The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs PDF

A Guide Understanding and
to
Using Herbai Medicinais
(Boston (PuBCic LiSrary
^Funded By
JIL^/Walj^reen’s grant, 2006
iosteij E’lilic Library

The HEALING POWER of
Rainforest
HERBS
A Guide Understanding and
to
Using Herbal Medicinals
LESLIE TAYLOR, nd
RHONE
SQUAPUBLISHERS
This book is not intended to provide medical advice and is sold with the under-
standing that the publisher and the author are not liable for the misconception
or misuse of information provided. The author and Square One Publishers shall
have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any
loss, damage, or injury caused or alleged be caused directly or indirectly by
to
the information contained in this book, or the use of any substances mentioned.
Readers should always check with a qualified health practitioner before begin-
ning any herbal medicine treatment.
Cover Designers: Phaedra Mastrocola and Jacqueline Michelus

In-House Editor: Elaine Weiser
Typesetter: Gary A. Rosenberg
Square One Publishers

115 Herricks Road
Garden City Park, NY 11040
(877) 900-BOOK • (516) 535-2010
www.squareonepublishers.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Taylor, Leslie.
The healing power of rainforest herbs : a guide to understanding and using
herbal medicinals / Leslie Taylor,
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-7570-0144-0
1. Rain forest plants —Therapeutic use. 2. Herbs —Therapeutic use. I. Title.
RM666.H33T388 2005
615'.321—dc22
2004022843
Copyright © 2005 by Leslie Taylor
All rights reserved. No may

be reproduced, stored in a
part of this publication
retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechan-
ical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission
of the cc^pyright owner.
Printed in the United States of America
10 987654 3 21
Contents
1.
2.
Introduction, 1
3.
4. How to Use This Book, 7
Rainforest Destruction and Survival, 13
5. PART ONE
6.
Rainforest Herbal Primer
7.
Differences and Similarities of Drugs

and Medicinal Plants, 35
Methods of Preparing Herbal Remedies, 47
Rainforest Remedies and Recipes, 57
PAR r lAVO
Quick Guides to Medicinal Plants

of the Amazon
Properties and Actions of Rainforest Plants, 65
Herbal Treatment of Specific Diseases and Disorders, 93
Plant Data Summary, 111

PART THREE
Medicinal Plants of the Amazon
Abuta, 152 Clavo Huasca, 248 Manaca, 348

Acerola, 156 Copaiba, 250 Muira Puama, 353
Amargo, 158 Curare, 255 Mulateiro, 357
Amor Seco, 162 Damiana, 259 Mullaca, 359
Anamu, 166 Embauba, 262 Mulungu, 363
Andiroba, 171 Epazote, 267 Mutamba, 367
Annatto, 175 Erva Tostao, 272 Nettle, 371
Artichoke, 178 Espinheira Santa, 276 Passionflower, 377

Aveloz, 182 Eedegoso, 279 Pata de Vaca, 380
Avenca, 185 Gervao, 283 Pau d'Arco, 383
Balsam, 189 Graviola, 288 Pedra Hume Caa, 389
Bitter Melon, 192 Guacatonga, 295 Picao Preto, 392
Boldo, 196 Guaco, 299 Quinine, 397
Brazil Nut, 201 Guarana, 303 Samambaia, 402
Brazilian Peppertree, 204 Guava, 308 Sangre de Grado, 407
Camu-Camu, 208 Iporuru, 313 Sarsaparilla, 412
Carqueja, 210 Jaborandi, 316 Scarlet Bush, 417
Cashew, 214 Jatoba, 320 Simarouba, 420

Cat's Claw, 217 Jergon Sacha, 324 Stevia, 424
Catuaba, 224 Juazeiro, 328 Suma, 429

Cha de Bugre, 227 Jurubeba, 331 Tayuya, 434
Chanca Piedra, 229 Kalanchoe, 334 Vassourinha, 437
Chuchuhuasi, 239 Maca, 338 Velvet Bean, 442
Cipo Cabeludo, 242 Macela, 345 Yerba Mate, 446
Clavillia, 245
Conclusion, 453
Rainforest Resources, 461
References for Part Three, 471
Index, 513
To the Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon Rainforest.
WE, THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, have been an integral part of the

Amazon Biosphere for millennia. We used and cared for the resources of
that biosphere with respect, because it is our home, and because we know
thatour survival and that of our future generations depend on it. Our
accumulated knowledge about the ecology of our home, our models for
living within the Amazonian Biosphere, our reverence and respect for
the tropical forest and its other inhabitants, both plant and animal, are
the keys to guaranteeing the future of the Amazon Basin, not only for
our peoples, but also for all humanity.
Our experience, especially during the past 100 years, has taught us
that when politicians and developers take charge of our home, they are
capable of destroying it because of their short-sightedness, their ignorance,
and their greed.
We are concerned that the Amazon peoples, and in particular
the Indigenous Peoples, have been left out of the environmentalists'

vision of the Amazonian Biosphere. The focus of concern of the
environmental community has typically been the preservation of the
tropical forests and its plant and animal inhabitants. Little concern has
been shown for its human inhabitants who are also part of that biosphere.
We are concerned that the Indigenous Peoples and their representative
organizations have been left out of the political process, which is
determuiing the future of our homeland. The environmentalist community

has at times lobbied on our behalf; it has spoken out and zvritten in the
name Amazonian Indiaiis. While we appreciate these efforts, it
of the
should be made clear that we never delegated this power to the
environmentalist community nor to any individual or organization
zvithin that community.
The most effective defense of the Amazonian Biosphere is the
recognition and defense of the territories of the region's Indigejums

Peoples and the promotion of their models for living zvithiji that
biosphere and for managing its resources in a sustainable zvay.
Coordinating Body for the Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon

Basin (COICA), adapted from COICA's "To the Community of Concerned
Environmentalists" (1989)
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2016 with funding from
China-America Digital Academic Library (CADAL)
https://archive.org/details/healingpowerofraOOtayl
"To the center of the world yon have taken me
Great Spirit and showed me the goodness and the beauty
and the strangeness of the greening earth,
the only mother —and there the spirit shapes of things,
as they should be, you have shown me
and I have seen."
—Susan Seddon Boulet

From her book. Shaman
npiPiMWTOTTtriiif
Introduction
tall, fair-skinned blonde woman traveling down the Amazon

River and into the remote areas of the Amazon rainforest is an
oddity of sorts. However, for most of my life I've been told that
I'm odd. Admittedly, trekking through jungles, studying the plant knowl-
edge of indigenous Indian shamans and South American herbal healers,
getting harassed in airport customs with a suitcase full of strange-looking
murky liquids, bark, leaves, and roots, and running a large corporation in
the process, is pretty unusual. However, it never really was a goal of mine
to just be "usual."
Most people who first meet me often ask: "How did you ever get into
a profession like this?" Looking back, a series of journeys seems to have
redirected the course of my
and shaped it into what it is today. have
life 1
to go back about twenty years to my most memorable journey, which start-
ed me onto this odd path where find myself today.

1
first became interested in herbal medicine and alternative health

1
when, in my was diagnosed with acute myeloblastic

mid-twenties, I
leukemia (AML). Conventional medicine gave up on me after two years of

traditional chemotherapy and cancer treatments and sent me home to die.
1 was twenty-four years old and was told wouldn't see my twenty-fifth
1
birthday. But being the odd, determined, stubborn, rebellious individual

that most people described me as even back then, didn't give up. I
Twenty years ago it was even harder than it is now to access accurate
information on herbs and alternative therapies. But you might say that 1
had a "dying need to know," and began studying alternative health with
I
2 The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs
a vengeance. With a combination of herbal medicine, diet, nutrition, and

other natural healing modalities, I was diagnosed as cancer-free eighteen
months later. Not only was my cancer gone, but the extensive damage that
was done to my body and internal organs from the conventional cancer
treatments was healed or on the mend. Another real oddity, I was told. My
who scoffed at anything herbal or unconventional, believes that
oncologist,
1was simply too stubborn to die. know there is sonae truth in that state-
1
ment, but also believe that herbal medicine went a long way in curing my
I
cancer and healing my body.

What I didn't understand then (or now, really) is why they call
chemotherapy and today's modern medicine "conventional medicine" and

refer to herbal medicine as "alternative." My personal journey showed me
that herbal medicine was much more conventional. It dates back literally
centuries in time, with the less-than-1 00-year-old pharmaceutical industry
offering the "alternatives" to the plant medicines we've used since before
human beings even learned how to chronicle their uses. At least for me,
herbal medicine was much more effective than the "alternatives" conven-
tional medicine offered me inmy personal battle with cancer.
After winning this battle, continued on in my business
I career in
Texas, starting companies in several different industries and selling them
when became bored with their day-to-day management. In business I
I
was considered "successful," and that success resulted in a ballistic,

workaholic lifestyle. I continued studying herbal medicine and alterna-
tive health as a hobby, choosing to use herbs and natural health rather
than drugs for my and my family's health. They thought I was pretty odd
too, but they accepted the strange herbal potions and nutritional remedies
I gave them when they were sick.
Then, in 1989, 1 took a much-needed vacation that changed the course

of my life yet again. Maybe it was just the first time I had taken a breath or
a break in many years, but a journey to the wilds of Africa somehow recon-
nected me to the land, nature, and wildlife. It showed me that I needed to
make a change had created, which was involved
in the hectic, harried life I
in the ego of success and the power of money and which wasn't really per-
sonally fulfilling. So, when I returned from Africa, I sold my companies,

bought a ranch in the hill country of Texas, and "retired."
There — in a conventional, sort of backwards, rural Texas community
north of Austin — I
quickly became "the odd woman at Clear Creek Ranch"
to the local farmers and ranchers. grew weird plants, herbs, and vegetables,
1
raised a motley menagerie of teenage boys and exotic animals (which hard-
Introduction 3
ly ever acted like they were supposed had too much land that was
to),
'"unproductive," and was obviously in dire need of a husband to make her

do things right. Leastwise, that's what the local farmers and ranchers would
tell you. That didn't keep them from dropping by to tell me about their aches
and pains to see what kind of odd concoction of plants 1 might pick out of
the gardens and give them, and which somehow mysteriously worked.
Often, they'd just drop by to see what odd thing 1 was up to that day.
Wanting to give something back (and a bit bored with farm life), 1 start-
ed a small consulting company there on the ranch. The company (me)
researched and collected information on cancer and AIDS therapies that
were being used in other places in the world and taught cancer patients
how they could access them. My personal mission was to compile all the
research on alternative therapies and to make the information available to
those faced with the same had once confronted. It had been
struggle that I
a great source of frustration and a committed struggle for me to try to
access this type of information when I had cancer, especially at a time when
I had little enough energy to just get through a day.
It was during this research that I came across an herbal extract that was
sold as an herbal drug in Europe for cancer and AIDS patients, with some
interesting results. When 1 determined that it was a simple extract of a nat-
ural plant that could be sold here as an herbal supplement (for a lot less
money than the European company was charging), I decided to go to the

source where the plant grew. My mission then was to try to import the
plant into the United States. The plant was called cat's claw (Uticnrin tomen-
tosa), and the source was the Amazon rainforest in Peru. This new journey
into the Amazon rainforest changed the course of my life yet again.
On that first journey into the rainforest, I fell in love. I fell in love with
the jungle, the people, the culture, the lifestyle and attitude, the plants and
trees, the incredible rivers ... all of which make up the Amazon rainforest.
I also saw, on that first trip, the incredible amount of destruction that was
happening in the Amazon. saw that it
I was possible that the whole thing
could go up in smoke and be wiped off the face of the Earth, conceivably
in my lifetime. Waiting for my flight home in the Lima airport in Peru, 1 sat
there sunburned, bug-bit, tired, and excited and decided that not only did
I want to start a new company in the States to begin importing this won-
derful plant called cat's claw but that I also had to try to make a difference
to help stop the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. I didn't quite know
how then, but I knew that an odd, determined, stubborn, rebellious sort of
person such as myself had as good a chance as anyone else did.
That was the beginning of a group of companies that I founded in my

thoughts sitting in the Lima airport, and officially two days later in Austin,
Texas. I came out of "retirement" and began importing cat's claw into the
United States shortly thereafter. Through my ongoing work with the com-
pany and the many subsequent trips to
the Amazon, I learned more and more
about the other medicinal plants that
were used as natural medicines by the
indigenous peoples in the rainforest and
began importing those as well. My com-
pany quickly outgrew Clear Creek Ranch
and it was time to sell it and move back
into the city as the journey, which now
seemed to have a life of its own, contin-
ued forward.
In my work with the Raintree
group of companies which I founded in
1995, I have been setting up plant har-
Xingu River in the vesting programs with Indian tribes and rural Amazon communities, that
Amazon rainforest
are today, sustainably harvesting more than sixty medicinal plants from
outside of Altamira,
Brazil.
Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, and Colombia. My ongoing research on medicinal
plants continues to take me where I work
into the heart of the rainforest,
side by side with indigenous tribal shamans and medicine men, rural vil-
lage herbalists and local "doctors" called curanderos, as well as North and
South American herbalists, plant chemists, and universities.
Traveling through the remote areas of the Amazon where medicines,
hospitals, and doctors are virtually non-existent has brought an opportu-
nity to learn as a practitioner how to treat illnesses and diseases that I
would never encounter in the United States malaria, diphtheria, yellow
. . .
fever, typhoid, and leprosy, just to name a few (not to mention the incred-
ible bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections I've seen!). As a practitioner
or healer in the jungle, I am called "jaguar-woman," white witch, shaman,

an Indian phrase that translates to "big mother in charge," or curandera
(healer) by the remote villages and Indians I visit and work with. I use their
ancient knowledge of their plants and combine it with western research
and science, so my "potions" are different, yet familiar, to their shamans
and healers. Again, they think Tm pretty odd too, but many have never
seen a very tall blonde woman with blue eyes and freckles (which many
shamans have tried to cure me of!). As a board certified naturopath here in
Introduction 5
the States, I enjoy working on the many hard cases that get referred to me-
people who have exhausted all other therapies and are willing to try some
unusual jungle remedy for their cure. seems my life has come full circle
It
in the last twenty years, and I now find myself helping many cancer
patients in my practice, when it was once me that was faced with this dead-
ly disease so many years ago.
Oddly enough, of all the businesses I have founded and managed in my
career, this is the only one that I've never had to determinedly push, mar-
ket, make work, or direct. Since they were created, I have literally been run-
ning behind them trying to keep up. They seem to have a life, path, and
purpose of own; and I have never worked so hard, had so much fun
their
and adventure, and been as personally fulfilled as I am today. It has certainly
been a grand adventure. However odd it is, I feel I am truly
blessed to be on the path I find myself on today.
My journey has just recently been redirected yet again:
this year, Tve moved myself and company lock, stock, —
—
and barrel to Carson City, Nevada. It seems that it was
time for me to focus on helping some North American Indi-
an tribes, much in the same manner that I've been assisting
the South American Indians over the years. If this new ven-
ture/adventure is successful, my next book may well be on
North American Indian medicinal plants and the need to
put our own Native Americans back onto their ancestral
lands (now owned and controlled by our government's
forestry agencies) as caretakers of the land in sustainable
plant harvesting programs. What an adventurous journey
that will be! Believe it or not, I haven't been bored — not
once — in the last nine years; that doesn't look like it will be
changing any time soon, either!
Beforebecame known as "the white witch of the Ama-

I
zon," was (and am) a businesswoman first and foremost.

