Herbal Medicine Revival: Yellow Bell (Allamanda cathartica) - Ornamental and Medicine

Herbal Medicine Revival

Yellow Bell (Allamanda cathartica)

- Ornamental and Medicine

Allamanda species have been used in systems of traditional medicine for various purposes. A. cathartica has been used to treat liver tumors, jaundice, splenomegaly, and malaria. In analyses, some species have shown some activity against carcinoma cells, pathogenic fungi, and HIV. Wikipedia

Dr Abe V Rotor 

Yellow Bell, Allamanda cathartica, Family Apocynaceae, is called kampanilya or kampanero in the Philippines, a tropical, evergreen vine.  It is also known as golden trumpet, common allamanda, and yellow allamanda.

Native to the Americas (Mexico to Argentina), probably introduced to the Philippines from Mexico by the Spaniards. It is cultivated as ornamental plant owing to its large, bright yellow flowers. Another species, A. blanchetii bears pink flowers. The genus name Allamanda honors the Swiss botanist and physician Frédéric-Louis Allamand (1735–1803).

Allamanda species have been used as traditional medicine to treat liver tumors, jaundice, splenomegaly, and malaria. [In analyses, some species have shown some activity against carcinoma cells, pathogenic fungi, and HIV. 

In lab analyses Allamanda species have yielded several chemical compounds, including iridoid lactones such as allamandin, plumericin, and plumierides. Plumericin particularly was demonstrated to be a highly potent NF-κB inhibitor with anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo, while its structurally related derivatives plumierdin, plumeridoid C, and allamandicin did not have activity. The lignan pinoresinol and coumarins such as scopoletin and scoparone have been isolated from A. schottii. (Wikipedia)

Caution:  Allamanda cathartica is notable for its medicinal properties although all parts of the plant contain allamandin, a toxic iridoid lactone. The leaves, roots and flowers are used as a laxative and emetic in traditional medicine in a number of tropical countries. 

Although the milky sap is known to contain antibacterial and possibly anticancer properties it is poisonous and ingesting large amounts can be toxic. Effects of poisoning can also include rashes, itch, and blisters.

  

Don’t allow children to sip the nectar of the flowers, which is somewhat sweet. Initial numbness of lips and tongue indicates allergic reaction. Seek medical attention.       

NOTE: Photographs were taken by the author at Terrazas de Punta de Fuego, Nasugbu, Batangas, February 7, 2016

 

Part 2 - Living with Nature Arboretum 

Article in Progress

Living with Nature Center Botanical Garden 

Autumnal equinox sun through a reddening leaf,

     measure of three quarters of the year gone;

so too, the calendar of man's life swift and brief,

     golden like precious gem in the setting sun.

Heritage talisay tree at the San Vicente Botanical Garden, San Vicente Ilocos Sur sheds its leaves turning yellow to red before they fall to the ground. Photos taken by the author 2020

Talisay (Lugo Ilk) Terminalia catappa is a large tropical tree in the leadwood tree family, Combretaceae, that grows mainly in the tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Australia. Common names in English include country almond, Indian almond, Malabar almond, sea almond, tropical almond, beach almond and false kamani. Wikipedia

Author's grandchildren Markus and Mackie, accompanied 

in the arboretum by his sister, Sr Veny Rotor, ofs (deceased)

Heritage Tree of 3 generations: 

Camito - Chrysophyllum cainito

Heritage tree of three generations - native mango (Mangifera indica)

is host to viny plants, ferns, and lianas like Rosary Pea and Philodendron

 

It's mango season, usually during summer months.

Mangifera indica Indian variety  

 

                        Towering Anahaw -  Saribus rotundifolius - Caryophyllaceae