Unlock the Health Secrets of the Colombo Plant

African natives used the root of the colombo plant as an essential remedy for diarrhea and dysentery. When the Portuguese settled in Mozambique and Madagascar in the seventeenth century, they discovered the plant and carried it to Europe. Currently, colombo is found in pharmacies worldwide as a component of several pharmaceutical preparations.

Colombo Plant Scientific Facts

1. Other names: Jateorrhiza miersi Oliv., Menispermum palmatum Lam., Columbus cocolus Miers.
2. French: Colombo.
3. Spanish: Colombo.
4. Environment: Native to the tropical regions of Eastern Africa, this plant is currently cultivated in South America.
5. Description: This creeping, evergreen shrub of the Menispermaceae family grows from two to five meters high and has a fleshy root up to 7 cm in diameter.
6. Parts of the plant used medicinally: The root, sliced and dried.

Healing Properties and Warning

The root of the Colombo plant contains several alkaloids that chemically are similar to berberine (an alkaloid that is found in the barberry) and morphine; bitter components (columbine); and several inert substances (pectin, starch, and oxalate). It does not have tannin. Its properties are the following:

1. Bitter invigorator, appetizer, and eupeptic (promotes digestion). It is used in recovery from weakening or infectious diseases and dyspepsia (lousy digestion).
2. Antidiarrheic and intestinal antiseptic because of its alkaloid.

WARNING! When taken in high doses, it has toxic effects: nausea, vomiting, intestinal colic, and respiratory failure.

How to use Colombo

1. Decoction with 10-15g of ground root (a spoonful) per cup of water. Boil from six to eight spoonfuls daily.

DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.

REFERENCES

1. George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. vols. 2 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 446. Print.
2. National Institutes of Health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7221831/
3. Colombo root extract and Type 2 diabetes study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10609069/
4. RxList: https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/colombo.htm
5. Anti-inflammatory Potential: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7221831/