''Aspilia'' is a
genus of flowering plants in the family
Asteraceae. Some authors have merged this genus with ''
Wedelia
''Wedelia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. They are one of the genera commonly called "creeping-oxeyes".
The genus is named in honor of German botanist and physician Georg Wolfgang Wedel, 1645–1721.
Taxonomy
There ...
'', but others maintain that more study is required. ''Aspilia'' is native to
Africa,
Madagascar, and
Latin America.
[
]
Medicinal uses
Historically, ''Aspilia africana'' was used in Mbaise and most Igbo speaking parts of Nigeria to prevent conception, suggesting potential contraceptive
Birth control, also known as contraception, anticonception, and fertility control, is the use of methods or devices to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Birth control has been used since ancient times, but effective and safe methods of birth contr ...
and anti-fertility properties. Leaf extract and fractions of ''A. africana'' effectively arrested bleeding from fresh wounds, inhibited microbial growth of known wound contaminants and accelerated wound healing process. ''Aspilia'' is thought to be used as herbal medicine by some chimpanzees.Herbs 2000
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Species
List of ''Aspilia'' species:[Flann, C (ed) 2009+ Global Compositae Checklist Accessed]
/ref>
References
Heliantheae
Asteraceae genera
{{Heliantheae-stub