Aristolochia contorta
Aristolochia contorta
Safety & Hazards
The plant contains aristolochic acid, which has a range of positive medicinal activities. However, there are also potential harmful activities when it is taken internally. When used in large doses or even in small doses over a prolonged period, it can be particularly dangerous for the kidneys, causing irreversible damage, haematuria (blood in the urine) and limb paralysis [ 176 Title Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Publication Author Yeung. Him-Che. Publisher Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles Year 1985 ISBN - Description An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs. , 218 Title Medicinal Plants of China Publication Author Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Publisher Reference Publications, Inc. Year 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4 Description Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject. , 254 Title The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Publication Author Chevallier. A. Publisher Dorling Kindersley. London Year 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148 Description An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world. , 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. , 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Many species are used medicinally, taken both internally and externally, but some countries, including China, have banned them from internal use[ 1694 Title Diuretic Properties and Chemical Constituent Studies on Stauntonia brachyanthera Publication Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2015, Article ID 432419, 8 pages Author Xuan Li Liu, Dan Dan Wang, Zi Hao Wang, & Da Li Meng Website http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/432419 Publisher Year 2015 ISBN Description ]
Botanical Description
Aristolochia contorta is a climbing, perennial plant with stems that scramble over the ground, twining into the surrounding vegetation for support[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ]. The plant is often harvested from the wild for use in traditional Chinese medicine.