Herbarium Sheet Detail
NTBG Plant Name:
Codiaeum variegatum
Collector Name:
Michael J. Balick
Collection Date:
July 30, 2007
Determiner:
!David H. Lorence (PTBG) 2008
Observers:
Stephen Dahmer, Yadana Desmond, Sholeh Hanser, Ann Kitalong, Roberta Lee, Nicholas Penna, Kiblas Soaladaob
Island Group:
CAROLINE ISLANDS
Locality:
Oikull, Medal Village. Growing along stone path.
Plant Description:
Shrub. 10 in. leaves, green leaves with red veins.
Medicial Use Notes:
Medicine: Break the leaf base (petiole), the sap coming out of it is used on skin rashes. Young leaves are not used; lower leaves carry more sap. Also used for ear infections, when the ear is filled with pus and the pus is leaking out and has a 'bad' odor. The petiole is broken at the base while the leaf is still on the plant. At least three drops are applied directly into the ear with the patient's head turned to the side. The patient lies on their side, with infected side up, for approximately 20 minutes, until the drops feel like they have entered the ear canal. 20 minutes ensures that the sap is sticky enough to remain in the ear. If there is a lot of sap from a single leaf, it is appropriate to use all the sap. One leaf generally has enough (at least 3 drops per leaf). A worse infection does not necessitate a greater number of drops. The treatment is repeated once a day in the morning until the odor is eliminated. Treatment generally lasts two days. During treatment the ear must be kept dry. If there is contact with water the sap will dilute and soften. The dried sap will eventually peel off with the ear wax. If treatment with the sap is not administered, the ear will retain the foul odor, and the patient can lose hearing in the ear (go deaf). (DN).
Ornamental: It is also used as an ornamental.
Local experts: Dirratkelkang Dirraklang Ngirametuker (f,82)(DN), Aderdei Gillian Johanes (m,GJ), Madrabelluu Tsuneo Tesei (m,TT), Dirragelluu Kerngel Tesei (f,72)(KT).
Additional interview (August 1, 2007): Dirratkelkang Dirraklang Ngirametuker (DN)
Date of Record Creation:
March 23, 2014
Date of Last Update:
August 6, 2023
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