Skin Diseases and Natural Remedies: Trumpettree

Location: The trumpettree plant is largely found in the tropical climates and are abundant in the tropical rainforest.

Other names of the plant: snake wood, bios cannon, sandpaper tree yagruma, ambay

Description: The trumpettree plant is a member of the Moraceae or Mulberry family and grows to approximately 10 to 15 metres in height. It is a fast growing evergreen plant.

Leaves and bark: The trunk of the plant is pretty similar to that of a coconut tree with the characteristic hollow and knotty feature. It is slender and its bark is gray while the leaves are large and palmate, dark green on the upper side and white on the underside.

Roots: The roots of the plant large and woody, reddish or grey brown and are very fragrant. It is said to have an aromatic and astringent type of flavour.

Flowers: It is a flowering plant but the flowers are not readily noticeable. .

Fruit:  The flowers pencil-shaped pod which can grow up to 6 inches in length.

Usable parts of the plant: Bark and leaves.

Curative properties

Trumpettree is known to have medicinal properties which are useful in the

following manner:

§  Convulsions: An infusion of the leaves is useful for controlling high fevers which may cause convulsions.

§  Weight Loss: The preparation can be mixed with pineapple juice to combat overweight as it is good for eliminating excess fat.

§  Diuretic: an infusion of the leaves is used as a diuretic and is used for conditions such as fluid retention, edema and high blood pressure.

§  Respiratory complaints: A tea made from the leaves is good for controlling respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis,

§  Other: A preparation from the leaves is also useful for regulating albumin in the urine, urinary tract conditions, kidney disorders and bladder disorders as well.

Uses and Preparations

Tea

Leaves: Pour boiling water over a leaf which has been cut into pieces. This can be either a dried or green leaf. Allow to sit covered for approximately 20mins. Strain and use.

Bark: It is said that the Amerindians used to use the bark to make a solution which was then used to capture wasp as a part of their ritual when the boys reached that phase of transitioning to manhood.

Dosage

Take one cup of the boiled liquid every 8 hours and be sure to half the dosage when giving it to a child.

As is the case with all conventional medications it is best that persons taking herbal medicines be aware of the active ingredients of the substance they are taking into their bodies as well as the dosage. It is well advised that persons who take herbal medicines do a thorough research and advise themselves accordingly.

Active ingredients in the sassafras plant: Lipids, tannins, glycosides, cardenolids, alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids,  triterpenes, polyphenols, and resinsambain such as polysaccharides, stearic  acid, cerotic acid, lignoceric acid, and arachidic acid among others not mentioned here.

Contraindication:

There are no known contraindications.