Griffonia Simplicifolia is one of the medicinal herbs that are gotten from Africa particularly West Africa and Central Africa. Before the production of capsule and supplement made from griffonia, this herbal plant was traditionally used in the treatment of many diseases and also for a number of purposes. Here are some of the traditional uses of griffonia simplicifolia.
Traditionally, griffonia is used in the treatment of a number of illnesses in West and Central Africa as well as other African region where the plant is found. In Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire the bark of the plant is crushed and the pulp is used to treat syphilitic sores.
The leaf of the plant is also traditionally used in the treatment of some illnesses. The active ingredient in the leaf is extracted and administered to people who are nauseating. The extracts help the patient not to vomit. The same leave extract of the plant is also used to treat cough. People who are suffering from low libido are also given this extract because it increases sexual desire.
The extract from the stem and the leave can be combined and used for the treatment of constipation. The concoction serves as a purgative in the treatment of constipation. People who have wounds that suppurate use the decoction of the leaves and the stems to wash their wounds. It serves as antiseptic wash for such wounds.
The leaf sap of griffonia also has a number of medicinal uses. Traditionally, people use the sap from the leave as eye drops for the treatment of the inflammation of the eyes. Kidney problems are treated with the leaf sap also. It is either inserted through the rectum or drunk. The leaf can be used to make paste which is applied on burns. It can also be used as insecticide in birds. Traditionally, people put the leaves of the plant in their chicken pen in order to eliminate lice.
Tooth decay is another illness that can be treated traditionally with griffonia simplicifolia. The stems and the bark of the stems are combined together to produce paste which can be used in the treatment of tooth decay. Besides, some people chew the stem in order to increase their libido. Intercostals pain can be treated traditionally with the mixture of lemon juice, ground twig bark of griffonia and capsicum pepper.
In Nigeria, some traditional doctors use the extract gotten from the powdered roots in the treatment of sickle cell anemia. The Ghanaians are using the wood as walking stick because it is very tough. They are also using the leaves of the plant to bitter their palm wine. Ghanaians equally quench thirst using liquid that comes from the cut stems.
Besides the traditional medicinal uses of griffonia, it can also be used for fashion especially in Ghana. Women produce local face powder using the roots of the plants. They chew the root and then allow it to dry. The end product can be used as face powder. The leaves are utilized in the production of black dyes.
These are some of the traditional uses of griffonia simplicifolia.