82-PYROSTEGIA IGNEA
Local names: Flamevine or orange trumpet vine
Family: Bignoniaceae
Location: Rauza, Dr. Rafiq Zakaria Higher Learning Building
Characters: It is an evergreen, vigorously-growing climber, capable of reaching 5 m in height. The foliage is made up of opposite, pinnate leaves with two or three, 4 to 8 cm leaflets,, and a 3-branched tendril, which all arise together from the end of the leaf petiole. The orange flowers, which appear from winter to spring, are 5 to 9 cm long and densely clustered. They are pollinated by hummingbirds. The fruits are smooth, 3 cm long brown capsules
General use: It has been used in traditional folk medicine as a remedy for treating white patches and infections on the skin (leukoderma, vitiligo). Native Brazilians use the aerial parts of Pyrostegia venusta for the treatment of cough and common diseases of the respiratory system related to infections, such as bronchitis, flu and cold. An infusion is used to treat diarrhea, vitiligo and jaundice. Tonics made from the stems of this plant are useful for the treatment of diarrhea, whereas flower preparations have been shown to atttenuate vomiting. Extracts have been used in the treatment of different skin diseases; it may be useful in the tropical management of wound healing. Leaves are used in traditional medicine as a tonic and for treating diarrhea in Brazil. It is used as a tonic and antidiarrheal in Iracambi. In Brazil, used as general tonic to treat any inflammatory disease; also for diarrhea, dysentery, leucoderma and vitiligo, and common diseases of the respiratory tract, such as bronchitis, flu, and cold. It is also drunk as a general tonic and used as an antidepressant. In folk medicine, its parts are used for the treatment of inflammatory respiratory diseases.