I
When first arrived in the Amazon, approached the rain-

I I
forest and rainforest conservation in a business-like manner and began to A cloud forest in
the high elevations of
look for business solutions to rainforest destruction. This was odd to the
the Peruvian jungle.
activists and conservationists came across, but again, was used to being
I 1
called odd. believed then and now that, wherever you are in the world,
I
basic business strategies still apply. Greed is greed and profits are profits,
even in the remote jungles. If you want someone to do something, make it
profitable for them to do and it's not so hard to convince them. So 1 set
about showing people in the rainforest how they could make more money
sustainably harvesting medicinal plants like cat's claw than they could
make at timber harvesting, grazing livestock, agriculture, or subsistence
cropping —practices that destroy the forest. It sounds almost too simple,
but it's and it works.
effective
The only component left to make this business strategy work is to create
the market demand for these sustainable forest resources so that it can result
in profits for those participating. That's not as hard as it sounds either. The
alternative health and natural /herbal products industry in the United States
is growing at an unprecedented rate. Recent statistics show that consumers
have spent more out-of-pocket funds on alternative health and alternative
health products and supplements than they
have for conventional medicine over the past
few years. And the rainforest does provide a
wealth of beneficial natural products and high-
ly effective medicinal plants for that industry.
This book represents almost ten years of
my personal research and documentation on
these important medicinal plants in the Ama-
zon rainforest during my journeys into the
South American jungles and in my journey
with Raintree. I firmly believe that medicinal
The author with plants, such as those discussed in this book, are the true wealth of the rain-
shaman Don Antonio forest and the means by which it can be saved from destruction. They have
Monteviero, his
for centuries positively affected the health and well-being of the inhabitants
assistant, and Yvone
Meija, director of of the forest. Through their sustainable harvesting, they can and will pos-
ACEER research center. itively affect the health, well-being, and continuance of the rainforest itself.
It is my sincere hope that you, the reader of this book, will learn an
appreciation of the rainforest and why it is so important to be saved; learn
more about the wealth of beneficial medicinal plants it provides us; and
learn how you can take part in positively affecting your health and the
health of the rainforest with these wonderful plants.
May your own journeys and adventures be prosperous!
Yours in health,
Leslie Taylor, ND
How TO Use
This Book
his book is divided into three main sections. The first chapter pro-
vides an introductory discussion on the rainforest, the Amazon rain-
forest in particular, and the issues involved in its destruction and
preservation. Part One: Rainforest Herbal Primer provides information on
herbal medicine principles in general, the similarities and differences
between using herbs and drugs, methods of preparing herbal remedies,
and some recipes for rainforest remedies. Part Two: Quick Guides to Med-
icinal Plants of the Amazon includes helpful at-a-glance references to essen-
tial information on rainforest herbs. If you are interested in finding the best
herbs to take for producing a desired effect — for example, stimulating the
immune system or producing a laxative effect — turn to Properties and
Actions of Rainforest Plants. This table includes the technical terms and
definitions of the functions and actions that are attributed to various herbs;
the plants most widely used by herbalists for achieving such results; a list
of those plants thathave been researched and scientifically validated; and

those that have been traditionally used by indigenous peoples. If you are
searching for the plants to use for the treatment of a specific disorder, go
to Herbal Treatment of Specific Diseases and Disorders, which matches an
extensive list of various diseases with the rainforest plants used as treat-
ment. The Plant Data Summary is a section that offers a quick look at each
of the rainforest herbs discussed in this book. Essential information is list-
ed, such as the main actions of the herb; its primary preparation method;
its main uses; which actions have been documented by scientific research
or traditionally used; and any cautions to using the herb. This summary.
which has been conveniently condensed, guides the reader as to which

plants to read about in greater detail in Part Three: Medicinal Plants of the
Amazon.
Part Three provides extensive information on seventy-four medicinal
plants, trees, vines, and herbs of the You will find the following
rainforest.
information on each plant: family, genus, and species; common names;
parts used; properties and actions; main text on the plant; worldwide uses
of the herb; and plant chemical information. The main text provides well-
referenced information about each plant. This information includes:
• what the plant looks like
• where and how it grows
• the history of its uses by rainforest inhabitants and in herbal medicine
• its chemicals and their properties
• its biological activities and clinical research
• its current practical uses
• the traditional preparation methods for remedies and dosages

Rainforest plant
clavo huasca. • its contraindications and possible drug interactions
PLANT CHEMICAL INFORMATION

Often, the plant's effective uses or actions are closely tied to specific chem-
icals found in the plant, chemicals that have been tested and documented
to have specific biological activities. In other words, knowledge of the
chemicals in the plants can help explain why works for certain
the plant
disorders. It can also help determine if a plant may have any contraindica-
tions, drug interactions, or other cautions. Many readers will just skim over
this sort of information, especially the list of chemicals. However, it is very
difficult to access this information, and many medical professionals, phar-
macists, botanists, researchers, scientists, and alternative health profes-

sionals will value this information.
The plant chemical data provided is a summary of chemicals that have
been documented to exist in the plant. It does not include every known
chemical in the plant, and no distinction has been made as to which chem-
icals are found in the different parts of the plant (leaves, fruit, bark, and so
on). Therefore, the chemical data may or may not be all-inclusive or com-
plete. It is provided as a general reference for the more experienced reader.
How to Use This Book 9
BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND CLINICAL RESEARCH

An overview of scientific laboratory research and clinical data or research
about each plant is provided. Complete citations of the studies that are ref-
erenced in the text are found in the References section in the back of the
book. You also will see the distinction as to whether the research was per-
formed in vivo or in vitro. In vivo studies refer to research that has been per-
formed in animals or humans to determine the effects of a particular
chemical/herb/drug. In vitro studies refer to research conducted "in the
test tube."
Studies performed to determine antibacterial activity provide good

examples of the differences between the two terms. In an in vitro study,
bacteria would be placed in a test tube or a petri dish, along with a plant
(or some form of extract of the plant) to determine if the plant and/or
extract kills the bacteria or stops its growth. In an in vivo study, an ani-
mal would be inoculated with bacteria and then administered the plant
or extract to determine if the plant is effective in treating the bacterial
infection, and at what dosage. Clearly, in vivo studies are much more
effective in verifying a plant's uses and how they might affect a specific
disease or you.
Yet, this is just a point of reference as well: how a plant might affect a
rat or mouse does not always relate to how it will affect humans. Readers
should also understand that no manner standard-
scientific research is in
ized, and different results will be demonstrated based on the methods

employed by the researcher. As stated earlier, wherever possible, the sum-
mary of research provided will differentiate whether the study was per-
formed in vitro or in vivo and will give information on the types of methods
or extracts that were used.
TRADITIONAL PREPARATIONS
Traditional dosage amounts have been included in the plant
for plants
information, provided in Part Three, for a reason. These dosage amounts

are based on the long history of the plant's use and should be followed
within reason. They've been calculated for an average-weight adult person
of 120 to 150 pounds and should be generally adjusted up or down based
on body weight. Take less if you weigh under 120 pounds and more if you
weigh more than 150 pounds (up to double the recommended dosage if
you weigh 300 pounds or more). If you plan on taking more than one and
one-half times the dosages indicated for your weight, it is best to check with
a qualified herbalist, naturopath, or physician who has experience with the

particular plant you are choosing to take.
CONTRAINDICATIONS AND DRUG INTERACTIONS

Some of the plants featured in this book are not without side effects, and
for most, there is little data about their suitability and contraindications in
combination with the many pharmaceutical drugs that are prescribed in the
United The history of the medicinal uses of these plants mostly
States.
comes from South America and Third World countries that typically do not
have access to the types of prescription drugs commonly used in the Unit-
ed States. For this reason, the information that is provided for contraindi-
cations and drug interactions is not all-inclusive or complete.
Also, as discussed in Chapter 2, much of the data provided in this book
on contraindications and drug interactions is based on the plants' chem-
istry (and documented effects of those chemicals), rather than on funded
human clinical studies proving a drug interaction or a medical contraindi-

cation. Drug interaction studies just aren't performed on most medicinal
plants anywhere. If you are taking any prescription drug, always check
with your doctor first before taking herbal supplements or using any of the
plants featured in this book.
WORLDWIDE ETHNOMEDICAL USES TABLE

Ethnic uses of medicinal plants can be very important. If a plant has been
used in a specific way for a specific purpose for many years and in many
different geographical areas, there certainly is a reason for it: it is probably
effective. It is this information that helps scientists target which plants to
research first anci what to study them for. In fact, the majority of our plant-
based drugs or pharmaceuticals were discovered through documenta-
this
tion process. The Worldwide Ethnomedical Uses table summarizes all the
documented ethnic uses of the plant. This information includes specific
conditions and illnesses for which the plant has been used by people
around the world. It includes tribal or indigenous uses, as well as current
uses in herbal medicine. This information summarizes how all parts of the
plants are employed, without distinction. The information shown in the
table should only be used as a reference, and the main body of the text
should be reviewed for more detail.
You must be observant when reviewing the documentation provided

in this table. Although a plant may be documented to be anti-inflammato-
—
How to Use This Book
ry, the ethnic use may be as a topical inflammatory aid for something such
as skin rashes, rather than as an anti-inflammatory taken internally for
arthritis or stomach inflammation. Or, many tribal remedies documented
and employed by indigenous people call for a specific plant to be placed
in bath water for a "bathing remedy," rather than taken internally Other
times, a disease or condition like herpes or malaria may be documented
and listed in the Worldwide Ethnomedical Uses table; the text, however,
may reveal that the specific plant has been employed as an aid to treat
symptoms such as fever or lesions rather than as an antiviral or antimalar-
ial aid to directly affect the illness. For these
reasons, it is important to read the main text
on the plant and use the table only as a gen-
eral reference.
Please remember this information is an his-
torical account about how these tropical

rainforest plants are employed as natural
remedies in South American and Third
—
World countries. This as well as all of the
information found in this book is not a —
medical claim or recommendation to use
herbs in place of proper medical care.
Please always check with a qualified health
practitioner before beginning any herbal medicine program on your own Leaves and flowers
of rainforest plant
especially if you are taking prescription drugs or have (or think you may
sangre de grado.
have) a serious medical disorder or disease.
At the end of this book, you will find the Rainforest Resources section.
Here, you will find valuable information, including: sources for obtaining
sustainable rainforest products, nonprofit rainforest organizations, sug-
gested reading on sustainability and rainforest conservation issues, and
online resources about rainforest plants and rainforest conservation.
CHAPTER 1
Rainforest
Destruction
AND Survival
^ he beauty, majesty, and timelessness of a primary rainforest are inde-

\ scribable. It is impossible to capture on film, to describe in words,
ôr to explain to those who have never had the awe-inspiring expe-
rience of standing in the heart of a primary rainforest.
Rainforests have evolved over millions of years to turn into the incred-
ibly complex environments they are today. Rainforests represent a store of
living and breathing renewable natural resources that for eons, by virtue
of their richness in both animal and plant species, have contributed a
wealth of resources for the survival and well-being of humankind. These
resources have included basic food supplies, clothing, shelter, fuel, spices,
industrial raw materials, and medicine for all those who have lived in the
majesty of the forest. However, the inner dynamics of a tropical rainforest
is an intricate and fragile system. Everything is so interdependent that
upsetting one part can lead to unknown damage or even destruction of the
whole. Sadly, it has taken only a century of human intervention to destroy
what nature designed to last forever.
THE PROBLEM
The scale of human pressures on ecosystems everywhere has increased
enormously in the last few decades. Since 1980 the global economy has
tripled in size and the world population has increased by 30 percent. Con-
—
sumption of everything on the planet has risen at a cost to our ecosys-
tems. In 2001, The World Resources Institute estimated that the demand for
rice, wheat, and corn is expected to grow by 40 percent by 2020, increasing

irrigation water demands bv 50 percent or more. The Institute further
reported that the demand for wood could double bv the year 2050; unfor-
tunately, it is still the tropical forests of the world that supply the bulk of
the world's demand for wood.
The Amazon is being about 15 percent of the Earth's land surface was covered by
In 1950,
destroyed at an estimated rainforest. Today, more than half has already gone up in smoke. In fewer
rate of 20,000 square than fifty years, more than half of the world's tropical’rainforests have fall-
miles a year. If nothing is
en victim to fire and the chain sa\v, and the rate of destruction is still accel-
done to curb this trend,
erating. Unbelievably, more than 200,000 acres of rainforest are burned
the entire Amazon could every day. That is more than 150 acres lost e\ ery minute of every day, and
be gone within years.
fifty
78 million acres lost every year! More than 20 percent of the Amazon rain-
forest is already gone, and much more is severely threatened as the destruc-
tion continues. It is estimated that the .Amazon alone is vanishing at a rate
of 20,000 square miles a year. If nothing is done to curb this trend, the entire
Amazon iione within fift\' years.

could well be O -
Massive deforestation brings with it many ugly consequences — air and

water pollution, soil erosion, malaria epidemics, the release of carbon diox-
ide into the atmosphere, the e\ iction and decimation of indige-
nous Indian and the loss of biodiversity through
tribes,
extinction of plants and animals. Fewer rainforests mean less

rain, less oxygen for us to breathe, and an increased threat from
global warming.
But who is really to blame? Consider what we industrial-
ized Americans ha\ e done to our own homeland. We convert-
ed 90 percent of North America's \ irgin forests into firewood,
shingles, furniture, railroad ties, and paper. Other industrial-
ized countries have done no better. Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil,
Loggers transporting and other tropical countries with rainforests are often branded as "envi-
Amazon timber ronmental villains" of the world, mainh’ because of their reported levels
down the river.
of destruction of their rainforests. But despite the levels of deforestation,
up to 60 percent of their territory is still covered bv natural tropical forests.
In fact, today, much of the pressures on their remaining rainforests come
from servicing the needs and markets for \vood products in industrialized
countries that have already depleted their own natural resources. Indus-
trial countries would not be buying hardwoods and timber had
rainforest
we not cut down our own trees long ago, nor would poachers in the Ama-
zon jungle be slaughtering jaguar, ocelot, caiman, and otter if we did not
provide lucrative markets for their skins in Berlin, Paris, and Tokyo.
Rainforest Destruction and Survival 15
THE BIODIVERSITY OF THE RAINFOREST

Why should the loss of tropical forests be of any concern to us in light of
our ou^n poor management of natural resources? The loss of tropical rain-
forests has a profound and devastating impact on the world because rain-
forests are so biologically diverse, more so than other ecosystems (e.g.,
temperate forests) on Earth.

