Colombo

Parts Usually Used

Roots

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Colombo is a climbing perennial plant; the thick, brown rootstock sends up 1 or 2 round and hairy stems which are simple in the male plant and branched in the female. The leaves are alternate, cordate, and 3-9 lobed.

Where Found

Found in the forests of southeastern Africa .

Medicinal Properties

Antiemetic, febrifuge, tonic

Uses

Historically, herbalists utilized colombo as a bitter tonic to stimulate the appetite and assist with dyspepsia. Traditional practitioners also administered it for nausea, vomiting, chronic diarrhea, colon complaints, and rheumatism.

Bibliography

, Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994 Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants , by Steven Foster and James A. , Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000 The Herbalist Almanac , by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1988, fifth printing, 1994 The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY.

copyright 1974. , Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. , Copyright 1988, published 1992 The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine , by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.