Gen info
There are many species, hybrids and horticultural varieties of begonia, widely cultivated in the Philippines for its ornamental foliage and flowers. There are three types: (1) Fibrous rooted with dull or bright green leaves or variegated in hybrids (2) rhizomatous, with thick underground stems and large and long-stalked leaves (3) tuberous-rooted with their attractive showy flowers.

Botany
Herb with fibrous roots and erect, branched stems growing to 1.3 meters tall. Leaves are obliquely-oblong to ovate, up to 15 cm long, thick and green. Flowers are in axillary, pendulous racemes with red peduncles. Female flowers are three-winged with a red ovary.

Distribution
Widely cultivated in the Philippines for ornamental use.

Parts utilized and preparation
Flowers, leaves, roots.

Characteristics and Pharmacological Effects
Anodyne, ophthalmic, antiphlogistic, antispasmodic.

Uses
Folkloric
Not known for folkloric medicinal use in the Philippines.
In other countries, it has been written up for the medicinal uses of its flowers.
Flower infusions used to promote blood circulation and elimination of toxins from the body.
Poultice of flowers used for burns and toxic sores.
Begonia picta
Juice of the plants is drunk to use relieve headaches.
Poultice of crushed leaves for sore and irritated nipples.
Roots of the juice used for conjunctivitis.
Also used for peptic ulcer.
Begonia grandis evansiana (Andrews.)Irmsch.
The tuberous roots and fruits are anodyne, antiphlogistic and antispasmodic.
Decoction used in the treatment of traumatic pain, haematemesis, gonorrhoea, post-partum vaginal discharge, amenorrhoea and snakebites.

Availability
Cultivated.