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Pygeum Africanum

NAME: Pygeum Africanum

FAMILY: Rosaceae

COMMON NAMES: African Plum, African Cherry

LOCAL NAMES: Pygeum (in various African regions)

MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION: Pygeum Africanum is a medium-sized evergreen tree with dark green, glossy leaves. Its bark is dark brown to black with a rough texture, often deeply fissured. The tree produces small, fragrant, white flowers, which later develop into reddish-brown fruit containing a single seed.

USEFUL PART(s): The bark is the most commonly used part of Pygeum Africanum for medicinal purposes.

GENERAL USES: Traditionally, extracts from the bark have been used for various medicinal purposes, primarily to support prostate health, alleviate urinary issues, and address certain reproductive health concerns in men.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION: Pygeum Africanum is native to several African countries, including Cameroon, Madagascar, and parts of South Africa. It thrives in mountainous regions and humid forests.

WHY IS IT GREEN? The leaves of Pygeum Africanum are green due to the presence of chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for photosynthesis, which allows the tree to convert sunlight into energy.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The tree plays a role in maintaining biodiversity in its native habitats. However, excessive harvesting for medicinal use poses a threat to its population, leading to conservation concerns.

FUN FACT: Pygeum Africanum has been a subject of interest in traditional African medicine for centuries and has gained attention in modern herbal supplements for its potential health benefits.

Further Reading: For more in-depth information on Pygeum Africanum, its uses, cultivation, and conservation efforts, refer to scientific studies or botanical resources specializing in African flora.

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Peperomia pellucida    

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NAME: Peperomia pellucida    

FAMILY: Piperaceae

COMMON NAMES: Man to man, pepper elder, shiny bush plant

LOCAL NAMES: Salad Peperomia, cao hu jiao, ewe rinirin  

MORPHORLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:  Peperomia pellucida is a slender, shallow-rooted herb that can be wild or cultivated. It is an annual plant usually growing to a height of about 6 to 18 inches, it is characterized by its glossy, light-green fleshy leaves, and succulent stems that root at the nodes and fruiting spikes with dot-like seeds.

USEFUL PART(s): Leaves, Stems and roots

GENERAL USES:

  • The plant is grown as a food

  • Ornamental Purpose

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:

Central and South America, China, Nigeria, Angola, Zambia

WHY IS IT GREEN?

  • Gout

  • Arthritis

  • Antibacterial

  • Prostate Enlargement Problem

  • Fever

  • Eye inflammation

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

The plant produces seed abundantly and easily naturalized as a weed in many parts of the tropics.

FUN FACT

The plant species interferes with prostaglandin synthesis.

FURTHER READINGS

Kartika, I. G. A. A., Insanu, M., Safitri, D., Putri, C. A., & Adnyana, I. K. (2016). New update: Traditional uses, phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicity review of peperomia pellucida (l.) kunth. In Pharmacologyonline.

Majumder, P., Abraham, P., & Satya, V. (2011). Research Journal of Pharmaceutical , Biological and Chemical Sciences REVIEW ARTICLE Ethno-medicinal , Phytochemical and Pharmacological review of an amazing. Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences.

Oloyede, G. K., Onocha, P. A., & Olaniran, B. B. (2011). Phytochemical, toxicity, antimicrobial and antioxidant screening of leaf extracts of Peperomia pellucida from Nigeria. Advances in Environmental Biology.

Sonibare, M. A., Moody, J. O., & Adesanya, E. O. (2009). Use of medicinal plants for the treatment of measles in Nigeria. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.01.004

Wei, L. S., Wee, W., Siong, J. Y. F., & Syamsumir, D. F. (2011). Characterization of anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant properties and chemical compositions of Peperomia pellucida leaf extract. Acta Medica Iranica.