A large, shrubby ground vine that has an intricate and deep root system.

Muscle tonic, hypocholesterolemic, cellular oxygenation, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitumorous, anticancerous, antileukemic, aphrodisiac, immunomodulator (selectively modulates overactive immune cells), steroidal.

Tropical Plant Database

Germanium, beta-ecdysterone, allantoin, pfaffosides.

As a general tonic for balancing, energizing, rejuvenating and muscle growth, for hormonal disorders (menopause, PMS etc),to lower serum cholesterol, for chronic fatigue and general tiredness, sexual disorders (impotency, frigidity, low libido etc), arteriosclerosis, diabetes, digestive disorders, rheumatism, bronchitis and sickle cell anemia.

Women with estrogen-positive cancers avoid the use of this plant. The root powder has been reported to cause asthmatic allergic reactions if inhaled.