Uzara.
Botanical name:
Uzara. Uzaron.—Under this name the root of an undetermined African plant, probably belonging to the Asclepiadaceae, has been used both by the natives and European physicians in the treatment of dysentery, especially of the amoebic variety. Guerber and Frey (A. E. P. P., 1913, lxxv, p. 75) have determined that it contains neither alkaloid nor tannin, but does contain non-nitrogenous glucosides which have a digitalis-like action upon the heart and diminish peristalsis of the intestines. It appears to owe its virtues in part to its amoebicidal action, but in part also to its effect upon the intestinal muscles.
