Scientific Name :Galinsoga ciliatas Vernacular Name :Kimali with thick hairs Family name :Asteraceae Geographic Distribution :Cropland, fallow, swamp, bush, embankment, 1700- 2330 m
Botanical Description Commonly called hairy galinsoga, is especially apt since both the leaves and stems have a dense covering of fine white hairs. In addition the mature leaves are opposite, oval to triangular, and coarsely toothed margins,, lower petioled, upper sessile dense hairs above. Flowers have heads of yellow disk (tabulate) surrounded by 5(4) white , 3-toothed , ray (ligulate) forets, terminal and axillari clusters.
Medicinal Use Galinsoga ciliata is a small annual herb, which has a wide traditional use. The leaves and inflorescenc in dressing the fresh wounds or cuts as well as saddle sores and rawness of the skin to faster healing. It has an antibacterial activities in the leaf extracts. This is due to a high amount of phenolic compounds present in the leaves of the plant.
In Uganda, the stems and leaves of this plant are chewed to cure colds, or sores.
The plant is used in traditional preparation for wound healing as well as the treatment of blood coagulation problems, cold, flu, toothache, and dermatological and eye diseases
Other Use Galinsoga ciliate is a fast food for Asian people.
