Common Name:

General Information

Euchresta horsfieldii is an erect shrub with flexouos stems; it can grow up to 150cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

The seeds contain the toxic alkaloid cytisine. Its molecular structure has some similarity to that of nicotine and it has similar pharmacological effects. It is sometimes used as an aid to stopping smoking, and it is also sometimes used recreationally, where it can induce a nicotine-like intoxication. However, this practice is not recommended, since negative side effects can include nausea, vomiting, convulsions, heart pain, headache and, in larger doses, even death via respiratory failure.

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines

Habitat

Lower montane forest; at elevations up to 2,000 metres.

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots are chewed as a cure for snakebite[]. The plant is held to be an antidote to poisons of any description.

The leaves are used in the treatment of conditions such as diabetes, asthma, coughing up of blood and a dry cough[]. Other uses are as an antidote to snake venom, alfrodisiakum and induce vomiting due to food poisoning[].

Tests have shown that the leaf extract is an effective antioxidant and can be of value in treating diabetes[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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