Ripogonum scandens
- Origin
- Oceania
- Part used
- See detailed notebook
- Tradition
- Traditional ethnobotany
Ripogonum scandens, called "supplejack" or kareao by the Māori of New Zealand, is a sturdy vine of Oceania's damp undergrowth. Local tribes wove its flexible stems for basketry and building, while also drawing from its root a tonic decoction recorded in traditional Māori pharmacopoeia.
Traditional uses
Traditional care for skin conditions
A root decoction was traditionally applied as a wash on the skin to soothe certain irritation and skin conditions, according to uses reported among the Māori.
Traditional cleansing drink
A root decoction was drunk as a cleansing beverage, believed to purify the blood according to traditional Oceanian beliefs.
Traditional pain relief
Root-based preparations were sometimes used traditionally to relieve rheumatic and joint pain.
Useful vine of the native forests
Beyond internal use, the vine's long, flexible stems traditionally served for making ties, traps, and woven baskets.
Before you use it
Traditional use is poorly documented scientifically: seek the advice of a healthcare professional before any internal use. Avoid in pregnant or breastfeeding women, for lack of sufficient safety data. Do not use in children without the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Do not prolong a course of use without the advice of a herbalist or doctor familiar with the plant.
The detailed notebook
- Prepared as a paste or decoction
- Traditional duration of use
- Known contraindications
- Related species and their uses
Where to find it
Partner herbalists — available with the detailed notebook.
Sources
PFAF, Wikipedia