Identity & origin
BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
A succulent climber native to tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar, Arabia and parts of Asia as far as Myanmar.
Also known as: Cissus quadrangularis
Leaves and stems are listed; a tested extract does not describe a fresh stem. A photograph alone cannot certify a plant for consumption.
An illustration is not enough to identify a plant for consumption. Do not forage for a species based solely on this profile.
Uses & evidence
UNDERSTANDING THE USES
Properties & uses.
Documented inventory entry
ANSM List A records: leaf; stem. It inventories traditional use without specifying an indication, dose or clinical benefit here.
The references do not establish a benefit. Lack of evidence is not assurance of safety.
Read the sourceResearch context
A 24-week trial in 134 women with osteopenia found no bone-density difference versus placebo. Changes in bone-turnover markers do not establish fracture prevention.
A human study may be positive, negative or inconclusive. Read the findings, preparation and limitations.
Read the sourceThe traditional uses described are not clinical proof of effectiveness. Evidence for one preparation cannot automatically be applied to another.
Precautions before use
BEFORE ANY USE
Precautions & contraindications.
This guidance does not cover every individual situation. Missing information is not a guarantee of safety.
Contraindications & precautions
- Insufficient dataThis targeted audit does not provide a comprehensive contraindication review; this does not mean contraindications are absent.
Medicine interactions
- Insufficient dataThis dossier cannot establish compatibility with medication. A limited study does not replace an interaction review of the exact product.
Other retained warnings · review incomplete
These existing warnings remain relevant to consult. Their exhaustive reassessment is outside this targeted review.
Restrictions and precautions
- Avoid if allergic to this plant. The sources for this profile do not provide a complete contraindication assessment.
Medicine interactions
- Interactions are not assessed in this profile: have any combination with medication checked.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children
Safety information is insufficient to recommend medicinal use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
This profile establishes no paediatric preparation or dose.
“Reported” does not prove causality; “possible” may reflect indirect evidence. “None reported” means none in the cited source, not that all combinations have been studied. Do not stop a prescribed treatment based on this profile.
Adverse effects
- The selected sources do not establish the frequency of adverse effects.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Safety information is insufficient to recommend medicinal use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Children & adolescents
This profile establishes no paediatric preparation or dose.
If symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
Forms & how they are used
DOCUMENTED FORMS
One plant, several preparations.
Only forms documented in this profile’s sources are presented.
Oral Cissus quadrangularis preparation.Exact plant part not specified in the abstract. · Route: Oral
Form evaluated in the publication, described to explain the evidence.
Please note: Does not establish fracture prevention or faster bone repair.
Read the sourceAvailable evidence
EXPLORE THE EVIDENCE
The available evidence.
A biological change does not necessarily mean stronger bones.
What was measured
The P1NP marker changed without demonstrated improvement in bone mineral density.
A human study may be positive, negative or inconclusive. Read the findings, preparation and limitations.
Read the referenceLimitations to keep in mind.
This finding concerns the study preparation; it provides no home-use instructions.
Studies, findings & limitations
THE RESEARCH
What the research shows.
A laboratory or animal result alone does not demonstrate a benefit in humans. Each result must be read alongside the preparation studied and its limitations.
Benjawan et al. — Cissus and bone mineral density (2022)
A human study may be positive, negative or inconclusive. Read the findings, preparation and limitations.
- Type of research
- Placebo-controlled trial; 134 women with osteopenia, 24 weeks.
- Preparation concerned
- Oral Cissus quadrangularis preparation.
- Observed results
- No between-group bone density difference at measured sites.
- Limitations to consider
- Does not establish fracture prevention or faster bone repair.
What can we take from this?
Does not establish fracture prevention or faster bone repair.
Documentary review dated 09/10/2026. The references remain available to check the context.
Sources & last review
CHECKING REFERENCES
Sources for this profile.
- ANSM — Liste A, janvier 2026, page 12Accessed on 09/10/2026
- Kew POWO / MPNS — Cissus quadrangularisAccessed on 09/10/2026
- Benjawan et al. (2022). The effect of Cissus quadrangularis L. on delaying bone loss in postmenopausal women with osteopenia: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.Accessed on 09/10/2026
Image: Tim · CC BY 4.0. View the original image and its licence. Image resized and converted to WebP.