Esser Kjell B, Semagn Kassa, Wolde-Yohannes Legesse
Center for International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric), Agricultural University of Norway, P.O. Box 5001, N-1432 As, Norway.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Apr;85(2-3):269-77. doi: 10.1016/s0378-8741(03)00007-2.
Berries from Phytolacca dodecandra L'Herit. (endod in Amharic) offer a readily available molluscicide to control schistosomiasis. Parts of the endod plant have been used as a detergent and as traditional medicine for centuries in Ethiopia. An interview survey was performed in the highlands of Ethiopia to provide information on the distribution of the plant, people's traditional use of it, their perception of the plant, and the potential for increased production and use of endod as a soap for indirect control of schistosomiasis. People of all ages report that they are familiar with the plant and its detergent and medicinal uses. The plant is largely disappearing from unprotected areas due to land clearing. Younger people appear to use endod as a soap whenever it is available. Older women prefer commercial soap and consider endod to be associated with poor people. Common medicinal uses include treatment of skin itching (ringworm), abortion, gonorrhea, leeches, intestinal worms, anthrax and rabies. Two thirds of the people express interest in cultivating endod for personal use if supplied with rooted cuttings. Increased cultivation of endod and use of berries for washing might be possible if information about schistosomiasis and its control is disseminated among people. Preference for commercial soap and lack of land for cultivation are major obstacles for increasing the availability and use of endod.
垂序商陆的浆果（阿姆哈拉语称为“endod”）提供了一种易于获取的杀螺剂来控制血吸虫病。几个世纪以来，在埃塞俄比亚，endod植物的部分一直被用作洗涤剂和传统药物。在埃塞俄比亚高地进行了一项访谈调查，以提供有关该植物的分布、人们对其的传统用途、他们对该植物的认知，以及增加endod作为间接控制血吸虫病肥皂的生产和使用潜力的信息。各年龄段的人都表示他们熟悉这种植物及其作为洗涤剂和药物的用途。由于土地开垦，这种植物在未受保护的地区大量消失。年轻人似乎只要有endod就会将其用作肥皂。老年妇女更喜欢商业肥皂，并认为endod与穷人有关。常见的药用用途包括治疗皮肤瘙痒（癣）、堕胎、淋病、水蛭、肠道寄生虫、炭疽和狂犬病。如果提供带根插条，三分之二的人表示有兴趣种植endod供个人使用。如果在人群中传播有关血吸虫病及其控制的信息，增加endod的种植和使用浆果进行洗涤是有可能的。对商业肥皂的偏好和缺乏种植土地是增加endod可得性和使用的主要障碍。
