Sutherlandia frutescens
| Sutherlandia frutescens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Tribe: | Galegeae |
| Genus: | Sutherlandia |
| Species: | S. frutescens |
| Binomial name | |
| Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) R.Br.[1] | |
Sutherlandia frutescens (cancer bush,[2] balloon pea, or sutherlandia; syn. Colutea frutescens L., Lessertia frutescens (L.) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning) is a southern African legume which has traditionally been used as an indigenous medicine for a variety of ailments.[3]
It is a shrub with bitter, aromatic leaves. Red-orange flowers appear in spring to mid-summer.[4]
Cultivation
Sutherlandia frutescens is a small bush growing up to about 1m high. It is native to dry parts of southern Africa, preferring full sun but tolerant of a wide variety of soil types. It is a tough plant, hardy, fast growing and drought tolerant but short lived. Seeds germinate readily in around 2 to 3 weeks and established plants self-seed readily. Seedlings may be vulnerable to damping off, but provided it is in well drained soil, it grows readily and is not very vulnerable to pests.[4]
Traditional uses
An infusion made from the leaves is a traditional remedy said to treat fever, chicken pox, flu, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, and stomach and liver problems.[3]
Scientific study
Although some animals studies have been conducted on the putative pharmacology of S. frutescens,[3] there is no good evidence relating to its safety and efficacy.[5]
Sutherlandia frutescens has been promoted as useful to people with HIV/AIDS, but there is no evidence of benefit, and it interacts adversely with conventional drugs used, such as antiretroviral drugs.[6][7][8]
References
- ↑ "Sutherlandia frutescens information from NPGS/GRIN". www.ars-grin.gov. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
- ↑ "Sutherlandia frutescens". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- 1 2 3 Ojewole, JA (2004). "Analgesic, antiinflammatory and hypoglycemic effects of Sutherlandia frutescens R. BR. (variety Incana E. MEY.) Fabaceae shoot aqueous extract". Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology 26 (6): 409–16. PMID 15349136.
- 1 2 Phakamani M' Afrika Xaba & Alice Notten (April 2003). "Sutherlandia frutescens". Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
- ↑ Johnson, Q; Syce, J; Nell, H; Rudeen, K; Folk, WR (2007). "A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Lessertia frutescens in healthy adults". PLoS Clinical Trials 2 (4): e16. doi:10.1371/journal.pctr.0020016. PMC 1863514. PMID 17476314.
- ↑ Mills, Edward; Cooper, Curtis; Seely, Dugald; Kanfer, Izzy (2005). "African herbal medicines in the treatment of HIV: Hypoxis and Sutherlandia. An overview of evidence and pharmacology". Nutrition Journal 4: 19. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-4-19. PMC 1156943. PMID 15927053.
- ↑ Müller, AC; Kanfer, I (2011). "Potential pharmacokinetic interactions between antiretrovirals and medicinal plants used as complementary and African traditional medicines". Biopharmaceutics & Drug Disposition 32 (8): 458–70. doi:10.1002/bdd.775. PMID 22024968.
- ↑ Mills, E; Foster, BC; Van Heeswijk, R; Phillips, E; Wilson, K; Leonard, B; Kosuge, K; Kanfer, I (2005). "Impact of African herbal medicines on antiretroviral metabolism". AIDS 19 (1): 95–7. doi:10.1097/00002030-200501030-00013. PMID 15627040.
External links
- Carolyn Dempster (2001-11-30). "Medicinal plant 'fights' Aids". BBC News.