Cryptolepis (Cryptolepis sanguinolenta) is traditional African herbal medicine and a renowned phytotherapy for malaria due to its potent antiplasmodial and antipyretic activity. More recently, Cryptolepis was discovered by Western Herbalists as a result of research published on the plant, conducted due to the resurgence of pharmaceutically resistant plasmodial parasites. Cryptolepis is now considered one of the key systemic antimicrobial herbs used for treating resistant pathogens. Cryptolepis is a valuable therapeutic in cases of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial infections, mycobacterial infections, and some fungal infections. It is systemically active and a strong antiparasitic antiplasmodial medicine, useful for blood parasites such as Babesia spp. infections. Although research has not yet been conducted in regard to mycoplasma infections, herbalist Stephen Buhner suggests the herb may be efficacious for these infections as well. Cryptolepis also possesses anticancer, anticomplement, antihyperglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, mild antiviral, and hypothermic activity.
