Dodonaea viscosa | Family: Sapindaceae
This hardy shrub, native to Australia, is notable for its vibrant seed capsules and has various traditional uses.
Distribution
Found across all Australian states and territories, Dodonaea viscosa has seven recognized subspecies, each adapted to different habitats and drought conditions. The main subspecies vary in distribution, form, and leaf characteristics.
Cultural and Medicinal Uses
Both Aboriginal Australians and European settlers valued hop bushes for their cultural significance and medicinal properties. Aboriginal people, referring to it as “oyster bush,” utilized the plant for its orange/red seed capsules, which indicated the optimal time to collect oysters.
Pharmacological studies reveal active compounds in the plant, including alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and oils, which vary based on environmental conditions and seasons. Aboriginal people used the leaves for pain relief, treating ailments such as toothaches and inflammation from stings and wounds. The leaves also served as a poultice for digestive issues.
Colonists brewed a beer substitute from the plant, appreciating its similarity to hops.
Horticultural Use
Due to its attractive seed capsules and foliage, especially the purple-leaved cultivar ‘Purpurea,’ sticky hop bush is often used in landscaping. Its strong wood is valued for tool and weapon making, while the plant also helps prevent soil erosion.
In summary, Dodonaea viscosa is a versatile and culturally significant plant with a wide range of traditional medicinal uses across different cultures.
Traditional Uses
- Pain Relief: Chewing leaves alleviated toothaches.
- Wound Treatment: Chewed leaf pulp was applied to injuries, offering antimicrobial protection.
- Respiratory Relief: Smoke from burning leaves was used to ease flu-like symptoms.
- Digestive Aid: Leaves were used in poultices for diarrhea and cramps.
Dodonaea viscosa has a rich history of use among various cultures:
- Aboriginal Australians: Used root decoctions for cuts and open wounds, chewed leaves as a painkiller (especially for toothaches), and applied chewed leaves to stings from stonefish and stingrays. Chewed leaf pulp was applied to injuries, offering antimicrobial protection. Leaves were also used to “smoke” newborns for health, while boiled root juice was applied for headaches.
- European Settlers: Attracted to the plant’s hop-like fruits, they used them as a substitute for brewing beer.
- Peru: Leaves were chewed as a substitute for coca leaves.
- India: Tinctures were taken for gout, rheumatism, and fevers. Poultices of leaves were applied to painful swellings and rheumatic joints.
- Pakistan: The plant was used for disorders including gout, wounds, burns, snake bites, eczema, and skin ulcers.
- South Africa: Leaves served as a topical treatment for skin rashes and were taken internally for fevers and stomach disorders.
- Africa: Infusions were used to treat respiratory diseases, including pneumonia and tuberculosis.
- Reunion Island: Leaf decoctions acted as sudorifics, while in New Caledonia, leaf infusions were used as a tea substitute and febrifuge.
- Madagascar: Leaves were used for fever, sore throat, and hemorrhoids.
- Mexico: Various preparations treated inflammation, swellings, and pain.
- East Africa and Peru, Dodonaea viscosa is used for various medicinal purposes, including stimulating lactation and treating skin infections.
Constituents
Dodonaea viscosa contains a variety of active compounds:
- Flavonoids: Includes isorhamnetin, quercetin, hyperin, and others.
- Saponins: Such as dodonoside A and B.
- Triterpenes: Notable compounds include Jegosapogenol.
- Essential Oils: Approximately 0.04% content.
- Resin, Phenols, and Coumarins: Such as fraxetin and caffeic acid.
Actions
The plant exhibits spasmolytic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and hypotensive properties.
Pharmacological Research
Studies have shown that Dodonaea viscosa has significant spasmolytic effects comparable to standard anticholinergics, possibly due to calcium channel blocking mechanisms linked to flavonoids. Its extracts also display hypotensive effects and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, particularly from ethanolic and methanolic extracts. The coumarin fraxetin has antioxidant and analgesic properties.
Indications
Dodonaea viscosa is used for:
- Gout and rheumatism
- Fevers and sore throats
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Skin ulcers and eczema
- Toothaches and painful stings
Preparations
Common preparations include infusions or tinctures (1:10 or 1:4) taken in small doses.
Conclusion
Hop bush is one of the most well-documented indigenous medicinal herbs, with extensive traditional uses across four continents. Its active constituents support these uses, making Dodonaea viscosa a promising candidate for clinical applications due to its efficacy and low toxicity.
References: Native Herb Group Dodonaea viscosa A review by Andrew Pengelly, https://www.mdnc.org.au/sticky-hop-bush
The information provided is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment. Consult your medical care provider before using herbal medicine, particularly if you have a known medical condition, are on any medication, and if you are pregnant or nursing.