Calumba
Botanical Description & Habitat
Jateorhiza palmata
Family
Menispermaceae
Common Names
Colombo root
Habitat
Indigenous to East Africa
Medicinal Parts
Dried slices of the root
Historical Properties & Uses
Calumba is used in folk medicine a lot like barberry, and a lot like gentian root. That is, it is used as a good antibiotic, and as a good bitter for gastrointestinal complaints.
Method of Action
Calumba has Antibiotic and Stomachic Actions
Calumba is a rich source of berberine-like alkaloids; in fact it may be one of the best sources worldwide: jateorrhizine, columbamine and palmatine. It is also a rich source of bitter principles. The medicinal properties are nicely accounted for by these constituents.
Clinical research suggests the use of whole calumba is better for the treatment of gastrointestinal problems, that isolated components. Apparently, there are as yet undetermined interactions in this plant that significantly affect its effectiveness.
The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia recognizes calumba as an orexigenic and carminative; in other words, in Great Britain, the action of the alkaloids is completely ignored. Rather, calumba is recognized primarily for its bitters. It is used in the treatment of anorexia, hypochlorhydria, atonic dyspepsia and flatulence. It is combined with turtlebloom (balmony), gentian root or quassia in anorexia, and with acorus and galanga in intestinal flatulence.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Comments
There is evidence combining bactericidal and bacteriostatic agents will lower the effectiveness of the '-static' variety. How this finding applies to herbal antibiotics is not known.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Calumba, in therapeutic doses, is nontoxic, without side-effects.
Preparation & Administration
Decoction
Use 0.5-1.0g of dried root
Liquid Extract
Use 0.5-1.0ml of 1:1 in 25% alcohol
Tincture
Use 2.4ml
Concentrated Infusion
Use 2-4ml
References
British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983.
Braun, H. & Frohne, D. Heilplanzen-Lexikon Fuer Aerzte und Apotheker. Gustav Fisher Verlag, Stuttgart, New York, 1987.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Ohigashi, H. & Mitsui, T. Antimicrobial substances in higher plants. Botyu-Kagak, 38(3), 165-180, 1973.
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