Mansoa alliacea (Lam.) A.H.Gentry

Stepanot ungu (Mansoa alliacea) is a climbing plant up to 3 meters tall of the Bignoniaceae family, native to the Amazon valley, distributed from Bolivia to Suriname. Uniquely, its leaves release a garlic-like aroma when crushed, making it a distinctive ornamental plant as well as a traditional medicine. Stepanot ungu is believed to have antimalarial properties and help inhibit cholesterol absorption in the intestine.

Grows in tropical forest areas with rainfall of 1,800-3,500 mm/year, in clay or sandy soil rich in organic matter, shaded or unshaded, temperature between 20-30°C. Often attaches to larger trees.

• Roots taproot, light brown in color. Stem woody, climbing.
• Leaves green, opposite, marked by 2 oval-shaped leaflets about 15 cm long.
• Flowers have a funnel-shaped petal up to 6-9 cm long, with a bell-shaped calyx (resembling a short tube with a flared mouth), 5-8 mm long, purple in color and growing at the axil (angle between leaf stalk and stem). 
• Fruit an elongated capsule up to 25-35 cm long, containing seeds arranged crosswise.

Plant propagated vegetatively (stem cuttings) and generatively (seed).

Allin, allyl sulfide, sulfur, anthocyanins, flavonoids, daucosterol, β-sitosterol, fucosterol, stigmasterol, iridoids, isothiocyanates.

Reduces fever, treats stomach ache, flu, rheumatism, inhibits cholesterol absorption in the intestine, has antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, anticholesterol, antifungal, antispasmodic, antiviral and antibacterial activity.

• Take fresh stepanot ungu leaves, wash thoroughly
• Air-dry the washed leaves for several days under shade.
• Grind with a blender into powder.
• Store in an airtight container.

Garlic vine