Practical
Plants

Aristolochia contorta

Ma Dou Ling

a perennial member of the Aristolochia genus in the family Aristolochiaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Fertility
Flies
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Flies

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have no specific details for this species but most members of this genus have poisonous roots and stems[3]. The plant contains aristolochic acid, this has received rather mixed reports on its toxicity. According to one report aristolochic acid stimulates white blood cell activity and speeds the healing of wounds, but is also carcinogenic and damaging to the kidneys[6]. Another report says that it is an active antitumour agent but is too toxic for clinical use[5]. Another report says that aristolochic acid has anti-cancer properties and can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy and that it also increases the cellular immunity and phagocytosis function of the phagocytic cells[2].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - cooked. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The fruit and its capsule are antiasthmatic, antiseptic, antitussive and expectorant. A decoction of the fruit is used in the treatment of cancer, coughs, inflammation of the respiratory organs, haemorrhoids and hypertension[2][5][8]. It is also used to resolve phlegm and lower blood pressure[2]. It has an antibacterial action, effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Pneumococci, bacillus dysentericae etc[2]. The root contains aristolochic acid. This has anti-cancer properties and can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy[2]. Aristolochic acid can also be used in the treatment of acute and serious infections such as TB, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and infantile pneumonia[2]. It also increases the cellular immunity and phagocytosis function of the phagocytic cells[2]. Aristolochic acid is said to be too toxic for clinical use[5]. The root is used as a purgative in the treatment of rabies and also has sedative properties[5].

Product or use
Antiasthmatic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Sedative

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Manchuria.
Habitat
Osier beds[9]. Thickets on mountain slopes or in valleys at elvations of 500 - 1200 metres in China[7]. Edges of mountain woods in Korea[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. Pre-soak stored seed for 48 hours in hand-hot water and surface sow in a greenhouse[1]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 20°c[1]. Stored seed germinates better if it is given 3 months cold stratification at 5°c[4]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Division in autumn[4]. Root cuttings in winter[4].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a well-drained loamy soil, rich in organic matter, in sun or semi-shade[1][4]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1]. Most species in this genus have malodorous flowers that are pollinated by flies[4].

References

  1. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  3. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

    ↩

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

  7. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  8. Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0

    ↩1↩2

  9. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩

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