WHAT IS BRYOPHYLLUM USED FOR?

What is Bryophyllum used for?

Native to the island of Madagascar, the Bryophyllum genus is notable for vegetatively growing small plantlets on the fringes of the leaves. While still commonly known as Bryophyllum, this genus has now been incorporated into the larger Kalanchoe genus, so to be botanically correct all plants known as Bryophyllum should now instead be correctly named as Kalanchoe. Although some species of which, notably Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Kalanchoe delagoensis, are popular in their own right as ornamental, succulent houseplants they also have useful medical properties. So just what is Bryophyllum used for?

In the traditional medicine of tropical countries the fresh juice of Bryophyllum is used internally for diarrhea and a general fevers. Furthermore, an ointment with hemostatic, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing action can be prepared from the juice of the leaves mixed together with vegetable oil or shea butter. This can be used externally for the treatment of burns, ulcers, abscesses, or poorly healing wounds. Rudolf Steiner who first introduced Bryophyllum in 1923 believe that it could have uses as a medicinal plant for hysteria.

Kalanchoe laetivirens

In Trinidad and Tobago Bryophyllum has been recorded as being used as a traditional treatment for hypertension and the treatment of Kidney stones. In South Eastern Nigeria, Bryophyllum is used to help ease the passing of the placenta of a newly born baby 

Today, Bryophyllum pinnatum is used in ethno-medicine for the treatment of earache,ulcers, burns, abscesses,  insect bites, once again diarrhea and Lithiasis. It has also proven useful to prevent alcoholic liver damage, viral liver damage, toxic liver damage and to treat ailments such as infections, rheumatism and inflammation. There is also research to suggest that it can also lower blood pressure.

Within the cosmetic industry it is an active ingredient in hand and face creams as it can help to soften and stabilise stressed, reactive skin.

In text image - Marvin Biko lano - Own work CC BY-SA 4.0 File:Bryophyllum (kataka taka).jpg

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