Cnestis ferruginea

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}

{{speciesbox

|image = Cnestis ferruginea MS6798.jpg

|genus = Cnestis

|species = ferruginea

|authority = Vahl ex DC.

}}

The shrub Cnestis ferruginea is native to Africa. It is best known for its uses in herbal medicine.

Medicinal uses

The tart, astringent fruit is chewed for oral hygiene. Extracts from the fruit have been found to have antimicrobial effects, especially against gram-positive bacteria.Lewis, W.H. and M.P.F. Elvin-Lewis. (2003). Medical Botany: Plants Affecting Human Health, 2/e. Hoboken: Wiley, page 409. {{ISBN|978-0-471-62882-8}}

References

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Further reading

  • Olugbade T.A., J.O. Oluwadiya, and W.A. Yisak. (1982). Chemical constituents of Cnestis ferruginea DC. I. Petroleum ether fraction. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 6(3):365-70