Parts Most Frequently Used: Root, Rhizome

Flavors/Temps: Toxic, Bitter, Nearly Odorless, Cold

Caution: All parts of the plant are known to be poisonous.

Key Constituents: Berberine, Menispine, Dauricine, Acutumine, Tannin, Gum, Resin

History/Folklore: A highly toxic and poisonous plant, the Eastern variety, M. dauricum, has been used to treat skin disorders, rheumatism, and cervical cancer. M. canadense, has been used externally as a tonic, laxative, dermatological aid, and treatment for venereal disease.

The name moonseed comes from the shape of the seed, which resembles the shape of a crescent moon. The word Menispermum derives from the Greek words mene, meaning “crescent”, and sperma, meaning “seed”.

The eastern varietal, M. dauricum is named after the Daur, a Mongolian people of Northeast Asia.

Its active principle is menispine, an alkaloid. Moonseed is sometimes used as a substitute for sarsaparilla. A tea made from the roots has been used to treat indigestion, bowel disorders, and arthritis, and as a blood cleanser. It is considered a good laxative and useful for treating chronically inflamed arthritis, especially when digestion is weak and lymph nodes are swollen.

The Native American Cherokee people used a tea made from the roots as a laxative. The roots were also used as a blood cleanser and “female tonic”. Moonseed was also used as an ingredient in curare, a muscle relaxant used on the tips of poison arrows.

Moonseed is used in homeopathic medicine to treat back aches, headaches, itching all over, and swollen tongue with much saliva. It is used to treat pain in the spine and dry mouth and throat. Moonseed is also used homeopathically to treat an insecure, scared, and uncertain mental state that startles easily, even from sleep.

Externally, the roots are used as an ointment on chronic sores and to treat chronically inflamed skin diseases.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the rhizomes are used to treat a wide variety of Heat-toxin-related problems, especially when swelling is present. It has been used to treat upper tract cancers, irregular heartbeat, and during surgical anesthesia to prevent swelling. It can be found in formulas for treating swollen, sore throats, mumps, jaundice, dysentery, and coughs due to Lung Heat. As it has cumulative toxicity it is never used continuously for long periods of time and it is often used in tandem with herbs that can help counter the herb’s unwanted toxicity. Typical dosing is 3-12g for decoctions or 1-3ml for tinctures.

The compound acutumine, found in moonseed, is being studied for its anticancer properties. The compound has been shown to kill T-cells, an important quality for leukemia and lymphoma treatments.

All parts of the plant are known to be poisonous, containing dauricine and related isoquinoline alkaloids. Children have died from eating the fruits. Dauricine inhibits cardiac K+ channels causing arrhythmia. Other symptoms associated with overeating the fruits include seizures and neuromuscular arrest. First aid includes the induction of vomiting, followed by the medicinal application of charcoal and sodium sulphate. In the case of spasms, intravenous administration of diazepam is included. Respiratory arrest, paralysis, and kidney function can all be implicated in the eating of this fruit.

Do not confuse moonseed (Menispermum canadense or M. dauricum), for Tinospora cordifolia, also sometimes commonly called moonseed. Tinospora cordifolia is native to India and its roots, stems, and leaves are used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of ailments including diabetes, arthritis, hepatitis, and upset stomachs. It is an entirely different plant.