Root of David

Cissampelos capensis

Scientific name

Cissampelos is a genus of flowering plants in the family Menispermaceae. Various species of this genus have a rich history of traditional use in the treatment of asthma, cough, fever, arthritis, obesity, dysentery, snakebite, jaundice and heart problems, blood pressure and skin-related problems. Moreover, many of these plants were traditionally used as curare applied as arrow poison during hunting.

Rhizomes of this species used medicinally in Western Cape, South Africa for the treatment of boils, glandular swelling, cholera, colic, diabetes and several cancers, to avoid unwanted police attention and for respect from the magistrate (Sustainable Livelihoods Foundation. 2015. The Wild Harvesting of Plant Medicines in Cape Town)

References and further reading

Wikipedia page »