Funtumia elastica is a medicinal plant. It is a medium-sized African rubber tree with glossy leaves, milky sap, and long woody seedpods. The bark is the medicinal portion. Scientists studied Funtumia extensively in the 1960s, but only recently have its medicinal properties recaptured the interest of science. Funtumia has important antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic properties. It is traditionally used in its native environment, tropical Africa to treat asthma, allergies, and other respiratory issues, as well as malaria. It has no known toxicity.

Natural compounds found in Funtumia elastica include:

Anthocyanins

Plant pigments that give berries their color (such as blueberries, blackberries, and cherries). Anthocyanins have been called "the mother lode in a gold mine of antioxidants." Unprocessed Funtumia elastica powder is distinctly blue—a clear indication of its high anthocyanin content. Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants that have beneficial effects on the heart, brain (enhancing learning and memory), and eyes. They have good anti-inflammatory effects and appear to protect against DNA damage, cancer, and many degenerative diseases. Anthocyanins have shown specific benefit in reducing immune-stimulated inflammation, and are thought to be valuable in preventing the development of asthma.

Flavonoids

Vitamin C

Vitamin C

Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species. In living organisms ascorbate acts as an antioxidant by protecting the body against oxidative stress...

 is the most familiar member of this class of plant-derived antioxidant compounds. Flavonoids are natural antihistamines and possess strong anti-allergic properties. Flavonoids are useful in both preventing and treating COPD, asthma, and other chronic lung diseases.

Steroid alkaloids, plant sterols (phytosterols), and brassinosteroids

Natural plant steroids are safer than synthetic steroid drugs like prednisone and dexamethasone

Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone is a potent synthetic member of the glucocorticoid class of steroid drugs. It acts as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant...

. One compound (conessine) found in Funtumia also has strong anti-bacterial properties. Phytosterols have immuno-modulating effects—normalizing an over-reactive antibody response—as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Interestingly, in a study of marathon runners using a blend of phytosterols, volunteer runners taking the blend had a smaller inflammatory response and less immune suppression during recovery. Their effects on immune system balance are thought to be beneficial in treatment of allergies and other autoimmune conditions.

Natural anti-fungals

Funtumia specifically inhibits growth of many molds, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Candida, as well as the fungi that cause ringworm.

Tannins

These compounds, found also in coffee, tea, and red wine, have shown promise in the treatment of allergic inflammation and asthma. Tannins affect the body's production of prostaglandins (a group of hormone-like substances) by inhibiting pro-inflammatory molecules known to be associated with COPD in horses and promoting anti-inflammatory production. Tannins may also help break down foreign proteins, which could reduce the allergic response.

Funtumia elastica

Funtumia elastica has demonstrated good safety (low toxicity) in multiple laboratory experiments, and has tested negative for heavy metals including cadmium, zinc, lead, chromium, and nickel. It has been safely used for respiratory disease, including allergies, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , also known as chronic obstructive lung disease , chronic obstructive airway disease , chronic airflow limitation and chronic obstructive respiratory disease , is the co-occurrence of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of commonly co-existing diseases...

(COPD) in humans, cats, and horses (Funtumia contains no substances prohibited by any equine sport or racing authority).