Consider these facts:
• A single pond in Brazil can sustain a greater variety of fish than is found
in all of Europe's rivers.
• A 25-acre plot of rainforest in Borneo may contain more than 700 species
of trees —a number equal to the total tree diversity of North America.
• A single rainforest reserve in Peru is home to more species of birds than

are found in the entire United States.
• One single tree in Peru was found to harbor forty-three different species
of ants —a total that approximates the entire number of ant species in the
British Isles.
• The number of species of fish in the Amazon exceeds the number found
in the entire Atlantic Ocean.
The biodiversity of the tropical rainforest is so immense that less than Some scientists believe
1 percent of its millions of species have been studied by scientists for their that there are between
active constituents and their possible uses. When an acre of tropical rain- 10 million and 30 million
forest is lost, the impact on the number of plant and animal species lost and yet-to-be-discovered
their possible uses is staggering. Scientists estimate that we are losing more insect species living in
than 137 species of plants and animals every single day because of rain- rainforest canopy trees.
forest deforestation.
Surprisingly, scientists have a better understanding of how many stars
there are in the galaxy than they have of how many species there are on
Earth. Estimates vary from 2 million to 100 million species, with a best esti-
mate somewhere near 10 million; only 1.4 million of these species have
of
actually been named. Today, rainforests occupy only 2 percent of the entire
Earth's surface and 6 percent of the world's land surface, yet these remain-
ing lush rainforests support over half of our planet's wild plants and trees
and one-half of the world's wildlife. Hundreds of thousands of these rain-
forest species are being extinguished before they have even been identified,
much less catalogued and studied. The magnitude of this loss to the world
was by Harvard's
naost poignantly described Pulitzer Prize-winning biol-
ogist Edward O. Wilson over a decade ago:
The worst thing that can happen during the 1980s is not energy
depletion, economic collapses, limited nuclear war, or conquest by
a totalitarian government. As terrible as these catastrophes would
be for us, they can be repaired within a few generations. The one
process ongoing in the 1980s that will take millions of years to cor-
rect is the loss of genetic and species diversity by the destruction
of natural habitats. This is the folly that our descendants are least
likely to forgive us for.
Yet still the destruction continues. If deforestation continues at current

rates, scientists estimate nearly 80 to 90 percent of tropical rainforest ecosys-
tems will be destroyed by the year 2020. This destruction is the main force
driving a species extinction rate unmatched in 65 million years.
THE AMAZON RAINFOREST . . .
THE LAST FRONTIER ON EARTH

The Amazon Rainforest If Amazonia were a country, it would be the ninth largest in the world. The
has been described as Amazon rainforest, the world's greatest remaining natural resource, is the
the “lungs of our planet” most powerful and bioactively diverse natural phenomenon on the planet. It
because it provides the has been described as the "lungs of our planet" because it provides the essen-
essential service of tial service of continuously recycling carbon dioxide into oxygen. It is esti-
continuously recycling mated more than 20 percent of Earth's oxygen is produced in this area.
that
carbon dioxide The Amazon covers more than 1.2 billion acres, representing two-fifths
into oxygen. of the enormous South American continent, and is found in nine South
American countries: Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia,
Guyana, French Guiana, and Suriname. With 2.5 million square miles of
rainforest, the Amazon rainforest represents 54 percent of the total rain-
forests left on Earth.
The Amazon River

The life force of the Amazon rainforest is the mighty Amazon River. It starts
as a trickle high in the snow-capped Andes Mountains and flows more

than 4,000 miles across the South American continent until it enters the
Atlantic Ocean at Belem, Brazil, where it is 200 to 300 miles across, depend-
ing on the season. Even 1,000 miles inland it is still 7 miles wide. The river
is so deep that ocean liners can travel up its length to 2,300 miles inland.
The Amazon River flows through the center of the rainforest and is fed by
1,100 tributaries, seventeen of which are more than 1,000 miles long. The
Amazon is by far the largest watershed and largest river system in the
world, occupying over 6 million square kilometers. Over
two-thirds of all the fresh water found on Earth is in the
Amazon Basin's rivers, streams, and tributaries.
With so much water it is not unusual that the main mode
of transportation throughout the area is by boat. The small-
est and most common boats used today are still made out of
hollowed tree trunks, whether they are powered by outboard

motors or more often by human-powered paddles. Almost
14,000 miles of Amazon waterway are navigable, and sever-
al million miles through swamps and forests are penetrable
by canoe. The enormous Amazon River carries massive

amounts of silt from runoff from the rainforest floor. Massive
amounts of silt deposited at the mouth of the Amazon River
—
has created the largest river island in the world Marajo Island, which is Children of the
Peruvian Amazon
roughly the size of Switzerland. With this massive freshwater system, it is
paddling to school.
not unusual that life beneath the water is as abundant and diverse as the
surrounding rainforest's plant and animal species. More than 2,000 species
of fish have been identified in the Amazon Basin —
more species than in the
entire Atlantic Ocean.
Over two-thirds of all
the fresh water found on

Largest Collection of Plant and Animal Species
Earth is in the Amazon
The Amazon Basin was formed in the Paleozoic period, somewhere Basin’s rivers, streams,
between 500 million and 200 million years ago. The extreme age of the and tributaries.
region in geologic terms has much to do with the relative infertility of the
rainforest soil and the richness and unique diversity of the plant and ani-
mal life. There are more fertile areas in the Amazon River's flood plain,
where the river deposits richer soil brought from the Andes, which only
formed 20 million years ago.
The Amazon rainforest contains the largest collection of living plant
and animal species in the world. The diversity of plant species in the Ama-
zon rainforest is the highest on Earth. It is estimated that a single hectare
(2.47 acres) of Amazon rainforest contains about 900 tons of living plants,
including more than 750 types of trees and 1,500 other plants. The Andean
mountain range and the Amazon jungle are home to more than half of the
world's species of flora and fauna; in fact, one in five of all the birds in the
world live in the rainforests of the Amazon. To date, some 438,000 species
of plants of economic and social interest have been registered in the region,
and many more have yet to be catalogued or even discovered.
Scarring and Loss of Diversity

Once a vast sea of tropical forest, the Amazon rainforest today is scarred
by roads, farms, ranches, and dams. Brazil is gifted with a full third of the
world's remaining rainforests; unfortunately, it is also one of the world's
great rainforest destroyers, burning or felling more than 2.7 million acres
each year. More than 20 percent of rainforest in the Amazon has been razed
and is gone forever. This ocean of green, nearly as large as Australia, is
the last great rainforest in the known universe and it is being decimated
like the others before it. Why? Like other rainforests already lost forever,
the land is being cleared for logging timber, large-scale cattle ranching,
mining operations, government road building and hydroelectric schemes,
military operations, and the subsistence agriculture of peasants and land-
less settlers. Sadder still, in many places the rainforests are burnt simply to
provide charcoal to power industrial plants in the area.
THE DRIVING FORCES OF DESTRUCTION

Commercial logging is the single largest cause of rainforest destruction,
both directly and indirectly. Other activities also destroy the rainforest, in-
cluding clearing land for grazing animals and subsistence farming. The sim-
ple fact is that people are destroying the Amazon rainforest and the rest of
the rainforests of the world because "they can't see the forest for the trees."
Logging for Tropical Hardwoods

Logging tropical hardwoods mahogany, rosewood, and other tim-
like teak,
ber for furniture, building materials, charcoal, and other wood products is
big business and big profits. Several species of tropical hardwoods are
imported by developed counties, including the United States, just to build
coffins that are then buried or burned. The demand, extraction, and con-
sumption of tropical hardwoods has been so massive that some countries
that have been traditional exporters of tropical hardwoods are now import-
ing them because they have already exhausted their supply by destroying
native rainforests in slash-and-burn operations. It is anticipated that the
Philippines, Malaysia, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Thailand will soon fol-
low, as all these countries will run out of rainforest hardwood timber for
export within five years. Japan is the largest importer of tropical woods.
—
Despite recent reductions, Japan's average tropical timber import of 11 mil-
lion cubic meters annually is still The demand for tropical hard-
gluttonous.
wood timber is damaging to the ecological, biological, and social fabric of
tropical lands and is clearly unsustainable for any length of time.
Behind the hardwood logger come others down the same roads
which were built to transport the timber. The cardboard packing and the
wood chipboard industries use 15-ton machines that gobble up the rain-
forest with 8-foot cutting discs that have eight blades revolving 320 times
a minute. These machines that cut entire trees into chips half the size of a
matchbox can consume more than 200 species of trees in mere minutes.
Logging rainforest timber is a large economic source, and in many
cases, the main source of revenue for servicing the national debt of these
developing countries. Logging profits are real to those countries that must
attend to their debts, but they are fleeting. Governments are selling their
assets too cheaply, and once the rainforest is gone, their source of income
will also be gone. Sadly, most of the real profits of the timber trade are
made not by the developing countries, but by multinational companies
and industrialists of the Northern Hemisphere. These huge, profit-driven
companies pay governments a fraction of the timber's worth for large
logging concessions on immense tracts of rainforest land and reap huge —
profits by harvesting the timber in the most economical manner feasible
with little regard to the destruction left in their wake.
Logging concessions in the Amazon are sold for as little as $2 per acre,
with logging companies felling timber worth thousands of dollars per acre.
Governments are selling their natural resources, hawking for pennies
resources that soon will be worth billions of dollars. Some of these gov-
ernment concessions and land deals made with industrialists make the sale
of Manhattan for $24 worth of trinkets look shrewd. In 1986, a huge indus-
trial timber corporation bought thousands of acres in the Borneo rainforest
by giving 2,000 Malaysian dollars to twelve longhouses of local tribes. This

sum amounted to the price of two bottles of beer for each member of the
community. Since then, this company and others have managed to extract
—
and destroy about a third of the Borneo rainforest about 6.9 million
—
acres and the local tribes have been evicted from the area or forced to
work for the logging companies at slave wages.
Fuel Wood and the Paper Industry

In addition to being logged for exportation, rainforest wood stays in devel-
oping countries for fuel wood and charcoal. One single steel plant in Brazil
making steel for Japanese cars needs millions of tons of wood each year to
produce charcoal that can be used in the manufacture of steel. Then, there
is the paper industry.
One pulpwood project in the Brazilian Amazon consists of a Japanese
power plant and pulp mill. To set up this single plant operation, 5,600
square miles of Amazon rainforest were burned to the ground and replant-
ed with pulpwood trees. This single manufacturing plant consumes 2,000
tons of surrounding rainforest wood every day to produce 55 megawatts
of electricity to run the plant. which has been in operation since
The plant,
1978, produces more than 750 tons of pulp for paper every twenty-four
hours, worth approximately $500,000, and has built 2,800 miles of roads
It is estimated that the through the Amazon rainforest to be used by its 700 vehicles. In addition,
paper industry alone will the world's biggest pulp mill is the Aracruz mill in Brazil. Its two units
consume 4 billion tons of produce 1 million tons of pulp a year, harvesting the rainforest to keep the
rainforest wood annually plant in business and displacing thousands of indigenous tribes. Where
by the year 2020. does all this pulp go? Aracruz's biggest customers are the United States,
Belgium, Great Britain, and Japan. More and more rainforest is destroyed
to meet the demands of the developed world's paper industry, which
requires a staggering 200 million tons of wood each year simply to make
paper. If the present rate continues, it is estimated that the paper industry
alone will consume 4 billion tons of wood annually by the year 2020.
Once an area of rainforest has been logged, even if it is given the rare
chance to regrow, it can never become what it once was. The intricate ecosys-
tem nature devised is lost forever. Only 1 to 2 percent of light at the top of a
rainforest canopy manages to reach the forest floor below. Most times when
timber is harvested, trees and other plants that have evolved over centuries to
grow in the dark, humid environment below the canopy simply cannot live
out in the open, and as a result, the plants and animals (that depend on the
plants) of the original forest become extinct. Even if only sections of land
throughout an area are destroyed, these remnants change drastically. Birds
and other animals cannot cross from one remnant of land to another in the
canopy, so plants are not pollinated, seeds are not dispersed by the animals,
and the plants around the edges are not surrounded by the high jungle humid-
ity they need to grow As a result, the remnants slowly become
properly.
degraded and die. Rains come and wash away the thin topsoil that was pre-
viously protected by the canopy, and this barren, infertile land is vulnerable
to erosion. Sometimes the land is replanted in African grasses for cattle oper-
ations; other timesmore virgin rainforest is destroyed for cattle operations
because grass planted on recently burned land has a better chance to grow.
Grazing Land
As the demand in the Western world for cheap meat increases, more and
more rainforests are destroyed to provide grazing land for animals. In
Brazil alone, there are an estimated 220 million head of cattle, 20 million
goats, 60 million pigs,and 700 million chickens. Most of Central and Latin
America's tropical and temperate rainforests have been lost to cattle oper-
ations to meet the world's demand, and still they continue to move south-
ward into the heart of the South American rainforests. To graze one steer
in Amazonia takes two full acres. Most of the ranchers in the Amazon oper-
ate at a loss, yielding only paper profits purely as tax shelters. Ranchers'
fortunes are made only when ranching is supported by government give-
Millions of acres of
aways. A banker or rich landowner in Brazil can slash and burn a huge tract rainforests have been
of land in the Amazon rainforest, seed it with grass for cattle, and realize
lost to cattle operations
millions of dollars worth of government-subsidized loans, tax credits, and to meet the world’s
write-offs in return for developing the land. These government devel- demand for cheap meat.
opment schemes rarely make a profit, as they are actually selling cheap
beef to industrialized nations. One single cattle ranch in Brazil thatwas co-
owned by British Barclays Bank and one of Brazil's wealthiest families was
responsible for the destruction of almost 500,000 acres of virgin rainforest.
The cattle operation never made a profit, but government write-offs shel-
tered huge profits earned off of logging other land in the Brazilian rainfor-
est owned by the same investors.
These generous tax and credit incentives have created more than 29
million acres of large cattle ranches in the Brazilian Amazon, even though
the typical ranch could cover less than half its costs without these subsi-
dies. Even these grazing lands do not last forever. Soon the lack of nutri-
ents in the soil and overgrazing degrade them, and they are abandoned for
newly cleared land. In Brazil alone, more than 63,000 square miles of land
has reportedly been abandoned in this way.
Subsistence Farming
This type of government-driven destruction of rainforest land is promoted
by a common attitude among governments in rainforest regions, an atti-
tude that the forest is an economic resource to be harnessed to aid in the
development of their countries. The same attitudes that accompanied the

colonization of our own frontier are found today in Brazil and other coun-
trieswith wild and unharnessed rainforest wilderness. These beliefs are

