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Aristolochia clematitis - L.

Common Name Birthwort
Family Aristolochiaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards The root and stem are poisonous[19]. The plant contains aristolochic acid, this has received rather mixed reports on its toxicity. According to one report aristolochic acid stimulates white blood cell activity and speeds the healing of wounds, but is also carcinogenic and damaging to the kidneys[254]. Another report says that it is an active antitumour agent but is too toxic for clinical use[218]. Another report says that aristolochic acid has anti-cancer properties and can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy and that it also increases the cellular immunity and phagocytosis function of the phagocytic cells[176].
Habitats Waste ground, gardens, orchards etc[9].
Range E. and S.E. Europe. Naturalized in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Aristolochia clematitis Birthwort


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cleaned-Illustration_Aristolochia_clematitis.jpg
Aristolochia clematitis Birthwort
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Bogdan

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Aristolochia clematitis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf from May to November, in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Abortifacient  Antiinflammatory  Antispasmodic  Diaphoretic  Eczema  Emmenagogue  Febrifuge  Oxytoxic  
Stimulant

Birthwort has a very long history of medicinal use, though it has been little researched scientifically and is little used by present-day herbalists[254, 268]. It is an aromatic tonic herb that stimulates the uterus, reduces inflammation, controls bacterial infections and promotes healing[238]. The juice from the stems was used to induce childbirth[268]. The plant contains aristolochic acid which, whilst stimulating white blood cell activity and speeding the healing of wounds, is also carcinogenic and damaging to the kidneys[254]. The flowering herb, with or without the root, is abortifacient, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, oxytocic and stimulant[7, 9, 21, 100, 200]. Another report says that the root is used on its own[238] whilst a third says that either the fresh flowering herb or the dried rootstock can be used[268]. The plant should not be used internally without experienced supervision, externally it is used in the treatment of slow-healing cuts, eczema, infected toe and finger nails etc[9]. Use with caution, internal consumption can cause damage to the kidneys and uterine bleeding[7, 9, 21]. It should not be used by pregnant women[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a well-drained loamy soil, rich in organic matter, in sun or semi-shade[1, 134]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[134]. The plant has an invasive root system[233]. Most species in this genus have malodorous flowers, often smelling like decaying flesh[245], that are pollinated by flies[200]. The insects that pollinate this plant become trapped in the hairy throat of the flower[233]. Birthwort was formerly cultivated as a medicinal plant in most of Europe[50].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. Pre-soak stored seed for 48 hours in hand-hot water and surface sow in a greenhouse[134]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 20°c[134]. Stored seed germinates better if it is given 3 months cold stratification at 5°c[200]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Division in autumn[200]. Root cuttings in winter[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia EUROPE: Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sicily), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain (n.e. & Baleares), France (incl. Corsica)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Aristolochia contortaMa Dou LingPerennial1.5 -  LMHSNM13 
Aristolochia debilisMa Dou LingPerennial1.0 7-10  LMHSNM13 
Aristolochia fangchiGuan Fang ChiClimber0.0 -  LMHSNM02 
Aristolochia kaempferi Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNM02 
Aristolochia macrophyllaPipevine, Dutchman's PipeClimber7.0 5-8 FLMHSNDM01 
Aristolochia molissima Climber1.0 -  MSNM02 
Aristolochia reticulataTexas Dutchman's PipePerennial0.4 -  MSNM02 
Aristolochia rotundaSnakerootPerennial0.6 -  MSNM02 
Aristolochia serpentariaVirginia SnakerootPerennial0.5 7-10  LMHSNDM03 
Aristolochia tomentosaDutchman's Pipe, Woolly dutchman's pipePerennial10.0 7-10 FLMHSNDM02 
Asarum arifolium Perennial0.2 6-9  LMHFSM012
Asarum blumei Perennial0.2 6-9  LMHFSM01 
Asarum canadenseSnake Root, Canadian wildginger, Canada Wild Ginger, Wild GingerPerennial0.1 3-9 SLMHFSM333
Asarum caudatumWild Ginger, British Columbia wildgingerPerennial0.1 6-10 FLMHFSM323
Asarum dilatatum Perennial0.0 -  LMHFSM20 
Asarum europaeumAsarabacca, European Wild GingerPerennial0.1 4-8 SLMHFSM023
Asarum forbesiiDu HengPerennial0.2 -  LMHFSM01 
Asarum heterotropoides Perennial0.2 -  LMHFSM02 
Asarum maximum Perennial0.5 6-9  LMHFSM01 
Asarum nipponicum Perennial0.1 -  LMHFSM10 
Asarum reflexum Perennial0.2 5-9  LMHFSM20 
Asarum shuttleworthiiAsarabacca, Mottled Wild GingerPerennial0.1 5-9 FLMHFSM202
Asarum sieboldiiWild GingerPerennial0.2 -  LMHFSM02 
Asarum splendensChinese Wild GingerPerennial0.2 5-9 SLMFSDM303
Asarum takaoi Perennial0.1 -  LMHFSM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Judy Showers   Mon Jul 17 2006

Mine is blooming for the first time this year. I hope I get seeds from it, so I can swap & share.

Rodica   Wed Jul 19 2006

Hello Judy, Do you actually grow it in your garden? I've been looking for it for a while now and I would like if you can send me a few seeds when you will able to. Can you please write to me at [email protected]? Thanks a lot

Vlasta   Wed Nov 14 2007

Be careful: A US-Croatian team confirmed that poisoned bread causes a kidney disease endemic to the Balkans - and verified that the same toxic ingredient was in herbal supplements used around the world

The Scientist, magazine of the Life Sciences Linked to a kidney disease endemic to the Balkans - Endemic Nephropathy or aristolochic acid nephropathy

Beth Holden   Tue Nov 27 2007

This is a dangerous plant and should not be consumed, even in small amounts. Accidental inclusion with wheat harvest in eastern Europe has been implicated in hundreds of cases of kidney failure, renal cancer and death. Also linked to kidney failure/death when taken as an herbal supplement. The first class-action lawsuit in China was filed about this herb. Avoid.

Manna from Hell scientific evidence of sickenss/death from this plant

Andrew Zador   Sun Dec 9 2007

WARNING: This stuff is A PROVEN NEPHRO-CARCINOGEN - SEE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristolochia_clematitis and article from The Scientist: http://strongmail.the-scientist.com/track?type=click&mailingid=441&messageid=1&databaseid=8&serial=878182400&emailid=amzador@golden.net&userid=4345&extra=&&&2008&&&http://www.the-scientist.com/article/home/53787/

THE SCIENTIST - "Manna from Hell" Conclusive link to kidney cancer for this plant

   Tue Apr 29 2008

Hi, I have just found this plant in flower in a corner of our field, here in the South of France, near the Spanish Border. 29th May, 2008

Marinella Zepigi   Tue Jun 10 2008

Acta plantarum forum botanico Description - Photos - Aristolochia clematitis L.

Florin_mol   Wed Jan 6 2010

I used this plant for a few months as I suffer from a severe seborrheic dermatitis. Actually this plant is the best and the cheapest option you have. I have tried before different types of shampoo recommended for this type of illness from Nizoral to most of the Ducray gamma with very little result as the eczemas were back after 2 days. I've used internally but in small quantity but at that time I didn't knew is that toxic. Now I will never use it internally but externally is a very good remedy in my case. Rodica If you read this and if you still have seeds please contact me because I'm interested on growing it. You can find me on http://www.romani-online.co.uk/ with the nick florin_mol . My name is Florin Moldovanu. Thank you.

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