Candle Bush

Description:

It is an important medicinal tree as well as an ornamental flowering plants. The shrub stands 3 – 4 m tall, with leaves 50 – 80 cm long. The inflorescence looks like a yellow candle. The fruit shaped like a straight pod is up to 25 cm long. Its seed are distributed by water or animals. The leaves close in the dark.

Habitat:

It is native to Mexico, and can be found in diverse habitats. In the tropics it grows up to an altitude of 1 200 m. It is an invasive species in Austronesia.

Notes:

Other names: Candelabra Bush, Empress Candle Plant, Ringworm Tree or "candletree". It is often called the Ringworm Bush because of its very effective fungicidal properties, for treating ringworm and other fungal infections of the skin. The leaves are ground in a mortar to obtain a kind of "green cotton wool". This is mixed with the same amount of vegetable oil then rubbed on the affected area 2 - 3 times a day. A fresh preparation is made every day. Its active ingredients include the yellow chrysophanic acid. Its laxative effect, due to its anthraquinone content, is also well proven.