An interesting climber with attractive foliage that turns yellow in autumn. Large (10-20 cm across), heart-shaped, deep green leaves have 3-7 barely discernible lobes. Slender twining shoots densely entangle a support covering it with tiling leaves. The name derives from the shape of the seed, which resembles a crescent moon.
The root is used in the treatment of sore throat, hypertension and liver cancer. The whole plant is used to alleviate skin allergies and is also used in the treatment of cancer.
Reference
Jing-Nuan Wu. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica. P: 426, Oxford University Press, Inc.2005.
Health Remedies 
Return to top