Ditay Payee

Light Conditions:

• Full Sun:
  Place ditay payee in a location that receives 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day.
• Partial Shade:
  Ditay payee may grow well with 3 to 6 hours of sunlight per day.

Soil:

• Well-drained soil that can be either poor, average or rich in nutrients. It can grow well in sandy soils, clay soils or acid-peat soils and even saline soils, provided there is adequate drainage. The plant has been reported to grow in tropical and sub-tropical climates from sea-level up to 1,000 metres but more known at levels below 500 metres in warm and humid conditions. It can be found along moist thickets, swamps, salt flats, mangroves and open sites.
• Mulch (such as grass clippings and wood chips) can be added to the surface of the soil to retain moisture and keep down weeds.

Watering Frequency:

• Water the soil primarily when the soil is dry.

Amendments and Fertiliser:

• Apply well-composted material or fertiliser around the plant if leaves appear small.

Pruning:

• Prune (deadhead) flowers or leaves when they appear to fade or turn brown.
• Plants can handle heavy pruning and tend to regrow thereafter. Ditay payee may also sprout from the root after being burned.

Alkaloids (caprariidine, caprariidine B, caprariine), Flavonoids (apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin), Sterols (β-sitosterol, stigmasterol), Terpenoids (caprariolide A, caprariolide B)

 

Leaves -

Biflorine

Ditay payee is antibiotic, antispasmodic, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, labour promoting and tonic. The aerial parts of the plant are usually used to make a tea which can be consumed but intake is recommended in small quantities and frequencies. To make ditay payee tea, steep about 1 ounce of leaves in 2 cups of hot water for around 30 minutes. You can then drink the tea. You can also allow the tea to cool for consumption or to be used topically.

 

Anthelmintic -

A saline decoction with ditay payee can be consumed to rid parasitic worms.

 

Infusion -

An infusion of the aerial parts of ditay payee acts as a tonic and can be used in treating earache, indigestion, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, cough, vomiting, fever, flu, post-childbirth recovery, painful menstruation, urinary problems and swellings.

 

Topically -

A tea made with the leaves of ditay payee can be applied externally to soothe itchy skin or as an eyewash. Ditay payee poultice can be applied to hard boils. The poultice is constructed by crushing or blending a young ditay payee plant and mixing with soft grease and sugar.

 

Herbal Bath -

A bath with ditay payee can be made for swollen body parts, vaginal douche, tiredness, rheumatism, kidney problems or as a general health tonic. The bath consists of water, oil and alcohol decoctions of the root, leaves, stems and entire plant.

 

Insecticide -

Compounds in the aerial parts of ditay payee have been reported to be effective against adult sweet potato weevils (cylas formicarius elegantulus).

Environment -

Ditay payee can aid in revegetating disturbed lands, protect the soil and provide habitat for wildlife.

 

Nectar for Butterflies -

The flowers of ditay payee are a source of nectar for butterflies.

Overconsumption:

Caution is advised when ingested excessively as there are reports of it being a dangerous depressant, even producing disorientation, paralysis and stupor. To be safe, do not consume ditay payee in large quantities and on a regular basis.

 

Ditay payee leaves emit a distinct odor when crushed.

 

It is advised that you consult with your physician before taking any herbal medicine.