Flora and Traditional Medicine in Madagascar
Utilizing the exceptional richness of the island’s flora (200 plant families, representing 400 inventoried plant families in the world, 12,000 flowering species, of which 9,000 are endemic), the Malagasy people have learned the healing properties of many plants over the centuries.
Natural healers and fortune tellers are the main keepers of this ancestral knowledge, which is often passed down orally.
Today, endemic species are exported worldwide and used in the production of elaborate medications. Everyone knows the remedies for common ailments and can find simple remedies at markets.
A large part of Malagasy traditional medicine is based on the use of plants and natural resources, making it a unique and valuable heritage.
Population is more inclined to use traditional herbal medicine, which is cheaper than imported synthetic products.
Katharanthus Roseus (Vonenina, befala, tonga)
Consumed as herbal tea, the pink periwinkle from Madagascar fights neurasthenia. Its leaves help support fatigue and hunger, and its roots have blood pressure-lowering effects. This endemic Apocynacea is used worldwide in the treatment of childhood leukemia and in cancer chemotherapy.
Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for controlling diabetes.
Constituents
– Alkaloid: Vinblastine, Vincristine.
– Tannins
– src=”centella-asiatica.jpg” alt=”Centella Asiatica” /> Madame Ramanoelina, einer madagassischen Ärztin, entdeckt.
Es wird in der traditionellen Medizin zur Behandlung von Wunden, Geschwüren und Hauterkrankungen verwendet.
Es hat auch entzündungshemmende, antioxidative und heilende Eigenschaften.
Verwendete Teile
– Blätter, Stängel, Wurzeln
Effekte
– Wundheilung, entzündungshemmend, antioxidativ, heilend
Indikationen
– Wunden, Geschwüre, Hauterkrankungen, Entzündungen
Professor Albert Rakoto Ratsimamanga, co-founder of the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research (IMRA), isolated.
Internal Use
Gotu Kola is a natural anxiolytic and brain function stimulant recommended for anxiety, depression, epilepsy, or nervous disorders. This medicinal plant is also known to improve blood circulation. It is recommended for individuals suffering from venous insufficiency, heavy legs, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and low blood pressure.
External Use
Externally, this natural remedy accelerates the healing of wounds and burns. It is also a remedy for skin diseases and injuries.
Mucous membrane, such as ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, and periodontitis. Hydrocotyl also plays a crucial role in skin cell renewal and in treating premature fine lines by promoting collagen fiber synthesis. Common therapeutic indications include venolymphatic insufficiency, varicose veins, leg edema, low blood pressure; nervous disorders, epilepsy, anxiety, depression; skin problems, burns, inflammation of the oral mucosa, bedsores, hypertrophic scarring, leprosy, and delayed healing in diabetics. Other proven therapeutic indications include experiments with Hydrocotyl have shown that its essential oil has antibacterial effects, especially on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Aphloia theæformis (Voafotsy)
The Malagasy population consumes its leaves throughout the day.
Harungana Madagascariensis, also known as harongana or fohatra, is a tree that produces colored resin used in the production of a scabies ointment.
This evergreen tree, reaching heights of up to 8 meters, has orange-yellow fuzz on its young parts and small flowers with white petals.
When cut into, a rubbery, orange-red substance flows from the plant.
The leaf is antibacterial, antiparasitic (against scabies), and anti-inflammatory. It stimulates digestion and bile production while protecting the liver.
The tree is traditionally used to treat jaundice: boiling the bark and leaves of Aron-gana, mixed with lime quarters (Citrus aurantifolia). This treatment is accompanied by complete rest.
The resin is applied to the affected skin, as it is or as a salve based on animal fat, to treat dermatoses and scabies.
Boil 15 grams of leaves per liter of water, to be drunk three times a day before meals, for the care of difficult digestion, stomach ulcers, and liver diseases.
For the treatment of wounds, ulcers, and scabies, this decoction can be used externally as a bath or compress.
