Cissus gongylodes

Cissus gongylodes, commonly known as "Bailong Teng" in traditional Chinese medicine, is a climbing vine valued for its therapeutic properties. Renowned for its ability to nourish the blood and strengthen bones, this medicinal plant is frequently utilized to treat various ailments, ranging from joint pain to nutritional deficiencies.

  • Scientific name: Cissus gongylodes
  • Family: Vitaceae
  • Native range: Southern America

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Vitales, placing it in the family Vitaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Cissus.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Vitales WCVP
Family Vitaceae WCVP
Genus Cissus WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Cissus gongylodes, is recognized by several distinct common names depending on the region and language. In Portuguese, it is referred to as Cupá, while in Chinese, it is known as 垂帘滕.
Language Common Name Source
pt Cupá Wikidata
zh 垂帘滕 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, its range extends into the country of Venezuela. Moving toward the western part of the continent, the species is found within the territories of Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. Additionally, the plant is distributed within the West-Central region of Brazil. Collectively, these locations highlight a diverse habitat spanning both northern and western South American landscapes.

Region Area Source
Northern South America Venezuela WCVP
Western South America Bolivia WCVP
Western South America Colombia WCVP
Western South America Peru WCVP
Brazil Brazil West-Central WCVP
Brazil Brazil Northeast WCVP
Brazil Brazil Southeast WCVP
Brazil Brazil North WCVP
Brazil Brazil South WCVP
Southern South America Paraguay WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Cissus gongylodes, is a medicinal climber where the primary parts utilized for therapeutic purposes are the leaves. Both the individual leaf and the collective foliage of the plant are valued in traditional medicine, often being processed or consumed to harness their specific bioactive properties.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Cissus gongylodes has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include DL-malic acid, L-Malic acid, L-malic acid, flavonoids, isoquercetin.

Total chemicals
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
DL-malic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
L-Malic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
L-malic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
isoquercetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rutin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Cissus gongylodes has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include acute pain, disinfection, gastritis, joint pain, kidney stone.

Total uses
9
Scientific sources
9

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
acute pain 1 ★☆☆☆☆
disinfection 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gastritis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
joint pain 1 ★☆☆☆☆
kidney stone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
kidney stones 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rheumatism 1 ★☆☆☆☆
struvite 1 ★☆☆☆☆
urolithiasis 1 ★☆☆☆☆