Common Name: Snakeroot

General Information

Aristolochia rotunda is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing stems 20 - 60cm tall from a tuberous rootstock[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

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

Europe - Mediterranean. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[].

Habitat

Found amongst shrubs and herbaceous plants[] along the sides of roads, in fields and in meadows[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.40 m
Pollinators	Flies
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

None known

Medicinal

The root is antitussive, diuretic, emmenagogue, pectoral, vermifuge and vulnerary[, , , ]. This herb should only be used internally with expert advice since large doses can provoke abortions as well as poisoning with inflammation of the mucous membranes, resulting in respiratory paralysis[]. The plant contains aristolochic acid which, whilst stimulating white blood cell activity and speeding the healing of wounds, is also carcinogenic and damaging to the kidneys[].
Externally the plant is used to treat a variety of skin complaints including eczema and difficult to heal ulcers[].
The root is harvested in late spring and dried for later use[].

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

All species in this genus contain greater or lesser concentrations of 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[].