Common Name:

General Information

Aristolochia bracteolata is a perennial, or rarely annual, mostly prostrate but occasionally climbing or suberect, unpleasantly smelling herb growing from 10 - 60 cm long[, ].
The plant is usually gathered from the wild and is used locally in traditional medicine. It is sometimes cultivated for medicinal use in India.

Known Hazards

The plant contains aristolochic acid and is poisonous to mammals[].

Botanical References

Range

Africa - sub-Saharan regions from Mali to Somalia, through the Arabian Peninsula to India.

Habitat

Banks of rivers in India[]. Acacia-Commiphora bushland, Acacia desert grassland by dry sand-rivers with scattered Acacia tortilis, scrub, on sandy or lava soils at elevations of 220 - 900 metres in east Africa[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	0.30 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the drier tropics and subtropics, usually growing where there is a distinct dry season.

The flowers of many species in this genus form an intricate trap for pollinating insects. The insects are tempted to an area of the flower where they are unable to grip and they slide down into the utricle - downward pointing hairs prevent them climbing out[]. The trap helps to ensure the fertilization of the flowers and the insects are eventually released[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The whole plant is very bitter and has abortifacient, alterative, anthelmintic, antiperiodic, emmenagogue and purgative properties[]. It should be used with great caution since the plant can be toxic to mammals.
The stem and the root contain the alkaloid aristolochic acid[].
The dried, powdered root has been shown to increase the contractions of the uterus during labour[]. It has been used as a substitute for ergot[].

The dried and powdered leaves, mixed with oil or blood, are emetic[]. They are used to treat breast diseases and arealso applied topically to kill lice and ticks[].
The leaves and roots are used to rid the body of Guinea worm (a parasitic infection caused by a nematode)[].

The powdered roots are combined with caster oil (from Ricinus communis) and used in the treatment of colic, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, intermittent fever and worms[].
Externally, its juice is applied to foul and neglected ulcers to destroy insect larvae[]. It is also used to treat scorpion bites[, ].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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