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Eremomastax speciosa
( Hochst. ) Cufod. Pang nyemshe; Edem ididot; African blood tonic; African Goldenseal; Edem iduodut; Ndadad edem;
Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There is a time and a purpose for everything under the heavens."
Nicknames: In Cameroon, it is known as "pang nyemshe" (red on one side);[16] and in southern Nigeria (Ibibio), it is known as "Edem ididot" ("golden seal" or "African blood tonic")[16] I will call it "African Goldenseal"; The Ibibio people call it "edem iduodut" or "ndadad edem"[18]
Ethnobotany: Eremomastax speciosa, is a perennial herb native to Africa that grows along the rainforest zone as a weed.[18] It's grown in Cameroon and Akwa-Ibom in Nigeria for its medicinal value.[18] The leaf is utilized by the natives to treat: dysentery, anaemia, menstrual pain, fracture, haemorrhoids and urinary tract infection.[18] The aerial parts(flowering tops) of the plant have been mentioned in many academic sources, and are said to possess anti-anemic, antiulcer, anti-secretory, antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-diarrheal activities[18]
Most known for: It's most known for being good for the stomach, digestion, ulcers, and as an aphrodisiac;
Plant Family: Acanthaceae;[1] Genus: Eremomastax;[1] Species: E. speciosa;[1] [ Mostly Eremomastax speciosa (Hochst.) Cufod and Eremomastax polysperma (Benth.) are sought after for medicinal use ]
Natural Habitat: Tropical Africa, from Guinea to Ethiopia, Zambia, and Madagascar[1] It is grown in Cameroon and Akwa-Ibom in Nigeria and used for its medicinal value.[3]
Legality/Psychoactivity: Legal and non-psychoactive as far as I know.
Mixes well with: Because of its Anti-helicobacter and Anti-secretory properties, it blends well with Mullein leaf, Aloe vera, Ginger, and any other herbal remedies that are useful for the stomach and digestion.
OG Observations: Only a small portion of the ethnobotanicals on the planet are known to human beings. The potential for thousands of new drugs and medicines lurks in the forest. Because of how the socialist have came up with a clever system to prevent non-fortune-500 business entities from networking with one another across the globe (ie social media shadow banning and censorship, the deletion of peoples accounts that they hate, etc), it is harder and harder for entrepaneurs like me to find these products for sale. I am using this project to network with these people, and essentially making myself easier for them to find me, so I can help move these medicinal plants into the United States and across the globe.
Related Ethnobotanicals: Echinacea purpurea, Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), Maca root is an aphrodisiac, Damiana is an aphrodisiac, Pagamea macrophylla
More HerbsPedia Blogs: Datura (Brugmansia arborea), Dictyonema huaorani, psilocybin, Frankincense (Boswellia carteri), Galanga maraba, has a psychoactive strain, Gomortega keule, A great book on Kava called "The Pacific Elixir"
Phytochemicals:
Alkaloids, Tannins, Saponins, Terpenes and Flavonoids[10] The roots contain:(naturally produce) anthraquinones 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone, 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methylanthraquinone, emodin, aloe emodin, and 8-O-D-glycopyranosideemodin, phenylethanoid glucoside acteoside, one benzophenone 2,6-dimethoxygenzophenone, pentacyclic triterpenoids lupeol, and betulinic acid, three phytosterols stigmasterol, B-sitosterol, and B-sitosterol-3-O-B-D-glucopyranoside, hexadecanoid acid[13] There are two primary strains utilized in medicine, and the phytochemical content varies in both. One source states that: "E. polysperma was significantly richer in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamins B1 and B2, and crude protein while E. speciosa had higher carbohydrate, potassium, iron, zinc, vitamins A, B3, C and E, contents. E. polysperma had significantly higher saponin, flavonoid, phenol and alkaloid contents than E. speciosa which in turn was significantly richer in tannins and sterols."[15] The essential oils have also been researched for its phytochemical content, as well as its pharmacology. One source states: "The essential oil contained forty-three compounds constituting 62.87% of the total oil composition. It was dominated by non-terpene derivatives, of which (14β)-Pregnane (17.58%) is the most abundant compound. Other significant compounds identified in the essential oil include n-decane (2.3%), norbornane (2.2%), (−)-α-Copaene (1.5%), 10-epizonarene (1.5%), thymol (1.25) and (−)-α-phellandrene (1.12%). The essential oil exhibited significant antioxidant activity (IC50 0.7296 μg/mL), which is more active than the standards; vitamin C (IC50 0.8728 μg/mL) and butylated hydroxy anisole (IC50 0.8729 μg/mL) used for the assay. Also, the oil inhibited significant bacterial and fungal strains at concentrations ranging from 100 to 3.125 μg/mL with a minimum inhibitory concentration between 3.5 and 6.5 μg/mL."[16]All of these are documented on academic databases like PubChem and Google Scholar. I link to them at the bottom of every page. [ Note this is not all of them that exist within the plant, and I never claim to cover every one of them. I try to get as many as possible listed though. ]
What is Phytochemistry? What are Phytochemicals?
