About Sesamum alatum Thonn.
This species, Sesamum alatum Thonn., is an annual erect herb that grows 50 to 150 cm tall. It produces heteromorphic leaves deeply divided into narrow linear-lanceolate lobes; upper leaves of this plant are simple with an entire margin, and also have some mucilage glands. Its flowers grow to 3.5 cm in diameter, and are reddish pink with darker lines on the lower corolla lobe. The fruit is an obconical beaked capsule, and the seeds are winged at both ends and edible. Among the Shona people, this plant is called guzozo. Across its native range, local people use it as an aphrodisiac, and as a treatment for diarrhoea and a variety of intestinal disorders. The plant is reported to have antidiabetic and renoprotective activity that is said to help manage Type 2 Diabetes and other metabolic disorders marked by chronic hyperglycemia, though the specific compounds responsible for this activity have not yet been identified.
