Mexican Argemone ” Houètchégnon en Fon ” : The mystical herb

Native to Mexico and the Antilles, l’argemone mexicana, known as the Mexican false poppy, called in Fon language ” Houètchégnon “, is an annual herb with spiny leaves. It belongs to the Papaveraceae family.. The species has been introduced into many tropical countries where it has become naturalized..

Among the many medicinal plants is argemone mexicana, known in traditional medicine and appreciated since antiquity for its curative virtue.. Argemone mexicana according to lavierebelle is a species that grows easily in arid soils rich in nitrates and requires no arable land, no fertilizer and does not compete with food crops. It is mainly present in regions with a marked dry season., on open wastelands, along the roads and paths, and as a weed in the fields, mostly at sea level, but sometimes up to 3000 m d’altitude. The plant is easy to identify and unlike any other. If its leaves are reminiscent of a thistle, its flowers are typical of other varieties of poppies. Argemone can reach a meter in height. It has a strong taproot.

The benefits of this plant

The pharmacopoeia of medicinal plants in West Africa, affirms the benefits of this plant starting with the leaves which according to her, these leaves are traditionally used for hens enteric pain, gonorrhea, the constipation, jaundice and liver dysfunction, malaria, cough, toothache, eye pain, urethral discharge, hepatobiliary disorders, bilious fevers, hematuria and eczema. The juice is used as a sedative, antiemetic, and in the treatment of mexican ear infections (typical ear infection, the middle ear behind the eardrum is inflamed and fills with fluid) and eye diseases (Albinism · Ambylopia · Astigmatism · Cataract · Conjunctivitis · Visual defects · AMD · Glaucoma · Hyperopia · Keratoconus · Myopia · Stye · Presbyopia..). The infused seeds and aerial part are used as a diuretic, purgative and sudorific. The whole plant has hypotensive properties, narcotic, diaphoretic and diuretic. The leaves and stems also have antibacterial effects., antiviral, spasmodic and stimulating. The extract from its capsules is a hypnotic and cough suppressant and the latex has anticoagulant properties..

Health passport, in its publication also confirms the benefits of this plant. According to him, argemone mexicana has healing and disinfectant properties, used to treat bruises and small wounds through its hemostatic action (which stops the bleeding). It is also applied to the skin to extract splinters and thorns in popular medicine.. Always in the same publication, it reveals that this species also has anti-inflammatory and antitussive properties (tonic for the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, which can be used as a gargle in the case of dry coughs, sore throat or early angina but also to treat mouth ulcers and stomatitis. Its moderating effect in the inflammatory process also calms sprains, varicose ulcers and migraines.

otherwise, he adds that one of the first virtues recognized in internal use is its depurative action. This means that it helps to evacuate gallstones by stimulating the gallbladder and promotes the secretion of bile.. It is then said that it is respectively cholagogue and choleretic.. For these same reasons, this plant is a good ally in case of slow digestion. In addition, it is also used for the evacuation of kidney stones as a diuretic plant, effectively stimulating the kidneys in their work of filtering toxins by increasing the volume of urine. Strongly astringent, it tightens the intestinal mucous membranes, which makes it a plant recommended for diarrhea or other dysentery. It is attributed with an antispasmodic action, hypoglycémiante et hypotensive.

In Benin, argemone mexicana is commonly used as a medicinal plant among health experts, following its reputation as an analgesic, diuretic, cholagogue and anti-inflammatory. It is commonly used by health practitioners, following its reputation as an analgesic, diuretic, cholagogue and anti-inflammatory. Indeed, according to Danon Atchefon, this plant is used in newborns, through the herbal tea to allow the umbilical ring to be removed without complications. He adds that it is useful for babies to infect and heal sales wounds in babies.. On the spiritual side, he reveals that “this plant is a mystical force, just mix this plant in a bath bucket filled with water to which you add sand taken from a crossroads and wash yourself, wherever you go, no accusation will be against you”. did he know.

Adverse effects

According to health passport “argemone mexicana is strongly not recommended for people prone to constipation. As a precaution, people under treatment for blood pressure or on anticoagulants seek medical advice before consuming”.

Veronique GBEWOLO (Stag)