Sterculia striata
StarSterculia striata
Synonyms: Clompanus striata, Sterculia lasiantha
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In Brazilian folk medicine the leaves of chichá are applied externally with warmed butter or olive oil to treat boils and furuncles, and the mucilaginous gum exudate is used in wound care; pharmacological study of the stem-bark extract has confirmed anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and gastroprotective activity, and the gum hydrogel shows antibacterial and wound-healing effects (Mors, Rizzini & Pereira, 2000).
Gallery
Botanical Description
Sterculia striata, known in Brazil as chichá, xixá or chichazeiro, is a deciduous tree of the mallow family reaching some 8 to 20 m, with a broad crown and a trunk that exudes a mucilaginous gum. The large, alternate leaves are long-stalked and palmately lobed or broadly heart-shaped, clustered toward the branch ends. The flowers are small, bell-shaped and reddish, borne in branched clusters, and lack true petals. The distinctive fruit is a woody, boat-shaped reddish follicle that splits open to reveal several large, dark, edible seeds (the 'monkey chestnuts'). The species is native to the cerrado and seasonally dry forests of central and northeastern Brazil, extending into Bolivia and Paraguay, where it grows on well-drained soils in savanna and gallery woodland.
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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