Studies
• Anti-Hypertensive: In a study of the potential antihypertensive activity of Brazilian plants, Leea rubra was one of five plants (C brasiliense, C fruticosum, P roebelinii and T catappa) that showed significant angiotensive-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition.
Uses
Decoction of roots, branches and leaves used for wound healing.
In Thailand, root used for diarrhea and hallucination.
In southern Western Ghats, leaf juice of the plant is mixed with coconut milk, given three times daily for treatment of dysentery with blood discharge.
In Thailand, root used for diarrhea and hallucination.
In southern Western Ghats, leaf juice of the plant is mixed with coconut milk, given three times daily for treatment of dysentery with blood discharge.
Description
Abanico is an erect and tufted perennial herb with a thick creeping rootstock, growing to a height of 0.5 to 1.5 meters. Leaves are 2-ranked, narrow lanceolate, sword-shaped, 40 to 60 cm long, 2.5 to 4 cm wide, and overlapping at the base. Inflorescence is dichotomously branched, terminal and erect. Spathes are ovate to ovate-lanceolate, about 1 cm long. Flowers are numerous and pedicelled, opening 1 or 2 at a time, 4 to 6 cm across. Perianth-tube is very short, and the segments narrowly elliptic, spreading, yellowish outside, and reddish-yellow inside with reddish spots. Capsules are obovoid, membraneous and loculicidal. Seeds are nearly spherical in shape, with lax and shining testa.