2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43
Condurango
Useful properties and uses of Condurango
Description of Condurango
The unique Condurango is a beautiful vine climbing and climbing trees. The trunk of the presented plant often reaches 10 cm in thickness. The diameter of the stems is also quite thick. The creeping young branches of such a shrub are covered with an unusual tomentose pubescence of a greenish-olive shade. Heart-oval opposite leaves of petiolate type are pubescent on both sides. The leaves are approximately 10-11 cm long, while their width reaches 8 cm.
The coarse leaf blade is broadly ovate. Small greenish flowers of the plant are collected in graceful dichotomous inflorescences that stand out from each corner of the leaves. In the wild, this vine is found in Ecuador, on the slopes of the western Cordilleras, in Colombia, Peru, Argentina, and also in South America. In addition, the shrub is widely cultivated in areas of East Africa.
For medicinal purposes, as a rule, only the bark of this wonderful plant is used. The bark is usually collected in grooved pieces. It consists of small tubes or rings 5 to 15 cm long. The width of the bark prepared for use should be at least 1 cm. Often the bark has a warped or twisted shape, which corresponds to the bends of the creeping stem.
The outer surface of this grayish-brown bark is tuberous, while the inner side is yellowish and has longitudinal grooves. Long soft fibers can stick out in places from its even fractures of the bark. The taste is bitter and astringent.
Useful properties of Condurango
The active ingredients of this shrub are flavonoids and coumarins, essential oils in small quantities, and bitter Condurangin. The roots of this vine are characterized by a faint aroma and a bitter astringent taste. Condurangoglycoside in the bark contains approximately 2.5%. It is formed by five molecules of monosaccharides and a special genin, condurangin. They also include glucose and deoxysugar. Acetic and cinnamic acids are always cleaved off during the hydrolysis of the glycoside.
Due to the presence of bitterness, Condurango perfectly helps with general weakness, a decrease in the normal secretion of gastric juice and loss of appetite. To date, the use of this drug is recommended for strengthening the stomach and for significantly improving the functions of digestion.
Application of Condurango
Since the late 19th century, Condurango has been widely used in medicine to treat various ailments. The astringent bark of such a magnificent plant is often used in the treatment of cancer and syphilis. With a rather weak secretion of gastric juice, it has a positive effect. Also, to relieve pain in various diseases of the digestive tract, an exceptionally useful tea made from Condurango is shown. Moreover, modern specialists have proven high efficiency in the most severe forms of stomach catarrh.
In ancient times, a special powder made from Condurango was used for the bites of poisonous snakes. For the treatment of extensive wounds and purulent wounds, bark powder is applied externally. The bitter bark of the plant perfectly restores appetite, significantly improving well-being.
To make tea from Condurango, it is recommended to pour 2 tsp. chopped bark 250 ml of cold water. Bring the mixture to a boil very slowly and then cool completely. Boiling the drink is categorically contraindicated. After straining, it is recommended to heat the product to its usual warm state, suitable for drinking. It should be noted that the bark of the plant is practically insoluble at high temperatures.
This healing condurango tea should be drunk one cup before each meal. Experts advise against sweetening it. Each dose must be taken in small sips, which contributes to its better absorption and a mild effect on the gastric mucosa.
In homeopathy, a special preparation is used based on this plant. It is indicated for the treatment of various gastric ailments and for decreased appetite. This wonderful preparation Condurango is shown in D1 dilutions. The medicine should be taken about 5 drops no more than 5 times a day. With long-term treatment with such a great medicine, you can feel better health and relieve stomach pain.
Contraindications for Condurango
Due to the bitter taste of the bark of such a shrub, overdose is completely excluded. There were no side effects in therapeutic doses. When used correctly in acceptable dosages, Condurango is not contraindicated even for children and expectant mothers.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
