Seeds, leaves.
The herb strophanthus can be recommended in the same manner as foxglove for treating heart ailments, but the active elements of strophanthus are not taken up by the body very well. One medical authority prescribed strophanthus in the form of a mild heart tonic and found it to be especially effective when used in conjugation with deadly nightshade and valerian. Similar to majority of the other herbs that enclose cardiac glycosides, strophanthus also possesses potent diuretic properties. As aforementioned, the seeds of the species Strophanthus are extremely venomous and have been widely used in preparing arrow poison by the natives inhabiting the entire region where this plant grows. Typically, the seeds are pulverized along with the gummy juice of the plant and the tip of the arrow is bathed into the mixture. People inhabiting the rainforest regions of Central Africa also use the roots or the stem bark of strophanthus in the same manner. In fact, they mix the toxic seeds of strophanthus with different plant products, particularly the latex yielded by Periploca nigrescens Afzel, in addition to that of Rauvolfia spp. An animal hunted by an arrow poisoned by strophanthus seed extract dies soon and the flesh of the animal can be consumed with no problem after throwing away the flesh that surrounds the region of the wound caused by the poison arrow. In addition, the seeds of this plant are also employed in the form of a fish poison. Hunters in southern Nigeria cultivate strophanthus for the plant's seeds and use their extract to poison their arrow heads. Decoctions prepared from the leaves as well as the stem of Strophanthus gratus are taken by people in C�te d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Sierra Leone to cure the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea. In Ghana, people prepare a decoction from the bark of the plant to cure debility and also make a leaf paste for external application to any part of the body bit by snakes. In Ghana, C�te d'Ivoire as well as Nigeria, people use a paste prepared with strophanthus leaves for topical application to sores, counting guinea worm sores. People in Nigeria prepare an infusion from the leaves of strophanthus to cure conditions like constipation and also massage it all over the body to treat fever. A decoction prepared with the root of the plant is believed to be an aphrodisiac. Even to this day, ouabain, a cardiac glycoside extracted from the strophanthus seed called 'Semen strophanthi', is employed in several pharmaceuticals products in many European nations, particularly in Germany, in the form of a fast acting cardiac and vascular stimulant. People in West Africa believe that the herb has several magical utilities, for instance, it is used in the form of a lucky charm. In the tropical regions of West Africa, people extensively grow Strophanthus gratus in their gardens, while many inhabiting the temperate climatic regions grow this plant in greenhouses in the form of an ornamental plant.
Strophanthus is indigenous to the eastern regions of Africa and this plant is also found growing in the wild in rainforests. In addition, strophanthus is also cultivated commercially. The seeds of this herb, which possess therapeutic properties, are collected when the pods ripen.
Chemical analysis of strophanthus has revealed that this herb encloses a maximum of 10 per cent cardiac glycosides, which are effective in inhibiting the heart rate and enhancing the competence of the heart.
It needs to be underlined that it is not safe to use strophanthus unless you are doing so under the guidance of a qualified and competent medical practitioner. Use of this plant may result in a number of side effects, including vomiting, nausea, headache, heart problems and even commotion in color vision.
Chemical analysis of strophanthus has revealed that this herb encloses chemical substances that have the aptitude to invigorate the heart.