Herbarium of the Ancients — Detailed Monograph

Strophanthus eminii

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: Highly toxic plant: the seeds contain powerful cardiotonic glycosides that can cause cardiac arrest, even in small doses. No non-professional internal use should be considered; any preparation falls exclusively within the domain of trained and supervised specialists. Contraindicated in cases of cardiac pathology, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or in combination with cardiotonic treatments (particularly digoxin), due to risk of serious interaction. Must be kept absolutely out of reach of children and domestic animals; handling of the seeds themselves should be avoided without appropriate precautions.

Traditional toxic maceration (historical use, not recommended) — Seeds

Ethnobotanical preparation of arrow poison

The seeds were traditionally crushed and mixed with other plant substances to obtain a paste applied to hunting arrow tips. This preparation, purely historical and documentary, cannot be reproduced, as the toxicity is lethal. Dosage must be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.

Standardized tincture (professional use only) — Seeds

Extract used in historical pharmaceutical context

Standardized and titrated extracts were developed by laboratories to isolate cardiotonic glycosides for study purposes or highly controlled pharmaceutical preparation. Such a preparation can only be made or used by a qualified professional, never in an artisanal manner. Dosage must be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.

Where to find it

Obtaining the plant

Strophanthus eminii grows wild in the forests and wooded savannas of East and Central Africa; it is neither cultivated nor commercially available in Western herbalism due to its recognized toxicity.

← Back to profile