Plants from southern China, formerly treated as part of this species, are now recognised as distinct and treated under Arcangelisia gusanlung H.S.Lo [].

Common Name:

General Information

Arcangelisia flava is a vigorous, climbing shrub producing twining stems up to 20 metres long and 5cm in diameter near their base[].
A popular medicinal plant in parts of Asia, where it is often harvested from the wild for local use. The stems are sold for medicinal use in local markets[].

Known Hazards

The fruit is possibly used as a fish poison[].

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea.

Habitat

Forests at elevations up to 1,000 metres, sometimes near river banks and sometimes on imestone soils[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A popular medicinal plant in parts of Asia, where it is often harvested from the wild for local use. The pharmacological effects of the plant are largely attributable to the alkaloid berberine, which is present in concentrations of up to 5% in the stem (dry weight). Berberine has been fairly well investigated and has been shown to be active against a number of gram-positive as well as gram-negative bacteria[].
Berberine has also been shown to be a potent activator for macrophages; to induce inhibition of tumour cells; and to lower the blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner[].

The stems are antibacterial, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hypotensive, stomachic and tonic[].In larger doses it can stimulate uterine contractions and cause an abortion[]. A decoction is taken internally as a treatment for jaundice, worms, indigestion and other intestinal complaints[].

The plant is a popular antiseptic in the Philippines, where a decoction of the wood is used to clean wounds, ulcers and other skin irritations[].
The smoke from the burning wood is inhaled as a remedy for troubles of the mucous membrane of the nose and mouth[].

The sap which flows abundantly from cut stems is drunk as a treatment against fever and sprue[].

The flowers are used to treat dysentery[].

Other Uses

A yellow dye is extracted from the woody stem[]. This is due mainly to the presence of the alkaloid berberine in the stem[]

Propagation

Seed -

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