Names:

  • General: Vulture’s neck, Cock’s comb
  • Hausa: kalkashin kooramaa
  • Igbo: Onu udene; azu uzo; ụ̀tábā ànị̀
  • Yoruba: Agogo Igun or Ogbe ori Akuko

Description:

Onu udene (H. indicum) is an annual, or perennial, erect, branching plant that belongs to the family Boraginaceae. It can grow to a height of 50 cm in suitable soil. It has bristly hairy stem, woody at the base, bearing alternating ovate to oblong-ovate leaves. It grows wildly on roadsides and has a curved arrangement of small flowers and velvety broad green leaves.

The leaves are ovate to oblong, dark green, and have a rough texture with prominent veins. The margins of the leaves are undulate; the nerves present on both sides are serrulate or cordate and clearly visible under the leaves. The petiole is about 1–7 cm long. The flowers are small white or purple with a green calyx and progresses apically within the cymose. The sepals are diffused with hairs outside, deep green in color, linear to lanceolate, uneven or unequal, and about 5–3 mm long. The fruits are about 2–3 mm long, 2–4 lobed, with or without united nutlets. The curved arching form of the inflorescence lends the plant its many fanciful names.

Cultivation/Propagation

  • It grows like a weed but the seeds can be harvested and planted in any desired place.

Medicinal Benefits

  • It possesses antioxidant, analgesic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, anticataract, antiplasmodial, antifertility, anthelmintic, anticancer, antitussive, antiglaucoma, wound healing, gastroprotective, diuretic, relaxant, antithrombotic, larvicidal, antibacterial, anti-tumor, uterine stimulant, antifertility, wound healing, antidyslipidemic, hypotensive, anti-arthritic, anti-rheumatoid, antidiarrhoeal, anti-dysentery, vermifuge, febrifuge; antidotes (venomous stings, bites, etc.); anti-paralysis, anti-epilepsy, anticonvulsant, anti-spasm and activities. 
  • Used as an analgesic (rheumatism), diuretic and for numerous skin problems (e.g. yaws, urticaria, scabies, ulcers, eczema, impetigo).
  • An antidote for common eye disorders notably conjunctivitis, cataract and high intraocular pressure (ocular hypertension).
  • The flowers are emmenagogue in small doses and abortifacient in large doses  and used to control menstrual blood loss.
  • It is used to treat respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and coughs, thanks to its expectorant properties.
  • The decoction mixed with other herbs is used for the treatment of prostate diseases and infections.
  • The leaves are applied as an analgesic to treat stomach-ache in adult patients after operations.  
  • The methanolic extracts of leaf and stem of H. indicum exhibit cytotoxic activity.
  • The infusion of the plant is used as an eye-lotion and to clean ulcers.
  • The leaves are haemostatic and stomachic.

Other Benefits:

  • The plant holds cultural significance in various traditional practices and rituals, where it is often used for its symbolic and medicinal properties.
  • The whole plant is buried and, after the fleshy tissue has rotted away, the remaining fibre is used to make false hair for women
  • It supports biodiversity by providing habitat and food for various insects, including pollinators like bees and butterflies.
  • It improves soil quality by adding organic matter and enhancing soil structure.
  • Use as a natural remedy for insect bites and stings
  • Used as a dye plant for fabric and paper

How it is as Medicine:

  • The decoction of the whole plant is taken orally and otherwise for the following:
    • The decoction mixed with Desmodium velutinum (Obi nwoke) is used as a cleanser for the reproductive system in both males and females.
    • Treatment of Asthma, sore throat, oral thrush and whooping cough in children.
    • Administered rectally to treat local sores in the rectum.
    • Management of fever, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting
    • Treatment of liver diseases, expulsion of renal stones.
    • Treatment of venereal disease, including gonorrhea.
    • As a cleanser and dressing for wounds and ulcers.
    • Reduction of edema and treatment of ulcers.
    • Applied to the vagina to induce abortion.
    • Applied to the anus to treat rectal sores.
    • Applied externally for treating herpes.
    • Treatment of prostate disorders.
  • The paste of the whole plant is applied topically for:
    • The treatment of pyoderma and ringworm infection.
    • The treatment of skin wounds, ulcers and infections
    • The treatment of warts and inflammatory tumours.
    • The treatment of snakebite and scorpion sting.
    • Counteraction of putrefaction.
    • Eradication of head lice.
  • The paste of the leaves and roots is used for the following:
    • Applied locally for the treatment of insect bites and scorpion stings
    • Treatment of dermatosis, eczema, impetigo, skin infections.
    • Applied to rheumatic limbs, to wounds and insect bites
    • Applied topically to treat hepatitis
    • Treatment of skin ulcers.
    • Treatment of gingivitis.
  • The fresh juice of the leaves is taken orally for the following:
    • Applied topically to treat and soothe the pain of conjunctivitis.
    • Mixed with castor oil for treatment of gonorrhea
    • Treatment of chicken pox
    • Treatment of allergy
  • The leaf decoction/infusion is used as follows:
    • Taken orally for the treatment of bloating, loss of appetite, renal colic and intestinal parasites.
    • Applied topically to sores, stings, pimples and other skin inflammatory diseases
    • Washing of the eyes for oculitis,  ocular infections and ophthalmia.
    • Applied PV for treating amenorrhea and menstrual disorders
    • Mixed with castor oil to treat stings and poisonous bites.
    • Applied to the skin to cleanse ulcers
    • Applied to soothe mouth sprue.
    • Washing of newborn babies.
  • The dried, powdered inflorescence is mixed with water or milk and taken for three days to achieve sterilization of females.
  • The Root maceration and paste is applied topically for treating swelling of knees, joint pain, yaws and severe itching in leg.
  • The decoction of the dried roots is taken orally for the management of nose congestion from colds and sinusitis.
  • The juice from the whole plant is taken orally in small doses for the management of Menorrhagia.  
  • The leaf ash is applied on the skin for the treatment of scabies.

Reported Side Effects/Caution:

  • The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be toxic if consumed in large quantities and should be used under the guidance of a knowledgeable healthcare provider.
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using H. indicum due its abortifacient properties and to the potential risk of toxicity and adverse effects on the baby.
  • Long-term use of the plant for medicinal purposes is not recommended without medical supervision, as it can lead to cumulative toxicity.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliotropium_indicum