Calumba

December 3rd, 2007

Botanical Name : Jateorhiza calumba (MIERS)
Family: N.O. Menispermaceae
Synonyms: Cocculus Palmatus. Colombo.Jateorrhiza Calumba.
Part Used: The dried root sliced transversely.
Habitat: Forests of Eastern Africa. Indigenous to Mozambique, where it is abundant in the forests.Cultivated in South America

Description: A dioecious climbing plant with a perennial root, consisting of several tuberous portions, flowers small and inconspicuous, the root is dug in dry weather, in March, but only the fusiform offsets are used; the old root is rejected and the brightest, least worm-eaten and well-shaped pieces are preferred. The root and powder, if kept any length of time, are liable to be attacked by worms; the colour of the freshly prepared powder is greenish, later on it turns brown and when moistened very dark; it quickly absorbs moisture from the air and is apt to decompose, so only a small quantity should be prepared at a time. Odour aromatic, taste very bitter, rind more so than the central pith, which is somewhat mucilaginous. It is rarely adulterated since the price has been lowered.

Cultivation: Calumba grows to a great height, often reaching the tops of trees. Calumba is cultivated in other tropical regions and also in Europe. Calumba is grown from seed planted in spring and trained along supports. The root is dug up in dry weather in early spring.

Collection & Harvesting:
The root of calumba is collected from a climbing plant indigenous to the forests of Mozambique and Madagascar.

Constituents: Columbamine, Jateorhizine and Palmatine, three yellow crystalline alkaloids closely allied to berberine; also a colourless crystalline principle, Columbine, and an abundance of starch and mucilage.

Calumba contains:
Isoquinoline alkaloids (palmatine, columbamine, jatrorrhizine)
Bitter principles (furanoditerpenol, palmanin)
Volatile oil (up to 1 % -mostly thymol)
Mucilage

Research:
Research in Singapore in 1986 indicated that 2 of the isquinoline alkaloids, palmatine and jatrorrhizine, reduce blood pressure. In addition, palmatine is a uterine stimulant, while jatrorrhizine is sedative and antifungal. The isoquinoline alkaloids are similar inaction, to those present in barberry and goldenseal.

Medicinal Action and Uses: It has an unpleasantly bitter taste, and is used as a tonic and antiseptic.A bitter tonic without astringency, does not produce nausea, headache, sickness or feverishness as other remedies of the same class. It is best given as a cold infusion; it is a most valuable agent for weakness of the digestive organs. In pulmonary consumption it is useful, as it never debilitates or purges the bowels. The natives of Mozambique use it for dysentery It allays the sickness of pregnancy and gastric irritation. In Africa and the East Indies it is cultivated for dyeing purposes.

Bitter properties - Calumba’s bitter properties are due to its bitter principles and, to a lesser extent, its isoquinoline alkaloids. These stimulate specific taste receptors on the tongue that in turn stimulate secretion of digestive juices. One of the bitterest of an plants, calumba has much in common with gentian, although it owes its bitterness to a different range of constituents. Unlike many bitter herbs, calumba contains very little volatile oil and no tannins (which give astringency) and is therefore always classed as a “pure bitter.”

Digestive problems - By making the stomach more acidic (and therefore hostile to pathogens) calumba helps to prevent digestive infections. Calumba increases the level of digestive secretions, thereby improving the “breakdown and absorption of food. Calumba also relieves indigestion when this results from deficient digestive secretions -in particular, reduced stomach acid levels.

Loss of appetite - The pure bitter action of calumba makes it an extremely good remedy, not only for a weakened or under active digestion but also for poor appetite. Calumba is used specifically to treat loss of appetite and anorexia nervosa.

Chronic illness - As with other bitter herbs, calumba is useful in the treatment of many chronic illnesses. Taken regularly before meals (preferably in tincture form), calumba tones the digestion and improves the absorption of nutrients. Calumba is particularly helpful in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome, which is often associated with deficient stomach acid production.

Other medical uses - Calumba is given to treat dysentery, being used traditionally for this purpose East Africa, and to expel worms. Although calumba should generally be avoided during pregnancy, small doses have been prescribed to relieve morning sickness.

Preparations: Calumba is generally combined with other tonics. For flatulence, 1/2 oz. of Calumba, 1/2 oz. of ginger 1 drachm of senna, added to 1 pint of boiling water, is taken three times daily in wineglassful doses.

Calumba can be safely combined with salts of iron and alkalies, as it does not contain tannic or gallic acid. The powdered root, 10 to 15 grains. The solid extract, 2 grains. The powdered extract, 2 grains. The fluid extract, 10 to 30 minims. The infusion, B.P., 1/2 to 1 drachm. The tincture, B.P. and U.S.P., 1/2 to 1 drachm. The concentrated solution, B.P. 1/2 to 1 drachm.

Some Benefits on Usage of Calumba
CALUMBA ROOT
Calumba (U. S. P.)â€”Calumba.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider

Resources:
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/calumb10.html
http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_calumba.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calumba