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Brunfelsia grandiflora is
grown in South America because it is a decorative plant. It’s quite a pretty
little shrub, reaching about 3 meters tall, with its clusters of white and
varying shades of purple flowers. Beware, however, for every part of this
beauty is poisonous. While that may sound terrible, the toxins are helpful.
B. grandiflora is actually used to make medicine. Its root is used
against rheumatism, syphilis, snake bites and reduces fevers. In the
Peruvian Amazon, the brew made from boiling the leaves is supposed to combat
arthritis and rheumatism. The main active alkaloid is
Scopoletin, which
helps regulate blood pressure. The chemicals of B. grandiflora are
also used for birth control as an abortant. For another pregnancy
controlling plant, check out
Rhizopus stolonifer.
Leishmaniasis is a disease in
tropical regions that is transmitted by the bite of a sandfly. It comes in
two forms. The first form is Cutaneous leishmaniasis. It causes
disfigurement in the area affected. The second is Visceral
leishmaniasis. This causes liver enlargement, which makes it less
functionable, it destroys the immune system, and ultimately, this disease
ends in death. But according to Fuchino, a cure may be found from the
chemicals in B. grandiflora.
There are a number of medicinal uses for Kiss Me
Quick, which makes it hard to remember that this plant is very toxic. In
fact, the entire plant ranging from the seeds, roots, leaves, and flowers,
is poisonous. This is the plants defense against predation, and it seems to
be a pretty good one at that. Believe it or not, humans seem to ingest this
plant more than anything else!
To read more about ingestion of B. grandiflora
visit facts.