The roots of the vine Landolphia owerrience or owariensis have long been used to treat bacterial infections in west African medicine. Extracts of this plant could be a valuable alternative to conventional preservatives in preventing food spoilage and killing food poisoning pathogens. It is widely used for the treatment of many ailments (Owoyele et al., 2002).
The Landolphia Plant
Landolphia owariensis P. beaur (Family: Apocynaceae) is often called vine rubber and known locally by various names throughout Nigeria as Eso orUtu in Ibo, Mba in Yoruba and Ciwa in Hausa.
Uses of Landolphia
A concoction of the leaves is applied as a purgative. It is a cure for malaria (Gill, 1992).
References
Anthony, C.D. (1995) Natural preservatives from Landolphia owariensis. Afr. Dev. J. 2(1) pp. 21-22
Gill LS (1992). Ethnomedical uses of Plants in Nigeria. Uniben Press. pp. 145-146.
Nwaogu, L. A., Alisi, C. S., Ibegbulem, C. O., & Igwe, C. U. (2007). Phytochemical and antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of Landolphia owariensis leaf. African Journal of Biotechnology, 6(7).
Owoyele, B.Y., Olayele, S.B., Elegbe, R.A. (2002). Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Leaf Extracts of Landolphia owareinsis. Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 4(3) pp. 131-133
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