Botanical Index No. 270

Climbing Potato

bowiea volubilis

Medicinal Actions

Cardiotonic, Emetic, Irritant, Laxative, Rodenticide

Primary Conditions Treated

Collyrium Philtre Poison Ascites Conjunctivosis Constipation Cystosis Dropsy Edema Headache Infertility VD

General Dosage

2 g flower = 1 g pure digitoxin. MLD bulb alkaloid 0.28 ppm gastric intubation in cats.

Safety & Contraindications

Human fatalities reported; African medicine men have killed patients with overdoses. Vomiting and purgation were followed by death in 3 hours to 3 days. But death can occasionally occur in minutes. Internal use may cause fatality. One-half ounce bulb fatal to sheep. Tuber 30 times digitalis, flower 60 times, so don’t eat this flower.