Endod (Phytolacca dodecandra) as a molluscicide
Endod (Phytolacca dodecandra) como molusquicida
- Date
- 1964 · confidence high
- Place
- Adwa, Tigray, Ethiopia
- Credited to
- Aklilu Lemma
- Field
- Life & health
⚠️ Disputed: the sources disagree.
What was discovered
In 1964 the Ethiopian Aklilu Lemma observed that washing clothes with endod berries killed the snails that host schistosomiasis. He proposed its use as a cheap plant-based molluscicide.
Its toxicity to fish and large-scale application were debated, and patent and commercialisation proved complicated; the method has not become widespread.
What it led to
- a schistosomiasis control strategy using local plants
- field trials in Ethiopia and other African countries
- an example of applied African science