Bougainvillea

The Origins

It is native to eastern South America, found from Brazil, west to Peru, and south to southern Argentina.

Indigenous Knowledge

Soothes and eliminates coughs and phlegm. Steep a handful of the bracts and gather a variety of colors for 20 minutes. Add honey, drink 2 qt. per day.

For rubella, collect large amounts of red flowers in a large pot, close the room, and surround the patient with blossoms. The patient should take baths in water with tea, 2 times a day. Family members also drink water as a preventative to maintain heart health.

To purify blood choose the red bougainvillea with the 3 petals. Clean well, soak overnight (preferably in a clay or glass pot), strain and drink. Make a juice of green fruits and green vegetables and drink.

Biomedical Science

One of the most beautiful plants in the tropics, Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd, has a long history of medicinal use. In laboratory studies, B. spectabilis, has exhibited antifertility action in both male and female animal subjects (Ghogar et al 2017). It is thought to work by inhibiting spermatogenic pathways, as well as the estrous cycle, while also decreasing the sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone (ibid.).

An aqueous extract of B. spectabilis has been studied for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and demonstrated the ability to decrease blood glucose levels and serve as a potent antioxidant. There was no evidence of toxicity or side effects (Chauhan et a. 2016).

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