Uvariachamae P.Beauv.
Family – Annonaceae
Common names: finger root, bush banana; uda -agu, mmimi-ohia (Igbo); kas-kaifi (Hausa) and eruja (Yoruba).
It’s a climbing shrub or small tree growing up to four metres tall found in tropical and subtropical regions. It is widely distributed across western and central Africa, occurring in our country, Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, etc. Uvaria is sometimes found near streams or in swampy areas of forests. It has low light requirements and can grow in a wide variety of soils and climatic conditions. All parts of the plant are fragrant. The flowers are sweetly scented. The fruits are yellow when ripe and have a sweet pulp, which is widely eaten. The fruit carpels are in finger-like clusters, the shape giving rise to its common name translated as ‘finger root.’ The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible fruit and medicinal uses. The root bark is also sold in local markets, mainly for medicinal use.
Uvaria offers many healing gifts to mankind and has been utilized as a tisane, juice, tincture, infusion, or poultice, and dye.
Part used: seeds, leaves, flowers, and roots.
The phytochemical components of Uvaria which attribute to its anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, analgesic, purgative, anti oxidant, carminative, anti parasitic, antibacterial, anti fungal, anti tumor, febrifugal, sedative, antispasmodic, cardio-protective, immunomodulatory and wound healing properties include – resins, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenes/terpenoids, glycosides, and essential oils. No wonder the plant plays a significant role in primary health care delivery in rural African communities and many parts of the world.
Some of the conditions & ailments treatable with Uvaria are as follows:
Rheumatoid arthritis – The root of this “beauty” is decocted and taken 1 teacup 2-3 X daily for dropsy, swellings, oedema, and gout. The crushed seeds, combined with pepper, are rubbed on swollen parts of the body associated with arthritis. The root is made into a drink and a body-wash for oedematous conditions.
Menstrual Problems – The root decoctions are used to treat amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) and menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding). It is also administered to prevent miscarriages and to relieve the pains of childbirth. In fact, it is one herb that features in many combos for female gynaecological issues, and such is considered to be a ‘woman’s medicine.’
Breast diseases – Some studies suggest that Uvariachamae has anticancer properties, with certain compounds like chamanetin, dichamanetin, uvaretin, and uvarinol showing promise. Juice of the roots is applied on breast diseases, including cancer.
Abdominal Pain – The root decoction with Capsicum, native pepper, is used to treat severe abdominal pain. Take a ¼ teacup only – 2X daily.
Skin conditions – Studies have shown that the species possesses antifungal and antibacterial properties, making it useful in treating infections. The juice from the roots, stems, or leaves is used as dressing on wounds, ulcers, sores, and is said to promote rapid healing. The plant is fragrant and used to make balms, washes, or lotions to soothe and heal the skin.
Respiratory Issues – The root bark is taken internally for catarrhal inflammation of mucous membranes and bronchitis.
Fever and Malaria – The plant is reported to possess febrifugal properties (fever-reducing). The leaves, stem bark, and root extracts are used to treat fever and malaria. If symptoms persist after 3 days, please consult your physician.
Cough – The leaves and roots are macerated for internal use as a cough mixture. Extracts from the root, bark, and leaves are used to treat sore throat and inflamed gum.
Diabetes – The stems are used as a complementary treatment of diabetes mellitus. This is specifically beneficial for diabetic women who are trying to conceive.
Jaundice – The root or the root-bark is boiled with spices (like-ginger, turmeric, licorice, garlic); and the decoction drunk for fevers classed locally as ‘yellow-fever,’ including almost any indisposition accompanied by jaundice.
Other uses – It’s also used to treat piles, epistaxis (nosebleeds), hematuria (blood in urine), hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), gonorrhoea, digestive issues, diarrhea, dysentery, and vomiting, nervous issues, among others. Despite the importance of U. chamae to rural communities, overexploitation of its roots is a major cause of the decline of its populations.