the leaves is used.
The extract of the
pure juice of giant milk weed is known to be toxic and is therefore used
in small doses. The water decoction is preferred. In recurring fevers
one to five drops of the extract of the leaves is recommended.
While inhaling the
smoke of tobacco will cause asthma and cough in some people, inhaling
the smoke from the dried leaves of this plant will cure cough and
asthma. It makes one to marvel at how Nature works.
The dried flowers can also be used for asthma, cold and cough. Dried flowers
may be infused and taken as tea.
Inflammatory
swellings and rheumatic joints can be very painful. Poultices are often used to
reduce such pains.
The slightly
roasted leaves of giant milk weed are good as poultice on inflammatory
swellings and rheumatic joints. When slightly roasted on fire the leaves
becomes soft and they are placed on the painful joint, leaf over leaf to cover
the area affected. Bandage firmly and eave it over night. It can be repeated in
the morning.
It is usual and
expected that a woman lactates after having a baby in order to be able
to breast feed the offspring. But in some few cases the breast milk may
not flow. Quoting Prof. Gbile, Prof. Dill says the leaves can be grounded with
the local black soap. This is used to wash the breast thrice daily till the
milk flows. When using a herb to help lactation, the baby should be made to
suck to quicken lactation.
The milk of giant
milk weed is used on ringworm of the scalp. It relieves pains in the joints and
may also be used on swellings. When used on carrion teeth to relieve pain honey
is added. Mix well before applying.
The flowers are equally
medicinal, good as tonic; help stomach and digestive problems.
NOTE
The extract of the
pure juice of giant milk weed is known to be toxic and is therefore used in
small doses.
The juice of the
stem is capable of causing abortion and should be avoided by pregnant women.
The dried twig is equally harmful to pregnancy.
Please consult
before usage. Do not take overdose of it.
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