Scientific Name :Polygonum pulchrum Vernacular Name :Igorogonzo Family name :Igorogonzo Geographic Distribution :Marsh and swamp zones , river sides,1400 18000 m.
Botanical Description Robust herb which grows in wet area in the swamp zones, An herbaceous perennial with stems to 1.75 m long from a wood root-stock, of swamps and rivers and damp sites. The leaves are alternate, and the inflorescence is a spikelike.
Medicinal Use East afrinca, the leaves of Polygonum pulchrum are used for treating syphilis. The leaf infusion is drunk by patients thrice a day. The lleaf extract in ethanol has chemical and antimicrobial properties. Many TMPs in Rwanda use Polygonum pulchrum in the treatment of different diseases and ailments. Uwimana Beatha, a TMP in the Southern province, Gisagara district uses Polygonum pulchrum i n combination with Grewia similis , Mitragyne rubrostipulata , Urtica dioica and Coryza sumatrensis in the treatment of urinaly tract infections especially in females. Ayinkamiye Srarah in Eastern Province, Kirehe district treats dysmennhorea and amennhorea with a leaves maceration of Polygonum pulchrum. The same treatment is used by Nyiranziza Bernadette in Southern Province, Gisagara district. Mitali Emmanuel from the Western Province uses the plnt in the treatment of syphilis, trichomonas vaginalis and female’s infertility, whereas Gapasi Serushago involves the leaves of Polygonum pulchrum in the treatment of infections (ifumbi).
Other Use Leaves are edible.
