TINOSPORA RUMPHII Boerl.

MAKABUHAI

Menispermum crispum Linn.

Menispermum rimosum Blanco
Tinospora crispa F.-Vill.
Tinospora cordifolia F.-Vill.
? Cocculus cordifolilus Walp.

Local names: Makabuhai (Tag., Bis., Ilk.); paliaban (Bis.); panauan (Bis.);
pañgiauan (Bis.); pañgiauban (Bis.); sañgaunau (Bag.); taganagtagua (Bis.).

Makabuhai is found in and nearby towns in thickets, in most or all islands

of the Philippines. It is perhaps an introduced species. It also occurs in Malaya.

Makabuhai is a climbing; dioeciously vine reaching a height of 4 to 10

meters. The stems are up to 1 centimeter thick and somewhat fleshy, with
scattered protuberances. The leaves are thin, ovate, 6 to 12 centimeters in length
and 7 to 12 centimeters in width, with pointed and truncate or somewhat cordate
base, smooth and shining. The petioles are 3.5 to 6 centimeters long. The
racemens are solitary or in pairs arising from the axils of fallen leaves, pale
green, slender, 10 TO 20 centimeters long. The flowers are pale green, and
short-pedicelled. The fruit is 7 to 8 millimeters long.

Wehmer quotes Hartwitch [Neue Arzneidrogen (1897) 389], who reports

that the whole plant contains a bitter principle, colombine, 2.22 percent; traces of
an alkaloid; and a glucoside. He further records that the plant contains
amorphous bitter principle, colombine, 2.22 percent; traces of an alkaloid; and a
glucoside. He further records that the plant contains an amorphous bitter
principle, picroretine, and traces of berberine. Greshoff isolated from the root-
bark a bitter principle (which is not a glucoside) and some alkaloid. Boorsma
isolated from the leaves picroretine, traces of an alkaloid, and a substance
similar to glyzirrhizin. In the Philippines, Bacon reports that the bitter, aqueous
extract of the stem does not contain an alkaloid. He, however, found amorphous
and resinlike substances. Feliciano, who reexamined the plant, concluded that it
contains berberine, a glucoside, and a bitter principle. Marañon, restudying the
plant, states that the bitter principle is glucosidal in nature. Stangl states that two
alkaloids are present, tinosporidine. Studies made later did not confirm these.

The Filipinos and Malays in general consider this vine as a universal

medicine. It is the most popular of local medicinal plants. Makabuhai, the
common Tagalog name; means, “to give life”. It is commonly prescribed as an
aqueous extract in the treatment of stomach trouble, indigestion, and diarrhea. It
is the basis of a popular preparation, which is used as a cordial, a tonic, or an
ingredient in cocktails. It is also an effective remedy in the treatment of tropical
ulcers. In powder form, it is prescribed in fevers. A preparation with coconut oil is
an effective cure for rheumatism and also for flatulence of children (kabag). The
preparation is made by chopping the makabuhai stem into pieces of 1 or 2 inches
long, placing them in a jar with coconut oil, and “cooking” them under the sun.
The jar is then put aside and not opened until a year has elapsed. A decoction of
the stem is considered an effective cure if used as a wash for tropical ulcers.
Father de Sta.Maria includes makabuhai in his book, “Manual de Medicinas
Caseras,” and says that it is given the decoction or powder from as a febrifuge.
The decoction of the stem is also an excellent vulnerary for itches, ordinary and
cancerous wounds. Guerrero reports that internally it is used as tonic and
antimalaria; externally as a parasiticide.