Common Name:

General Information

Streptocaulon juventas is a climbing shrub with branching stems that can be around 8 metres long. Te stems scramble over the ground, twining into the surrounding vegetation for support[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China (Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan), Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, ?Malaysia, ?Indonesia

Habitat

Montane forests, thickets, often clinging to trees; at elevations from 300 - 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	8.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots are used in the treatment of dysentery and stomachache[]. Long-term administration of the roots has a rejuvenating effect and white hair grows black again[]. For treating snake-bite, the root juice is swallowed and the residue used as a poultice[].

The leaves are used externally for the treatment of snake poisoning and abscesses[].

Streptocaulon juventas is called 'Hà thủ ô trắng' in Vietnamese and is traditionally used to treat wounds. In Vietnam, the roots are used to treat many diseases including anaemia, chronic malaria, rheumatism, menstrual disorders, neurasthenia, and dyspepsia. Previous studies demonstrated that it has antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus niger, Penicillin cyclopium, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, in vitro antiplasmodial activity, anti proliferative activity against some cancer cell lines, and antioxidant activity The constituents have been reported to include glycosides, cardenolides, hemiterpenoids, triterpenoids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, syringaldehyde, isofraxidin, and ferulic acid[],
In conclusion, this study focused on a novel aspect of Steptocaulon juventas for wound healing. Our data strongly demonstrate that it has wound healing activity due to its antiinflammation effects and induction of fibroblast proliferation and angiogenesis[].

TIle tuberous roots, harvested the whole year round but preferably in autumn, are well washed, cut into pieces, boiled with a decoction of Vigna cylindrica, then sliced and dried in the sun or in ovens[]..

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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