Ageratum conyzoides
A. conyzoides has
long been used medicinally around the globe, in addition to possessing
insecticidal and nematodicidal activity.
Ageratum conyzoides
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Blue Billy Goat Weed
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ASTERACEAE
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Identification
Erect herbaceous annual, 30-80cm.
Composite flowers of pale
blue/lilac
Entire plant covered in fine white hairs.
Broad ovate leaves, tapering point, serrated margins, soft to touch.
Leaves are variable in size and shape, but similar.
Leaves are strongly scented
Fruit is an achene
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Cultivation
Weed, don’t cultivate!
This weed prefers open spaces, paddocks etc, and moisture, but will tolerate
dry areas.
Ageratum has a natural range from North America to Central America
and the Caribbean.
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Flowers Year round
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Fruits X
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Etymology
“a geras” (Greek) – non-aging, referring to the longevity of
the flowers and plant
“conyzoides” (Greek) – from “kónyz” the greek name for Inula
helenium , which it resembles
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Warning
Due to conflicting reports on the edibility of this plant I cannot
recommend its use as an edible plant.
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Edibility
Caution recommended
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Medicinal
Antibacterial – Leaf – wound healing
Insecticidal – (leaf oil) against weevils
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Ageratum Flowers |
Whilst A. conyzoides has traditionally been eaten as
a vegetable, contemporary researchers have discovered in it potential hepatotoxic
compounds, which is why I cannot recommend its use as a vegetable today. However,
being young, strong and healthy with no liver complaints, I would eat it myself
if I were hungry and lacking other food sources. Other studies have found the
essential elements K, Na, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn and the non-essential elements
Al, Ba, Sr and Rb to be present in significant concentrations. Other elements present
at trace levels include Co, Cr, Sc and V. The researchers conducting these
studies appear to believe that the presence of the elements calcium, potassium
and sodium may be responsible for disease prevention in traditional usage, and
that Iron Manganese and Zinc presence which are present in hormone, insulin,
protein and immune reactions may also contribute to its healing properties in
traditional medicine which include the treatment of diabetes, diarrhoea and
infertility. These same researchers, however, warn against indiscriminate use (ingestion)
of A. conyzoides due to the presence of Barium, which has the potential
to accumulate in the body through repeated use and is a known toxin (Dim et al,
2004).
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Ageratum -leaf detail
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Ageratum - opposite leaves. Note hairs
covering plant. |
In studies conducted by Borthakur and Baruah (1987) the
essential oil of A. conyzoides
has been shown to contain compounds that act as antijuvenile hormones in
insects, effectively rendering them sterile, which would explain its use as an
insecticide.
Blue Billy Goat Weed has been used to treat wounds, bites, burns, typhoid fever, ‘body
swelling’, tumours and as a ‘hair lotion’. Unfortunately, although several
papers have listed which ailments Ageratum has been used to treat, they rarely
go into any detail as to which part of the plant was used or how it was
prepared. In Africa it has been used to treat pneumonia, although specifics on
how to use the plant are not given. Its most common use appears to have been as
a fresh leaf poultice for wounds, cuts bites or skin complaints, and this is
most likely due to its antibacterial properties. This plant has also shown
anti-inflammatory activity and increased wound healing in clinical trials on
rats. In South America, A. Conyzoides twigs have been used as a vegetable.
Following is a list of its medicinal uses;
Wounds, Bites, Burns – the leaves are made into a paste and applied
directly.
Colic, Colds, Fevers, Diarrhoea, Rheumatism, muscle spasms and
as a tonic – aqueous extract (which I assume means a decoction or infusion), although
wether for internal or external use is not specified.
Headache – poultice of boiled leaf paste
Bacteriocide, Antidysentric, Fever, Colic – no details given
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Ageratum - overall habit |
Overall I would suggest only using this plant externally.
References
Dim, L., Funtua, I., Oyewale, A., Grass, F., Umar, I., Gwozdz, R.
& Gwarzo, U. 2004. Determination of some elements in Ageratum
conyziodes, a tropical medicinal plant, using instrumental neutron activation
analysis. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 261 (1) 225-228
Gbolade, A. , Onayade, O. & Ayinde, B. 1999. Insecticidal Activity of Ageratum
conyzoides L. Volatile Oil against Callosobruchus maculatus F. in
Seed Treatment and Fumigation Laboratory Tests. International Journal of Tropical Insect
Science 19 : 237-240
Ming, L.C. 1999. Ageratum conyzoides, A tropical source of
medicinal and agricultural products. In: Janick, J. (ed.) Perspectives on New
Crops and New Uses.
Saikia , B., Rethy,
P. Gajurel, P. & Doley, B. 2012. Exotic wild edible
plants of Sonitpur District, Assam. Journal Of Biosciences Research
3(1):71-75
Saklani, S. & Jain, S. 1989. Ethnobotanical Observations
on Plants Used in Northeastern India. 1989,
Vol. 27, No. 2 , Pages 65-73
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