Psychotria serpens
StarPsychotria serpens
Synonyms: Psychotria scandens, Grumilea serpens, Psychotria serpens var. latifolia, Uragoga serpens
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In Chinese, Taiwanese and Vietnamese folk medicine the twigs, leaves or whole plant of Psychotria serpens (known in Chinese as chuan geng teng) are used to relax the sinews and channels (jinluo), strengthen bones, relieve rheumatic pains, sciatica and colds, cool the blood, and reduce swelling and pain; the branches and leaves are harvested and dried for these purposes (Chinese Herbal Medicines Directory, 2012).
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Botanical Description
Psychotria serpens, the creeping psychotria, is an evergreen creeping or climbing woody perennial in the family Rubiaceae native to southeastern China, Taiwan, Japan, Peninsular Malaysia and much of Southeast Asia, where it grows in thickets and forests. It climbs tree trunks and rocks by means of adventitious roots produced along its stems, and shows marked leaf dimorphism: juvenile climbing shoots bear small, closely appressed leaves, while mature flowering branches carry larger, opposite, leathery, elliptic to ovate leaves with characteristic interpetiolar stipules. Small white tubular flowers are produced in branched terminal clusters and are followed by small, rounded, white to whitish fleshy drupes. As a liana of humid subtropical and tropical forest it is widespread and locally common, and is gathered for use in East Asian and Vietnamese herbal medicine, where the twigs, leaves or whole plant are dried for use.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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