exemplified by one Brazilian official's public statement that "not until all
Amazonas is colonized by real Brazilians, not Indians, can we truly say we

own Were we Americans any different with our own colonization, dec-
it."
imating the North American Indian tribes? Like Brazil, we sent out a call
to all the world that America had land for the landless in an effort to
increase colonization of our country at the expense of our indigenous Indi-
an tribes. And like the first American colonists, colonization in the rainfor-
est really means subsistence farming.
Subsistence farming has for centuries been a driving force in the loss
of rainforest land. And as populations explode in Third World countries in
South America and the Far East, the impact has been profound. By tradi-
tion, wildlands and unsettled lands in the rainforest are free to those who
clear the forest and till the soil. "Squatter's rights" still prevail, and poor,
hungry people show little enthusiasm for arguments about the value of
biodiversity or the plight of endangered species when they struggle daily
to feed their families. These landless peasants and settlers follow the log-
ging companies down the roads they have built to extract timber into
untouched rainforest lands, burning off whatever the logging companies
leave behind.
The present approach to rainforest cultivation produces wealth for
a few, but only for a short time, because farming burned-off tracts of
Amazon rainforest seldom works for long. Less than 10 percent of Ama-
zonian soils are suitable for sustained conventional agriculture. How-
ever lush they look, rainforests often flourish on such nutrient-poor
However lush they look, soils that they are essentially "wet deserts," easier to damage and hard-
rainforests often flourish er to cultivate than any other soil. Most are exhausted by the time they
on such nutrient-poor have produced three or four crops. Many of the thousands of home-
soils that they are steaders who migrated from Brazil's cities to the wilds of the rainforest,
essentially “wet deserts," responding to the government's call of "land without men for men
easier to damage and without land," have already had to abandon their depleted farms and
harder to cultivate move on, leaving behind fields of baked clay dotted with stagnant pools
than any other soil. of polluted water.
Experts agree that the path to conservation begins with helping
these local residents meet their own daily needs. Because of the infertil-
and the lack of knowledge of sustainable cultivation prac-
ity of the soil,
tices, this type of agriculture strips the soil of nutrients within a few
harvests, and the farmers continue to move farther into the rainforest in
search of new land. They must be helped and educated to break free of
the need to continually clear rainforest in search of fresh, fertile land if
the rainforest is to be saved.
Leading the Threat: Governments

Directly and indirectly, the leading threats to rainforest ecosystems are
governments and their unbridled, unplanned, and uncoordinated devel-
opment of natural resources. The 2000-2001 World Resources Report put
out by the United Nations reported that governments worldwide spend
$700 billion dollars a year supporting and subsidizing environmentally
unsound practices in the use of water, agriculture, energy, and trans-
portation. In the Amazon, rainforest timber exports and large-scale devel-
opment projects go a long way in servicing national debt in many
developing countries, which is why governments and international aid-
lending institutions like the World Bank subsidize them. In the tropics,
governments own or control nearly 80 percent of tropical forests, so these
forests stand or fall according to government policy; and in many coun-
tries, government policies lie behind the wastage of forest resources.
Besides the tax incentives and credit subsidies that guarantee large prof-
its to private investors who convert forests to pastures and farms, gov-
ernments allow private concessionaires to log the national forests on

terms that induce uneconomic or wasteful uses of the public domain.
Massive public expenditures on highways, dams, plantations, and agri-
cultural settlements, too often supported by multilateral development
lending, convert or destroy large areas of forest for projects of question-
able economic worth.
Tropical countries are among the poorest countries on Earth. Brazil
alone spends 40 percent of its annual income simply servicing its loans, and
the per capita income of Brazil's people is less than $2,000 annually. Sadly,
these numbers do not even represent an accurate picture in the Amazon
because Brazil is one of the richer countries in South America. These strug-
gling Amazonian countries must also manage the most complex, delicate,
and valuable forests remaining on the planet, and the economic and tech-
nological resources available to them are limited. They must also endure a
dramatic social and economic situation, as well as deeply adverse terms of

trade and financial relationships with industrial countries. Under such con-
ditions, the possibility of their reaching sustainable models of development
alone is virtually nil.
There is a clear need for industrial countries to sincerely and effective-
ly assist the tropics in a quest for sustainable forest management and devel-
opment if the remaining rainforests are to be saved. The governments of
these developing countries need help in learning how to manage and pro-
tect their natural resources for long-term profits, while stillmanaging to

reduce their debts, and they must be given the incentives and tools to do so.
Programs to redefine the timber concessions so there are greater incentives
to guard the long-term health of the and programs to revive and

forest
expand community-based forestry schemes, which ensure more rational
use of forests and a better life for the people who live near them, must be
developed.
First- World capital must seek out opportunities to partner with organ-
izations that have the technical expertise to guide these programs of sus-
tainable economic development. In addition, programs teaching techniques
for sustainable harvesting practices and identifying profitable, yet sus-
tainable, forest products can enable developing countries to improve the
standard of living for their people, reduce national debt, and contribute
meaningfully to land-use planning and conservation of natural resources.
RAINFORESTS, PHARMACY TO THE WORLD

It is estimated that nearly half of the world's approximate 10 million species
of plants, animals, and microorganisms will be destroyed or severely
Rainforest plants are threatened over the next quarter-century due to rainforest deforestation.
complex chemical Edward O. Wilson estimates that we are losing 137 plant and animal spe-
storehouses that contain cies every single day. That's 50,000 species a year! Again, why should we
many undiscovered in the United States be concerned about the destruction of distant tropical
compounds with rainforests? Because rainforest plants arecomplex chemical storehouses
unrealized potential for that contain many undiscovered biodynamic compounds with unrealized
use in modern medicine.
potential for use in modern medicine. We can gain access to these materi-
als only if we study and conserve the species that contain them.
Key to Tomorrow's Cures?

Rainforests currently provide sources for one-fourth of today's medicines,
and 70 percent of the plants found to have anti-cancer properties are found
only in the rainforest. The rainforest and its immense undiscovered bio-
diversity hold the key to unlocking tomorrow's cures for devastating dis-
eases. How many cures for devastating disease have we already lost?
Two drugs obtained from a rainforest plant known as the Madagascar
periwinkle, now extinct in the wild due to deforestation of the Madagas-
car rainforest, have increased the chances of survival for children with
leukemia from 20 percent to 80 percent. Think about it: eight out of ten
children are now saved, rather than eight of ten children dying from
leukemia. How many children have been spared and how many more will
continue to be spared because of this single rainforest plant? What if we
had failed to discover this one important plant among millions before
human activities had led to its extinction? When our remaining rainforests
are gone, the rare plants and animals will be lost forever —and so will the
possible cures for diseases like cancer they can provide.
No one can challenge the fact that we are still largely dependent on
plants for treating our ailments. Almost 90 percent of people in developing
countries still on traditional medicine, based largely on different
rely
species of plants and animals, for their primary health care. In the United
States, some 25 percent of prescriptions are filled with drugs whose active
ingredients are extracted or derived from plants. By 1980 sales of these

plant-based drugs in the United States amounted to some $4.5 billion annu-
ally. Worldwide sales of these plant-based drugs were estimated at $40 bil-
lion in 1990. Currently, 121 prescription drugs sold worldwide come from
plant-derived sources from only ninety species of plants. Still more drugs
are derived from animals and microorganisms.
More than 25 percent of the active ingredients in today's cancer-fight-
ing drugs come from organisms found only in the rainforest. The U.S.
National Cancer Institute has identified more than 3,000 plants that are
active against cancer cells,and 70 percent of these plants are found only in
the rainforest. In the thousands of species of rainforest plants that have not The U.S. National Cancer
been analyzed are many more thousands of unknown plant chemicals, Institute has identified
many of which have evolved to protect the plants from diseases. These nnore than 3,000 plants
plant chemicals may well help us in our own ongoing struggle with con- that are active against
stantly evolving pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi that are cancer cells, and 70
mutating against our mainstream drugs and becoming resistant to them. percent of these plants
These pathogens cause serious diseases, including hepatitis, pneumonia, are found only in the
rainforest.
tuberculosis, and HIV, all of which are becoming more difficult to treat.
Experts now believe that if there is a cure for cancer and even AIDS, it will
probably be found in the rainforest.
Bioprospecting
In 1983, therewere no U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturers involved in

research programs to discover new drugs or cures from plants. Today, more
than 100 pharmaceutical companies, including giants like Merck, Abbott,
Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Monsanto, Smith-Kline Beecham, as well as
several branches of the U.S. government, including the National Cancer
Institute, are engaged in plant-based research projects trying to find possi-
ble drugs to treat infections, cancer, and AIDS. Most of this research is cur-
rently taking place in the rainforest in an industry that is now called

"bioprospecting." This new pharmacological industry draws together an
unlikely confederacy: plant collectors and anthropologists; ecologists and
conservationists; natural product companies and nutritional supplement
manufacturers; AIDS and cancer researchers; executives in the world's
largest drug companies; and native indigenous shamans. They are part of
a radical experiment: to preserve the world's rainforests by showing how
much more valuable they are standing than cut down. And it is a race
against a clock whose every tick means another acre of charred forest. Yet,
it is also a race that pits one explorer against another, for those who score
the first big hit in chemical bioprospecting will secure wealth and a piece
of scientific immortality.
In November 1991, Merck Pharmaceutical Company announced a
landmark agreement to obtain samples of wild plants and animals for
drug-screening purposes from Costa Rica's National Biodiversity Insti-
tute (INBio); the program

ongoing today. Spurred by this and other
is still
biodiversity prospecting ventures, interest in the commercial value of

plant genetic and biochemical resources is burgeoning today. While the
Merck-INBio agreement provides a fascinating example of a private part-
nership that contributes to rural economic development, rainforest con-
servation, and technology transfer, virtually no precedent exists for
national policies and legislation to govern and regulate what amounts to
a brand new industry.
Since wealth and technology are as concentrated in most of the North
as biodiversity and poverty are in much of the South, the question of
equity is particularly hard to answer in ways that satisfy everyone with
a stake in the outcome. The interests of bioprospecting corporations are
not the same as those of people who live in a biodiversity "hot spot,"
many of whom are barely eking out a living. As the search for wild
species whose genes can yield new medicines and better crops gathers
momentum, these rich habitats also sport more and more bioprospectors.
Like the nineteenth-century California gold rush or its present-day coun-
terpart in Brazil, this "gene rush" couldwreak havoc on ecosystems and
the people living in or near them. If it is done properly, however, bio-
prospecting can bolster both economic and conservation goals while
underpinning the medical and agricultural advances needed to combat
disease and sustain growing populations.
The majority of our current plant-derived drugs were discovered by

examining the traditional use of plants by the indigenous people who
lived where the plants grew and flourished. History has shown that the
situation with the rainforest is noand bioprospectors now are
different,
working side by side with rainforest tribal shamans and herbal healers to
learn the wealth of their plant knowledge, and about the many uses of
indigenous plants.
UNLOCKING THE SECRETS OF THE RAINFOREST

After the Amerindians discovered America, about twenty millennia before
Columbus, all their clothing, food, medicine, and
were derived from
shelter
the forests. Those millennia gave the Indians time to discover and learn
empirically the virtues and vices of the thousands of edible and medicinal
species in the rainforest. More than 80 percent of the developed world's
diet originated in the rainforest and from this indigenous knowledge of the
wealth of edible fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Of the estimated 3,000 edible Long regarded as
fruits found in the rainforest, only 200 are cultivated for use today, despite hocus-pocus by science,
the fact that the Indians have used more than 1,500. Many secrets and the empirical plant
untold treasures about the medicinal plants used by shamans, healers, and knowledge of the
the indigenous people of the rainforest tribes await discovery. Long regard- indigenous peoples is
ed as hocus-pocus by science, the empirical plant knowledge of the indige- now thought by many
nous peoples is now thought by many to be the Amazon's new gold. Their to be the Amazon’s
use of the plants provides the bioprospector with the clues necessary to tar-
new gold.
get specific species to research in the race for time before the species are lost
to deforestation. More often, the race is defined as being the first pharma-
ceutical company to patent a new drug utilizing a newly discovered rain-
forest phytochemical —and, of course, to garner the profits.
Indigenous People, A Valuable Resource

Laboratory synthesis of new medicines is increasingly costly and not as
fruitful as companies would words of one major drug compa-
like. In the
ny executive, "Scientists may be able to make any molecule they can imag-
ine on a computer, but Mother Nature ... is an infinitely more ingenious
and exciting chemist." Scientists have developed new technologies to
assess the chemical makeup of plants, and they realize that using medici-
nal plants identified by Indians makes research more efficient and less
expensive. With these new trends,drug development has actually returned
to its roots: traditional medicine. It is now understood by bioprospectors
that the tribal peoples of the rainforest represent the key to finding new and
useful tropical forest plants. The degree to which these indigenous people
A single Amazonian tribe uncierstand and are able to use this diversity sustainably is astounding. A
may use more than 200 single Amazonian tribe of Indians may use more than 200 species of plants
species of plants for for medicinal purposes alone.
medicinal purposes alone.
Of the 121 pharmaceutical drugs that are plant-derived today, 74 per-
cent were discovered through follow-up research to verify the authentici-
ty of information concerning the medical uses of the plant by indigenous
peoples. Nevertheless, to this day, very few rainforest tribes have been sub-
jected to a complete ethnobotanical analysis. Robert Goodland of the World
Bank wrote, "Indigenous knowledge is essential for the use, identification
and cataloguing of the [tropicall biota. As tribal groups disappear, their
knowledge vanishes with them. The preservation of these
groups is a significant economic opportunity for the [develop-
ing! nation, not a luxury."
Since Amazonian Indians are often the only ones who
know both and how they can best
the properties of these plants
be used, their knowledge is now considered an essential com-
ponent of all efforts to conserve and develop the rainforest. Since
failure to document this lore would represent a tremendous eco-
nomic and scientific loss to the industrialized world, the bio-
prospectors are now working side by side with the rainforest
tribal shamans and herbal healers to learn the wealth of their
Kayapo tribal plant knowledge. But bioprospecting has a dark side. Indian knowledge
woman and child,
resisted the pressure of "modernization" is being used by bio-
prospectors who, like companies and loggers destroying the
oil forests,
threaten to leave no benefits behind them.
Few Benefits for the Indigenous People
It is a noble idea — the ethnobotanist working with the Indians seeking a

cure for cancer or even AIDS, like Sean Connery in the movie Medicine Man.
Yet behind this lurks a system that, at its worst, steals the Indian knowl-
edge to benefit CEOs, stockholders, and academic and reputations.
careers
The real goal of these powerful bioprospectors is to target novel and active
phytochemicals for medical applications, synthesize them in a laboratory,
and have them patented for subsequent drug manufacture and resulting
profits. In this process, many active and beneficial plants have been found
in the shaman's medicine chest, only to be ciiscarded when it was found

that the active ingredients of the plant numbered too many to be cost effec-
tively synthesized into a patentable drug. It does not matter how active or
beneficial the plant is or how long the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) process might take to approve the new drug; if the bioprospector can
not capitalize on it, the public will rarely hear about a plant's newly dis-
covered benefits. The fact is there is a lot of money at stake. In an article
published in Economic Botany, Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, an economist at Yale
University, and Dr. Michael Balick, director of the Institute of Economic As corporations rush
J.
Botany at the New York Botanical Gardens, estimate the minimum num- to patent indigenous
medicinal knowledge,
ber of pharmaceutical drugs potentially remaining to be extracted from the
the originating indigenous
rainforests. It is staggering! They estimate that there are at least 328 new
communities receive few,
drugs that still await discovery in the rainforest, with a potential value of
if any, benefits.
$3 billion to $4 billion to a private pharmaceutical company and as much
as $147 billion to society as a whole.
While the indigenous Indian shamans go about their daily lives caring
for the well-being of their tribe, the shaman's rainforest medicines are being
tested, synthesized, patented, and submitted for FDA approval in U.S. lab-
oratories thousands of miles away. Soon, children with viral infections,

adults with herpes, cancer patients, and many others throughout the world
may benefit from new medicines from the Amazon rainforest. But what
will the indigenous tribes see of these wonderful new medicines? As cor-
porations rush to patent indigenous medicinal knowledge, the originating
indigenous communities receive few, if any, benefits.
LOSING THE KNOWLEDGE

