Redgal

scrambling vine or low shrub (Rubiaceae — coffee/madder family) native to the Caribbean, southern Florida, Central America, and northern South America. grows in coastal thickets, dry rocky areas, and disturbed coastal vegetation.

the root extract kills Giardia parasites at an extraordinarily low dose while leaving human cells untouched.

the active compound is morindone, the same anthraquinone found across the Morinda genus that also contributes to anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. it's also a traditional red-orange dye plant.

Morinda plants have exhibited pronounced antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, antidepressant, wound healing, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo, linked to anthraquinones, polyphenols, steroids, and saponins. anthraquinones and glycosides are attributed with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-osteoporotic, and antioxidant activities across the genus.