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[[File:Combretum padoides distribution Africa.GIF|thumb|distribution in Africa (wild)]]
<big>''[[Combretum padoides]]'' Engl. & Diels</big>
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Combretum padoides'' (PROTA)}}
== Other botanical information ==
''Combretum'' is a very large genus, comprising about 250 species and distributed worldwide in the tropics and subtropics. About 140 species occur in tropical Africa; c. 20 species are endemic to Madagascar. Several other ''Combretum'' species are medicinally used.
=== ''Combretum exalatum'' ===
''Combretum exalatum'' Engl. occurs from Somalia south to Tanzania. In Tanzania a root infusion is drunk to treat excessive menstrual bleeding. Leaf paste is rubbed on the skin to treat rheumatism. In Kenya the Kamba people make bows from the wood. In Kenya it is an important browse plant for cattle.
=== ''Combretum pentagonum'' ===
''Combretum pentagonum'' M.A.Lawson is a climber and occurs from Kenya south to Mozambique and west to Zambia. In Kenya the Giriama people drink a leaf decoction to treat headache. The roots are chewed or boiled with some salt and taken as an aphrodisiac and to treat hernia. A root decoction is drunk to treat hookworm infection. A stem bark decoction is taken as an emetic to treat asthma. Leaf sap and a root decoction are eaten in porridge to treat gonorrhoea. A root decoction is used as a mouth wash to treat bleeding gums and loose teeth. It is externally applied to wounds and used as eye drops to expulse a foreign body. Different extracts showed strong antibacterial activity in vitro.
=== ''Combretum xanthothyrsum'' ===
''Combretum xanthothyrsum'' Engl. & Diels occurs in Tanzania and Mozambique. In Kenya a root decoction is drunk to treat intestinal worms, venereal diseases, mental illness and as an aphrodisiac.