AKAPULKO

PROPERTIES

Antifungal

Antidermatophytic

Antimicrobial

Antiseptic

Anti-inflammatory

Antibacterial

Hepatoprotective

Antidiabetic

antiviral

 -Saponin acts as a laxative and expels intestinal parasites.

-Its fungicide property derives from chrysophanic acid.

-Plant considered alterative, astringent, abortifacient, aperient, expectorant, purgative, sudorific, hydragogue, diuretic, vermifuge.

Akapulko is a coarse, erect, branched shrub, 1.5 to 3 meters high. Leaves are pinnate and 40 to 60 centimeters long, with orange rachis on stout branches. Each leaf has 16 to 28 leaflets, 5 to 15 centimeters in length, broad and rounded at the apex, with a small point at the tip. Leaflets gradually increase in size from the base towards the tip of the leaf. Inflorescences are terminal and at the axils of the leaves, in simple or panicled racemes, and 10 to 50 centimeters long. Flowers are yellow, about 4 centimeters inn diameter, at the axils of thin, yellow, oblong, concave bracts which are 2.5 to 3 centimeters long. Pod is rather straight, dark brown or nearly black, about 15 centimeters long and 15 millimeters wide. On both sides of the pods there is a wing that runs the length of the pod. Pod contains 50 to 60 flattened, triangular seeds.

Parts utilized

Leaves, seeds, and flowers.

- Preparation: Pound enough fresh leaves; express (squeeze out) the juice and apply on the affected skin morning and evening. Improvement should be noticed after 2 - 3 weeks of treatment.

- Decoction of leaves and flowers used as mouthwash in stomatitis.

- For wound treatment, leaves are boiled and simmered to one-third volume, then applied to affected areas twice daily.

- In India, plant used as cure for poisonous bites and for venereal eruptions.

Ointment preparation

(1) Wash fresh leaves thoroughly and cut in small pieces.

(2) Add one glass of cooking oil or coconut oil to one glass of cut fresh leaves.

(3) Fry until crispy.

(4) Remove from the heat; strain.

(5) Cut 2 white candles (Esperma No. 5) into small pieces.

(6) In a cooking pot, pour the strained oil together with the candle pieces; stir until the candle has melted.

(7) Pour the mixture into a clean container; cover when cool.

(8) Apply the ointment to affected areas twice daily.