Common Name:

General Information

Strophanthus divaricatus varies in habit from a shrub that produces stolons to a climbing plant; the stems can be 5 metres long and up to 4cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, whilst the seeds are the main ingredient of a Chinese medicinal preparation. The plant is sometimes cultivated in southeast Asia.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitat

Primary and secondary forest as well as thickets and coastal scrubland, at elevations from sea level to 900 metres[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	4.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves and seeds are used in folk medicine to treat scabies, rheumatism and swellings caused by falling or bites. In China, the seeds are the main constituent of the drug 'yang-chi'ao-ou' or 'yang jiao ao zi'. They are used to quicken the blood and disperse swelling, relieve itching and kill worms[].

Various parts of the plant are used as heart stimulants and to treat injury and snake bites[].
The seeds yield the glucoside, divaricoside, which yields sarmentogenin and L-oleandrose on hydrolysis, as well as
divostroside, caudoside and sinoside[].
D-Strophantin is the purified glucosidal mixture extracted from the seeds. The drug enjoys a good reputation in the treatment of acute and chronic heart failure. It is also used for patients who are intolerant of digitalis preparations[].

Other Uses

The seeds are used as an insecticide[].

Propagation

Seed -

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