Abrus precatorius vs Malvaviscus arboreus

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Abrus precatorius

Respiratory

Respiratory

Abrus precatorius

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Malvaviscus arboreus

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Tropical climbing legume; roots used for cough and fever; seeds deadly toxic (abrin) but used in folk medicine.

Mexican and Caribbean Malvaceae shrub; flowers used in folk medicine for respiratory conditions and fever.

Active Compounds

abrin (toxic), abruslactone, flavonoids, alkaloids

flavonoids, mucilage, tannins, anthocyanins

Traditional Uses

cough, fever, skin conditions (root), alopecia

cough, fever, sore throat, skin inflammation, menstrual disorders

Modern Uses

root extract for cough (folk), topical skin conditions

expectorant, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory

Adult Dosage

Root only: 3-5g decoction (traditional); not for seeds

3-5g dried flowers tea 3x/day

Contraindications

seeds (extremely toxic - lethal), pregnancy, internal use of seeds

pregnancy

Side Effects

severe toxicity from seeds, GI irritation from roots

mild GI upset

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E