Seen these wild medicinal plants of Goa?

LANTANA

Lantana (Lantana camara) is a shrub that's native to America and Africa. Decoctions made from its leaves were used to treat wounds, fevers, influenza, stomach ache and malaria in the past.

BROWN/ INDIAN HEMP

Found in Brazil and Pakistan, Indian hemp (Crotalaria juncea) is used to manufacture twine, rug yarn, tissue paper, fish nets, sackcloth, canvas and cordage.

TOUCH-ME-NOT

The leaflets of touch-me-not (Mimosa pudica) quickly turn inward when touched, thus protecting the plant by keeping grazing herbivores away.

FOUNTAINGRASS

Fountaingrasses (Pennisetum) find use as a garden feature or to control soil erosion. They are considered invasive because they self-seed prolifically, and it can get difficult to control their spread.

ASTHMA PLANT

The asthma plant (Euphorbia hirta) is widely used in traditional herbal medicine across many cultures, particularly for asthma, skin ailments and hypertension.

AKAPULKO

The akapulko plant (Senna alata) is traditionally used in the treatment of typhoid, diabetes, asthma, ringworm, scabies, herpes and eczema.

CANDY CORN PLANT

The colourful candy corn plant (Moullava spicata) is native to the Western Ghats. Its flowers are a favourite of birds and insects in that area.

JACK IN THE BUSH

Eupatorium odoratum, also known as devil weed, is a perennial shrub, and is used in wound healing, coughs and colds.

NEXT: Beauties that Nature has bestowed on Goa