The destruction of the rainforest has followed the pattern of approaching nat-
ural land and natural world peoples as resources to be used, and seeing
wilderness as idle, empty, and unproductive. Destruction of our rainforests
is not only causing the extinction of plant and animal species, it is also wiping
out indigenous peoples who live in the rainforest. Obviously, rainforests are
not idle land, nor are they uninhabited. Indigenous peoples have developed
technologies and resource systems that have allowed them to live on the
Arawete woman and
land, farming, hunting, and gathering complex sustainable relationship
in a
child —their tribe uses
with the forest. But when rainforests die, so do the indigenous peoples. annatto to paint their
In 1500, there were an estimated 6 million to 9 million indigenous peo- bodies and color
ple inhabiting the rainforests in Brazil. When Western and European cul- clothing.
tureswere drawn to Brazil's Amazon hopes of finding riches beyond

in the
comprehension and artifacts from civilizations that have expired with the
passage of time, they left behind decimated cultures in their ravenous

wake. By 1900, there were only 1 million indigenous people left in Brazil's
Amazon. Although the fabled Fountain of Youth was never discovered,

many and gems were spirited
treasures in gold away by the more success-
ful invaders of the day, and the indigenous inhabitants of the rainforest
bore the brunt of these marauding explorers and conquistadors.

Today there are fewer than 250,000 indigenous people of Brazil sur-
viving this catastrophe, and still the destruction continues. These surviv-
ing indigenous people demonstrate the remarkable diversity of the
rainforest because they comprise 215 ethnic groups with 170 different lan-
guages. Nationwide, they live in 526 territories, which together compose
an area of 190 million acres twice the size of California. About 188 mil-
. . .
lion acres of this land is inside the Brazilian Amazon, in the states of Acre,
Amapa, Amazonas, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Para, Rondonia, Roraima,
and Tocantins. There may also be fifty or more indigenous groups still liv-
ing in the depths of the rainforest that have never had contact with the
outside world.
Throughout the rainforest, people whose age-old traditions allow them
to live in and off the forest without destroying it are losing out to cattle
ranching, logging, hydroelectric projects, large-scale farms, mining, and

colonization schemes. About half of the original Amazonian tribes have
already been completely destroyed. The greatest threat to Brazil's remain-
ing tribal people, most of whom live in the Amazon rainforest, is the inva-
sion of their territory by ranchers, miners, and land speculators and the
conflicts that follow. Thousands of peasants, rubber tappers, and indige-
nous tribes have been killed in Amazonia in the past decade in violent con-
flicts over forest resources and land.
As their homelands continue to be invaded and destroyed, rainforest

The greatest threat to
people and their cultures are disappearing. When these indigenous peoples
Brazil’s remaining tribal
are lost forever, gone too will be their practical knowledge representing
people, most of whom
centuries of accumulated knowledge of the medicinal value of plant and
live in the Amazon
animal species in the rainforest. Very few tribes have been subjected to a
rainforest, is the invasion
of their territory by
complete ethnobotanical analysis of their plant knowledge, and most med-
ranchers, miners, and
icine men and shamans remaining in the rainforests today are seventy years
land speculators.
old or more. When a medicine man dies without passing his arts on to
the next generation, the tribe and the world lose thousands of years of irre-
placeable knowledge about medicinal plants. Each time a rainforest medi-

cine man dies, it is as if a library has burned down.
Rainforest Destruction and Survival
THE SOLUTION: PROFITS WITHOUT PLUNDER

The problem and the solution of the destruction of the rainforest are both
economic. Governments need money to service their debts, squatters and
settlers need money to feed their families, and companies need to make
profits. The simple fact is that the rainforest is being destroyed for the
income and profits it yields, however fleeting. Money still makes the world
—
go round even in South America and even in the rainforest. But this also
means that if landowners, governments, and those living in the rainforest
today were given a viable economic reason not to destroy the rainforest, it
could and would be saved. And this viable economic alternative does exist,
and it is working today. Many organizations have demonstrated that if the
medicinal plants, fruits, nuts, oils, and other resources like rubber, choco-
late, and chicle (used to make chewing gums) are harvested sustainably,
rainforest land has much more economic value today and more long-term
income and profits for the future than if just timber is harvested or burned
down for cattle or farming operations.
In fact, the latest statistics prove that rainforest land converted to cat-
tle operations yields the landowner $60 per acre; if timber is harvested, the
land worth $400 per acre. However, if medicinal plants, fruits, nuts, rub-
is
ber, chocolate, and other renewable and sustainable resources are harvest-
ed, the land will yield the landowner $2,400 per acre. This value provides
an income not only today, but year after year, for generations. These sus-
tainable resources — not the trees—are the true wealth of the rainforest.
This is no longer a theory. It is a fact, and it is being implemented today.
Just as important, to wild-harvest the wealth of sustainable rainforest
resources effectively, local people and indigenous tribes must be employed.
Today, entire communities and tribes earn five to ten times more money in
wild-harvesting medicinal plants, fruits, nuts, and oils than they can earn
by chopping down the forest for subsistence crops. This much-needed
income source creates the awareness and economic incentive for this pop-
ulation in the rainforest to protect and preserve the forests for long-term
profits for themselves and their children, and is an important solution in
saving the rainforest from destruction.
When the timber is harvested for short-term gain and profits, the
medicinal plants, nuts, and other important sustainable resources that
oils,
thrive in this delicate ecosystem are destroyed. The real solution to saving
the rainforest is to make its inhabitants see the forest and the trees by cre-
ating a consumer demand and consumer markets for these sustainable
rainforest products —markets that are larger and louder than today's trop-
ical timber market, markets that will put as much money in their pockets
and government coffers as the timber companies do, markets that will give
them the economic incentive to protect their sustainable resources for long-
term profits, rather than short-term gain.
This is the only solution that makes a real impact, and it can make a
real difference. Each and every person in the United States can take part in
this solution by helping consumer market and demand for

to create this
sustainable rainforest products. By purchasing renewable and sustainable
rainforest products and resources and demanding sustainable harvesting
of these resources using^ local communities and indigenous
^ tribes of the
Tribs-I Indi3.n
. ,
rainforests, we all can be part of the solution, and the rainforests of the
elders gathering
and their people can u j
i i i •
i
roots and plants.

be saved.
PART ONE
Rainforest
Herbal Primer
here are currently more than one hundred substances derived from
plants in use as drugs throughout the world. Since drugs and active
chemicals in plants can have widespread effects when consumed, it
is important that people understand the differences and similarities
between drugs and medicinal plants. Part One: Rainforest Herbal Primer
discusses the use of herbs in health care, pointing out the differences and
similarities between drugs and medicinal plants and the need for users to
be well informed about the herbs they use (Chapter 2). Basic information
about methods for preparing herbal remedies (Chapter 3) and details about
rainforest remedies and recipes (Chapter 4) are also discussed.
'lift'..
CHAPTER 2
Differences and
Similarities of Drugs
AND Medicinal Plants
^ oday, there are at least 120 distinct chemical substances derived from
plants that are considered important drugs and are currently in use
in one or more countries in the world. Some of these drugs are sim-
ply a chemical or chemicals extracted from plant materials and put into a
capsule, tablet, or liquid. One such example is the plant chemical called
cynarin, which occurs naturally in the common artichoke plant. In Ger-
many, a cynarin drug is manufactured and sold to treat hypertension, liver
disorders, and high cholesterol levels. The drug is simply this single chem-
ical, or an artichoke liquid extract, that has been concentrated and chemi-
cally manipulated to contain a specific amount of this one chemical; such

a preparation is called a standardized extract. This drug is manufactured
by pharmaceutical companies and sold in pharmacies in Germany with a
doctor's prescription.
However, in the United States, artichoke extracts are available as nat-
ural products and sold in health food stores as "dietary supplements."
Some U.S. artichoke products are even standardized to contain a specific
amount of cynarin, yet they can still be purchased here as a natural prod-
uct without a prescription (and for a lot less money than
Germany). in
There may be little to no difference between the cynarin drug produced

in Germany and the artichoke standardized herbal supplement made in
the United States considering that the same amount of cynarin is being
delivered, dose for dose.
— ’*1
NEED FOR CONSUMER EDUCATION ABOUT

HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS AND DRUGS
While American consumers do have more access to less-expensive natural
products, such as cynarin-standardized artichoke products, regulations
here prohibit the manufacturers to make any claims as to what the prod-
ucts might treat or even be good for, since they must be sold as "foods,"
not "medicines." Unfortunately, someone looking through the shelves in a
health food store for something to help them manage their high blood pres-
sure or high cholesterol might pass by an artichoke extract totally unaware
of its status, the research about it, and its uses in Germany and other Euro-
pean countries. Therefore, even though American consumers may have
freer access to these less-expensive natural products, they must make an
effort to educate themselves about the properties and uses of these herbal
substances in order to find the most appropriate natural remedy to meet

their needs.
Many American consumers find it very frustrating to sort through a lot
of ambiguous information put out by natural product manufacturers who

cannot legally label their goods with condition-specific information (and
stop them in their tracks in the aisles at the health food store saying, 'Hey,
look at me, if you have high cholesterol!'). But, there is another way to look
at it. Would you rather pay the much higher price to go to the doctor for
Get prepared to the convenience of being told what to take and then spend more money on
do some research, a prescription, as in Germany? Or would you rather do a little research
take responsibility for yourself, skip the doctor's visit (anci cost), and purchase a less-expensive
your own health and natural product at the health food store that the German physician writes
wellness, and educate a prescription for anyway? Unfortunately, you can not have it both ways
yourself about which not unless you find a highly knowledgeable naturopath, herbalist, or nat-
natural remedies ural health practitioner who will just tell you what to buy at the
(for free)
and products might health food store (and finding such a practitioner might take some research
be helpful for you. effort too!). do some research, take responsibility for
So get prepared to
your own health and wellness, and educate yourself about which natural
remedies and products might be helpful for you.
Another well-known example of how similar a plant and drug can be
(but a bit different) is quinine. For well over 100 years, the quinine chemi-
cal (an alkaloid) was extracted from the natural bark of Cinchona trees and
sold as a prescription drug to treat malaria. American were moti-
scientists
vated to try to copy this chemical in the laboratory during World War 11
when the world's main tropical tree farms fell into the hands of the Japan-
Differences and Similarities of Drugs and Medicinal Plants 37
ese —
and the natural bark was in short supply during which time Ameri-
can troops in the tropics were dropping like flies to malaria. Scientists were
able to make an exact copy of the chemical in the laboratory without using
any natural bark to start with, and a synthesized drug was created. Because
it was a chemical occurring in nature and not a new one, it could not be
patented by any one drug company. Several pharmaceutical companies

worldwide began producing and selling synthesized quinine drugs, as they
still do today.
While natural quinine-containing bark can be sold in the United States Consumers need
as a natural product, quinine drugs still require a prescription here. In to understand that
many European countries, even the natural bark is regulated as a drug medicinal plants have
since it contains naturally occurring and very active quinine alkaloids that active plant chemicals
are regulated as drugs. This also means that Americans using the bark as which may have
a natural remedy should treat it with knowledge and respect due to its therapeutic actions
—
very powerful and active ingredient quinine, which is not without well- but also have side
and
documented acute toxicity and side effects. This is yet another reason effects toxicity
American consumers need to educate themselves on the properties and at high dosages.
actions of plants and their naturally occurring chemicals prior to using

them. (Or find a qualified professional to guide them.)
More Not Always Better:

is
Be Careful About Dosage Amounts

Too many Americans today buy into the idea that herbal products and
medicinal plants are like food and are more or less benign and/or safe at
any dosage. This is partly a result of legal restrictions stating that these
products must be sold as "food supplements" in the United States. Also at
play is that old American philosophy of excess: "if some is good, more is
better." This idea is also somewhat prevalent in the food and dietary sup-
plements market. While this may be true for some foods and dietary sup-
plements, it is certainly not true for many of the biologically active
medicinal plants that are sold here as herbal supplements. It is also not true
for many of the rainforest plants discussed in this book.
Traditional dosage amounts for herbal remedies have been included in
the plant information provided in Part Three of this book for a reason.
These dosage amounts are based on the long history of the plant's use and
should be followed within reason. They have been calculated for an aver-
age-weight adult person of 120 to 150 pounds and should be generally
adjusted up or down based on body weight. Take less if you weigh under
—
120 pounds, and more you weigh more than 150 pounds (up to double
if
the recommended dosage if you weigh 300 pounds or more). If you plan
on taking more than one and one-half times the dosage that is indicated for
your weight, it is best to check with a qualified herbalist, naturopath, or
physician who has experience with the particular plant you are choosing
to take at higher dosages.
% N
Possible Contraindications and Interactions

