Description

Climbing vine growing to 33 ft (10 m). Has heart-shaped leaves and funnel shaped, white-green flowers.

Habitat & Cultivation

Condurango is native to deciduous forests of the Andes in Peru and Ecuador. It generally grows at altitudes between 3,300–6,600 ft (1,000–2,000 m). The bark is collected year round.

Parts Used

Bark, latex.

Constituents

Condurango bark contains glycosides (based on condurangogenins), a volatile oil, and phytosterols.

History & Folklore

Early in the last century, condurango was erroneously yet widely believed to be a remedy for cancer.

Medicinal Actions & Uses

The bark’s main effect is to stimulate stomach secretions. It is often used in South American folk medicine as a potent bitter and digestive tonic. Condurango is a specific treatment for nervous indigestion and anorexia nervosa, since its bitterness slowly increases the appetite as well as the stomach’s ability to process more food.

The herb is also thought to stimulate the liver and pancreas, and may be taken for liver disorders. Condurango also encourages menstruation. The caustic white latex has been applied topically to remove warts.

Research

The condurangogenins in condurango may act to counter tumors. The whole plant, however, does not seem to impede cancer development.

Caution

The latex is poisonous and should not be taken internally.