Cerbera manghas vs Derris elliptica

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Cerbera manghas

Skin and Topical

Skin and Topical

Cerbera manghas

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Derris elliptica

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Coastal Indo-Pacific tree; all parts highly toxic (cerberin); bark used topically in folk medicine for skin.

Southeast Asian legume vine; rotenone-rich roots used as fish poison and insecticide; limited folk medicinal use.

Active Compounds

cerberin, neriine, oleandrin-related, cardiac glycosides

rotenone, deguelin, elliptone, flavonoids

Traditional Uses

skin diseases (topical), arrow poison

insecticide, fish poisoning, skin diseases (topical)

Modern Uses

reference only; extremely toxic

natural insecticide, topical antimicrobial (limited)

Adult Dosage

Not recommended for any use

Topical use only for parasitic skin conditions

Contraindications

internal use (lethal), any self-medication

internal use (neurotoxic), Parkinson's risk (rotenone), pregnancy

Side Effects

cardiac arrest if ingested

Parkinson's-like symptoms with prolonged exposure, neurotoxicity

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

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

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E