Sida Acuta

Occurrence

The shrub is frequent in deciduous forests, evergreen forests, savannas, disturbed areas in deserted former cultivated regions (fallows).

Historical Background

The plant is used in traditional medicine of the Indigenous Tribes Embera, Wounaan, Cunas and Katíos, and in others regions of Antioquia in Colombia. Traditionally, it is also used to take away mal de ojo and as a spiritual cleansing bath.

Economical utilizations

Fibers of the stem are used for making ropes.

Bundles of the tough branches are used as natural brooms and brushes.

Medicinal uses

Entire plant is used for medicinal purposes.

A decoction of the plant is used as an expectorant and against inflammations.

Twigs and fruits are applied against irritations of the eye and conjunctivitis.

The slime in the leaves and stem may help as an expectorant.

The plant is prepared for drinks, ointments and external baths against snakebites, and insect bites.

It is regarded as diuretic, to control blood diseases and bleeding, as well as nervous conditions.

In infusions, it is used to treat headaches, colds, coughs, tooth aches, diarrhea, fever, tuberculosis, asthma, and as a laxative.

For menstrual colics, a cloth is moistened with the infusion and applied over the stomach.

Roots in infusion are used to treat wounds and the bark is used to treat measles.

Leaves are used for hair growth and dandruff in infusions.

It is also used for treatments of several health concerns for the liver, weakness, muscle inflammation, and internal bleeding.