Ficus Exasperata (Sandpaper Tree) Medicinal Uses.

Ficus exasperata leaves and fruits

Ficus exasperata is the botanical name of a small to medium sized tree that grows widely in Africa and Asia which is commonly referred to as sandpaper leaf tree. The leaves are referred to as ewe epin in Yoruba. The leaves are also used like sandpaper to scrub pots and cooking utensils.

Different parts of Ficus exasperata are used in traditional medicine due to the fact that they have phytochemicals like saponins, flavonoids, tannins, sterols, coumarins and alkaloids which have therapeutic properties like:

• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Analgesic
• Abortifacient
• Hypotensive
• Anti-microbial
• Astringent
• Diuretic
• Vermifuge
• Antipyretic

The stem sap is used to:

• Treat warts
• Stem bleeding of wounds

The leaves are used to:

• Reduce high blood pressure
• Reduce blood cholesterol levels
• Reduce blood sugar levels
• Treat urinary tract issues
• Boost female fertility
• Treat ringworms
• Treat arthritis, rheumatism and other inflammatory conditions of the joints
• Treat epilepsy
• Stop bleeding
• Treat wounds
• Kill intestinal parasites
• Treat ulcers
• Treat infections
• Treat malaria
• Treat typhoid fever

The bark is used to:

• Treat leprosy
• Shrink hemorrhoids
• Expel placenta after child birth
• Induce abortions

The roots are used to:

• Treat venereal diseases
• Treat respiratory issues like bronchitis, asthma, coughs, etc

Ficus asperifolia leaves look a little bit differently from Ficus exasperata leaves but are also called ewe epin in Yoruba. They are also used for the same traditional medicinal purposes. There are so many plants that are used for medicine effectively in Africa for healing.

Ficus exasperata leaves have more uses than those listed above. Share what you know about this plant below.

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