Ipomoea cairica 五爪金龍

POISONOUS PARTS

Seeds.²

TOXICITY

• Toxic Constituents

  Muricatin A.^2–4

• Mechanism

  Muricatin A and related substances have laxative effects.^2,4

• Poisoning Features

  Diarrhoea.^2,4

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT

Supportive treatment.

IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

Perennial twining herbs, with tuberous root. Petiole base with leafy pseudostipules. Leaves alternate; leaf blades palmately 5–7‑parted to base, basal pair usually again lobed, the middle lobe 3–9 cm long. Cymes 1–several flowered. Corolla pink, purple or reddish purple, with a darker center, 5–7 cm long, funnelform; stamens inclusive. Capsules about 1 cm long. Seeds about 5 mm long, black, tomentose.⁵

MEDICINAL USES

Uses in TCM—roots, or branches and leaves: clear heat, remove toxin, induce diuresis and relieve stranguria; flowers: suppress cough and relieve consumptive fever. Recommended dose: roots, or branches and leaves 4.5–10 g.^2,6

LABORATORY ANALYSIS

Muricatin can be detected by NMR.⁷