Calabash (Crescentia cujete).Plant Part Used: Fruit pulp.Dominican Medicinal Uses: Fruit pulp: added fresh to multi-herb preparations, taken internally for infections in general, vaginal infections, infertility, fibroids, cysts, menopausal symptoms, childbirth and post-partum recovery.Safety: Signs of toxicity exhibited in birds and cattle.Contraindications: Pregnancy; not to be used for ear infection if ear secretions or perforation of ear drum is evident.Laboratory & Preclinical Data: In vitro: antimicrobial (leaf and stem ethanol extracts, fruit pulp).In vivo: anti-inflammatory (hydroalcoholic leaf extract).* See entry for Higüero in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.
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