Physostigma poisonous (calabar beans). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Physostigma poisonous (calabar bean). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Content

Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
Genus, family, origin, range, chemical composition, economic importance
Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations

Physostigma poisonous (calabar beans), Physostigma venenosum. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Physostigma poisonous (calabar beans)

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Physostigma (Physostigma)

Family: Legumes (Fabaceae)

Origin: West Africa

Area: Physostigma poisonous is common in West Africa, from Sierra Leone to Angola

Chemical composition: The main active substances are physostigmine and carboline. Physostigmine is a strong cholinesterase inhibitor.

Economic value: Physostigma poisonous is a valuable source of physostigmine, which is used in medicine as a drug for the treatment of glaucoma and other eye diseases. It can also be used as an insecticide for pest control. However, due to the high toxicity of the plant, its use must be strictly controlled and professionally justified.

Legends, myths, symbolism: In some African tribes, physostigma poisonous is used in magical rituals associated with the cult of ancestors. It is believed that the plant has the ability to cause visions and communication with spirits. In Europe, Physostigma venom was introduced in the 19th century and used to treat a variety of conditions, including Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. However, due to its toxicity, it has been abandoned as a medicine. In Africa, natives use physostigma poison to poison arrows that are used for hunting and defense. Physostigma venom is associated with danger and death due to its poisonous nature. Its use in magical rituals and hunting is associated with the belief in its ability to cause terror and death. In West African culture, physostigma venom is associated with spiritual and magical powers that can cause visions and communication with ancestral spirits.

Physostigma poisonous (calabar beans), Physostigma venenosum. Description, illustrations of the plant

Physostigma poisonous (calabar beans), Physostigma venenosum Balf. Botanical description, habitat and habitats, chemical composition, use in medicine and industry

Physostigma poisonous (calabar beans)

A plant of the legume family (Leguminosae). Physostigma poisonous - climbing vine up to 15 m long. The leaves are compound trifoliate ovate, 7-15 cm long, with a drawn sharp apex.

The flowers are bright red, collected in drooping brushes up to 15 cm long. The fruit is a dark brown pod with 2-3 seeds. Seeds slightly reniform-oval, flattened laterally, almost black, shiny, 3 cm long and 2 cm wide.

Range and habitats. The plant is native to tropical Africa.

Chemical composition. The seeds contain several alkaloids. The main one is physostigmine. Its content in seeds is 1,5%. The share of another alkaloid geneserine is about 0,1%. All other alkaloids are insignificant. Physostigmine and Geneserine are atropine antagonists. They are used in glaucoma and as a means of constricting the pupil.

Physostigma poisonous (calabar beans)

Application in medicine. Of all the pharmacological effects of eserin, pupillary constriction is the most important in practical terms. With a narrowed pupil, the circulation of intraocular fluid improves and intraocular pressure decreases. This action is most pronounced in glaucoma. With the resorptive action of eserin, the effect on the pupil is little pronounced.

Ezerin is contraindicated in diseases associated with hyperfunction of cholinergic structures in epilepsy, hyperkinesis, bronchial asthma, angina pectoris and bradycardia.

Authors: Turova A.D., Sapozhnikova E.N.

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