Perennial climber growing to 6m.

Febrifuge (leaf, stem); antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, antifungal, depurative, emollient, expectorant and laxative (fruit); antitussive, emollient and expectorant (seed); antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, galactogogue, laxative, oxytocic, sialagogue and uterine tonic (root)

Tropical Plant Database
Plants for a Future
Herb Information

Alpha-spinasterol, campesterol, linoleic acid, oleic acid (seed); beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, trichosanthin (root)

In the treatment of pulmonary infections with yellow and thick sputum, chest pains, stuffy feelings in the chest, constipation, dry stool, to ward off colds and influenza (fruit); including cancer, jaundice, retained placenta, bronchial infections with thick phlegm and sore throat (rind of fruit); for diabetes, dry coughs, and to assist in the second stage of labour (root); for mammary cancer (root or seed)

Contraindicated in diarrhea due to cold from deficient spleen or stomach.