Azima tetracantha Lam.

DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY
MEDICINAL PLANTS

Azima tetracantha Lam.

Common Name: Bee sting bush.

Family: Salvadoraceae
Genus: Azima
Species: tetracantha
Malayalam Name: Yasanku, Sankukuppi
Tamil Name: Ancirikacceti and Anji.
Synonyms: Monetia barlerioides L.Her
Description
It is an evergreen shrub or scrambler can grow up to 3 meters tall. It has light brown bark, and its branches are covered in sharp spines.
The leaves are oval-shaped, glossy, and mid to light green in color.
The flowers are small, greenish to yellow, and bloom in the summer. They are solitary or in spikes that are 2–5 mm long.
The fruit is a yellowish to white berry that is translucent when ripe.
USES
Rheumatism: The root, root bark, and leaves are used to treat rheumatism.
Diarrhea: The root is used as a diuretic and to treat chronic diarrhea.
Earache: The juice of the leaves is used as ear drops.
Painful teeth: Crushed leaves are placed on painful teeth.
Jaundice: The root bark is used as a paste with buttermilk to treat jaundice.
Snake bites: The plant is used to treat snake bites.
Stomach disorders: The plant is used to treat stomach disorders.
Uterine tonic: The plant is used as a uterine tonic.
Cough and asthma: The leaves are used to treat cough and asthma.
The plant has a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, anti-arthritic, antivenom, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antipyretic, antiulcer, and insecticidal activity.