Baccharoides guineensis
StarBaccharoides guineensis
Synonyms: Vernonia guineensis, Cacalia guineensis
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
Across West and Central Africa the leaves, roots and tubers of Baccharoides guineensis are used in traditional medicine and ethnoveterinary practice for toothache, gastro-intestinal complaints, wounds, fever and malaria; in Cote d'Ivoire it is used for hypertension and typhoid, in Congo the leaves treat wounds and arthritis, and in Angola the roots are used for abdominal pain and wounds (Tcheghebe et al., 2022, J. Appl. Pharm. Sci.; in-vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the root extract corroborated by Donfack et al., 2023).
Botanical Description
Baccharoides guineensis (synonym Vernonia guineensis) is a perennial herb or subshrub of the aster family (Asteraceae), often arising from a thickened tuberous rootstock. It has erect, often hairy stems, alternate, simple, toothed leaves, and discoid purple to violet flower heads grouped in branched terminal clusters, producing the plumed achenes typical of the ironweed group. Its native range spans West Tropical Africa eastward to South Sudan and Angola, where it grows in savanna, grassland, fallow fields and open disturbed ground. Two infraspecific varieties (var. guineensis and var. cameroonica) are recognised. A widespread and well-known plant across the West and Central African savanna belt, it is valued locally both as a traditional medicine and in ethnoveterinary practice.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Baccharoides guineensis.
No notes yet.