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.

Bois cassant(Faujasiopsis flexuosa)

Description:

Erect or lianescent shrub 1-2 m high,with slender ,easily breakable spreading branches.Leaves petioled,grossly serrated.Flower head numerous colour white

Habitat:

The species is endemic to the Mascarene Islands.The typical species is still fairly common in Mauritius and grow in forest of low and high altitudes(600-700m) as Corps de Garde Mt;Pouce Mt and Mt Cocotte in the South West of the island

Parts used:

Leaf

Preparation and utilisation:

1. A leaf decoction is used against dysentry and diabetes

2.The whole plant is also used against asthma

Bois colophane batard(Protium obtusifolium)

Description:

Tree with spreading crown reaching 20 m high, with greyish bark exuding a clear gluey resin with

strong scent of terpentine.Leaves grouped at the top of the branchlets. Flowers numerous, fruit a capsule enclosing 1-3 seeds

Habitat:

Endemic to Mauritius.Fairly common in remnants of native forests at all altitudes Yemen ,Macchabe, Montagne Bambous.

Parts used:

Leaf and bark.

Preparation and utilisation

1.A leaf and bark decoction treats urinary tract infections.

2.Abark decoction is drunk against intestinal infections and is also diuretic