What Are the Benefits of Ringworm Bush?

Ringworm bush, also known as candle bush, moco or candle stick, is a tropical plant thought to be native to South America. According to springhillherbal.com, the herb may be useful in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases.

Ringworm Bush as a Purgative

• Ringworm bush is a purgative, causing the body to purge itself of waste, according to springhillherbal.com. This treatment is useful in treating intestinal worms.

Topical Treatments

• According to philippineherbs.com, the leaves of the ringworm bush are used to treat ringworms, which is possibly where its name comes from, as well as other skin disorders.

Abortfacient

• Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Database lists ringworm bush, under the scientific name Cassia alata, as an abortfacient or substance that causes abortions. The database was compiled by botanist Dr. Jim Duke and is available on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service.

Preparing the Ringworm Bush for Topical Use

• According to diseases-of-life.com, a topical preparation of ringworm bush is made by mashing the leaves before squeezing the juice from the mash. The juice of the leaves is applied to the skin.

Preparing the Ringworm Bush for Internal Use

• Ringworm bush is prepared for internal use by decoction. This involves boiling the leaves in water for up to 15 minutes. The water and leaf mixture can be boiled down to concentrate the active substances within the ringworm bush.