ILLEA - Latin American Institute for Environmental Studies

Cotton

Gossypium herbaceum, also known as herbaceous cotton or Levant cotton, is a species of cotton native to semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa and Arabia. Although it is less commercially cultivated than other cotton species, such as Gossypium hirsutum, it has some interesting uses and properties.

• Cottonseed oil: The seeds of the plant contain oil, which can be extracted and used for various purposes, such as in the production of food, cosmetics, and industrial products.

• Traditional medicinal uses: In some traditional cultures, the plant is used to treat various conditions, such as menstrual problems, hemorrhages, and gastrointestinal problems.

It is also used after childbirth to help expel the placenta and increase lactation, for nausea, fever, and headaches.

However, it is important to note that scientific research on these uses is limited.