Condurango

Condurango is a woody vine native to South America, traditionally used for treating digestive disorders, appetite loss, and historically believed to possess anticancer properties. Extracted from the vine’s bark, Condurango contains a variety of alkaloids, glycosides, acids, and tannins. Though modern evidence for its anticancer effects in humans is lacking, it remains valued for its stomachic, antiemetic, and anti-ulcer properties, often used to ease nervous indigestion and gastric discomfort.

Synonyms:

• Marsdenia reichenbachii

• Gonolobus condurango

• Echites acuminate

Common Names:

• Bejuco de condor

• Bejuco de sapo

• Condor plant

• Common condorvine

• Condurango blanco

• Eagle vine

• Tucacsillu

• Eagle-vine bark

• Marsdenia cundurango

• Condurangorinde

• Ecorce de condurango

Parts Used:

• Vine Bark

Family:

• Apocynaceae

• Asclepiadaceae

Chemical Components:

• Tannin

• Small quantities of a strychnine-like alkaloid

• Caoutchouc

• Conduragin

• Condruit

• Essential oil

• Phytosterin

• Resin

• Sitosterol

• Condurangoglycoside (aglycone)

• Caffeic acid

• Chlorogenic acid

• Cichorin

• p-Coumaric acid

• Coumarin

• Esculetin

• Flavonoids

• 7-hydroxycoumarin

• Neochlorogenic acid

• Vanillin

Traditional Uses:

• Historically considered a remedy for early-stage cancers (breast, esophagus, stomach, tongue, skin, lips, neck)

• Used by South American natives for chronic syphilis

• Known to stimulate digestion by promoting saliva and digestive juice secretion

• Animal studies showed antitumorigenic activity against certain rat cancers

• Once used for stomach cancer treatment (now discontinued)

• Promotes appetite and relieves indigestion

Therapeutic Uses:

Primary Actions:

• Stomachic

• Anti-emetic

• Chologogue

• Anti-ulcerous

• Analgesic (stomach)

Used for:

1. Indigestion, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain

2. As a bitter tonic to enhance appetite

3. Gastric ulcers

4. Stimulating digestive juices and bile

5. Nervous-related eating disorders (like anorexia)

6. An appetite stimulant, astringent, and functional stomach relaxant

7. Historically suggested as a diuretic, hemostatic, and general tonic

Key Notes:

• Although traditional uses include cancer treatment, modern clinical evidence is insufficient

• Best applied as a digestive aid and for appetite stimulation

• Should be used cautiously, especially in individuals with cardiac or neurological conditions due to its alkaloid content