A Rare Pearl from Uganda

After seeing Uganda’s magnificent landscapes, Winston Churchill called Uganda “the pearl of Africa.” More than 100 years later, I saw firsthand that he was right.

Finally, it came.

I held my breath and tore open the bulky envelope. I pulled it apart so fast that the fibers from the padding flew everywhere.

I thought I’d never get my hands on this book, a rare pearl of herbal knowledge from deep in the heart of Africa. I’ve been trying, but it’s not for sale in the U.S.

I’d run across it in my research in Africa, and it’s one of the only printed collections of Uganda’s herbal traditions. It’s Medicinal Plants of East Africa: An Illustrated Guide.

Knowledge of these plants has been passed down through generations of revered healers. In Africa, they call these healers daktari wa miti shamba, “doctor of herbs.” But it’s all done by word of mouth, and so much is still unknown to the rest of the world.

I want to help preserve this knowledge, or it will be lost.

I tried to get the book in Kampala, Uganda. But placing a special order wasn’t easy there. I went to Aristock – the biggest bookstore in the country – and they told me it would take a couple days. I kept going back…but it never came in. I went home empty handed.

When I got back here to the States, I searched all the big chain bookstores, the mom-and-pop shops, and Amazon.com. But none of them could get me a copy.

My assistants in Uganda, Medrine and Godfrey, wouldn’t give up. They had to pull some strings and talk to almost everyone who works at Aristock, but finally they were able to have a copy delivered to Uganda. They packed it up and shipped it to me. There were a few other books I wanted but the store wouldn’t sell them to us.

You might know Mirabilis jalapa as the “Four O’Clock Plant.” It grows like a weed on the roadside in Uganda.

I flipped through the pages and recognized Mirabilis jalapa right away. I’d seen this growing along the roadside in Uganda – one of the prettiest weeds you’ll ever see. It’s originally from Peru, but it’s spread all over the world. They sell hybrids of it in the U.S. so you might recognize it too. It’s nicknamed the Four O’Clock plant because that’s when the flowers like to open.

Daktaris like it for its ability to empty out the digestive tract, but that’s not all. They use it to fight off types of salmonella and cholera, and it’s showing promise against HIV-1 and cancer.

Modern research is beginning to uncover the reason: The roots have astragalosides in them. These are the same compounds found in astragalus – a plant known and studied for its ability to strengthen the body’s defenses and activate the immune system’s “killer” cells.

The more we study astragalosides, the more hidden benefits we discover. Researchers in China found that astragaloside IV can keep viruses from spreading.¹ In another study, it was found to promote wound healing and skin strength.² It can also prevent tumor cells from reproducing.³

This reminds me that the herbalists in Africa are light years ahead of the drug companies in the way that they approach cancer. And it makes me wonder how many more healing plants are growing right under our noses.

You can use Mirabilis jalapa yourself. The leaves are used to treat infections on the skin, and the stems can soothe pain.

It’s usually sold as a powder, but what you want to do if you’re going to buy it that way is to check whether all parts of the plant are used or whether it’s only the root. The root is where you’ll find two other benefits: antibacterial and immune-boosting properties.

For an immune boost, the locals grind up the roots and boil a spoonful of the powder in about a liter of water. It takes about 10 minutes. After it cools, they strain it and drink it as a tea three times a day. They repeat this for two or three days.

You also need to know that the plant has a strong diuretic and laxative effect that will clean out the digestive tract. Here’s an easy way to make a stronger tea, which will purge the system:

1. Heat a half-liter (16–17 ounces) of water.
2. Add about 2 grams of the root powder and mix well.
3. Sweeten it up with a spoonful of honey.
4. Drink it first thing in the morning before you eat anything.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

1. Shang L, et al, “Astragaloside IV inhibits adenovirus replication and apoptosis in A549 cells in vitro,” J Pharm Pharmacol. 2011 May;63(5):688-94.
2. Chen X, et al, “The healing and anti-scar effects of astragaloside IV on the wound repair in vitro and in vivo,” J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Feb 15;139(3):721-7.
3. Wong RN, et al, “Characterization of Mirabilis antiviral protein—a ribosome inactivating protein from Mirabilis jalapa L.” Biochem Int. 1992 Dec;28(4):585-93.