Even the scholarly sources straight up state it. "Plants are essential in treating diseases with less or no side effects. They contain chemical compounds with significant biological and pharmacological properties. Plants are a source of effective medications. There will continue to be crucial for screening novel lead compounds, as has been discovered over time."[16] That is what phytochemistry is all about folks. Phytochemistry is about isolating out pharmacological phytochemicals from plants, and then learning about their medicinal qualities. It's how we know that herbal remedies work (scientifically speaking). Observation and documentation is how we know they work non-scientifically speaking.Pharmacological / Medicinal Properties:
Anti-diarrhoeal;[2] Anti-oxidant[4], Anti-inflammatory[4], Anti-nociceptive;[3] The results of one study concluded that: "The E. speciosa extract caused significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in the extract treated groups when compared to rats that received distilled water"[3] It goes on to conclude further that: "The study supports the folkloric use of Eremomastax speciosa leaf in the management of pain and inflammatory conditions in traditional medicine."[3] Anti-anaemic and Anti-microbial[5] Cytoprotective[6] "Cytoprotection is a process by which chemical compounds provide protection to cells against harmful agents."[7] Anti-helicobacter, Anti-secretory[8] According to Web-MD, Anti-helicobacter means any substance that fights against H pylori, a stomach bacteria, that causes ulcers and digestive issues. Anti-secretory means that it reduces the normal rate of secretion in the stomach. One study that made use of E. speciosa extract, concluded that: "The extract significantly reduced the formation of cold/restraint ulcers by (31-60%, inhibition), completely inhibited (100%) the formation of lesions induced by HCl/ethanol at the highest dose, but was less effective against absolute ethanol (22-46% inhibition). "[6] Once again the results of the study revealed miraculous pharmacological properties of an herbal supplement. It's also anti-plasmodial[12], Anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-dyslipidemic[19] The study which examined the anti-hyperglycemic properties also concluded that: "The hypoglycemic effect of the extract validates the folkloric uses of E. speciosa leaf in the ethnobotanical care of diabetes mellitus."[19]Aphrodisiac effects: Studies have also been conducted on Eremomastax speciosa and its effects on libido. One study concluded that: "In summary, E. speciosa extract can have positive effects on male sexual motivation and performance when administered for two weeks at the dose of 500 mg/kg."[9] In another source, it is stated that: "The people of the Bayang Tribe of Manyu Division of the South-West Region of Cameroon use the leaf in preparations containing both Eremomastax speciosa and Cyathula prostrata, either combined or separately, to regularize blocked or altered menstrual cycles in non-menopause women, and resolve pregnancy-related complications."[11] Studies have been done on its pharmacological effects on female cycles and the results of one study are as follows: "The extract unblocked the estrous cycle and induced a return to normal cyclicity. Percentage regulation increased significantly from 0% in week 1 of treatment to 62.5% in week 2 in animals receiving both the 72 mg and 144 mg/kg body weight doses. By the 21st day of treatment, animals treated with the 72 mg and 144 mg/kg body weight doses registered 75% regulation, compared to a 12.5% regulation recorded in the control group."[11]
Fagara macrophylla (Rutaceae) and Eremomastax speciosa (Acanthaceae), are two Cameroonian medicinal plants popularly employed in handling malaria and several degenerative diseases.[12] They both demonstrate antioxidant and anti-plasmodial activity.[12] Other pharmacological applications(medicinal uses) include: to ease menstrual cramps and treat female infertility, anaemia, dysentery, urinary tract infection and haemorrhoids[16] Eremomastax speciosa is also used to treat: female infertility and menstrual cramps, the plant has also been used in treating anaemia, dysentery, urinary tract infection, haemorrhoids and gastric ulcers[16] It has: anti-anemic, anti-microbial, and anti-ulcer activities;[16] Finally it also has anti-androgenic and anti-estrogenic properties[17] The anti-oxidant properties were studied by one group of scientist, and they found that: "The antioxidant activity of extract was expressed as IC50, which is defined as the concentration (µg/ml) of extract which inhibits the formation of DPPH radicals by 50%."[18]
Buy Eremomastax speciosa Here
Academic citations:
[2] Oben, Julius E., et al. "EFFECT OF EREMOMASTAX SPECIOSA ON EXPERIMANTAL DIARRHOEA." African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines 3.1 (2006): 95-100.