Another good reason to learn more about an herbal product or medicinal
plant before taking it is possible contraindications and drug interactions.
Coumahn is a very An excellent example of this possible problem is a very active chemical
active plant chemical coumarin —found in many plants and herbal supplements. Unfortunately,
found in many plants that there is not enough consumer awareness of this potential interaction yet.
almost identical to a
is
Coumarin is a natural plant chemical found in many species of plants in
widely sold prescription
—
varying amounts from trace amounts to highly significant amounts. One
blood thinning drug.
coumarin-containing plant is the rainforest plant called guaco. It can con-
tain up to 10 percent coumarin.
In the 1940s, scientists discovered that coumarin was a highly effective
blood thinner and went into the laboratory to synthesize or copy the plant
chemical and turn it into a prescription drug. They changed the chemical
just enough to patent by adding a type of salt molecule to the
it (basically
natural plant chemical) and renamed it coumadin. Today, coumadin is the
eleventh most-prescribed medication in the United States, with annual
sales of approximately $500 million in the United States alone. Even though
the patent on this blood-thinning drug ran out years ago, it is still produced
by just one company (a bit of a controversy) and sold in the United States
under the brand name. Warfarin®. (It is manufactured by other companies
in other countries and sold at a much cheaper price as coumadin or ''gen-
eric warfarin.")
The coumadin and coumarin chemicals are very similar in structure, so

much so that they are often tested in the laboratory as being the same chem-
ical. When Americans began taking many types of herbal supplements over
the last decade, conventional practitioners and surgeons began telling their
patients to discontinue any and all herbal supplements prior to and fol-
lowing surgical procedures because of the prevalence of natural coumarin

in plants. Since so many plants contained natural coumarin (and it was
such an effective blood thinner), the solution was to just tell patients to
discontinue everything. No one was really sure which plants contained

enough coumarin to increase the risk of bleeding problems during or after
a surgical procedure.
This example illustrates yet another reason consumers should be
knowledgeable about what type of medicinal plants and herbal products
they choose to take and should obtain information and facts from practi-
tioners before launching any self-treatment program with medicinal plants,
especially if they routinely take prescription drugs. Someone already tak-
ing the prescription drug Warfarin® should be informed that the blood-
thinning effects of the drug must be carefully monitored (using blood tests),
as excessive thinning of the blood is sometimes associated with fatal bleed-
ing complications, including strokes and hemorrhages in the gastrointesti-

Consumers need
nal tract. More importantly, they should be informed that taking plants to take extra care
high in natural coumarin may increase the blood-thinning effects of the when supplementing
drug and complications could be much more likely. As there are not enough with medicinal plants
research dollars available to document herb and drug interactions, many if they routinely take
common plants that contain natural coumarin have never been officially prescription drugs.
studied as "blood thinners" in human studies or documented "to potenti-
ate Warfarin® drugs." No warnings are officially published for many of
these plants.
So when an interaction between Warfarin® and some herbal product
happens, who's at fault? Is it the herbal supplement manufacturer who can
not legally make a statement on the label of guaco (or other coumarin-con-
taining plants) that the plant can thin the blood or label the product that it
is contraindicated in someone taking Warfarin® in the absence of proven

clinical research for that particular plant? Or is it the fault of the drug com-
pany that produces Warfarin® since it didn't do research on all the possible
interactions between the drug and natural plants (not a legal requirement
today)? The doctor who prescribed the Warfarin® drug and didn't ask the
patient what herbal supplements he or she was taking or tell the patient
which ones to avoid (because the doctor didn't know either)? Or, does the
fault lie with the consumer who begins taking herbal supplements without
knowing what natural chemicals the supplement contains and fails to

check with his or her doctor first? This will probably be a question fought
over by trial lawyers for years to come, but it will ultimately be the con-
sumer who always pays the price.
Consumers are the ones experiencing the side effects and health prob-
lems, and they ultimately pay the price for litigation through higher in-
surance and product liability rates. This is also the reason why so many
conventional doctors refuse to advdse their patients about herbal supple-
merits and many just discourage their use altogether. They simply don't
know enough about them, don't have the time to educate themselves prop-
erly, and don't want to be in the legal-liability loop for any negative side
effect or drug interaction with the drugs they do prescribe and the many
herbal supplements available to patients today.

For these reasons, in Part Three, information about contraindications
and drug interaction is provided for each plant; this information may, or
may not, be officially substantiated by human clinical research. The guaco
plant is still a great example. No one has funded any human clinical
research to prove that the plant can thin the blood, or that it will potenti-
ate Warfarin® or coumadin drugs, but it has regularly been tested and
found to contain highly significant amounts of coumarin. Programs in
Brazil are even underway to extract the natural coumarin from this par-
ticular plant for the manufacture of Brazilian-made coumadin drugs.
Therefore, warnings about contraindications and possible drug interac-
tions with Warfarin® and other coumadin drugs have been provided in
the guaco plant data (and for other rainforest plants that contain natural
coumarin) in Part Three, based solely on the chemical contents of the
plant. While many nonprofessionals may just skim over the chemical
information that has been provided for each plant, the information has
been recorded and provided to help explain not only why a plant might
have a specific biological activity, but also to help you and your health- —
care provider —determine if there may be possible contraindications or
drug interactions.
In fact, much of the data provided in this book on contraindications and
drug interactions are based on the plants' chemistry or traditional uses in
herbal medicine, rather than on funded human clinical studies proving a
drug interaction or a medical contraindication. Human studies of this
nature are very expensive and just aren't performed on most medicinal
plants anywhere. There are too many plants, too many drugs, and not
enough money to study all the possible interactions. This also means that
the data that is provided in this book should not be considered all-inclu-
sive or complete. It's important to note that much of the history of the
medicinal uses of the plants discussed in this book is mainly recorded in
tropical Third World countries where the plants grow. The populations of
people using plant-based herbal remedies don't regularly take the amount
or types of prescription drugs Americans do, and the history of side effects
or contraindications when combining the plants with the drugs we use is
virtually nonexistent. If you are taking prescription drugs, please always

Differences and Sinnilarities of Drugs and Medicinal Plants 4
check with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements or medicinal
plants, including those you learn about in this book.
NEED FOR CARE IN SELF-MEDICATING

WITH HERBAL PRODUCTS
This brings us to yet another common and growing problem in what has
been termed the "self-medicating herbal product industry" in the United
States. What about the person who is tired of paying the high price for War- Since chemical contents
farin® at thepharmacy and wants to try a plant like guaco to replace it? The in plants can vary,
majority of patients making up the $500 million-a-year market for this par- it is difficult to determine
ticular drug is over 60 years old and lives on a fixed income, so ideas such the potency of an
as this are not so uncommon. Unfortunately, this practice is also fraught herbal supplement.
with problems, especially in this particular instance. Warfarin® should be

taken in very specific dosages, which have been tested to be effective and
safe for each patient (dosages can vary from patient to patient) and an indi-
vidual patient's needs can change over time as his or her medical condi-
tion improves or deteriorates. Taking too much or too little can have drastic
results. Regular blood tests are administered to ensure the dosage is cor-
rect and continues to be correct for each patient.
The coumarin content in guaco (and any plant) can change and fluctu-
ate due to where it was grown, how and when it was harvested, climate
changes in the growing environment/season, and other natural phenome-
na. The coumarin content can be 10 percent in one harvest of guaco plants,
and as low as 5 percent the following year, even when the same plants are
harvested again only a year later. So, in this case, it just would not be a good
idea to try to replace the drug with an herbal supplement. Even if one
found a "standardized" herbal guaco supplement with a guaranteed poten-
cy or content of coumarin, it should only be used under a doctor's super-
vision, in order to establish the correct dosage for the particular patient
(with an obvious medical need) and would require the doctor's ongoing
supervision and periodic testing. In most instances, ideally, conventional
medicine and traditional medicine should play complementary roles in
health care, and one should not replace the other.
PROBLEM OF ONE VS SEVERAL CHEMICALS

While many drugs have originated from biologically active plant chemi-
cals,and many plants' medicinal uses can be attributed to various active
chemicals found in them, there is a distinct difference between using a
medicinal plant and a chemical drug. The difference is one that scares most
conventionally trained doctors with no training in plants. Drugs usually
consist of a single chemical, whereas medicinal plants can contain 400 or
Ideally, conventional more chemicals. It's relatively easy to figure out the activity and side effects
medicine and traditional of a single chemical, but there no way scientists can map all the com-
is just
medicine should play plex interactions and synergies that might be taking place between all the
complementary roles in
various chemicals found in a plant, or a traditionally prepared crude plant
health care, and one extract, containing all these chemicals. It is not unusual for a plant to con-
should not replace
tain a single documented cancer-causing chemical and also maybe five
the other.
other chemicals that are anticancerous and which may counteract the one
"bad" chemical. Overall, the plant extract may even provide some type of
anticancerous effect.
In some instances, a particular plant chemical's activity is enhanced or

increased when it combined with another chemical or chemicals that
is
occur naturally in the plant. An example of this is the rainforest plant cat's
claw. First, the crude extract of cat's claw was shown to boost immune func-
tion. Then, specific alkaloid chemicals in the plant were scientifically doc-
umented (and patented) to be the "active constituents" that provided this

effect. However, scientists discovered much later that if they extracted just
the alkaloids, these alkaloids were less potent at stimulating immune cells
than they were when combined with other chemicals (called catechin tan-
nins) that the plant contains. Adding the tannin chemicals to the alkaloids
increased the immune-stimulating effect of the alkaloids by almost 40 per-
cent. In this instance, a drug made using only the alkaloids would proba-
bly be less effective than a crude extract of the plant that contained both
alkaloidsand tannins.
The drug industry often misses the boat However, their
in this regard.
motivations are different. Crude plant extracts cannot be patented or
approved as drugs. The drug researcher's goal is to come up with a sin-
—
gle chemical with good biological activity one that can be changed in
some way (without losing activity) so that it can be patented as a novel
chemical and then be synthetically manufactured into a new patented
drug. Sometimes the isolated chemical might not be quite as effective as
the crude extract in which it was found, but the researchers have the abil-
ity to deliver more by increasing the
of the chemical therapeutically
dosage of the single chemical. Sometimes, they can even improve on the
activity of the plant chemical by modifying it in some way, which also
makes it patentable. Even if patents were not an issue, the drug compa-
ny still would not be able to provide enough scientific ciata on how so
many naturally occurring plant chemicals work individually, much less

in combination with one another, to get a crude plant extract approved as
a drug under our current drug regulations.
The quinine tree and its quinine alkaloid are again a wonderful exam- Crude plant extracts
ple of some of the limitations in this regard. Scientists selected just one sin- and medicinal plants
gle alkaloid from the crude bark extract, the chemical that evidenced the cannot be patented or
approved as drugs.
highest antimalarial effect, to turn into a drug. But the crude extract actu-
Under U.S. laws these
ally had at least fifteen unique chemicals which were individually found
natural plants cannot
to be antimalarial. The crude extract also contained other chemicals that
be marketed as a
had a different activity: they reduced fever (one of the main symptoms of
treatment or remedy
malaria). Yet even other chemicals were found to be effective regulators of
for any disease or
the heart and could be used to treat arrhythmia. (Sometimes very high
condition either.
fevers cause irregular heartbeat or increase the heart rate.) No wonder the
crude bark extract was used for hundreds, if not thousands, of years by the
indigenous people to treat malaria. It killed the bug that caused the disease,
and in the meantime, it treated the symptoms the disease was causing! But
similar to the guaco vine, the content of the active chemicals in the quinine
tree can fluctuate. Some species of quinine trees can have 1 percent of the
main antimalarial alkaloids, while others have up to 7 percent. How would
a doctor know if a crude extract contained enough of these main chemicals
to be therapeutic or how to prescribe proper dosages if these chemicals var-
ied from extract to extract? For years, this alone has justified the use of the
synthesized drug over the natural crude bark extract.
POSSIBLE ANSWER TO DRUG RESISTANCE

Something happened with the quinine tree, the c]ui-
really interesting has
nine drug, and malaria, however. Since we've used this single synthesized
drug against malaria for so many years, the malaria-causing organism (a
Plas7uodiuni protozoa) has mutated to create a defense mechanism against

it. Today, we have several different strains of malaria that are completely
resistant to our time-honored synthetic quinine drug. Back to the drawing
board? Nope. . . back to the crude extract! Even the World Health Organi-
zation (WHO) is now revisiting the idea of going back to treating malaria
inThird World countries with quinine bark extracts. Preliminary test-tube

and animal studies indicate that natural bark extracts can effectively treat
the new drug-resistant strains of malaria. Remember those other fourteen
antimalarial chemicals in the crude bark extract? Do we know which one
is doing the trick —or does it matter?
Many disease-causing Another very interesting concept is that many disease-causing organ-
organisms have isms can easily adapt and mutate to become resistant to a single chemical,
developed resistance but would be much harder and take much more time for the organisms
it
to our mainstream to create a defense mechanism against fifteen different chemicals simulta-
single chemical drugs neously. Even more interesting: will throwing fifteen different active chem-
and scientists are now icals against the disease simultaneously speed up the treatment process?
looking at the value
Only time will tell, and only if we somehow come up with the money to
of multi-chemical
fund expensive large-scale human studies on unpatentable crude extracts.
natural plant extracts.
The pharmaceutical companies can't justify spending these research dollars
on a crude plant-based medicine they cannot patent or sell. In this partic-
ular case, the WHO and/or large government public health agencies are
more likely candidates to come up with the needed research dollars. World-
wide, more than one million people still die every year from malaria, and,
unfortunately, this trend is likely to increase as more resistance to our main
synthetic quinine drug develops.
The organism causing malaria is not the only evolving disease-causing
bug we need to worry about. Bacteria can readily develop defense mecha-
nisms against antibacterial drugs and become drug resistant. Many already
have. The common staph bacteria {Staphylococcus) has gone through so
many mutations over the last thirty years that many different strains have
evolved that are now completely resistant to the eight major antibiotic
drugs that were once effective against it. Could plants again hold the
answer? Very possibly!
SHOTGUN APPROACH, NOT SINGLE BULLET?

