Grewia mollis
StarGrewia mollis
Synonyms: Grewia venusta, Grewia petitiana, Grewia velutina, Grewia venusta var. angustifolia, Grewia mollis var. petitiana, Grewia mollis var. morifolia
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In tropical Africa Grewia mollis is widely used in traditional medicine: the mucilaginous bark and leaves are applied to ulcers, cuts, sores and snakebites; bark and root preparations are taken for cough; a liquid made by kneading the root bark in water is drunk for stomach-ache, colic and certain plant poisonings; and in Togo a stem-bark decoction is taken for diarrhoea (Burkill / PROTA). The mucilaginous bark and leaves are also a common food, used to thicken soups and, dried and ground, mixed with bean-meal to make cakes, while the inner bark is sometimes eaten (PROTA).
Botanical Description
Grewia mollis is a shrub or small tree of the mallow family (Malvaceae, formerly Tiliaceae), widely distributed across tropical Africa from Senegal to Zimbabwe, growing in wooded savanna, dry forest, riverine thickets and fallow land. It reaches up to about 10 m in height, with softly hairy young branches and alternate, ovate to oblong leaves that are roughly hairy above and softly grey-felted beneath, with toothed margins and three main veins from the base. Small star-shaped yellowish to whitish flowers are borne in axillary clusters, followed by small lobed drupes that ripen reddish to blackish and are edible. The fibrous, mucilaginous inner bark is a notable feature, valued both as a source of cordage and as a food thickener.
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.
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