medicinal herbs
Myrsine semiserrata
 

• Medicinal herbs
• Natural herbs
• Latin names
• Common names

Herb latin name: Myrsine semiserrata

Family: Myrsinaceae (Myrsine Family)

Medicinal use of Myrsine semiserrata:

The fruit is used as an anthelmintic, especially in the treatment of tape worm. It is also laxative and is used in the treatment of dropsy and colic. The fruit contains 3% embelic acid and 1% quercitol, the seed contains 4.8% embelic acid and 1% quercitol. These are the active ingredients that work as an anthelmintic. A gum obtained from the plant is used as a warming remedy in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea. A decoction of the leaf is used as a blood purifier.

Description of the plant:

Habitat of the herb:

Forests and shrubberies, especially in Nepal, to 2700 metres. Broad-leaved forests, limestone hillsides, mountain slopes, roadsides, stream banksand sunny places 500 - 2700 metres.

Edible parts of Myrsine semiserrata:

Fruit.

Other uses of the herb:

Wood - compact, hard, heavy and handsome. Used for construction. It is usually too small for anything other than firewood, though it is sometimes used in carpentry.

Propagation of Myrsine semiserrata:

Seed - sow late winter or early spring in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a semi-shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 3 - 6cm long with a heel in individual pots, July/August in a frame. Good percentage.

Cultivation of the herb:

Forests and shrubberies, especially in Nepal, to 2700 metres. Broad-leaved forests, limestone hillsides, mountain slopes, roadsides, stream banksand sunny places 500 - 2700 metres.

Known hazards of Myrsine semiserrata:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.