Common Name: |
Calumba |
Other Names: |
Colombo, Calomba Root |
Botanical Name: |
Jateorhiza palmata syn. J. calumba, Menispermum palmatum |
Genus: |
Jateorhiza |
Family: |
Menispermaceae |
Native Location: |
E Africa |
Cultivation: |
Moist, rich soil in shade, with high humidity. Cut back stems in early spring or train on supports. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown when ripe; by division in spring; by cuttings of semi-ripe shoots in summer. |
Harvest: |
Roots are lifted in dry weather in spring and dried for use in concentrated infusions, liquid extracts, powders, and tinctures. |
Height: |
15m (45ft) |
Hardiness: |
Min. 15-18°C (59-64°F) |
Parts Used: |
Roots |
Properties: |
A very bitter, mucilaginous herb that acts mainly as a tonic for the digestive system. It also lowers blood pressure and has anti-fungal effects. |
Medicinal Uses: |
Internally for morning sickness, loss of appetite, anorexia, indigestion, atonic dyspepsia with low stomach acid, diarrhea, and dysentery. Combines well with Senna alexandrina (See, Alexandrian Senna) and Zingiber officinale (See, Ginger). Contraindicated during pregnancy, except in small, carefully prescribed doses for morning sickness. To treat diarrhea, gastritis, dyspepsia, and colitis. |
Typical Dose: |
A typical dose of colombo is approximately 2 tsp of boiled root strained and taken as a tea every hour. |
Possible Side Effects: |
Colombo's side effects include vomiting and stomach pain. |
Drug Interactions: |
Taking colombo with these drugs may interfere with the action of the drug: |
Aluminum Hydroxide, (AlternaGel, Alu-Cap) |
Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Carbonate, (Gaviscon Extra Strength, Gaviscon Liquid) |
Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide, (Maalox, Rulox) |
Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Trisilicate, (Gaviscon Tablet) |
Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide and Simethicone, (Maalox, Mylanta Liquid) |
Calcium Carbonate, (Rolaids Extra Strength, Tums) |
Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Hydroxide, (Mylanta Gelcaps, Rolaids Extra Strength) |
Cimetidine, (Nu-Cimet, Tagamet) |
Esomeprazole, (Nexium) |
Famotidine, (Apo-Famotidine, Pepcid) |
Famotidine, Calcium Carbonate, and Magnesium Hydroxide, (Pepcid Complete) |
Lansoprazole, (Prevacid) |
Magaldrate and Simethicone, (Riopan Plus, Riopan Plus Double Strength) |
Magnesium Hydroxide, (Dulcolax Milk of Magnesia, Phillips' Milk of Magnesia) |
Magnesium Oxide, (Mag-Ox 400, Uro-Mag) |
Magnesium Sulfate, (Epsom Salts) |
Nizatidine, (Axid, PMS-Nizatidine) |
Omeprazole, (Losec, Prilosec) |
Pantoprazole, (Pantoloc, Protonix) |
Rabeprazole, (Aciphex, Pariet) |
Ranitidine, (Alti-Ranitidine, Zantac) |
Sodium Bicarbonate, (Brioschi, Neut) |
|
Bibliography: |
The Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001. pg. 246. The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD Pp.159-160 |