A few years back, scientists evaluated a jungle shaman's "dysentery reme-
dy." It was a crude plant extract that contained seven plants. Now, one
must remember, dysentery in the Amazon can be attributed to any num-
An indigenous healer ber of different bacteria, amebas, and parasites common in the area (and
usually selects four to commonly shared communal living environments of indige-

in the close
seven plants to combine nous groups). The Indian shaman doesn't have the ability to send blood or
into a remedy instead stool samples to a laboratory to find out which specific organism is caus-
of just one. This usually ing the dysentery in his village, but he must still select the appropriate
means hundreds, plants to treat his patients. Maybe this is why a shaman usually selects a
if not thousands of handful of plants (about four to seven) to brew into a remedy, instead of
different chemicals are just one.
contained in his crude When the seven different plants in the dysentery remedy were ana-
plant extract. lyzed, at least twelve different known antibiotic chemicals, five anti-amebic
chemicals, and seven antiparasitic chemicals were found between all the
plants in the shaman's formula. The twelve different antibiotic chemicals
in the extract were found to kill bacteria in at least five different ways; these
ways pathways of action. The shaman
are called biological
didn't really need to know which "bad bug" was the culprit,
in what mainstream medicine would call his "shotgun"
approach. But does this really matter either? This particular
remedy, containing a total of several thousand individual plant
chemicals, had at least thirty-one active chemicals that hit the
top ten or so main bugs that might cause dysentery. (And, yes,
you'd think your doctor was completely nuts if he sent you
home with thirty-one prescriptions, so maybe "shotgun" is an
appropriate analogy within your doctor's limitations.)
But let's go back to the interesting concept mentioned ear-
lier. If the dysentery bug was an easily-mutating bacteria like
staph, how likely would it be that this one organism could sur-
vive long enough to create a defense against twelve different
antibacterial chemicals coming at it in at least five different
ways simultaneously? These drug-resistant strains of bacteria

are certainly more prevalent in First which
World nations in
single-chemical antibiotics are regularly employed than in poor tropical Shaman Jose Cabberrea,
countries in which mainly plant-based remedies are used. Maybe it will take age 87, on his way out
to gather medicinal
a broadly scattering shotgun to fight these tricky and quickly mutating
plants.
organisms, instead of a single chemical bullet. Food for thought, for sure!
As more of our gold-standard single-bullet drugs become less effective
against newly developing strains of drug-resistant bacteria, viruses, fungi,

and parasites, we will probably see more interest and research on medici-
nal plants, herb-based drugs, and traditional remedies. The rainforests of
the world are, and will continue to be, of great importance and one of the
main areas where this research will likely take place. Rainforests hold the
highest biodiversity and sheer number of novel chemicals on the planet.
Rainforest plants contain
Acre for acre, they contain more species of plants and animals, and yes,
so many potent and
even bacteria, mold, fungi, and virus species than anywhere else on earth.
active chemicals since the
plants are in a constant

PLANT'S SURVIVAL INSTINCTS HELPING HUMANKIND battle for survival in an
It's also very important to note that all living things have inbred survival environment literally
instincts. It is literally part of the cellular makeup of all species on earth. In teeming with life that is
highly mobile species like humans and other animals, the main survival constantly evolving.
—
instinct and mechanism is ''flee, fight, or hide." Even bacteria and virus
species have learned to flee or hide from immune cells and chemical agents
attacking them, as well as to fight them by mutating or changing their own
physical structure to defend against them. With stationary plants rooted to
the ground and incapable of physically fleeing from danger, their survival
instinct is controlled by wonderfully complex and rich chemical defense
mechanisms that have evolved over eons. Plants have either cre-
ated a defense mechanism against what might harm them, or they
have succumbed and become extinct.
In the species-rich rainforest, there are many species of
fungi, mold, bacteria, viruses, parasites, and insects that attack
and kill plants. It is of little wonder that rainforest plants contain
so many potent and active chemicals: the plants are in a constant
battle for survival in an environment literally teeming with life
that is constantly evolving. From soil-borne root rot (a virus) that

attacks tender herbaceous plants, to the fungi and mold smother-
ing the life out of huge canopy trees, or to the incredible number
of insects devouring any defenseless leaf in the forest, rainforest
plants have learned to adapt, create chemical defenses against
Capuchin monkey attack, and survive. Within this rich arsenal of defensive chemicals are anti-
just one example bacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic, anti-mold, and insecticidal
of the Amazon’s
chemicals with tested potent actions. This is the mechanism the plants use
diversity.
to survive, grow, and flourish as well as to fight the many disease-causing
organisms that attack them. It is likely that within these diverse chemicals
more will
created to protect the plants from disease, at least a handful or
be harvested and put to use protecting humans and animals from the same
types of disease-causing organisms.
This is and value rainforest plants as very
yet another reason to respect
active potent herbal remedies and to protect them against humankind's
destruction (against which the plants have no defense mechanism). Please
—
respect them and please help to protect them.
CHAPTER 3
Methods of Preparing
Herbal Remedies
traditional herbal medicine systems, herbal remedies are prepared
j^
^în several rather standardized ways, which vary based on the plant
^ used and, sometimes, on what condition is being treated. These meth-
ods include infusions (hot teas), decoctions (boiled teas), tinctures (alco-
hol and water extracts), and macerations (cold-soaking), each of which is
described in more detail later in this chapter. In indigenous tribal medi-
cine systems in the Amazon, medicine men, or shamans, generally use
these same methods in addition to a few others. Other methods include
preparing plants in hot baths (in which the patient is soaked or bathed),
inhalation of powdered plants (like snuff), steam inhalation of various
aromatic plants boiled in hot water, and even aromatherapy (inhaling
fragrant essential oils of plants). A well-trained herbalist will always thor-
oughly review the time-honored method in which a plant has been tradi-
tionally prepared, since it holds important information about preparing an
effective herbal remedy.
VARIOUS METHODS FOR DIFFERENT

PLANTS AND CONDITIONS
The biological or therapeutic activity of a medicinal plant is closely related
to thechemicals in the plant. These chemicals can be classified into major

groups such as essential oils, alkaloids, acids, steroids, tannins, saponins,
and so forth. For each of these classes of chemicals, there may be a preferred
method of extraction that facilitates getting the chemicals out of the plant
and into the herbal remedy being prepared. For example, some active
chemicals found in plants are not soluble in water; therefore preparing a
hot tea with the plant or boiling the plant in hot water won't extract these
chemicals into the resulting water extract/ tea remedy. Generally, if the
The manner in which chemicals aren't soluble in water, they won't be broken down in the diges-
a plant has been tive process either, so taking the plant in capsule or tablet form won't be
traditionally prepared much help either. If the active chemicals aren't in the prepared remedy,
holds important they probably won't provide any of the benefits attributed to them. How-
information about ever, these same chemicals may be soluble in alcohol, and for this reason,
preparing an effective the time-honored way of preparing them as a remedy has been a tincture,
remedy. or alcohol extract.
Interestingly, this is also the reason why some plants are prepared in
one manner to treat one specific condition and in a different way to treat a
completely different condition. For example, preparing an infusion /tea of
a plant might extract a delicate group of water-soluble anti-inflammatory
plant steroids to treat arthritis (and leave behind other non-water soluble
chemicals). Yet when the same plant is prepared in alcohol as a tincture, the
delicate steroids are degraded or burned up, and antibacterial alkaloids
that are only soluble in alcohol are extracted instead. This may explain why
a specific plant may be used as a tea to treat arthritis and inflammation but
as a tincture to treat various bacterial infections.
The shamans or rural herbal healers are not trained chemists
rainforest
with high-tech machines and scientific instruments at their disposal to iso-
late and study plant chemicals. Their knowledge about the best way to pre-
pare medicinal plants into effective herbal remedies has been built over
decades of empirical knowledge from and error, human experimenta-
trial
tion, and even serendipity passed down from generation to generation. Yet,
more often than not, plant chemists and scientists generally get around to
verifying that these so-called "uneducated" herbal healers have maneuvered
through complex chemical differences, reactions, and interactions, and dif-
ferent types of chemicals "unwittingly" developing the most efficient man-
ner to extract and utilize the biological activity of the chemicals. It is usually
the shaman's knowledge that the really smart scientists start with; this gives
them specific clues as to which types of chemicals might be present.
Rather than enrolling in some organic chemistry class to understand
the complex chemical makeup of the plants discussed in this book and how
to prepare or use them, simply pay attention to the traditional manner in
which they have been prepared. Information about how each plant is con-
cocted when it is used for various conditions and remedies is provided in
Methods of Preparing Herbal Remedies 49
Part Three of this book. If the information states that a plant is prepared as
a tea to treat one condition but as a tincture to treat something different,
there is probably a reason for it.
CHOOSING PRODUCTS
Many of the plants discussed in this book are available in the retail market
in dried raw form and/or in manufactured products as capsules, tinctures,
extracts, etc. The smart consumer should be prepared to notice whether
product manufacturers have followed the traditional preparation methods

because the method of preparation makes a difference in the quality of the The smart consumer
should be prepared to
product and in the results one can expect from use. A good example is the
notice whether product
rainforest plant muira puama. Over the last five years, this plant has
manufacturers have
become popular in the retail market as a male aphrodisiac and libido stim-
followed the traditional
ulant, following its long history of use in the Amazon for male sexual dys-
preparation methods
function and as a natural remedy for impotency. As such, it is showing up
because the method of
as an ingredient in many
and male sexual health-formulas sold in
libido-
preparation makes a
health food stores. The well-informed consumer would know that most of
difference in quality and
the chemicals that provide this benefit are soluble only in alcohol, and
in the results one can
would pass by the products on the shelf that just put muira puama in a cap-
expect from use.
sule or tablet (and there are quite a few out there!), and choose a prepared
alcohol tincture instead.
It is hard to say if herbal manufacturers are uninformed or just
capitalizing on the market created for a popular herb when they ignore tra-
ditional preparation methods. Many herbal companies use only one extrac-
tion method for every product in their line, regardless of the many
medicinal plants they work with and their unique chemical contents. This
usually results in some products being effective, while others are not,
depending on which active chemicals actually got extracted by the com-
pany's one standardized manufacturing method. Unfortunately, it is usu-
ally consumers' dollars that determine which are effective. Sadder still,
the value and efficacy of the medicinal plants themselves are often judged
by these poorly manufactured products. There are many men out there
today who claim muira puama just didn't deliver the results (or the value
for their money) because they chose some bark capsule product, when, in
fact, the plant properly prepared as an alcohol tincture is one of the best
natural products available today for male sexual function.
So, as with most industries, the old saying of "let the buyer beware"
certainly has a place in the herbal products industry. Before purchasing
The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs
manufactured herbal prociucts, do some research and pay close attention

to traditional methods. Capsules and tablets are certainly more convenient
and easier to take, and they don't taste bad, but sometimes they just won't
be as effective as a foul-tasting herbal decoction or tincture. There can be
some adaptations, however. As a general rule of thumb, many plants that
are traditionally prepared as infusions and cold macerations have active
chemicals that are soluble in water. This means that the plant can probably
be taken in a tablet or capsule form since the chemicals will be broken down
and dissolved in the digestive tract.
However, that preparation method will not be recorded as a "tradi-
tional" method since herbal healers in the Amazon don't have ready access
to tablets and capsules, or the equipment needed to make them. There are
a few exceptions, however. Generally, aromatic plants that need heat to

release the aromatic essential oils are inhaled when the tea remedy is
sipped and better absorbed in the mouth and throat. These adaptations are
noted in Chapter 7, the plant summary reference guide. But before buying
or preparing a remedy, it is still always best to refer to the complete infor-
mation in Part Three about the plant, since there may be some differences
in methods based on the type of remedy wanted for a specific condition.
PREPARING YOUR OWN REMEDIES

While a bit more trouble and time consuming, making your own natural
remedies is much more economical than purchasing manufactured
usually
products. The remedies can also be much more effective when prepared
properly by following time-honored traditional preparation methods.
The first step is finding a good source for the raw plant materials. Most
plant materials coming from the Amazon region and other parts of South
America will only be available in a dried state in either a cut herb or ground
powder form. Find a reputable supplier who exports regularly from the
region and please ask questions about their harvesting practices. Many South
American plants are harvested unsustainably, causing more rainforest
destruction, rather than helping to preserve it. Again, do the research required
to find a good supplier, ask questions, and make sure you are obtaining the
correct species of plant,and one that has been sustainably harvested.

If you don't plan on using the plant immediately, it is best to keep it
unopened, in its original packaging, and away from direct sunlight (just
put it in a closed cupboard /cabinet). Many plants will absorb moisture and
humidity from the air, so if they are opened, reseal them tightly, or put
Methods of Preparing Herbal Kennedies 51
them into a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid (avoid metal containers). Most
plant materials do not require refrigeration or freezing; just keep them at
average room temperature (70° to 80° F). Generally, if the plant material is
stored properly, the shelf life for optimum freshness will be

about a year for dried leaves, or two years for dried barks and
roots. If you live in a warm, high-humidity area, it may be
impossible to keep moisture out of regularly opened and closed
and the plants may become moldy. If this hap-
glass containers,
pens, discard them and purchase fresh ones. Next time, store
them in paper lunch bags so they can "breathe" (although this
will reduce the shelf life significantly).
It is not always necessary to find a tea-cut plant to prepare a

tea;ground powders can be used to make teas, tinctures, and
decoctions just as well. A finely ground plant usually makes a
stronger remedy, as more surface area of the plant is available to
extract in the liquid. Extra time filtering is normally required
when working with plant powders, but many herbalists prefer
working with powders instead of bulky cut herbs, since they
make stronger extracts. It is also recommended that you use dis-
tilled or purified water when extracting medicinal plants. Regular tap water Local market
in Iquitos, Peru
can contain chlorine and other chemicals that might have an interaction or
selling cat’s claw.
chain reaction with one or more of the many chemicals found in plants.
Instructions for the main preparation methods used throughout this
book in the reference guides and in the main plant section are detailed
below.
Infusions
Infusions are typically used for delicate herbs, leaves, and fresh tender
plants. Preparing an infusion is much like making a cup of tea. Water is
brought just to a boil and then poured over an herb (or combination of Do the research required
herbs), covered, and allowed to sit/steep for ten to fifteen minutes or so. to find a good herbal
supplier. Ask questions

