- Region
- Oceania
- Origin
- Tropical and subtropical eastern Australia and north-western Australia. Grewia retusifolia
Oceania · Food · № 177
Grewia retusifolia
Food · Oceania
Emu berry (dysentery bush)
Grewia retusifolia
The small fruits are edible; the name dysentery bush refers to its traditional use for diarrhoea. There is no clinical research.
Safety notes
Persistent or bloody diarrhoea, especially in children, needs medical care and enough fluids. Little is known about safety.
Preparation
Ripe fruits eaten raw; leaves, bark or root as an infusion. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Aboriginal peoples of northern Australia ate the fruits and used the plant as medicine, especially for diarrhoea. It is one of many bushfoods whose knowledge rests with the traditional owners.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Astringent, anti-inflammatory.
Preparation and amount
Decoction or cold infusion of roasted root or bark for diarrhoea, inflammation and discharges, and for sore eyes; fruits as food.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)