(Rosc.) K. Schum.Synonym: Amomum melegueta Rosc.Family: Zingiberaceae.
Habitat: Native to tropical Africa; cultivated in Indian gardens.
English: Grains of Paradise, Alligator pepper, Meleguetta pepper.Unani: Heel Habshi.
Action: Roots possess cardamomlike tasteand aregivenasadecoction for constipation; also as a vermifuge for tapeworms. Juice of young leaves—styptic. The seeds contain an alkaloid, piperine; also gingerol, paradol, shogaol and zingerone.
Gingerol and shogaol suppress gastric contractions; also have sedative and analgesic actions. Pungency of the grains is due to paradol.A decoction of the whole plant is taken internally as a febrifuge.High oxalic acid content in the fruit may cause reduced function of the heart.Aframomum korarima K. Schum., native to tropical Africa, known as... aframomum melegueta
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