Medicinal Plants Home Page Banyan Birthwort Curare vine Ginger Kapok Lime Neem Nutmeg Pineapple Powder–puff plant Quinine tree Turmeric Wild Plum More Information Download Brochure William L. Brown Center for Plant Genetic Resources

Learn more about the Garden's conservation and preservation efforts: William L. Brown Center for Plant Genetic Resources.

Welcome to the medicinal plant tour of the Climatron rain forest conservatory. Inside the Climatron, you'll find an assortment of tropical plants that are used for medicinal purposes.

The tropics are an evolutionary powerhouse — the most diverse ecosystem on the planet. Tropical plants account for 160,000 of the earth’s estimated 300,000 species of plants. Less than 2 percent have been thoroughly tested for medical applications, and yet 25 percent of our prescription medicines derive from plants.

The plants listed below are included on the medicinal plants walking tour and more information about each plant is available on this website and in the brochure, Medicinal Plants of the Climatron.

	Banyan (Ficus benghalensis) bark lowers blood sugar and is used to treat diabetes. Learn more.
	Birthwort (Aristolochia species) were valued as medicine but had a hidden danger. When taken chronically, they can cause kidney failure. Learn more.
	Curare vine (Chondrodendron tomentosum) is the source of a muscle relaxant that used to be used in surgery. Learn more.
	Ginger (Zingiber officinale) relieves motion sickness and morning sickness. Learn more.
	Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) is a sacred tree in Africa. It provides wood, oil, food, insulation, and medicinal bark. Learn more.
	Lime (Citrus × aurantiifolia) juice is used in many tropical countries for respiratory infections. Learn more.
	Neem (Azadirachta indica) is an Indian tree that fights bacteria, viruses, fungi, lice, and even cancer. It may also prevent pregnancy. Learn more.
	Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is used to treat viral diarrhea. Learn more.
	Pineapple (Ananas comosus) contains compounds that relieve inflammation and swelling. Learn more.
	Powder-puff tree (Barringtonia racemosa) grows in mangrove forests. It contains compounds that might fight cancer. Learn more.
	Quinine tree (Cinchona pubescens) bark treats malaria and is the source of the antimalarial drug quinine. Learn more.
	Turmeric (Curcuma longa), the main spice in curry powder, may reduce cancer risk. Learn more.
	Wild plum (Harpephyllum caffrum) is used in South Africa for conditions including acne and eczema. Learn more.