Common Name:

General Information

Secamone volubilis is a vigorous climbing shrub. Its twining stems can reach into the tops of trees[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Réunion, ?Mauritius.

Habitat

Residual semi-arid forests and in rocky localities at elevations up to 550 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An infusion of the aerial parts, combined with parts of other plants, is used as a wash on children suffering from childhood eczema[]. When taken internally, it is used as a purgative[].

The leaf infusion makes a refreshing drink, which in turn helps to purify the blood, diminish fever, lower blood pressure. It also helps to promote the ripening of boils and treat hernia and diabetes[].

The aerial parts, combined with those of Persicaria poiretii, are crushed and taken in water to treat liver problems[].

Preliminary phytochemical screening of the aerial parts confirmed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenes and sterols[]. It has been observed that plants harvested in the hot and dry season yielded fewer compounds than those harvested during the rainy period[].
Methanol or dichloromethane extracts of the leaves manifested weak free radical scavenging activity in vitro, and no antioxidant activity[].
Ethanol or water extracts of the leaves showed weak antihypertensive activity in vitro[].

Other Uses

A latex oozes from wounds in the plant. No uses are mentioned.

Propagation

Seed -

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