Alchornea (Alchornea cordifolia): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Alchornea cordifolia work as an antimicrobial?

Alchornea cordifolia contains bioactive compounds including alchorneine, gentisic acid, gallic acid, and ellagic acid that demonstrate antimicrobial properties. These compounds work through multiple mechanisms, including disrupting bacterial cell membranes and inhibiting microbial enzyme activity. Laboratory studies show activity against various bacteria and fungi, though human clinical trials are limited. Evidence Level: C.

Does Alchornea interact with any medications?

There is limited research on Alchornea cordifolia drug interactions. Due to its antimicrobial properties, it may potentially interfere with antibiotic medications. The plant contains tannins and phenolic compounds that could affect absorption of certain drugs. Patients taking prescription antibiotics, immunosuppressants, or medications metabolized by the liver should consult a healthcare provider before using Alchornea. Evidence Level: D (theoretical).

What is the recommended dosage for Alchornea cordifolia?

The typical adult dosage for Alchornea cordifolia is 3-5 grams of dried leaf prepared as a tea, or 2-4 mL of tincture taken up to three times daily. Traditional preparations vary by region and condition being treated. Standardized commercial products are limited. Always follow product-specific instructions or consult a qualified herbalist for personalized dosing. Evidence Level: Traditional/C.

Is Alchornea safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Alchornea cordifolia is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Traditional use and limited animal studies suggest it may stimulate uterine contractions, posing a risk of miscarriage or premature labor. Nursing mothers should also avoid Alchornea as safety data for infants is lacking. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should not use this herb. Evidence Level: D (theoretical risk).

Can Alchornea be used for wound infections?

Alchornea cordifolia has a long history of traditional use for treating wound infections in West African medicine. Laboratory studies demonstrate antimicrobial activity against bacteria commonly associated with wound infections, including Staphylococcus species. The leaves are typically applied topically as a poultice or wash. While promising, clinical evidence in humans remains limited. Evidence Level: C.

Is Alchornea effective for treating diarrhea?

Alchornea cordifolia is traditionally used to treat diarrhea in West African folk medicine. The plant contains tannins and antimicrobial compounds that may help reduce intestinal inflammation and combat infectious pathogens causing diarrhea. Laboratory studies support some antimicrobial activity, but controlled human trials are lacking. It should not replace standard medical treatment for severe or persistent diarrhea. Evidence Level: C.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Alchornea cordifolia is a medicinal plant widely distributed in tropical Africa, used traditionally to treat a variety of infectious, inflammatory, and reproductive conditions [PMID:27296085].

Background

Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach. & Thonn.) Muell. Arg., also known as Christmas Bush, is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family [PMID:27296085, PMID:35456270].

Traditional uses

It is used extensively in traditional medicine for coughs, gonorrhoea, infertility, prostatitis, bacterial infections, diarrhoea, ulcers, pain, inflammation, fever, bronchial troubles [PMID:27296085], and sickle cell anaemia [PMID:35456270].

Active compounds

Identified compounds include quercitrin (quercetin 3-rhamnoside) [PMID:35456270], methylgallate [PMID:30886338], eugenol and cadinol [PMID:21707250], and alchornoic acid ((+)cis-14,15-epoxy-cis-11-eicosenoic acid) found in seed oil [PMID:27519847]. The plant also contains phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, and anthraquinones [PMID:11163946, PMID:28676114].

Mechanism of action

Quercitrin inhibits the polymerisation of isolated HbS and suppresses erythrocyte sickling [PMID:35456270]. Polysaccharides from the leaves induce monocyte/macrophage nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine production via activation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B [PMID:23291534]. Methylgallate demonstrates potency against HIV-1 integrase [PMID:30886338].

Clinical evidence

Evidence BAnemia in obstetric population

Mojeaga remedy (blend of A. cordifolia, Pennisetum glaucum, and Sorghum bicolor) used as an adjunct to conventional iron therapy [PMID:37155690]

Evidence BGlycemic Index (GI)

A crossover study evaluated the effect of A. cordifolia on the glycemic indices of varieties of fufu in healthy subjects [PMID:38328775]

Evidence DInflammation (Topical)

Lipophilic leaf fractions showed significant topical anti-inflammatory effects in mice ear oedema models, outperforming indomethacin [PMID:21707250]

Evidence DArthritis

Hydroethanolic leaf extract showed anti-arthritic activity in CFA-induced arthritic rats [PMID:25435626]

Evidence DBacterial Infections

Extracts showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including S. aureus and E. coli [PMID:10189955, PMID:26724423, PMID:11163946]

Evidence DMale Infertility

Evidence summary

Evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), with limited pilot clinical trial data (Level B) regarding obstetric anemia and glycemic indices.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 27296085 (2016) — Recent trends in phytochemistry, ethnobotany and pharmacological significance of Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach. & Thonn.) Muell. Arg. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
2.PMID: 38328775 (2024) — Effect of Alchornea cordifolia on Glycemic Indices of Varieties of Fufu Among Healthy Subjects. · Current developments in nutrition
3.PMID: 35456270 (2022) — Isolation and Characterisation of Quercitrin as a Potent Anti-Sickle Cell Anaemia Agent from Alchornea cordifolia. · Journal of clinical medicine
4.PMID: 36618915 (2022) — Assessment of toxicity and anti-plasmodial activities of chloroform fractions of Carapa procera and Alchornea cordifolia in murine models. · Frontiers in pharmacology
5.PMID: 36926684 (2023) — Phytofabrication and characterization of Alchornea cordifolia silver nanoparticles and evaluation of antiplasmodial, hemocompatibility and larvicidal potential.

Alchornea

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Alchornea

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Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

Alchornea

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Alchornea

Related Herbs

Waltheria Indica

Phlomis fruticosa

Bolivian Copaiba

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources