| Aristolochia longa | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Magnoliids |
| Order: | Piperales |
| Family: | Aristolochiaceae |
| Genus: | Aristolochia |
| Species: | A. longa |
| Binomial name | |
| Aristolochia longa | |
Aristolochia longa or long aristolochia is a species of pipevine.
Like all plants in the Aristolochia genus, Aristolochia longa contains aristolochic acid, a carcinogenic and nephrotoxic substance. [1]
Historically, plants within the Aristolochia genus were used to treat a wide variety of ailments. The fact that their use leads to kidney failure was only discovered in 1815. [2] Various species of Aristolochia including Aristolochia longa remain in use in some forms of traditional medicine. [3] Essential oil extracted from the roots of Aristolochia longa has various antimicrobial properties. [4]
According to one study conducted in Morocco, 63 cases of kidney poisoning were reported to the Antipoison and Pharmacovigilance Center of Morocco between 2011 and 2018, 76% of which were due to the consumption of Aristolochia longa, most often as part of an attempt to treat cancer through traditional medicine. [5]
