a study of the quality of a local herbal tea and volatiles of parinari ...

2.6.5 F. ancylantha Schweinf
F. ancylantha Schweinf, synonym name Temnocalyx abovatus (N.E.Br) Robyns. It
belongs to the family Rubiaceae. F. ancylantha leaves are used as a tea and medicinal
plant in Karonga region of Malawi where it is known as “masamba ya muthondo’’ which
means tea from the bush. Its traditional uses in this region are claimed to include curing
stomach ulcers, curing abdominal pains, reducing pain during birth, increasing blood
volume, lowering blood pressure and increasing growth rate in children. The herb is
known as “makoni” or “marange” in Zimbabwe where it grows mainly in the Eastern
Highlands (Mencherini et al., 2010). Makoni herbal tea can assist in boosting the immune
system, growth, insulin production and is helpful for healthy sex organs (Darvish, 2004).
An ethanol-water extract of F. ancylantha and its phenolic constituents showed
significant free-radical-scavenging and antimicrobial activities (Mencherini et al., 2010).
Traditional uses of the herb in Zimbabwe include calming abdominal and menstrual
pains, reducing backaches and chest pains, strengthening bones, building stamina, soothe
coughs, flu, including whooping cough and as an antidote for snakebite poisoning
(Darvish, 2004).
Figure 2.5: F. ancylantha herb (masamba ya muthondo)
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