Melanthera biflora

Asteraceae
Height

2.00 m

Habit

Perennial

Growth Rate

None Recorded

Cultivation Status

Wild

Melanthera biflora is a coarse-growing perennial plant with stems that can become woody, at least at the base. The branching stems, which are usually 1 - 3 metres long but can reach 6 metres, can scramble over the ground or grow into other plants for support.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.

East tropical Africa - Kenya to Mozambique; subtropical and tropical Asia - from India and China to Malaysia, Indonesia; Australia and Pacific Islands.

Known Hazards

None

Habitat

Near seashores in Japan.
Along coasts, on edges of mangrove swamps, in thickets and waste places, and on grassy hills and the edges of forest at elevations from sea level to about 450 metres.

Cultivation Status

Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants can flower and produce fruit all year round.

Edible Uses

The leaves are used for wrapping food, imparting a flavour when the food is baked.
They are stuffed with grated coconut, rolled and then boiled or steamed.
A tea is made from the leaves and roots.

Medicinal

The plant is used extensively for medicinal purposes in Papua New Guinea where it is employed to treat a wide range of complaints.
The leaves are diuretic and vulnerary.
They have various medicinal uses, but are particularly valued for the relief of stomach pains.
The juice of fresh leaves, crushed and mixed with lime and seawater, is drunk as a remedy for malaria.
An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of bad coughs and malaria.
An infusion of the stems or leaves is taken to treat stomach aches, dysentery and diarrhoea.
Combined with ginger (Zingiber officinale), it is used to treat flatulence.
The juice of fresh leaves is inhaled as a treatment for headaches.
The crushed leaves are rubbed on the forehead to relieve headache.
The sap of the leaves is applied topically to treat sores, bleeding cuts, wounds etc.
It is used to cleanse and dress ulcers.
The stem is crushed with water and used as a treatment for diarrhoea and sore throats with coughing.
It is gently heated on a fire and then chewed to relieve toothache and gum inflammation.
The young stem is made into a poultice to treat abscesses, boils, infected sores etc.
The roots are slightly purgative and stomachic.
The fresh roots are chewed to relieve a toothache.
The flowers are a violent purgative.

Agroforestry Uses

None Recorded

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed

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