Curare vine Chondrodendron tomentosum Menispermaceae, the moonseed family Native to South America

Hunters in the Amazon used a plant mixture called curare on arrows to paralyze prey animals. Scientists found a chemical in curare, D-tubocurarine, which was used for decades as a muscle relaxant during surgery. The native tribes who discovered the use of curare did not get fair credit for their knowledge. Today, they would get a share of the profits from a new drug.

Curare roots are used in Brazil as a diuretic and to treat kidney problems.