Botanical Overview
Kalanchoe pinnata is a succulent plant species in the family Crassulaceae, commonly known as Cathedral Bells, Air Plant, Miracle Leaf, Plant of Life, and Goethe Plant. It is native to tropical Africa and Madagascar but widely naturalized across tropical regions including South and Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and Central America. The leaf and whole plant are principally used in traditional medicine.
Energetics
This plant exhibits cooling temperature and moistening properties. It has bitter, astringent, and salty tastes with a descending and centering directionality. It is considered relaxing in tonicity and primarily influences body fluids in traditional energetic frameworks.
Primary Actions
- Anti-inflammatory
- Wound Healing
- Antimicrobial
- Diuretic
- Analgesic
- Antispasmodic
Indications
Western
- Wounds
- Burns
- Skin infections
- Cough
- Bronchitis
- Fever
- Inflammation
- Kidney stones
Syndromes
- Inflammatory conditions
- Respiratory tract infections
- Urinary tract disorders
- Gastrointestinal ulcers
TCM
- Swelling
- Sores
- Heat toxins
- Lung heat cough
- Blood stasis
Syndromes
- Toxin heat
- Lung heat
- Blood stasis with heat
Ayurveda
- Wounds
- Skin diseases
- Fever
- Cough
- Asthma
- Inflammation
Syndromes
- Pitta disorders
- Kapha disorders
- Inflammation
- Wound infection
Unani
- Wounds
- Skin eruptions
- Inflammation
- Cough
- Urinary disorders
Syndromes
- Warm diseases
- Phlegm accumulation
- Inflammatory states
Constituents & Mechanisms
Kalanchoe pinnata contains flavonoids, bufadienolides (cardiac glycosides), alkaloids, triterpenes, phenolic compounds, and glycosides. These constituents contribute to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, and wound healing properties.
Dosage & Preparations
- Leaf juice applied topically for wounds
- Decoction of leaves 2-4 g two times daily
- Fresh leaf sap used topically
- Infusion 1-3 g one to two times daily
Safety & Contraindications
Generally considered safe in traditional topical and oral uses within recommended doses. May cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort when ingested. Use is contraindicated during pregnancy due to potential uterotonic (uterine stimulant) effects and in patients with cardiac disease because of the presence of cardiac glycosides. Potential interactions exist with cardiac medications.
Astrological Correspondences
Planetary and elemental rulers are not clearly established for Kalanchoe pinnata in authoritative esoteric herbal sources and thus are omitted to maintain accuracy.
Selected References
- Plant Resources of Tropical Africa (PROTA): Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers.
- World Health Organization Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, Volume 3
- Phytochemical and pharmacological review of Kalanchoe pinnata, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, 1999