Eugenia Jambolana (rotra)
Beautiful tree that can grow up to twenty meters high, with light gray, scaly bark. The opposite leaves are tough, shiny olive green on the top, lighter on the bottom, sometimes with a pink stem. The white flowers with pink striped stamens are grouped in inflorescences. The edible fruit is an oval berry, blackish or violet, shiny when ripe and reminiscent of an olive. The purple flesh is soft, astringent if the fruit is not perfectly ripe, and contains anthocyanin, which gives the mouth a purple color.
Properties of the plant
All parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine.
Bark for anemia
Fruits for diarrhea, abdominal pain, dysentery
Leaves for diarrhea and fever
Bark, fruits, seeds for diabetes
Aloes “Vahombe”
The Malagasy people harness the healing properties of this lily by applying the pulp of its fleshy leaves on burns.
Aloe Vera is a stemless perennial shrub from the Liliaceae family or Aloe Vera genus. This plant measures between 60 cm and 1 m in height.
The leaf has the peculiar property of exuding two liquids when cut: a yellow or red colored juice and a white slimy gel. The juice, also known as latex or sap, is considered the active principle of the plant, acting as a strong, stimulating laxative.
As for the gel, its slimy and water-rich composition gives it exceptional moisturizing and anti-aging properties.
It has been used for medicinal purposes, particularly to aid in healing, treat burns and skin diseases, as well as a laxative. Ancient civilizations also used it as a cosmetic agent to enhance skin and hair. This plant was revered by some for its beneficial properties.
is aloe vera considered sacred and divine by many cultures.
Although aloe vera can be found on almost every continent, the largest number of species is found in South Africa. It grows in semi-arid regions on sandy soils, but prefers areas with year-round constant heat. It can survive drought, but is not frost-resistant.
Laxative Properties
Aloin, found in the juice of aloe vera, is metabolized into aloe-emodin after ingestion: the water content of the stool increases, stimulating the peristalsis of the colon, resulting in more frequent and softer bowel movements. After taking aloe vera, a latency period of several hours is observed before the laxative effect kicks in.
It is noticeable that one must wait for the aloin to be metabolized into an active product.
Aloe emodin also has remarkable antioxidant properties.
Hydration
The moisturizing effect of Aloe Vera gel is undeniable, as it is essentially made up of water and the presence of polysaccharides ensures prolonged hydration by slowing down water evaporation.
Anti-Aging
Aloe Vera gel stimulates skin fibroblasts, leading to increased synthesis of collagen, elastic fibers, and hyaluronic acid, resulting in a significant improvement in skin elasticity and reduction of wrinkles. The skin appears plumper, with wrinkles and fine lines reduced.
Furthermore, with age, melanocytes produce excess melanin.
Tyrosin, which leads to the appearance of so-called “brown spots”: Tyrosinase (an enzyme that breaks down tyrosine) in Aloe Vera gel slows down this phenomenon of hyperpigmentation.
Treatment
Aloe Vera gel promotes tissue repair thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immune-stimulating properties. It seems that various compounds of the gel would synergistically intervene in this healing mechanism: Acemannan, Mannose, vitamins, and minerals, … Aloe Vera gel has shown real benefits in several studies for the treatment of wounds: burns, dermatological ulcers, dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, …
The anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effect of Aloe Vera gel is relatively important, this would be due to various compounds: Alprogene, sterols, or 5-methylchromones, which …
Several mechanisms are at work: blocking the metabolic pathways of arachidonic acid (involved in inflammatory and allergic processes), inhibiting bradykinin activity, and limiting the migration of neutrophil polymorphonuclear cells.
A valuable ecological reservoir in danger
“Umbiasy” are often effective herbal therapists. In addition to their practice of traditional medicine, they add a “magical” dimension by accompanying healings with ritual gestures and communicating with spirits, ancestors, or deities.
Extensive livestock farming, deforestation, and logging pose a serious threat to flora. Some plants with.
Recognized therapeutic virtues are threatened by disappearance. Neglecting the protection of flora also means pledging potential resources against regularly occurring diseases.
