Aframomum melegueta (Rosc.) K. Schum.
Synonym Amomum melegueta Rosc.
Family Zingiberaceae.
Habitat Native to tropical Africa; cultivated in Indian gardens.
English Grains of Paradise, Alligator pepper, Meleguetta pepper.
Unani Heel Habshi.
Action Roots possess cardamom- like taste and are given as a decoction for constipation; also as a vermifuge for tapeworms. Juice of young
leaves—styptic. The seeds contain an alkaloid, piperine; also gingerol, paradol, shogaol and zingerone.
Gingerol and shogaol suppress gastric contractions; also have sedative and analgesic actions. Pungency of the grains is due to paradol.
A decoction of the whole plant is taken internally as a febrifuge.
High oxalic acid content in the fruit may cause reduced function of the heart.
Aframomum korarima K. Schum., native to tropical Africa, known as
False cardamom, is also equated with Heel Habshi.
