Family – Euphorbiaceae:
Common names: White berry bush, snowberry tree, common bush weed; awewe, iranje in Yoruba; njisi-nta in Igbo.
Securinega is a woody shrub, with numerous branches arising from the base and spirally arranged upwards. Sometimes, a small spreading tree up to about six meters high; it is characterised by white bulbils and is widely distributed throughout tropical Africa and also in China and Australia.
Parts used: Roots and leaves.
Rich in nutrients
Documentation or research carried out on Securinega indicate a wide range of phytochemical compounds, including saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenes, glycosides, tannins, phenol, resins, steroids and carbohydrates. The plant is well known for its haemostatic and wound healing properties; and has also been shown to alleviate itching and pains of various intensities because of its potentials as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-tumorous, anti-arthritic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, antihistamine, antiviral, insecticidal and muscle relaxant. The leaves are considered disinfectant, antiseptic, vulnerable, astringent and tonic. The plant also has great antioxidant properties and so may help to slow down cell damage that leads to aging and disease.
In African Traditional Medicine, Securinega virosa is one of the great medicinal plants described as a true “cure all”. The root is the most commonly used and is said to be the most pharmacologically active part of the plant. It can be used singly or in combination with other medicinal plants to provide synergistic effect for liver, bile, kidney and urino-genital complaints.
Using this wonderful herb regularly would treat many affections of the body and could prolong your life. Some of the ailments treatable with Securinega are as follows:
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs): The root powder in water can be used singly or mixed with other herbs like Grewia flavescens (itakun okere in Yoruba) + Cassia siberiana (aridan-tooro) + Desmodium velutinum (abero-defe in Yoruba; ikeagwu-ani in Igbo), one teacup, 2 X daily.
Low libido in men – the aqueous extract is used as an aphrodisiac and in the treatment of male impotence. Securinega is used together with hot water extract of cashew nut fruit to achieve strong erection. Young shoots with little native salt and malagueta pepper (a type of chili) is also considered aphrodisiac. If used singly, ½ tumbler of the root decoction is taken 2 x daily.
Diabetes – type II diabetes may benefit from taking a tumbler of the leaf extract two times daily.
Mental illness – the leaves are said to have anti- psychotic and sedative potentials and so may lend credence to the ethnomedicinal-use in the management of psychiatric illness. The leaves are decocted for 45 minutes and administered.
Epilepsy/seizure – roots and leafy twig decoctions are used for the treatment of epilepsy.
Diarrhea – bark is an astringent for diarrhea and dysentery.
Nausea – leaves are decocted for about 30 minutes.
Wound healing – stem and leaves of Securinega infused in water is applied topically or used for wound cleaning. For wound treatment, press fresh leaves into cuts and scrapes on the way to washing and bandaging them. To promote healing apply the compress made from the leaves externally to clean wounds and inflammations. Powdered charcoal made from the plant is used as cicatrizant on wounds.
Obstinate sores – worms in sores are destroyed by application of leaf sap. Dried leaves of Securinega and tobacco and are made into a paste and used externally to destroy worms in sores.
Skin eruptions – mix the leaves of the plant with seeds of Cola acuminata (kola nut, oji in Igbo) and apply. The roots of Securinega can also be boiled for skin eruptions. The leaves are also used as an astringent, antiseptic and counterirritant against poisonous insect bites. Apply the juice directly on warts and calluses.
Scabies– the leaves are boiled and the water used in bathing children suffering from scabies and measles.
Fever – decoction of the leaf is used in baths for fever. An infusion of the roots is taken to relieve malaria.
Dysmenorrhoea – a root decoction is made. This will also benefit those with stomach ache.
Constipation – the leaves are used as laxatives.
Aches and pains– juice is extracted from the roots and mixed with animal fat and used as a soothing ointment. The leaf-macerate can also be added to baths and used as massage and as a stimulant when one is fatigued or has stiffness. The Menthol in the roots is utilized in balm production serving as analgesic for backaches and rheumatism. Mixing this with root extracts of moringa also yields excellent results with inflammation and arthritis.
Pneumonia– Decoction of crushed seeds is taken orally.
Other conditions which may be alleviated with Securinega include anaemia, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, infertility in women/uterine troubles, heavy menstrual flow, skin rashes, urinary complaints, abdominal pains, chest congestion, edema, cough among others.
The roots and fruits are believed to be an effective snakebite remedy.
In some African communities the roots are used as contraceptives.
Its high content of saponin, flavonoids, phenols and good content of vitamin C may be good for cholesterol reduction in the body.
Securinega virosa has endless medicinal properties. It is amazing that plant parts of this species can help so much in bringing quick relief from most horrible discomfort. And hence, it has been designated as “cure all” on account of its great potential. However, many people may not even be aware of the effectiveness of Securinega.
It is one of the thousand species of medicinal plants in Nigeria that when tapped will go a long way in competing with other top imported herbal drugs.