Mirabilis jalapa - Marvel of Peru , Four o'clock

MARVEL OF PERU

Mirabilis jalapa L.

Scientific noun: Mirabilis jalapa L.

Common noun : Marvel of Peru, ´Four o'clock

Family : Nyctaginaceae

Habitat: Native from tropical America, it is cultivated as a garden plant and can be found naturalized in waste lands, country roads... of warm climates.

Active principles:

Alkaloids: trigonelline

Resin

Arabinose

Active parts: The root and the seeds.

Uses :

- The seeds and the powder of the roots have been used as laxatives or, to treat the cases of constipation or to expel the intestinal worms. Decoctions of the plant are used as diuretic to eliminate weight.

In external use, the juice obtained after squeezing the plant is used as vulnerary, to cure affections of the skin, as wounds, eczemas, burnings, herpes, stings of insects, etc., applying the juice on the affected area.

- Phytochemicals: Phytochemical industry uses it to obtain components that are used in the composition of many products with fungicidal and germicidal properties.

Given the toxicity of its components, its use is dissuaded in homemade preparations

Toxicity: Considerable . Considerable. It mainly affects to the digestive tract, producing considerable irritations. By means of uterine stimulation in pregnant women it can cause abortions.

Symptoms: Stomachache , nausea, vomit and diarrhea.

In external use, the contact with the skin can produce dermatitis.

Treatment: Vomitives , gastric lavage and emollients administration