This species was formerly treated as part of Arcangelisia flava (L.) Merr. It is closely related to that species and is very likely to have the same range of uses.

Common Name:

General Information

Arcangelisia gusanlung is a climbing shrub producing twining stems 10 metres or more long[].
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[].
An unpublished IUCN list has recorded this species as vulnerable[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China (Hainan)

Habitat

Forests[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
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

This species is closely related to Arcangelisia flava and is very likely to have the same range of medicinal uses. These are:-

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

This species is closely related to Arcangelisia flava and is very likely to have the same range of uses. These are:-

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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Captcha: if i have 3 bananas, and i eat them all, how many bananas did i just eat?