Condurango

Botanical Name

Family Asclepiadaceae
Marsdenia cundurango syn. Gonolobus condurango

Common Name

Eagle Vine

Cautions

The plant contains a latex, which is poisonous, and should never be taken internally.

Description

Native to the deciduous forests of the Andes in Peru and Ecuador, the climbing vine grows to thirty feet. It has heart-shaped leaves and funnel-shaped, whitish green flowers. It is generally found growing at altitudes between 1,000 and 2,000 feet. The bark is collected throughout the year.

History

Early in the 20th century, the plant was thought to be a cure for cancer.

Key Actions

digestive tonic
stimulates gastric secretions
stimulates liver and pancreas

Key Components

glycosides (based on condurangogenins)
volatile oil
phytosterols
caffeic acid derivatives
flavonoids (including rutin, saponarin, quercitrin)

Medicinal Parts

Bark, latex
Research is still determining the effects of the condurangogenins in the plant to counter tumors.

Traditional Uses

The caustic white latex is used to remove warts.

In South America, the bark is used as a bitter and digestive tonic that stimulates the liver and pancreas. Its bitterness slowly increases the appetite and the stomach's ability to process increased quantities of food. It is a specific treatment for nervous indigestion and anorexia nervosa.

A related species, M. zimapanica, is native to Mexico and has been used to poison coyotes.