help with identification of Ghana herbal remedy materials

[David Jarrell]

Hello all,

I am hoping to get help with identifying the species/family of some plant materials for which I only know the local names used in Ghana.

A student in our summer research program here at Mary Washington College is attempting to determine the chemical composition of materials that his mother mixes and sells as a "cure all" salve (a successful family business) back in Ghana.   The local anglicized names of the two plant components are Tso and Ayiku.  I've done some basic internet searches with no luck.

Any ideas?

Regards, David Jarrell

David C. Jarrell
Assistant Professor of Biology
Department of Biological Sciences
Mary Washington College
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

E-Mail: djarrell at mwc.edu
Phone: 540-654-1196