Family Menispermaceae
Makabuhay
Tinospora rumphii Boerl.

HEAVENLY ELIXIR

Other scientific names  Common names
Tinospora crispa F.-Vill.  Makabuhai (Tag., Bis., Ilk.) 
Tinospora cordifolia F.-Vill.  Makabuhay (Tag., Ilk.)
Cocculus cordifolius F.-Vill.  Paliaban (Bis.)
Menispermum crispum Linn.

Paliahan (Bis.)

Panauan (Bis.)
a Pañgiauan (Bis.)
  Pañgiauban (Bis.)
  Sañgaunau (Bag,)
  Taganagtagua (Bis.)
  Taganagtagwag (Tag., Bis.)
  Tagua (Bis.)
  Giloya (Ind.)
  Heavenly elixir (Engl)

Botany
Climbing vine reaching 4-10 meters. Stems fleshy, about 1 cm in diameter, with scattered protuberances. Leaves thin, ovate, 6-12 cm long and 7-12 cm wide, with pointed tip and heart-shaped based, smooth and shiny. Petiole up to 6 cm long. Racemes solitary or in pairs arising from axils of leaves, light green, and short pedicelled. Fruit 8 mm long, in long clusters. Propagated by stem cuttings or seeds. Support needed for climbing.

Additional info
Classified in Ayurvedic medicine as a rasayana herb, meaning "circulation of the nutrient" in Sanskrit, considered to enhance longevity, promote intelligence and prevent disease. (www.prevention.com)

Properties
Febrifuge, vulnerary, tonic, antimalarial, parasiticide.
Insecticidal

Distribution
Found in thickets in most islands of the Philippines.

Chemical constituents and properties
• Plant contains a bitter principle, colombine (2.22%); traces of an alkaloid; and a glucoside. Also contains a amorphous bitter principle, picroretine and traces of berberine.
• A study showed that the bitter extract of the stem does not contain an alkaloid.
• Study yielded two new diterpenes along with known compounds tinotufolin D and vitexilactone. (Source)

Parts utilized
Stems and leaves.

Constituents
Picroretin (amorphous); berberine; colombin.

Uses
Folkloric
ø Decoction of leaves and stems used for malaria and fever and as a tonic (40 gms to pint of boiling water).
ø Scabies: Crush fresh stem and apply juice over the affected.
ø Tropical ulcers and wound healing: Decoction of the stem as wash, or crush stem, soak in oil for 12 hours and apply oil extract on affected areas.
ø Pounded stem, mixed with coconut oil, has been used for a variety of rheumatic and arthritic complaints; also for abdominal colic.
ø Athlete's foot.
ø Fertility regulation.
ø Rheumatism and flatulence: mixture of the vine with oil. Cut 100 gms of the vine in small pieces, mix with 3 ounces of coconut oil. Place in bottle and "cook" under the sun for 5-7 days.
ø For stomach ulcers: stem is pounded inside a plastic bag, water is added, strained, and drank once daily. Also, stems are dried, thinly sliced, decocted, then drank.
ø Used by nursing mothers to assist in weaning infants off breast-feeding. The bitter juice of the stem is applied to the nipple area causing the infant's aversion to breastfeeding and facilitating transfer to breast feeding.
Others
ø As pesticide (rice blackbugs, rice green leafhoppers, rice stemborers) using pounded chopped vines stirred in one liter of water and sprayed on seedlings before transplanting orsoaking the seedlings overnight before transplanting.
ø Makabuhay, with madre de cacao and hot red pepper extract in water sprayed on rice plants at weekly intervals.
New applications
Being studied for it possible stimulant effect on the immune system. Anecdotal benefits for a variety of HIV-related complaints.
Caution: Should not be used by pregnant women, patients with cardiac disorders.
Recent uses and preparations
Preparation of ointment: Wash and chop 1/2 glass of stem. Sauté chopped stem on low fire for about five minutes in one glass of coconut oil. Remove the stems then add half a glass of grated white candlewax. When the wax is melted, pour
into clean bottle and label. Use the ointment over the whole body, save the face area, for three consecutive nights.

Studies
• Recent study showed tinospora to contain a special polysaccharide, or carbohydrate, that triggers activity of macrophages, white blood cells that play a role in immunity.
Hay Fever / Allergic Rhinitis: A study in the Indira Ghandi Medical College showed it effective in relieving symptoms of hay fever or allergic rhinitis. The study used the supplement Tinofend 300 mg three times a day.
Anti-scabies: Tinospora rumphii Boerl. (Makabuhay) in the Treatment of Scabies: The study established the acaricidal property of Tinospora rumphii. A concomitant antimicrobial action could not be ruled out.
Furanoid Diterpenes: Study yielded cleordane type furanoid diterpenes: a new rumphioside I and known borapetodies C and F, plus three other compounds.
Clerodane Diterpenes:
Study yielded two new diterpenes, 1 and 2, from the leaves of Tinospora rumphii, along with known compounds tinotufolin D and vitexilactone.
Swine Diarrhea Control: Study showed reduction of diarrhea with use of 25% fresh makabuhay decoction from day 15-35 in piglets with diarrhea.

Availability
Wild-crafted.
 



Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Tinospora rumphii Boerl. (Makabuhay) in the Treatment of Scabies / Nelia P Salazar et al /
(2)
Stop Sneezing This Season / Sara Altshul / Prevention Sept 2007
(3)
Insecticidal use of Tinospora rhumhii
(4)
New antimicrobial diterpenes from Tinospora rumphii.
(5)

Recent uses / Philippine Inquirer. Monica Feria. Oct 6, 2007

(6)
Furanoid diterpene glucosides from Tinospora rumphii / Teresita Martin et al / Phytochemistry
Volume 42, Issue 1, May 1996, Pages 153-158 / doi:10.1016/0031-9422(95)00902-7

(7)
Clerodane Diterpenes from Tinospora rumphii / C Y Ragasa et al / J. Nat. Prod., 2000, 63 (4), pp 509–511
DOI: 10.1021/np9902946

(8)
The use of 25% fresh makabuhay (Tinospora rumphii Boerl) vine decoction as preventive medication for swine (Sus domesticus) suckling diarrhea (15-35 days old) / Carace G B and Villaver T T / CLSU Scientific Journal • Vol 1-2. pp 59-60


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Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Tinospora rumphii Boerl. (Makabuhay) in the Treatment of Scabies
(2)
Stop Sneezing This Season / Sara Altshul / Prevention Sept 2007
(3)
Insecticidal use of Tinospora rhumhii
(4)
New antimicrobial diterpenes from Tinospora rumphii.
(5)

Recent uses: Philippine Inquirer. Monica Feria. Oct 6, 2007

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