Herbarium of the Ancients — Detailed Record

Alchornea cordifolia

Please read before use: the information below describes traditional and informational uses — it does not replace advice from a healthcare professional. In case of doubt, pregnancy, breastfeeding, ongoing treatment, or use in children, seek advice before use.

Enhanced precautions for this plant: Traditional use documented mainly externally or in diluted preparations; prolonged or concentrated internal consumption is not recommended without advice from a healthcare professional. Not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as some traditions report uses related to the reproductive sphere whose effects are not well understood. Do not administer to young children without medical advice, as composition and possible interactions are insufficiently documented. Avoid self-medication when taking other medications, particularly for chronic conditions, due to poorly understood potential interactions.

Decoction — Leaves and bark

Traditional decoction of leaves and bark

Fresh or dried leaves, sometimes combined with bark fragments, are gently boiled in water for about fifteen minutes according to reported traditional uses. The resulting liquid is filtered before use, most often for external application. Dosage should be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.

Compress — Fresh leaves

Crushed leaf poultice

Fresh leaves are crushed or pounded to extract the juice, then applied directly to the affected area, a common practice in traditional uses for skin care. This preparation is made at the time of harvesting to preserve its properties. Dosage should be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.

Where to find it

Obtaining the plant

This plant grows spontaneously in humid areas, secondary forests, and riverbanks of tropical Africa; it is rarely available in herbal shops outside its native range or specialized circuits for African plants.

Harvest season

When to harvest it

Leaves are traditionally harvested during the rainy season, when foliage is most abundant, while bark is carefully collected throughout the year.

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