[3] Sagnia, Bertrand, et al. "Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of extracts from Cassia alata, Eleusine indica, Eremomastax speciosa, Carica papaya and Polyscias fulva medicinal plants collected in Cameroon." PloS one 9.8 (2014): e103999.
[4] Sagnia, B., Fedeli, D., Casetti, R., Montesano, C., Falcioni, G., & Colizzi, V. (2014). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of extracts from Cassia alata, Eleusine indica, Eremomastax speciosa, Carica papaya and Polyscias fulva medicinal plants collected in Cameroon. PloS one, 9(8), e103999.
[5] Okokon, J. E., et al. "Antianaemic and antimicrobial activity of Eremomastax speciosa." (2007): 196-199.
[6] Amang, Perfusion A., et al. "Cytoprotective and antioxidant effects of the methanol extract of Eremomastax speciosa in rats." African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines 11.1 (2014): 165-171.
[8] Amang, A. P., et al. "Anti-Helicobacter pylori, Antisecretory and Healing Effects of Aqueous Extract of Eremomastax speciosa (Acanthaceae) on Unhealed Gastric Ulcers." Current Topics in Medicine and Medical Research. Vol. 3. Book Publishers International, 2020. 83-103.
[9] Nchegang, B., et al. "Effects of the aqueous extract of Eremomastax speciosa (Acanthaceae) on sexual behavior in normal male rats." BioMed Research International 2016.1 (2016): 9706429.
[10] Effiong, Grace S., et al. "Aphrodisiac Properties and Reproductive Hormones Concentrations of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Eremomastax speciosa in Male Wistar Rats." Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research 6.11 (2022).
[11] Besong, Egbe B., and Nchegang B. Nobou SD. "The Aqueous Extract of A Mixture of Eremomastax Speciosa and Cyathula Prostrata (Escp) Leaves Regularises an Overcrowding-Blocked Estrous Cycle, Enhances Implantation and Improves on Liter Size in Female Rats." Endocrinol Metab Nutr 2.1 (2023): 1-8.
[12] Ali, M. S., Muhammadi, S. W., Latif, M., & Pagning, A. L. N. (2023). Pharmacochemical Studies on Eremomastax speciosa. Chemistry of Natural Compounds, 59(5), 935-936.
[13] Djouatsa, Yolande Noëlle Nangue, et al. "Anthraquinones and other constituents from the roots of Eremomastax speciosa (Hochst.) Cufod." Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 94 (2021): 104196.
[14] Borneo Journal Of Pharmacy
[15] Uyoh, E. A., et al. "Evaluation of nutrients and chemical composition in underutilized Eremomastax (Lindau.) species." (2014): 124-130.
[16] Ibok, M. G., Odeja, O. O., Okpala, E. O., Eghwubare, J. E., & Anifalaje, E. O. (2023). E remomastax speciosa (Hochst.): GC/MS profiling, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of stem essential oil. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 9(1), 51.
[17] Tagne, Richard Simo, et al. "In vivo anti-androgenic, anti-estrogenic and antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract of Eremomastax speciosa." Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease 4 (2014): S952-S956.
[18] Effiong, Grace S., et al. "Effects of ethanol leaf extract of Eremomastax speciosa (African Blood Tonic) on female reproductive hormones of Albino Wistar rats." Int. J. Bioch., Bioinf. Biotech. Stu 5.1 (2020): 1-12.
[19] Onoja, S. O., et al. "Antihyperglycemic, antidyslipidemic and antioxidant properties of hydromethanol extract of Eremomastax speciosa leaf in alloxan monohydrate-induced hyperglycemic rats." Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 19.9 (2020): 1919-1926.
[?] Food of the Gods: Schults, Hoffman
Encyclopedia Sources:
[1] Wikipedia contributors. (2024, January 31). Eremomastax. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 09:34, November 28, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eremomastax&oldid=1201227651
Other resources:
M.A.P.S. Ethnobotanical Studies By Scholars
PubChem - pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov