Securidaca Longepedunculata

1.      History and use

Throughout Black Africa, the Securidaca longepedunculata are known to keep snakes away from habitations. On the other hand, by swallowing about one gram of roots, traditional healers protect themselves from snake bites when they go out into the bush to harvest. The word ‘Füf’ in Wolof is a reminder roots of of the whistling of the snake. The root is widely used in powder to make plasters on the painful places due to rheumatism, the roots are very active also against all the intestinal parasites.

2.      Description of the plant

It is a shrub 3 to 4 meters high. The leaves are alternate, rounded at the top. The flowers are purple in clusters and appear during the dry season. This plant is found throughout Senegal south of Louga.

3.      Curative action

The anti-inflammatory action is due to a heteroside giving methyl salicylate which, like all salicylate derivatives, is anti-inflammatory (close to aspirin), it is also this product which gives the characteristic odor of the plant.

The antivenomous action was also verified. In the root of Securidaca there existed a protein similar to that of the venom of snake but less toxic which by being fixed on the venom receptors prevented this one from acting. This justifies the ingestion by the traditional practitioner of a pinch of root powder before going into the bush to protect himself from snake bites. You can heal by swallowing the same powder after having been stung and, one can also with a maceration of the plant wash the eyes of the people who received the venom of Najas.

4.      Uses

• Joint Pain and Rheumatism

Make a plaster of the crushed root on the painful part.You can mix the powder in a balm or shea butter. You can also rub the pulp root directly on the Inflammed area.

• Snake Bites

In case of need, swallow a pinch of root powder. After swabbing, swallow the same amount of powder Wash eyes if venom with concentrated root maceration.