Introduction:
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Waltheria L.
Species: Waltheria americana L.
Waltheria americana L. is a close relative of the medicinal shrub, Waltheria indica L. – a species of flowering plants belonging to the Malavaceae or Mallow family. In most literature, Waltheria americana L. is actually the synonym or alternative name for Waltheria indica L. The varietal name “americana” is Latin for the word Americas or America.
The information on this page is brief and it is recommended that you read additional details about the medicinal uses of Waltheria americana L. in our post on Waltheria indica L. since both plants are used in the same manner.
Description Of Raichie (Waltheria americana L.):
Raichie is a short-lived sprawling shrub that is partially woody in appearance. Its leaves are gray or silverish and generally fuzzy. The flowers are not showy and yellow in colour. This medicinal plant blooms all year round.
Waltheria americana L. which is called Raichie in Jamaica, is also known as Sleepy Morning, Velvet Leaf, Marsh-mallow, Buff Coat, Leather Coat, and Monkeybush.
Medicinal Properties:
The plant – Waltheria americana L. is antibacterial and vericidal. It is said to contain tannin, mucilage, and sugar.
Medicinal Uses:
Raichie (Waltheria americana L.) is used in the same manner as the shrub Waltheria indica L.
- It is used medicinally for asthma, neuralgia, and as a pain killer when combined with other plants.
. - In Jamaica, Raichie is used for making tea for colds. It is a common children’s remedy and is also used for coughs, as a restorative, and for the prevention of syphilis.
. - In the Grenadines, Waltheria americana L. is said ‘to increase the blood’. In Africa it has a varied reputation, being used as a remedy for sterility and internal haemorrhage, and by others to cause abortion.
Other Uses:
In Hawaii, the leaves are pounded and used instead of a pitch for filling in cracks on canoes.
Additional Information:
The bitter roots of Waltheria americana L. are used much like aspirin is today.
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Sources:
https://jamaicajamaicawi.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/medicinal-plants-of-jamaica.pdf
http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Waltheria_indica
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Photos:
https://www.si.edu/object/nmnhbotany_2072637
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