Practical
Plants

Aristolochia debilis

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
Spread
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[7]. 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[11]. Another report says that it is an active antitumour agent but is too toxic for clinical use[9]. 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[4].

Edible uses

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

Leaves - cooked[5][7]. It is said that the leaves of this species are not poisonous[7] but caution is advised.

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.

Alterative, antibacterial, antifungal, diuretic[6]. Stimulates energy circulation[3]. The fruit and its capsule are antiasthmatic, antiseptic, antitussive and expectorant[4][9]. It is used internally in the treatment of asthma and various other chest complaints, haemorrhoids and hypertension[10]. The root is anodyne and anti-inflammatory[10]. It is used internally in the treatment of snakebite, gastric disorders involving bloating, and is clinically effective against hypertension[9]. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[10]. The whole plant is antitussive, carminative, stimulant and tonic[9]. The root contains aristolochic acid. This has anti-cancer properties and can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy[4]. Aristolochic acid can also be used in the treatment of acute and serious infections such as TB, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and infantile pneumonia[4]. It also increases the cellular immunity and phagocytosis function of the phagocytic cells[4]. Aristolochic acid is said to be too toxic for clinical use[9].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antifungal
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Cytotoxic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Hypotensive
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan
Habitat
Roadside thickets and meadows in lowland, C. and S. Japan and in China[13][1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
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[2]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 20°c[2]. Stored seed germinates better if it is given 3 months cold stratification at 5°c[8]. 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[8]. Root cuttings in winter[8].

Cultivation

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

Prefers a well-drained loamy soil, rich in organic matter, in sun or semi-shade[2][8]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[2]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[10]. Most species in this genus have malodorous flowers that are pollinated by flies[8].

References

  1. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  6. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. 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↩5

  10. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

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

  13. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

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