Aristolochia bracteolata

Aristolochia bracteolata also known as 'worm killer' in English due to its anthelminthic activity and trypanocidal effect, is a perennial herb growing from 10–60 cm tall. The plant is important in traditional medicine in Africa, India and the Middle East.

Aristolochia bracteolata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Magnoliids
Order:	Piperales
Family:	Aristolochiaceae
Genus:	Aristolochia
Species:	A. bracteolata
Binomial name
Aristolochia bracteolata Lam.
Synonyms[1]
Aristolochia abyssinica Klotzch Aristolochia bracteata Retz. Aristolochia crenata Ehreb. ex Duch Aristolochia kotschyi Hoscht. ex A.rich Aristolochia mauritiana Pers. Einomeia bracteata (Retz.) Raf

Distribution and ecology

Aristolochia bracteolata grows in subsaharan regions from Mali to Somalia through to the Arabian peninsula and India. The plant grows at elevations of 50-740m above sea level and can be found on the banks of rivers, bushland, desert grasslands. It grows in sandy or lava soils.^[2]

Description

Aristolochia bracteolata is a climbing or prostrate perennial herb with an unpleasant smell, stems 10–60 cm tall from an underground rhizome. The leaves are ovate 1.5–8 × 1.5–7 cm with a petiole 0.5–4.5 cm long.^[3] Flowers are dark purple, 0.5–5 cm tubular, with trumpet shaped mouth. Capsules are oblong-ellipsoid, 1.5–2.5 cm.^{[citation needed]} Aristolochia bracteolata has been observed to have 2–3 flowers per leaf axil in Somalia, however outside Somalia the plant seems to have solitary flowers.^[3][4]

Cultivation

Aristolochia bracteolata is usually gathered from the wild.^[2]

Traditional medicine

Aristolochia bracteolata has been used in traditional medicine in Nigeria, India, and Ethiopia as an infusion of dried leaves to treat intestinal worms, skin itch, or insect bites.^[5]