Common Name: Ma Dou Ling

General Information

Aristolochia debilis is a herbaceous, perennial climbing plant with annual stems that scramble over the ground, twining into the surrounding vegetation for support[].
An important medicinal herb in China, where it is commonly harvested from the wild and also cultivated for local use and for trade[]..

Known Hazards

The plant contains aristolochic acid, which has a range of positive medicinal activities. However, there are also potential harmful activities when it is taken internally. When used in large doses or even in small doses over a prolonged period, it can be particularly dangerous for the kidneys, causing irreversible damage, haematuria (blood in the urine) and limb paralysis [, , , , ].
Many species are used medicinally, taken both internally and externally, but some countries, including China, have banned them from internal use[]

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - central and southern China, Japan

Habitat

Roadside thickets and meadows in lowland, C. and S. Japan and in China[, ]. Thickets, mountain slopes, moist valleys; at elevations from 200 - 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Flies
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[].
Prefers a well-drained loamy soil, rich in organic matter, in sun or semi-shade[, ]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[].
Most species in this genus have malodorous flowers, often smelling like decaying flesh[]. They are pollinated by the small flies that are attracted to the flowers by these foetid odours and by the purple-brown colour of the flowers. The flies enter the flower when the stigmas are receptive and then become trapped in the hairy throat of the flower until after the anthers dehisce, thus ensuring pollination[, , ].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked[, ]. It is said that the leaves of this species are not poisonous[] but caution is advised.

Medicinal

This species is a very important medicinal herb in China, where it is considered to be especially effective in removing toxins from the body[, ].

The fruit and its capsule are antiasthmatic, antiseptic, antitussive and expectorant[, ]. It is used internally in the treatment of asthma and various other chest complaints, haemorrhoids and hypertension[].

The root is alterative, anodyne, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and diuretic[, ]. It is considered to be especially effective in expelling toxins from the body and is used internally in the treatment of snakebite, gastric disorders involving bloating, and is clinically effective against hypertension[, ]. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[].

The whole plant is antitussive, carminative, stimulant and tonic[].

Many species of Aristolochia have been used in the treatment of snakebite; the treatment may or may not be effective[].

The plant contains aristolochic acid. This compound has a long history of use in hebal medicine (through using plants of the genus Aristolochia) dating back at least to the 5th century CE in China and even earlier in Europe.
Aristolochic acid has a range of potential health benefits - it has been shown to stimulate white blood cell activity and speed the healing of wounds; it has anti-cancer properties and can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy; it can also be used in the treatment of acute and serious infections such as TB, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and infantile pneumonia.
However, when taken internally Aristolochic acid also has negative effects upon the body - as well as having anti-cancer properties, it can also be carcinogenic; when used in large doses or even in small doses over a long period, it can be particularly dangerous for the kidneys, causing irreversible damage, haematuria (blood in the urine) and limb paralysis [, , , , ].
Aristolochic acid is often found as an ingredient in proprietary medicines - however, any internal use of plants in this genus cannot be recommended without the guidance of a skilled therapist[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. Pre-soak stored seed for 48 hours in hand-hot water and surface sow in a greenhouse[]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 20°c[]. Stored seed germinates better if it is given 3 months cold stratification at 5°c[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts.
Division in autumn[].
Root cuttings in winter[].