Wednesday 21 March 2018

INDIGENOUS AND ENDEMIC MEDICINAL PLANTS OF MAURITIUS



Bois de ronde (Erythroxylum laurifolium)




Description

Shrub or treelet reaching 7 m high and with trunk 10-15 cm in diameter at the base.Leaves with narrowly elliptic blade,narrowed and wedge shaped at the base, acute or rounded  at the summit:upper surface deep green;lower surface light green, with marked nervation

Habitat:

Endemic to Mauritius and Reunion islands.Grow in the shade of forest trees in low altitude forests.The plant flowers in september -october and in January- February

Parts used:

Stem and bark


Preparation and utilisation:


1.A decoction of the stem and bark is diuretic and is commonly used against renal stones,sore throat and nephritic colic.