Aframomum melegueta Health Dictionary

(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