Devil-pepper
Constituents
The fruit is generally considered to be poisonous.
Medicinal Uses:
The latex, roots, leaves, bark and fruits are all used in traditional medicine in S. America. The roots are frequently used in India as a substitute of Rauvolfia serpentina for medicinal purposes.
The latex in the plant is said to be cathartic, diuretic, emetic and expectorant. It is used for treating dropsy and various other diseases. It is applied to granulated eyelids.
The plant is commonly used in the treatment of malaria in Guatemala, where it is also one of the reputed remedies for snake bites.
The plant contains two alkaloids, to which the names Chalcupine A and B have been given.
The plant is a good source of the alkaloid reserpine, which is used in making allopathic medicines. It is harvested commercially for this purpose.
The roots yield the alkaloid deserpidine, which is an antihypertensive and tranquilizer.