Traditional Herbs from Strophanthus gratus

snake_bite

Take enough purple strophantus leaves, wash them until clean.
Crush them until they become a paste.
Apply the leaf paste on the snake bite.

as_aphrodisiac

Take enough purple strophantus roots, wash them until clean.
Boil until boiling.
Let it warm/cold.
Strain then drink.

What is Strophanthus gratus Looks like??

Parts of Strophanthus gratus that could be used

Leaves
Bark
Roots
Stems

Strophanthus gratus Distribution

Purple strophantus or Strophanthus gratus comes from West and Central Africa, from Senegal to the Congo. This species is cultivated for medicinal and poisonous applications in Nigeria, Cameroon and Gabon. This species can be grown as an ornamental climbing plant throughout Southeast Asia, where it is highly valued for its ornamental value and for its rose-scented flowers. Strophanthus gratus is highly toxic and has been used widely in the manufacture of arrow poison throughout its distribution area. This species is generally taken from nature for local use as medicine. In traditional African medicine, this species is used to treat snakebites and treat gonorrhea. Meanwhile, in the pharmaceutical world, Strophanthus gratus seed extract is used in a number of medicines in several European countries, especially in Germany, as a fast heart and blood vessel stimulant.
Agroecology of Strophanthus gratus
Purple strophantus is widely grown in tropical areas, and in greenhouses in temperate zones. Found growing in primary and secondary moist forests, and often on forest edges or riverbanks, at altitudes from sea level to 650 m above sea level. In Java, this species is cultivated and grows well up to an altitude of 1,000 m above sea level. This species prefers a sunny position in moist but well-drained, fertile and humus-rich soil, and its water requirements are moderate. When grown in damp areas, the plant can flower year-round.
Morphology of Strophanthus gratus

Stem glabrous, branched, branches dark brown or purplish, have lenticels, with clear or white exudate. In older plants often with cork protrusions.
Leaves simple, opposite each other, glabrous, green, shaped ovate (ovate), obovate or elliptical, leaf base rounded or pointed (cuneate), tip or top of the leaf tapering (acuminate), leaf edges flat, stemmed (length around 5 - 32 mm).
Flowers are bisexual and fragrant. The petals have 5 pink lobes, the flower corolla is tubular which is 1.9 - 4.2 times the length of the petals, white, turns yellow near the outer base, reddish or purple near the outer mouth, red or purple streaks inside. The petals (sepals) are oval to large oval, stamens about 3 - 15 long mm, inserted at 14\u201321 mm from the base of the corolla tube. The ovary (ovary) is half submerged (half-inferior), 2-celled, ending in a ring-like stigma surrounding a small stigma. Bracts ovate or triangular. Flowers are borne on terminal cymes, cymes of 3-32 flowers (1-6 flowers open at a time).
The fruit is a diverging follicle consisting of 2 ellipsoid follicles, tapering to a narrow, blunt apex and ending in a large, 2-valve , joined or attached to each other (connate) at the base, thick and hard walls, slightly grooved, glabrous, with many lenticels, many seeds.
Shaped seeds spindle, somewhat rough, hairless, at the apex with a long beak up to 6 cm.

Cultivation of Strophanthus gratus
Plants are propagated generatively through seeds and vegetatively through stem cuttings.

Strophanthus gratus, more details :

Chemical Content of Strophanthus gratus
Cardiac glycosides (ouabain), lignan pinoresinol, 8-hydroxypinoresinol, olivil, cardenolides.
Benefits of Strophanthus gratus
Treats gonorrhea (gonorrhea), weakness, constipation, used as an external medicine (for wounds, snake bites, reduces fever), is an aphrodisiac, a fast heart and blood vessel stimulant.
Simplisia of Strophanthus gratus

Another Facts for Strophanthus gratus :

Synonym of Strophanthus gratus
Roupalia grata (Wall. & Hook.) T.Moore & Ayres, Strophanthus chopraie M.R.Almeida, Strophanthus gratus Franch.
Habitus of Strophanthus gratus
Creepers. Woody liana, annual, with stems that can reach 25 m in length, 10 cm in diameter. Sometimes the plant grows more as a shrub 2 - 3 m high and does not climb
Habitat of Strophanthus gratus