Alepidea amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh.: A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology

Table 1

Traditional uses of Alepidea amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh.

Category of use	Description of traditional dosage	References
Cultural and dietary	The dry rhizome and roots are smoked or powdered and taken as a snuff by diviners and healers to assist in divination and communication with ancestors	[20–22]
	Smoking the roots reportedly results in mild sedation and vivid dreams	[22]
	The dry rhizome and roots are used as a lotion to wash the divining bones	[23]
Antihypertensive	Fresh rhizomes	[22, 24]
Nervousness	Dry rhizome and roots	[25]
Antimicrobial	Leaf, stem, rhizome, and root	[8, 22]
Diuretic effects	Fresh rhizome	[22, 24]
Respiratory	Rhizomes and roots are used for colds, coughs, and influenza and respiratory ailments	[7, 10, 21, 22, 25, 26]
Inflammatory conditions	Rhizomes and roots are used for rheumatism and wounds	[10, 21, 22]
Gastrointestinal	Rhizomes and roots are used for stomach	[10, 21, 22]
Purgative	Rhizomes for the treatment of abdominal disorders	[7, 27]
Mild sedation and vivid dreams	Smoking the roots	[20, 28]
Antimalaria	Rhizome	[29]
Astringent	Fresh rhizome is applied externally	[7, 12]