Hygrophila Herb and Digitalis Purperea,

Hygrophila Herb

Latin Name: Hygrophila auriculata (Schum.) Hiene Syn., Hygrophila spinosa T. Anders., Asteracantha longifolia (Linn.) Nees. (Acanthaceae)
Common English name: Star thorn, Marsh barble
Luganda Name: #Mpaawo_Kitakya, #Kanga_Bukali

The medicinal value of H. spinosa has been appreciated in the ancient medical literature. The plant contains terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and is traditionally known as anaphrodisiac, renal tonic, and for its health-promoting properties.

Parts Used: Whole, seeds especially

Uses: If expertly produced by careful identification and preparation, this herb is: -

*SUPER EFFECTIVE ON*: Coughs, Cold, Jaundice
*HIGHLY EFFECTIVE ON*: Anemia, Bladder Stones, Gonorhea
*EFFECTIVE ON*: Abscess, Acid reflux, anorexia

Hygrophila stimulates the male genital system and is beneficial in the treatment of sexual debility, premature ejaculation and erectile failure. It is also a potent remedy for kidney stones.
The herb is found all throughout Uganda in marshes places and plains.

Therapeutic constituents:

The seeds contain large amounts of tenacious mucilage and potassium salts, which are responsible for the diuretic property of the seeds. The ethanol extract of the plant is spasmolytic and hypotensive.

Key therapeutic benefits:

The leaves and roots of Hygrophila have diuretic properties.
The herb is also useful in ailments of the urinogenital tract, like dysuria, urinary calculi and cystisis.
The seeds are known to increase libido and are beneficial in treating spermatorrhoea.

Digitalis Purperea, Olutungotungo, Foxglove

Overview Information

Foxglove is a plant. Although the parts of the plant that grow above the ground can be used for medicine, foxglove is unsafe for self-medication. All parts of the plant are poisonous.

Chemicals taken from foxglove are used to make a prescription drug called digoxin. Digitalis lanata is the major source of digoxin in the US.

Foxglove is used for congestive heart failure (CHF) and relieving associated fluid retention (edema); irregular heartbeat, including atrial fibrillation and “flutter;” asthma; epilepsy; tuberculosis; constipation; headache; and spasm. It is also used to cause vomiting and for healing wounds and burns.

How does it work?

Foxglove contains chemicals from which the prescription medication digoxin (Lanoxin) is made. These chemicals can increase the strength of heart muscle contractions, change heart rate, and increase heart blood output

Side Effects & Safety

Foxglove is UNSAFE for anyone to take by mouth without the advice and care of a healthcare professional. Some people are especially sensitive to the toxic side effects of foxglove and should be extra careful to avoid use.

Foxglove can cause irregular heart function and death. Signs of foxglove poisoning include stomach upset, small eye pupils, blurred vision, strong slow pulse, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, excessive urination, fatigue, muscle weakness and tremors, stupor, confusion, convulsions, abnormal heartbeats, and death. Long-term use of foxglove can lead to symptoms of toxicity, including visual halos, yellow-green vision, and stomach upset.

Deaths have occurred when foxglove was mistaken for comfrey.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Children: Taking foxglove by mouth is LIKELY UNSAFE for children. 

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Foxglove is UNSAFE when taken by mouth for self-medication. Do not use.

Heart disease: Although foxglove is effective for some heart conditions, it is too dangerous for people to use on their own. Heart disease needs to be diagnosed, treated, and monitored by a healthcare professional.

Kidney disease: People with kidney problems may not clear foxglove from their system very well. This can increase the chance of foxglove build-up and poisoning