Small to medium-sized tree, 3-4m. high. Bark brown, branches glabrous. Leaves alternate, attenuate at both ends; margins serrate. Flowers pink, solitary in the axil of the leaves.
Rosaceae
Prunus persica (L.) Batsch
Local names:
English name:
Peach tree.
Description:
Small to medium-sized tree, 3-4m. high. Bark brown, branches glabrous. Leaves alternate, attenuate at both ends; margins serrate. Flowers pink, solitary in the axil of the leaves. Drupe subglobose, downy, with a lateral furrow and whitish-yellow skin overlaid with red; stone ridged, brown.
Flowering period:
January - March.
Distribution:
Widely cultivated in the highlands for its edible fruit.
Parts used:
Kernels of stones, leaves. The fruit is picked in autumn. The stones are taken out of the fruit and cracked to obtain the kernels, which are dried in the sun or in ovens. The leaves are gathered all the year round and used fresh.
Chemical composition:
The fruit contains ascorbic, citric and oxalic acids, vitamin A and thiamine. The seeds are rich in fatty oil, amygdalin. The leaves contain quercitrin, kaempferol, caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid.
Therapeutic uses:
The seed kernels have a salutary effect in the relief of cough, menstrual haematometra, ecchymosis, contusions and post-partum haemorrhage, in a daily dose of 6 to 12g in decoction form. A poultice made of pounded fresh leaves and a leaf decoction used as a wash are prescribed for the healing of scabies, prurigo and impetigo. The flowers are diuretic and laxative in a daily dose of 3 to 5g in the form of a decoction or infusion. The drug must not be given to pregnant women. Caution must be exercised in the use of the leaves, which are highly toxic.