Brazilian-Plume
Justicia carnea Lindl.
LocalLocal names & traditional uses
Ornamental shrub native to South America, widely naturalized in Africa and used in folk medicine for its blood-red leaf extract.
Traditional benefits
- Traditionally used to boost haemoglobin and treat anaemia
- Rich in iron, vitamin B12 and folate in folk pharmacopoeia
- Leaf decoction used for menstrual disorders
Uses & benefits
How people around the world use this plant, and why it matters.
- anaemia
Valued locally for anaemia.
- blood tonic
Valued locally for blood tonic.
Health benefits
What communities traditionally use Brazilian-Plume for, and why it may help.
- anaemia
Traditionally taken to support blood building; such plants are often rich in iron, folate and vitamin C, which help the body absorb iron.
Herbal remedies & preparation
The common ways plant parts are prepared at home. Always wash material well and use clean water.
- Infusion (tea)
Pour hot water over a handful of fresh or dried leaves or flowers, cover for 5–10 minutes, then strain. Used for gentle, aromatic parts.
- Decoction
Simmer tougher parts — bark, roots, seeds or stems — in water for 15–30 minutes, then strain. This draws out compounds that a quick tea cannot.
- Poultice / compress
Crush washed fresh leaves (or warm them briefly) and hold them against the skin with a clean cloth. Traditionally used on bruises, boils and slow-healing cuts.
- Juice or extract
Blend or pound the fresh part and squeeze out the liquid through a clean cloth. Best used the same day; refrigerate briefly if needed.
- Powder
Dry the part in shade until brittle, grind it, then store in an airtight jar away from light. Stirred into food, pap or water by the spoonful.
- Steam inhalation
Add leaves to a bowl of just-boiled water, lean over it with a towel over the head and breathe gently. Traditionally used for blocked noses and coughs.
- Infused oil or ointment
Steep dried material in a carrier oil (coconut, shea, olive) for days in gentle warmth, then strain. Applied to dry or irritated skin.
Community uses, recipes & remedies
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In depth
Simple Facts
Short, clear explanations — great for homework and school projects.
- Brazilian-Plume is a plant. Plants make their own food from sunlight, water and air.
- Its scientific name is “Justicia carnea”. Every species has one, so people everywhere know exactly which one you mean.
- Scientists put it in the Acanthaceae family, inside the order Lamiales — a group of relatives that share features.
- Its genus (closest relatives) is Justicia.
- Higher up, it belongs to Magnoliopsida → Tracheophyta → Plantae.
- People use it for anaemia, blood tonic.
- Other names people call it: Brazilian-Plume, Brazilian-plume, brasilianische Justizie, flamingo-flower, king's-crown.
- You can find it in places like Galápagos Islands, Oceania, Zambia [I]; Zimbabwe [I]; St. Helena [I]; S-China [I]; Taiwan [I]; Myanmar [I]; New Caledonia [I]; Cook Isl. [I] (Rarotonga [I]); Austral Isl. [I] (Tubuai [I]); Guam [I]; Hawaii [I] (Maui [I], Hawaii Isl. [I]); Cuba [I]; Hispaniola [I]; Martinique [I]; Colombia [I] (Antioquia [I], Cauca [I], Valle [I]); Isla Margarita [I]; Venezuela (Merida, Nueva Esparta); Venezuela [I]; Ecuador [I]; Bolivia [I]; SE-Brazil (Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro); S-Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina); Paraguay (Alto Paraná); Argentina (Misiones), Manizales, Bogotá.
- Plants like this one give off oxygen, hold soil together and feed insects, birds and people.
Videos
Watch documentaries, uses and preparation guides on YouTube.
Descriptions
1950 - 2100 msnm
Andina
FALSO
FALSO
Nativa de Brasil | ampliamente cultivada
Plantas vasculares
Distribution
Synonyms
Common Names
References
- GBIF entry
- Encyclopedia of Life
- iNaturalist
- Edwards's Bot. Reg.,17: t. 1397,1831
- Minorta-Cely, V. & Rangel-Ch., J. O. 2014. La riqueza y la diversidad de las plantas con flores de la Orinoquía colombiana. En: Rangel-Ch. J.O. (eds.). Colombia Diversidad Biótica XIV. La región de la Orinoquía de Colombia. Instituto de Ciencis Naturales. p: 237-418. Bogotá.
- Wagner et al. (2012), https://naturalhistory2.si.edu/botany/hawaiianflora/Hawaiian_vascular_plant_updates_1.3.pdf
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