Tridax procumbens – Bakenbox

Introduction:

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Tridax
Species: Tridax procumbens

Bakenbox (Tridax procumbens) is a herbaceous perennial plant native to Central and South America that is now found widespread in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is a species of flowering plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae) that is harvested for use as food and medicine.

However, in spite of the medicinal benefits of Tridax procumbens, the plant is considered an invasive species, and in some places, listed as a noxious weed.

Description Of Bakenbox (Tridax procumbens) :

(Tridax procumbens) is a spreading annual herb with creeping stems, that grows to heights of approx. 20cm (8 inches). The leaves are fleshy, irregularly toothed and generally arrowhead-shaped; hairs can be found on the leaf margins and stems.

The plant blooms all year round and its flowers have a daisylike yellow-center with white three-toothed ray florets. The fruit is a hard achene covered with stiff hairs and having a feathery pappus. The seeds are numerous (up to 1,500 per plant), small with tuft of silky hairs on one side for wind dispersal.

Tridax procumbens (flickr photo by Rogelio Quinatoa)

Tridax procumbens (photo by thrashchang)

Tridax procumbens (flickr photo by scotty)

Bakenbox (Tridax procumbens) is also known as Tridax, Tridax Daisy, Wild Daisy, Coat Buttons, and Cadillo Chisaca.

Medicinal Properties:

The plant is astringent and considered anti-inflammatory and vulnerary. Studies have shown antibacterial, hypotensive, bradycardic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, wound healing, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, and CNS depressant properties.

Tridax procumbens has also been proven to be antiviral, anticoagulant, antifungal, insect repellent, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic.

Further studies yielded glucoside, amino acids, flavanol, synergic acid, tannin, steroids, polysaccharides, pectin, hemicellusose, phenols, alkaloids, fats, and volatile oil, as well as the elements: sulphur, iron, sodium, and chlorine.

The leaves are antiseptic, haemostatic, and parasiticide, and the leaf juices possess insecticidal and parasiticidal properties. Also, various leaf extracts yielded carbohydrates, proteins, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, and purines.

Medicinal Uses:

Tridax procumbens is useful in the treatment jaundice, bronchial catarrh, diarrhea, dysentery, inflammation, ulcers, anal fistula, and hemorrhoids. The leaf juice can be used to cure fresh wounds, to stop bleeding. Leaf extract cures liver disorders.
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In Jamaica, Bakenbox is used for fever and for the treatment of catarrh.
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The plant is also used in the treatment of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
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In India, Tridax procumbens is used as anticoagulant, repellent, antidiarrheal, antidysenteric. The plant is also used to stop bleeding, and for liver disorders, arthritis, heartburn, and as a hair tonic to promote hair growth.
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In Guatemala, leaf juice is used for colds, inflammation, vaginitis, stomach pains, diarrhea. While the whole plant is used for protozoal infections, and for the treatment of chronic ulcers.
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In Nigeria, the entire plant is used to treat typhoid fever, cough, fever, stomachache, backache, diarrhea, and epilepsy.

Other Uses:

The leaves of Bakenbox (Tridax procumbens) are edible and they are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The leaves are also used as feed for poultry. The smoke produced by burning the plant is said to repel mosquitoes.