Pareira Brava

A South American climbing vine of the moonseed family whose root homoeopaths use for the bladder, with urging, straining and pain down the thighs.

Pareira brava is the root of Chondrodendron tomentosum, a large woody climber of the moonseed family from the tropical forests of Central and South America. The plant contains strong alkaloids and is one source of the arrow poison curare; homoeopathy uses it only in specially prepared form.

In homoeopathy its action centres on the urinary organs. It is traditionally used for a constant urge to pass urine with great straining, a feeling that the bladder is overfull, and pain that runs down the thighs during the effort. It is also associated with kidney-stone colic and prostate discomfort.

• Straining to pass urine
• Pain down the thighs
• Kidney-stone colic
• Prostate discomfort
• Bladder irritation