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Table 1 Previous reports on the traditional uses of the selected Ficus species * F. religiosa is a naturalized exotic from China

From: Evaluation of the inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes, antioxidant activity and polyphenolic content of extracts of ten African Ficus species (Moraceae) used traditionally to treat diabetes

Species

Section

Sub-section

Parts used

Uses

Reference

F. capreifolia Delile (sandpaper fig)

sycidium

-

Leaf, root

Infections, vulnerary schistosomiasis

[35]

F. cordata Thunb. (Namaqua rock fig)

urostigma

urostigma

Bark stem

Treatment of diarrhoea, tuberculosis

[36]

F. craterostoma Mildbr. & Burret. (forest fig)

galoglychia

chlamydodorae

leaves

Treatment of stomach ache

[37]

F. glumosa Delile (hair rock fig)

galoglychia

platyphyllae

Leaves, stem/bark

Treatment of skin diseases, diabetes,

[30, 38]

F. lutea Vahl. (giant-leaves fig)

galoglychia

galoglychia

Leaves, bark

Treatment of sores, boils, madness, rabies

[39, 40]

F. natalensis Hochst. (coastal strangler fig)

galoglychia

chlamydodorae

Leaf, fruits, bark

Treatment of skin infections, colic, venereal diseases

[18, 38, 41]

F. polita Vahl. (heart-leaved fig)

galoglychia

caulocarpae

Leaves, fruits, bark, root

Dyspepsia, infectious diseases, abdominal pain, diarrhoea

[42]

F. religiosa L. (bo tree or sacred fig)

*-

*-

Leaves, bark/stem

Treatment of ulcers, bacterial infections, asthma, diabetes

[43, 44]

F. sycomorus L. (sycamore fig)

sycomorus

sycomorus

Stem/bark, leaves, root,

Treatment of tumours, inflammation, mental madness, pain, bacterial infections, diabetes

[45–47]

F. thonningii Blume (bark-cloth fig)

galoglychia

chlamydodorae

Leaves, fruits

Bronchitis, urinary tract infection, epilepsy, diabetes

[41, 47]