Name: Stephania comes from the Greek, "a crown".
Chinese: Han fang ji.
Region: eastern and southern Asia and Australia.
Content: alkaloids; 5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-one;thaicanine 4-O-beta-D-glucoside; (−)-thaicanine N-oxide (4-hydroxycorynoxidine; 23 known alkaloids.
Use: Stephania tetrandra is among the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional in Chinese medicine; because of its toxicity it is used only with great caution.
BotanyHerbaceous perennial vines, to 4 metres tall, with a large, woody caudex.
Leaves: spiral, peltate, petiole attached near the centre of the leaf.
Climbing herbs with
Flowers: yellow purple; July-Sept.