Salvadora persica Linn.
| Botanical Name | Salvadora persica Linn. |
| Order: | Brassicales |
| Family: | Salvadoraceae |
| Genus: | Salvadora |
| Species: | S. persica |
| Common Names: | Africa Chewstick, Jamaican chewstick, Siwak |
Plant Synonyms
Plant Local Names
Hausa Name: Aswaki
Plant Habitat
It is wide spread in all districts of Tanzania notably in thorn shrubs, desert flood plains and grassy savannah. Adapted to alkaline or very saline soils without salt.
Plant Material of Interest
Plant Description
Fruits small, round and pea-sized, bearing 1 seed per fruit. Seeds turn from white to pink or purple-red and are semitransparent when mature. The plant is slow growing. (California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc. 1996)
Plant Used Parts
Plant Uses
i. Young stems of 3 to 5mm are used as to toothpaste
ii. A toothstick is also said to relieve toothache and gum disease and the leaves are used as a mouthwash and for tooth and gum problems
iii. The roots are prepared as a slave and rubbed on the face for headaches
iv. They are used for general body pain, gonorrhoea, back pains, chest diseases, and stomach aches.
v. Latex from the bark is used for treating sores
vi. Seeds are used as a tonic and seed oil is used on the skin for rheumatism.
Plant Therapeutic Action
Plant Precaution for Use
Plant Adverse Effect
Plant Contraindication
Plant Dosage Forms
Plant Dosage
Plant Storage
Plant Chromatographic Fingerprint
Plant Constituents
Plant Pictures
