Herb latin name: Celastrus dependens


Synonyms: Celastrus paniculatus


Family: Celastraceae (Bittersweet Family)



Medicinal use of Celastrus dependens:

The plant is used as an antidote to opium. It is also considered to be analgesic, aphrodisiac, diaphoretic, emetic, emmenagogue, stimulant and tonic. The bark is abortifacient. The juice from the bark is used in the treatment of indigestion. The seed is aphrodisiac, bitter, emetic, laxative and stimulant. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, leprosy, gout, fevers and paralysis. The oil from the seed is a powerful stimulant. It is used in the treatment of beriberi. Many plants in this genus contain compounds of interest for their antitumour activity.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Deciduous
Climber

Habitat of the herb:

Open moist places to elevations of 300 metres in Nepal.

Edible parts of Celastrus dependens:

The young flowers are used as a vegetable.

Other uses of the herb:

The seed contains 52% oil, and the fruit 30%. This oil is used medicinally (see notes above), we do not know if it has any other applications.

Propagation of Celastrus dependens:

Seed - gather when ripe, store in dry sand and sow February in a warm greenhouse. Three months cold stratification leads to a higher germination rate. Remove the aril since this inhibits germination. Germination rates are usually good. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Layering in August of the current seasons growth. Takes 12 months. Root cuttings, 6mm thick 25mm long in December. Plant horizontally in pots in a frame.

Cultivation of the herb:

Open moist places to elevations of 300 metres in Nepal.

Known hazards of Celastrus dependens:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.