Introduction:
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Waltheria L.
Species: Waltheria indica L.
Although “Raichie” is the common name for the species Waltheria calcicola Urb., in Jamaica, it is also the name given to the medicinal shrub – Waltheria indica L. and its close relative, Waltheria americana L.
Raichie (Waltheria indica L.) is a broadleaf weed found in sub-tropical and tropical regions all over the world. It is a species of flowering plants in the Malavaceae or Mallow family which was previously placed in the Sterculiaceae (or Cacao) family.
Raichie is identified by its soft little yellow flowers and zig-zag-edged leaves; it is mainly harvested for medicinal use and is also the source of fibre.
Description Of Raichie (Waltheria indica L.) :
Waltheria indica L. is an erect shrubby perennial, with heights of approx. 2 ft. – 6 ft. (0.5m – 2m). The plant produces several erect or ascending stems that can be branched from the base, most parts of the plant are covered in short, velvety hairs.
Its leaves are narrowly lanceolate with irregularly toothed margins, and its yellow flowers appear in dense axillary clusters. The plant flowers and bears fruits throughout the year.
Raichie (Waltheria indica L.) is also called Boaterbush, Buff Coat, Leather Coat, Monkeybush, Sleepy Morning, and Velvet Leaf.
Medicinal Properties:
Waltheria indica L. showed analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, anti-anemic, anti-oxidant, sedative and anticonvulsant activities.
Constituents:
– Yields mucilage, tannin, and sugar; no alkaloid.
– Phytochemical screening yielded alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, sterols, saponins, anthraquinones, and carbohydrates.
Medicinal Uses:
- Raichie is mainly used as a treatment against pain, inflammation, conditions of inflammation, dysentery, conjunctivitis, epilepsy, convulsions, bladder ailments, ulcers, and painful urination. It is also applied externally on skin eruptions, wounds, abscesses and taken to relieve fevers.
. - The whole plant (roots, leaves, buds, and flowers) is used against chronic asthma. The cortex (root bark) is chewed as a very effective natural (cough) medicine for sore throat. It is a remedy for haemoptysis and also used as a treatment for the common cold, cough, and bronchial phlegm or mucous.
, - In Jamaica, this medicinal herb is restorative and used for colds, abortions, haemorrhage, coughs, and syphilis.
. - Waltheria indica L. is also used as a bitter tonic and taken internally for arthritis, neuralgia, diarrhea, bladder ailments, vaginal infections, erectile dysfunctions, pain, anemia, hypertension, fatigue, and cancer.
. - The leaves of Waltheria indica L. are used as a leafy vegetable by the Vavhenda people of South Africa and the plant is used for barrenness by Shangaan woman. The roots, leaves and whole plant have been used to combat sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections.
Other Uses:
In Kenya, the leaves of Waltheria indica L. are used as a substitute for toilet paper and the stems are used as chew sticks (toothbrushes). Bathing in roots pounded and soaked in cold water is also used to treat leprosy,
Additional Information:
Although the young plant (Waltheria indica L.) is browsed by all types of livestock, there is an indication that the plant might be toxic to animals.
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Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874113002596
https://plants.jstor.org/stable/10.5555/al.ap.flora.ftea009385
http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Waltheria+indica
http://www.stuartxchange.org/Barulad.html
http://pza.sanbi.org/waltheria-indica
http://www.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Waltheria_indica
https://naturalhistory2.si.edu/botany/WestIndies/getonerecord_Emu.cfm?ID=10498
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Photos:
https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/gallery?country=JM&taxon_key=5406665
https://inaturalist.nz/taxa/130789-Waltheria-indica/browse_photos
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