Medicinal plants are considered a rich source of ingredients that can be used in the development of drugs. These drugs are either synthetic, pharmacological, or non-pharmacological. Apart from that, these medicinal plants play a significant role in the development of human cultures across the world. Having numerous beneficial medicinal compounds, some plants are considered vital sources of human nutrition.
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As a result, they are recommended to be consumed for their therapeutic values. Some plants and their derivatives are also considered important sources of active ingredients used in aspirin and toothpaste as well.
Importance of Medicinal Leaves
As the human lifestyle gets more tech-savvy, they tend to move away from nature. Although humans cannot escape from nature since they are a part of it. Leaves and herbs are natural products and are free from any significant side effects. Instead, they are comparatively safe, locally available, and eco-friendly.
Traditionally and historically, a lot of herbs and leaves of various plants are used for the treatment of a plethora of diseases. Guinea Bissau is blessed to have a lot of such plants whose leaves can be consumed as medicines.
These leaves or herbal products developed from the leaves and their extracts symbolize safety in contrast to synthetic drugs. On the other hand, synthetic medicines pose a lot of side effects and are unsafe for human beings as well as the environment.
Herbs and other medicinal plant parts had been used for their aromatic, flavoring, and medicinal attributes for centuries. However, the synthetic products and medicines of the modern age, for a while, surpassed their importance.
Interestingly, the blind dependency of humans on synthetic medicines is now almost over and people tend to return to natural medications with the hope of safety and security.
Medicinal Leaves in Guinea Bissau
Guinea Bissau has a wide range of medicinal plants whose leaves are used for therapeutic purposes. Here are a few medicinal leaves in Guinea-Bissau:
Asystasia gangetica (L.)
Commonly known as tropical violet or tropical primrose, Asystasia gangetica (L.) is found in South Asia, Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa, and tropical America. Its tender leaves and stems are consumed as food stir-fried or boiled. What makes it an effective medicinal plant are its compounds that are highly beneficial for human health and well-being.
The leaves of tropical violet contain beta-carotene in extremely high amounts and pose anti-asthmatic properties. Ascorbic acid, Vitamin E, and iron are also found in high quantities, whereas, riboflavin and calcium are found in medium quantities. These leaves also contain 3.7% protein and low quantities of folic acid.
Anacardiaceae
The cashew family or Anacardiaceae is a family of flowering plants traditionally used in the management of several human diseases including inflammatory, gastrointestinal, and neurological diseases. The bark and leaves of the cashew family have large amounts of tannins. They exhibit high antioxidant and phenolic compounds and are beneficial in the treatment of venereal diseases as well.
Preliminary phytochemical studies show the presence of a wide variety of beneficial compounds in the stem as well as root bark extracts. The leaves, fruits, seeds, and roots of Anacardiaceae are also consumed for their antimicrobial activity.
Anysophillea Laurena
Also known as Monkey Apple, Anysophyllea laurena is a shrub or tree that grows primarily in the wet tropical biome. The leaves of this plant have been used in folk medicine to treat a plethora of diseases including dysentery, diabetes, malaria, and toothache. What makes it an effective medicinal plant is its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Moreover, a poultice of its leaves also soothes snake bites by rubbing around it after removing any fangs. The extracts from the leaves of Anysophyllea Laurena are used for the prevention and cure of many other diseases due to their antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
Annona muricata
Annona muricata, also known as Graviola, guanabana, or soursop is an evergreen plant with a long history of traditional medicinal use. More than 100 annonaceous acetogenins have been extracted from the leaves, fruits, barks, seeds, and roots of this plant. Typically, the leaves of soursop are used to treat insomnia, cysts, headaches, and diabetes.
The internal administration of the decoction of soursop leaves exhibits anti-rheumatic as well as neuralgic effects, however, the cooked leaves are used to treat rheumatism and abscesses. These leaves also possess anthelmintic and antiphlogistic activities. Not only this, but the leaves, roots, and barks of Annona muricata also exhibit anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, hypoglycemic, antispasmodic, sedative, and smooth muscle relaxant effects.
Trema Orientale
The leaves and other parts of Trema orientalis are used to treat diabetes mellitus, malaria, oliguria, and respiratory diseases. The beneficial compounds present in this plant are flavonoids, phytosterols, tannins, triterpenes, saponins, and a few constituents of xanthones. Several pieces of research have focused on the anti-inflammatory, antiplasmodial, anti-helminthic, anti-oxidant, anti-sickling, anti-bacterial, anti-convulsant, hypoglycemic, diuretic, and laxative properties of this plant.
The studies reveal that Trema orientale has beneficial medicinal properties and the potential as an effective herbal treatment for various diseases.
Carica papaya L.
Commonly known as papaya, Carica papaya is well-known for its nutritional and therapeutic properties all over the world. All parts of the papaya plant play an important role in the prevention and cure of a large number of diseases due to its highly effective compounds. However, the leaves specifically contain active components including alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, and tannins which are known for their therapeutic activities.
Papaya leaves are used for the treatment of various ailments including asthma, beriberi, colic, fever, and jaundice. They also contain carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and vitamins which make them effective as a nutritional agent as well. Moreover, papaya leaf juice increases platelet counts when consumed during dengue fever.
The Bottom Line on Types of Medicinal Leaves in Guinea Bissau
Guinea Bissau is blessed with such plants whose different parts are used for medicinal purposes in addition to leaves. These leaves are consumed in a variety of ways and pose beneficial effects on human health and wellness. Although their importance in the therapeutic world cannot be neglected, humans still moved to synthetic medicines. But, the blind dependence has now ended and the world is returning to natural therapeutics.
