Moshi medicine, guier du Senegal

Guiera senegalensis

Physical Characteristics

Guiera senegalensis is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 2.5 m (8ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

Tropical Africa - drier areas from Senegal to Sudan.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Gum The leaves are also used to curdle milk.

Medicinal Uses

Antidiarrhoeal Antiinflammatory Antirheumatic Antiseptic Antitussive Appetizer Blood purifier Diuretic Dysentery Febrifuge Galactogogue Hypotensive Laxative Leprosy Pectoral Poultice Skin Tonic Vulnerary The leaves have a high reputation as a 'cure-all' in Africa, where they are used in the treatment of a wide range of conditions. They are most commonly taken in decoctions or are mixed with foods[332 ]. The bitter tasting leaves are antitussive, appetizer, blood purifier, diuretic, febrifuge, galactagogue, laxative, pectoral and tonic[332 ]. They are used to treat a wide range of conditions such as: pulmonary and respiratory complaints, including coughs and fevers; digestive tract problems including colic, dysentery and diarrhoea; infectious diseases including syphilis, beriberi and leprosy; and various other conditions such as impotence, rheumatism and oedema[332 ]. The powdered leaves are mixed with food as a general tonic and blood restorative after any exhausting condition, and especially given to women after childbirth to promote the flow of milk[332 ]. The leaves are commonly made into an infusion, combined with those of Combretum micranthum, for treating fever, chest and rheumatic conditions, and as a nasal douche for cold in the head[332'. Combined with tamarind pulp, the leaves are held to be a good laxative and appetizer[332 ]. The plant has a special reputation as a preventive of leprosy and many people drink a cold decoction of the leaves every morning and evening; in particular it is given to the newborn child, and to the child of a leper parent, or when there is the least suspicion of hereditary taint or early symptoms[332 ]. The dried leaves are smoked in a pipe and the smoke is blown through the nose as a remedy for colds[332 ]. They are mixed with tobacco for smoking as a treatment for coughs and respiratory trouble[332 ]. The powdered leaves are added to a snuff taken for headache and sinusitis[332 ]. The leaves are applied externally to bring healing to the body - they are considered antiseptic and vulnerary. They are applied to wounds, sores in the mouth, syphilitic chancres and phagadenic ulcers[332 ]. The leaves are applied to skin infections and in poultices on inflammatory swellings and for guinea-worm; they have been applied to tumours to maturate them and as a treatment for skin-diseases[332 ]. A leaf-decoction is used as a body-wash and for bathing new-born babies[332 ]. The fruit and leaves are common ingredients in more or less ceremonial prescriptions for strengthening and preventing disease in young children[332 ]. The twigs are chewed for symptomatic relief of scorpion stings[332 ]. The powdered and boiled roots are considered a remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery[332 ]. The fruits, baked and reduced to a powder with salt added to mask the bitter taste, are considered a sovereign cure for hiccups[332 ]. Leafy stems have been found to contain traces of alkaloids and tannins[332 ]. Ash of the roots and leaves appear to be particularly rich in magnesium, calcium, strontium, titanium, iron and aluminium[332 ]. Pharmacologically the plant has positive action on coughs, is hypotensive, antidiarrhetic and anti-inflammatory[332 ].

Known Hazards

None known