Seeds of species used to fight alcoholism & drug addiction :
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Adiantum capillus-veneris :
Medicine made from the plant has detoxifying effects in alcoholism; the plant is used to detoxify those who abuse alcohol.
The Sutos smoke the leaf for head and chest colds.
Aloe maculata :
Used as an emetic when narcotic substances have been absorbed, or from discomfort from too much food or alcohol.
Extracts show inhibitory effects on histamine release from mast cells, indicating potential anti-inflammatory usefulness. Antifungal effects have been observed from protein extracts. Lectins isolated from the gel portions of the leaves showed haemagglutinating activity on human blood cells.
Sceletium tortuosum `Kanna / Kougoed' :
A tea made from Sceletium is sometimes used to wean alcoholics off alcohol.
Sceletium has been used by hunter-gatherers and shepherds as a mood-enhancer for millennia.
Schotia brachypetala :
Bark decoctions are taken as emetics after excessive beer drinking or to treat those who abuse alcohol.
Bark is used in red bark mixtures known as `ikhubalo' to ward off evil.
They are also used to strengthen the body.
Bark is used to make the red dye for sangomas cloaks (indigenous diviner healers.)
The bark is also used in purification rites.
Smoke from the leaves is inhaled for nosebleeds.
Voacanga africana :
Source of vinpocetine.
Enhances memory and mental alertness.
The seeds are used for magical purposes in West Africa.
The root bark of Voacanga species is generally ingested to combat fatigue and increase endurance of drummers and hunters and, in higher doses, also for magic and religious purposes.
In Senegal a leaf decoction is drunk as a tonic and against fatigue.
Pulp from the leaves or stem bark is applied to soothe convulsions in children and the juice is put in the nostrils as a tranquilizer.
V. africana is known to contain ibogaine like alkaloids.
Active ingredients include Vinpocetine, Vincamine, Vinburnine, Voacamine, Voacagine.
Potential application : relieve drug addiction.
Voacanga thouarsii :
The uses of Voacanga thouarsii are similar to those of Voacanga africana.
The discovery of the transformation of tabersonin into vincamine in two steps opened a new way for the commercial exploitation of Voacanga seeds (Zsadon, 1982).
Vincamine is used for the treatment of cerebral vascular disorders.
Seeds of Voacanga thouarsii and Voacanga africana appear to be the best sources of tabersonin, and V. thouarsii seeds are reported to give a higher yield in tabersonin than V. africana seeds.
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