Ancient Herbal — Detailed Record

Fibraurea tinctoria

Please read before use: the information below describes traditional and informational uses — it does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. In case of doubt, pregnancy, breastfeeding, ongoing treatment, or use in children, seek advice before use.

Enhanced precautions for this plant: Plant not domesticated for common food use: to be reserved for supervised traditional use, never for prolonged self-medication. Fibraurea tinctoria contains alkaloids (including berberine) that may interact with certain medications and may be contraindicated during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and in case of ongoing medication, without the advice of a healthcare professional. Botanical identification must be certain: several yellow-wood vines from Southeast Asia may be confused with one another.

Decoction — Stem (wood)

Traditional stem decoction

Dried stem shavings or pieces are traditionally simmered for a long time in water until a bitter yellow liquid is obtained. This decoction should be reviewed by a knowledgeable person before any intake, due to its alkaloid content. Dosage must be validated with a healthcare professional or a recognized pharmacopoeia before use.

Compress — Stem (wood)

External skin wash

The cooled decoction is applied as a compress or wash on the skin according to traditional use, without ingestion. Medical advice remains recommended in case of significant or infected wounds. Dosage must be validated with a healthcare professional or a recognized pharmacopoeia before use.

Where to find it

Obtaining the plant

This vine grows wild in the humid tropical forests of Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo; it is rarely found outside these regions, sometimes in the form of dried wood in certain herbalist shops specializing in Southeast Asian plants.

Harvest season

When to harvest it

Traditional harvesting of the stem is carried out year-round from mature vines, in primary or secondary forest.

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