Christmas Bush

Alchornea cordifolia

Physical Characteristics

Alchornea cordifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 8 m (26ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil.

Distribution

Tropical Africa - Senegal east to Kenya and Tanzania and south throughout Central Africa to Angola.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Edible Uses: Tea Dried leaves are a tea substitute[ 299 ]. The acidulous fruits are considered edible in some parts of Africa[ 299 , 332 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antibacterial Antidiarrhoeal Antifungal Antiinflammatory Blood purifier Diuretic Dysentery Emetic Emmenagogue Epilepsy Leprosy Oxytoxic Purgative Sedative Skin Tonic Urinary Alchornea cordifolia is an important medicinal plant in African traditional medicine and much pharmacological research has been carried out into its antibacterial, antifungal and antiprotozoal properties, as well as its anti-inflammatory activities, with significant positive results. However, the link between activity and particular compounds is often not clear, although the flavonoids and tannins seem to play a major role. More research is needed to elucidate these relations. It is probable that Alchornea cordifolia will remain a major medicinal plant[ 299 ]. The leaves are the main part used, but the stem bark, stem pith, leafy stems, root bark, roots and fruits are also employed[ 299 ]. In addition to the properties listed above, the leaves or leafy stems are also believed to be abortifacient, antispasmodic, blood purifier, diuretic, emetic (in large doses), emmenagogue, oxytocic, purgative, sedative and tonic[ 299 , 332 ]. Taken as an infusion or chewed fresh, they are used to treat a wide variety of conditions including:- respiratory problems such as sore throat, cough and bronchitis; genital-urinary conditions such as venereal diseases, menstrual problems, impotency and female sterility; intestinal problems such as gastric ulcers, diarrhoea, amoebic dysentery and worms; anaemia; epilepsy; tachycardia[ 299 , 332 ]. As a purgative, the leaves are also taken as an enema[ 299 ]. The crushed fresh leaves or powdered dry leaves are applied externally as a cicatrizant to wounds, to relieve pain, e.g. backache and headache, to fractures to improve healing and to treat eye infections and numerous skin afflictions including venereal diseases, leprosy, sores, abscesses, yaws and filariasis[ 299 , 332 ]. A decoction of leafy twigs is applied as a wash for feverish chills, and rheumatic pains, also for sores and as an application to sore feet as a lotion or poultice[ 332 ]. Leaf and root decoctions are widely used as mouth wash to treat ulcers of the mouth, toothache and caries, and twigs are chewed for the same purposes[ 299 ]. The young stem pith is bitter and astringent and is chewed in the treatment of tachycardia[ 299 ]. The pith may also be rubbed on the chest to treat respiratory problems[ 299 ]. The root is widely taken to treat venereal diseases, amoebic dysentery and diarrhoea[ 299 ]. Externally, it is used to make eye drops to cure conjunctivitis[ 299 ]. A decoction of bruised fruit is taken to prevent miscarriage[ 299 ]. The sap of the fruit is applied externally to cure eye problems and skin diseases[ 299 ].

Known Hazards

None known