Mussaenda

Mussaenda has become a very popular ornamental shrub owing to the colorful petaloid bracts it puts forth. It is place in the plant family Rubiaceae. The leaves are 7.5-12.5 cm. long, broadly elliptic and hairy, especially along the 8-12 pairs of veins. The golden yellow flowers, in open cymes, are rather inconspicuous in comparison to the colourful petaloid bracts. The berries are subglobose or obovoid, smooth and shiny.

MEDICINAL USE:
*Leprosy and jaundice.
*Promotes the flow of urine.
*Asthma, intermittent fevers and oedema.
*Ulcers.

HOW TO USE:
*The decoction of the root is used to cure leprosy.
* The decoction of the leaves mixed with milk is given to cure jaundice.
*The decoction of the flowers is given to promote the flow of urine.
*The same decoction of the flowers is given to threat asthma, intermittent fevers and oedema.
*The paste of the flowers and leaves may be applied over ulcers.

PARTS USED:
*The roots, leaves and flowers.

DOSE:
As recommended above.

Normal Dosage For:

Adults: 4 or 5 cups a day.
Aged 6 to 9 years: 2 cups a day
Aged 2 to 5 years: 1 cup a day
1 to 2 years: 1/2 cup a day
Below 1 year: 1/4 or less cup a day

A Useful Table for Quick Measurements:
1 tbsp = 5 grams (green herb)
1 dessertspoon = 2 grams (dry herb)
1 teaspoon = 25 drops
1 cup = 16 tbsp

1 litre = 7 or 8 cups