30/01/2024
☘️☘️Plant Of The Week☘️☘️
Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L). Swartz
_Caesalpinia pulcherrima,_ commonly known as the Pride of Barbados and Peacock Flower. Among the Yoruba people, it goes by the delightful moniker, Eko Omode.
This botanical gem, from the Fabaceae-Caesalpinoideae family, showcases compound leaves with an ovate shape, an entire margin and an asymmetrical base, all on a smooth, glabrous surface. It also possesses a leguminous dehiscent fruit.
Originating from Asia and tropical America, and embraced worldwide for it's ornamental allure.
The plant harbors essential oils, unlocking a treasure trove of medicinal properties;
🍀The alcohol extract possesses potent anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory properties.
🍀In Mexico, the green pods are boiled and eaten for their nutritional value. Meanwhile, in India, the seeds take on a different role as a traditional abortifacient.
🍀The tea from it's leaves tackle a spectrum of ailments. From aiding flatulence to combating ulcer, hepatitis, diarrhea, dysentery, gastritis, and intestinal inflammation.
🍀The bark and flowers contribute to healing as well, addressing uterine dysfunction with their therapeutic effect.
Beyond medicine, the tannins in the fruit and flowers are used as natural dyes for clothing.
🍀Malaysia's _Caesalpinia pulcherrima_ species have also been discovered to possess anti-bacterial properties.
However, as with all medicinal plants, caution is required in it's usage as an overdose could be poisonous.
