Carrie Faela M.

Abragan
2-NA

Akapulko (Senna Alata) or at times called the Ringworm bush because of its very effective
fungicidal properties, for treating ringworm and other fungal infections of the skin. This plant is
about 1-2 meters tall and its leaves are embraced with 8-20 oblong elliptical shaped leaflets. The
leaves close in the dark and the inflorescence looks like a yellow candle. This species is easy to
grow from the seed. They may either be sown directly or started in a nursery. In the tropics, it
grows up to an altitude of 1,200 meters.
In the Philippines it is used as both an ornamental and medicinal plant due to its laxative, purgative
and anti-fungal properties. The leaves are ground in a mortar to obtain a kind of "green cotton
wool" which is then mixed with the same amount of vegetable oil and rubbed on the affected area
two or three times a day. A fresh preparation is made every day.