This species is very similar to, and often confused with, the species Cissampelos pareira and Cissampelos owariensis[]. As they are also similarly used, it is often impossible to correlate uses unambiguously with a particular species[].

Common Name:

General Information

Cissampelos mucronata is a climbing plant producing annual stems 4 - 5 metres long from a perennial base and a tuberous rootstock.[]. The stems scramble over the ground, twining into nearby vegetation for support[, ].
A very popular medicinal herb in Africa, where it is commonly harvested from the wild for mainly local use. It is also much planted in home gardens as a medicinal plant and is often found for sale in local markets[].

Known Hazards

The rhizome is sometimes used in the preparation of arrow poison[].

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - virtually throughout the tropical areas, but avoiding the most humid areas.

Habitat

Deciduous bushland, often on termite hills and rock outcrops, in riverine forests and swamps, at elevations up to 1,800 metres[]. The plant often persists in cultivated land[].

Properties

Habit	Climber
Height	0.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant can flower virtually all year round[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant has a wide range of medicinal uses in Africa, where it is commonly used throughout its extensive range. There has been considerable research into the plants attributes, much of which has helped to support the traditional uses.
All parts of the plant, but especially the rhizomes, are rich in alkaloids[].
Methanolic extracts from the dried rhizome have shown significant antiprotozoal activity against chloroquine sensitive and chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum[].
The methanolic extract also inhibited the enzyme tyrosine kinase[].
Alkaloids isolated from the ethanolic extracts of the rhizome have shown sedative effects[].
The ethanol extract has shown uterine relaxant activities[].
Methanolic leaf extracts of the plant had a positive effect against indomethacin-induced stomach ulcers[].

An infusion, usually of the bitter rhizome, although sometimes it is the leaves and stems, or even the fruit juice, is used in the treatment of various complaints. In particular, it is used to treat a range of gastro-intestinal complaints such as diarrhoea, dysentery, colic, intestinal worms and digestive problems; urogenital problems including menstrual difficulties, venereal diseases, infertility, azoospermia, as an oxytocic to induce contraction of the uterus to start labour or abortion and to expel the placenta; pulmonary conditions including catarrh, sore throats, cough and lung problems[]. The rhizome is also used in treating conditions such as oedema, fevers caused by malaria or jaundice, headaches, neck pain and back pain[].
The sap from the rhizome is used as ear drops to treat earache. The powdered rhizome is applied to open wounds to promote healing[].
The roots are used in medical rituals to treat mental problems such as psychoses[].

A leaf decoction is taken as a vermifuge against tapeworm[]. An infusion of the leafy stems is used as an emmenagogue[]. The fresh leaf pulp, mixed with clay, is eaten to stop stomatitis.[]. The vapour of a leaf decoction is inhaled to induce vomiting[].
The leaf pulp is taken internally, or applied to the affected area, as an antidote for snake venom[]. The fresh pulp is also applied to the head to relieve severe headache[]. The fresh, heated or pulped leaves are applied to wounds, ulcers, conjunctivitis and syphilis sores, and a poultice of leaves, combined with natron, is applied to swellings, ulcers and Guinea worm sores[].

The whole plant is used in preparations to treat intercostal pain. The pounded plant is applied to snakebites. The plant is used to treat diseases affecting the spine[].
Ash from the plant is rubbed into scarifications made in the skin in order to relieve arthritis[].

Other Uses

The fibrous stems are commonly used for tying and binding, to make fishing lines and in wickerwork[]. The stems are picked and wound into a coil, they are soaked in water for a day or are boiled and on drying are dark-brown in colour, and are used for binding the edges of baskets[].

Propagation

Seed -

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