Common Name:

General Information

Alchornea floribunda is a laxly-branched shrub or small tree usually growing up to 4.5 metres tall, occasionally to 7 metres[].
Alchornea floribunda is a widely used medicinal plant in Africa, where it enjoys a high reputation as a stimulating intoxicant and aphrodisiac. The plant is sometimes cultivated for its medicinal uses and is also often traded[]. The dried root bark has been traded on the internet for its stimulating (and supposedly hallucinogenic) properties, though it can be confused with the South American species Alchornea castaneifolia, which has similar properties[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - Sierra Leone to Sudan and Uganda, south to northern Angola and DR Congo.

Habitat

Understorey and clearings of rainforest and swamp forest, at elevations from sea-level to 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked. They are sometimes eaten as a vegetable, especially for their medicinal qualities[].

Medicinal

The root of Alchornea floribunda has a high reputation as a stimulating intoxicant and aphrodisiac in Africa, where it is widely used medicinally. Considerable research has been carried out into the medicinal properties of the plant. The stem bark contains 0.1 mg/g crude alkaloids, the root bark 1.9 mg/g and the leaves 4.8 mg/g[].
The imidazopyrimidine alkaloid alchorneine is the major alkaloid present in the stem bark and root bark[].
The root bark and leaves contain the alkaloid isoalchorneine, and the leaves contain alchorneinone[].
Some reports have mentioned the presence of yohimbine, an indole alkaloid present in Tabernanthe iboga. However, more recent evaluations did not confirm the presence of this compound[].
The leaves and bark contain about 10% tannins[].
The root extract has sympatholytic action and increases significantly the sensitivity of the nervous system to adrenalin[].
Positive results have been reported in clinical experiments with root and leafy stem extracts in the treatment of hepatitis[].

The powdered dried roots or root bark scrapings are either mixed with food or macerated for several days in palm wine, banana beer or other local beers and consumed as a tonic to provide energy during festivals and, formerly, for warfare. It provides a state of intense excitement followed by a deep, sometimes fatal, depression depending on dosage, individual temperament and habit[].
The roots are sometimes mixed with or used as a substitute for those of Tabernanthe iboga and taken in water as an aphrodisiac and stimulant in initiation ceremonies[].

The leaf or root sap is rubbed over affected area to treat wounds, circumcision wounds, ringworm and eczema[].
The root sap is used as eye drops to treat ophthalmia and conjunctivitis[].
The ash of burnt roots, mixed with palm oil, is applied to scarifications to treat chest pain and headache[].
One teaspoon of root bark powder is eaten daily to cure impotence[].

The roots and fruits are taken for treating urinary, respiratory and intestinal problems[].

A leaf maceration is taken as a treatment against pains in the heart. A decoction of the young leaves is taken to treat diarrhoea[].
A leaf decoction is drunk or the leaves are eaten as a vegetable to treat ovarian problems, stomach problems and intestinal disorders[]. They are eaten as a vegetable with meat or fish as an antidote to poison[].
The leaf pulp is applied to wounds[].

Other Uses

The root scrapings or dried leaves are smoked as a substitute of tobacco[].

In DR Congo the thin branches are used to make the framework of round huts[].

Propagation

Seed -

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