An infusion can be prepared in a drinking cup (by just pouring the heated
and make sure you are
water over the herb in the cup) or by dropping the herb into the pot in
obtaining the correct
which the water was heated. Empty gauze bags are even available at
tea
species of plant, and
some herb stores; these bags can be filled with herbs and then sealed with
one that has been
an iron. If an infusion is prepared in the heating pan or pot, it is best to
sustainably harvested.
use a ceramic pot with a lid (avoid metal pots). Stir the preparation a few
times while steeping, especially if you are using cut herbs, and keep the
infusion covered.
The ratio of herb to water varies depending on the remedy, the plant,
and whether cut herb or powdered herb is used. Generally using 1 tea-
spoon of powdered herb or 2 teaspoons of more bulky cut herb in a 6-to-8-
ounce cup of water is sufficient. If you are using a powdered herb, stir once
halfway through the steeping time and let the powder settle to the bottom
An herbal infusion is of the cup. Then, drink the infusion off the top (leaving the sediment in the
much like preparing bottom of the cup). If you are using a cut herb, strain the infusion with a
a cup of tea. tea strainer after steeping.
An infusion is best prepared as needed and taken the same day it is pre-
pared. It can be taken hot, warm, or cold. Standard dosages of infusions
are generally 1 teacup (6-8 ounces), two or three times daily. The entire
day's dosage can be prepared in the morning (2-3 cups at one time), and
the remainder refrigerated until ready to use. The exceptions are the more
aromatic plants with active essential oils; these are best prepared in single
dosages (by the cupful) as needed and taken immediately while still
hot /warm.
Decoctions
Decoctions are usually the method of choice when working with tougher
and more fibrous plants, barks, and roots that have water-soluble chemi-
cals. Instead of just steeping the plant part in hot water, the plant material
is boiled for a longer period of time to soften the harder woody material
and allow it to release its active constituents.
To prepare a decoction, select a ceramic pot with a snug-fitting lid.
—
Measure the amount of herb needed usually the same ratio of 1 teaspoon
powdered herb or 2 teaspoons of cut herb per 8 ounces of water into the —
pot and add the proper amount of cold water, ciepending on how many
cups of the decoction you wish to prepare. Turn the heat to medium high
and bring to a rolling boil. Place the lid on the pot and reduce the heat to
medium or medium-low so that the mixture stays at a good simmer. Sim-
mer it and keep covered for twenty minutes. If you can see steam escaping
or smell the aroma of the herb, your lid is not tight enough and valuable
essential oils are escaping.
After twenty minutes, remove the pot from the heat and cool slightly.
If you are using cut herbs, strain the mixture through a tea strainer into a
teacup. When straining, make sure to press on the cut herb pieces in the
strainer to get as much liquid /decoction out of the herb as possible. If you
are using powdered herb, allow the powder to settle to the bottom of the
pot and then pour off the decoction from the top into a teacup (any sedi-
ment missed will settle to the bottom of the teacup).
Standard dosages for decoction are generally V2 to 1 cup, two or three
times daily. Again, the entire day's dosage can be prepared in the morning
(2-3 cups at one time), and the remainder refrigerated until ready to use
later in the day.
Strong Decoctions
Depending on the type of plant material used, strong decoctions are pre-
pared in two general ways. The first involves boiling the mixture longer.
This is usually indicated when working with larger woody pieces of bark.
Longer boiling time, up to two hours or more, is sometimes necessary to
break down, soften, and extract the chemicals from the larger pieces. When
smaller woody pieces are used but yet a stronger remedy is wanted, the
decoction is prepared as above (boiling twenty minutes) and then allowed
to sit /soak overnight before the herb is strained out. When straining, again
make sure to press on the cut herb pieces in the strainer to get as much
moisture/decoction out of the herb pieces as possible.
Tinctures
A tincture is an alcohol and water extract that is used when plants have When a plant is
active chemicals that are not very soluble in water and/or when a larger prepared in alcohol,
quantity of the remedy is prepared for convenience and wanted for longer- it is called a tincture.
term storage. Many properly prepared plant tinctures can last several years
or more without The percentage of alcohol usually helps
losing potency.
determine the tincture's shelf life: the more alcohol used, the longer the
shelf life. Sometimes the percentage of alcohol and water is unique to the
herbs that are used, as some active ingredients are more soluble in alcohol
and others more soluble in water. The type of alcohol can vary vodka, —
rum, or 90- to 180-proof grain alcohol that is sold as "everclear" in liquor
stores and sometimes cheaper than vodka. Vodka is fine, but remember
is
if it says 40 proof, it is 20 percent alcohol and the rest is water. In the Ama-
zon, a sugar-cane alcohol resembling rum and called aguardiente is often

used to prepare plant tinctures; 40 percent to 50 percent alcohol.
it is
To prepare a tincture with a shelf life of at least one year, plan on using
a minimum of 40 percent alcohol and the balance distilled water, unless
otherwise noted in the plant information in Part Three. Use a clean glass
bottle or jar with a tight-fitting lid or cork. Use a dark-colored bottle (like
a recycled green/ amber wine bottle) or plan on storing the bottle out of the
sunlight. When working with dried plants, use 2 ounces of plant material
(cut or powder) for every 8 ounces (1 cup) of liquid. Since many cut herbs
Virtually any type of can be bulky, measure the amount of cut herb by weight and not volume
alcohol can be used to (most cooks would tell you 2 tablespoons of butter is 1 ounce; however, a
prepare a tincture. lightweight bulky leaf is not as heavy as butter in the same volume or by
the tablespoon). A ''standard 4:1 tincture" usually means 1 part herb to 4
parts liquid (or as above, 1 ounce herb to 4 ounces of liquid).
To prepare approximately 1 cup of tincture (some of the liquid will be
absorbed by the dry plant material), place 2 ounces of the herb (cut up or
powdered) into your clean glass container. Pour V2 cup (4 ounces) of dis-
tilled water and V2 cup (4 ounces) of 90-proof alcohol into the container (or
just use 1 cup of straight 40-proof vodka and no water). Seal the container
and store at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Shake the bot-
tle/jar at least once daily. Allow the tincture to soak/ extract for at least two
weeks (larger woody cut herb pieces may need to soak for four weeks). At
the end of two weeks, filter the tincture through a strainer to remove the
plant parts (pressing hard on the plant material to get as much liquid out
as possible) and pour into a fresh clean glass container and seal. Some peo-
ple like to pour it through cheesecloth and then use the cheesecloth to more
easily wring out the liquid from the plant material. If using a powdered
plant for the tincture, stop shaking for three days and the powder will set-
tle to the bottom. Pour the tincture off the top through a piece of cheese-
cloth to filter it.
Since this method uses and helps con-

a higher ratio of plant to liquid
centrate the chemicals through the use of alcohol, dosages needed for tinc-
tures are usually much less than those for infusions and decoctions.
Average dosages for tinctures are about 1-2 milliliters (about 30 to 60
drops) two to three times daily. The tincture can be placed directly in the
mouth for immediate absorption, or it can be placed in a small amount of
water or juice. If you dislike the alcohol content (or want to give the rem-
edy to a child), place the dosage in about 1-2 ounces of very hot water and
most of the alcohol will evaporate in the hot water in a minute or two. (Let
cool before taking.) Store the tincture at room temperature and away from
direct sunlight.
Macerations
This method of preparation is certainly the easiest. The fresh or dried plant
material is simply covered in cool water and soaked overnight. The herb is
strained out and the liquid is taken. Normally this is used for very tender
plants and/or fresh plants or those with delicate chemicals that might be
harmed by heating, or which might be degraded in strong alcohol. This is
also the easiest method to adapt to Western methods, since tablets or cap- Macerations are prepared
sules can be used instead. Alternatively, just stir the ground plant powder when the plant chemicals
into juice, water, or smoothies and drink. are sensitive to heat or
easily extracted in water.
Poultices and Compresses

Many herbal remedies are applied directly to the skin as poultices, usual-
ly on rashes and wounds and as topical pain-relieving remedies. Poultices
—
are prepared in various ways from the jungle shaman chewing up fresh
leaves or roots and spitting them out onto the skin, to mashing up fresh
leaves or roots by hand or with a mortar and pestle. Sometimes just enough
hot water is poured over dried or fresh plant material to soften them. Then,
the wet herbs are placed directly on the skin or between two pieces of cloth
and laid on the skin. A light cotton bandage to bind the poultice to the area
is generally used. (Or in the jungle, a nice large flexible leaf is commonly
employed and tied with a bit of twine.)
To make a compress, simply soak a cloth in a prepared infusion, tinc-
ture, or decoction and place the cloth onto the affected part of the
body/ skin. Since most American readers of this book will only have access
to dried plant materials to work with, using compresses instead of poul-
tices will suffice for many of the described indigenous poultice remedies.
More and directions are found in Part Three under
specific adaptations
'Traditional Preparation" where it might say to apply an infusion or decoc-
tion topically.
Baths and Bathing Remedies
Quite a few popular jungle remedies that have been used for thousands
of years in the Amazon are prepared as vapor baths in which medicinal
The Indian’s bathing
plants are added to bath water and the patient is soaked in it. This method
remedies are not unlike
is not unlike some dermal delivery systems
of the currently evolving
more complex skin-
being employed in conventional medicine for drug absorption. The skin
delivery systems
is a wonderful organ capable of absorbing chemicals directly and into the
employed with some
underlying fat tissue, and then into the bloodstream. Since fresh plants are
dermal patch drugs.
generally used for bathing remedies (chopped or crushed first before
adding bath water), modifications are not always possible when
to the
only dried plant materials are available, as in most of the Western world.
An alternative approach adding 20 to 30 ounces of a strong decoction

is
or infusion to the bath water and having the patient soak in it for at least
ten minutes.
While some readers might think preparing their own herbal remedies using
these instructions rather daunting, it really isn't all that difficult once one
learns the basic concepts.The most important aspect to remember is to pur-
chase quality herbal ingredients to work with. The remedy prepared will
only be as good as the herb that was used. Choose a good source to pur-
chase from and expect to pay a little more for good quality and remem- —
ber to always ask about sustainability issues such as where and how the
plant was harvested. To learn more about how some of the rainforest plants
Curanderos set up featured in this book are combined into specific formulas for specific con-
shop at local ditions, continue on to Chapter 4, where recipes are provided that utilize
markets to dispense
the preparation methods discussed in this chapter.
herbal remedies.
PLANTA6 MEOICINAtES AL ALCANCX

oeroDos
0.L.F0RE8TAL 2U47
PEDRO GALVEZ NAOIICHE

PROMOTOR NATURISTA .
DE LA ASOCIACION OE HAtUnSTAS
CR80LARI08 EVAMEUCOS OaPERU
FUNOAOO CU » DC A8RL DC 1*06
L.T 9241010
Co/
f /*€
M i U i 9i
-v.
•
CHAPTER 4
Rainforest Remedies
AND Recipes
^ ^ he following natural remedies are not complicated prepare and to
. i can be adjusted you want

easily prepare more or
if to than the less
^ amounts shown. The quantities shown are dried

^ you for plants. If
are lucky enough to be able to obtain freshly picked plants, then double the
quantities given below. Either cut herbs or powdered herbs can be used.
The amounts shown below are for powdered herbs, which are more wide-
ly available for these plants and more easily measured in a standard man-
ner. If using cut-up leaves, barks, roots, etc., then generally double the
amount shown below (a tablespoon of cut leaves can grind up to about a
half-tablespoon or less of powdered depending on how coarsely or
herb,
finely cut they are). Before preparing and using any of the following
recipes, please read about each herbal ingredient in Part Three. Some of the
plants may be contraindicated for some people.
ALLERGY REMEDY
Combine 2 tablespoons each of nettle leaf, amor seco, and gervao, and 1
tablespoon each of jatoba, guaco, picao preto, and carqueja into a glass jar,
and shake well and mix the herbs together. When relief from
to disperse
seasonal allergies is needed, place a heaping teaspoon of the mixture into

a coffee cup and pour 6—8 ounces of boiling water into the cup. Cover it
with a saucer and let it steep for fifteen minutes, stirring once halfway
through. Let the powder settle to the bottom of the cup and drink the infu-
sion warm (leaving the sediment in the bottom). Repeat every six hours or
so as needed to relieve allergy symptoms.
ARTHRITIS REMEDY
The following can be used for general arthritis pain and inflammation as
and when needed. It's best prepared as a tincture. (See more instructions
on preparing tinctures in Chapter 3, as needed.) The remedy can be stored
for up to two years at room temperature.
Combine. 2 tablespoons each of powdered chuchuhuasi, cat's claw,
tayuya, iporuru, samambaia, and vassourinha, with 1 tablespoon each of
nettle root, guaco, and manaca. Place powdered herb into a glass bottle or
jar. Add 4 cups of 40-proof vodka (or 2 cups of 180-proof Everclear and 2
cups of distilled water). Shake well and seal or cork the container. Keep at
room temperature and shake well every day for two weeks. At the end of
two weeks, let the jar or bottle sit for three days without shaking. Line a tea
strainer with a piece of cheesecloth and set over a large bowl. Carefully
pour the tincture through the strainer, leaving most of the sediment in the
bottom of the bottle. Pour the strained tincture back into a clean dark-col-
ored bottle, seal, and store at room temperature away from direct sunlight.
When you need relief from occasional arthritis pain and inflammation, take
1 or 2 teaspoons of the tincture directly by mouth or in a small amount of
water or juice every six to eight hours as needed.
CALMING REMEDY
Combine V4 cup each of damiana, passionflower, manaca, and mulungu
and mix well. This combination can be prepared as a standard decoction
or as a tincture following the instructions given in the previous chapter.
Take one cup of the decoction as a sleeping aid or one-half cup to relieve
stress. Dosages for the tincture are 1 teaspoon for stress and 2 teaspoons as
a sleeping aid. This combination of plants is not pleasant tasting, so you
may prefer to prepare the tincture, in which case you need only take a tea-
spoon and not a whole cup.
CANDIDA AND YEAST REMEDY

Combine 3 tablespoons jatoba, 2 tablespoons pau d'arco, 2 tablespoons
anamu, and 1 tablespoon Brazilian peppertree powders (makes ^2 cup). Pre-
pare as a standard decoction following the instructions provided in the pre-
vious chapter. As the decoction is add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to
boiling,
every 1 cup of water. For Candida, drink 1 cup of the decoction twice daily.
The decoction can also be cooled to lukewarm and one cup used as a
douche. For yeast infections, douche once daily for three consecutive days.
Rainforest Kennedies and Recipes
COLD AND FLU REMEDY

In a glass combine 2 tablespoons each of powdered picao preto,
jar,
fedegoso, mullaca, amor seco, mutamba, anamu, avenca, and guaco. Seal
jar and shake well to mix (makes 1 cup). When needed for a cold or flu,
shake jar well and then measure 2 level teaspoons of the mixture into a cof-
fee cup. Pour 6-8 ounces of boiling water into the cup. Cover it with a
saucer and let it steep fifteen minutes (stirring once halfway through). Let
powder settle to the bottom and drink the tea warm or cold (leaving sedi-
ment in bottom of cup). Repeat every six hours.
This same remedy can be prepared as a tincture if preferred for longer-
term storage. Follow the instructions for preparing tinctures in the previ-
ous chapter. Use cup of the mixture of powdered plants with 4 cups
1
alcohol/ water. Dosages for the tincture are 1 teaspoon every six hours. For
children, use 10 drops of the tincture for every 20 pounds of body weight
every six hours.
INDIGESTION REMEDY
This remedy can be used to treat acidity in the stomach, gastroesophageal
reflux(GERD), or high-acid indigestion. Place V2 teaspoon each of pow-
dered carqueja, guacatonga, and espinheira santa in a coffee cup. Pour 6-8
ounces of boiling water into the cup, cover it with a saucer, and let it steep
fifteen minutes (stirring once halfway through). Drink warm or cold, leav-
ing the sediment in the bottom of the cup.
Alternatively, you can combine equal parts of all three plants (V4 or V2
cup of each) and well-mixed herbal powder into empty gelatin
stuff the
capsules (available at most health food stores in several sizes). Take 1-2
grams (2-4 capsules, depending on the size of the capsule) when needed
for acid reflux or acid indigestion.
MENSTRUAL CRAMPS/PAIN REMEDY

Combine V2 cup of abuta with V4 cup each of tayuya, manaca, and iporu-
ru. Mix together in a large glass jar or bottle. Pour 2 cups of distilled water
and 2 V2 cups of 180-proof alcohol (or 4 V2 cups of 40-proof vodka and no

water) into the jar. Cap the jar and allow it to soak for two weeks, shaking
end of two weeks, allow it to settle for three days with-
the jar daily. At the
out shaking, and then pour through a fine strainer or cheesecloth, leaving
sediment in bottom of bottle. Place the strained tincture into a clean, prefer-
ably dark-colored glass jar or bottle with a lid. If kept sealed, in a cool (room
temperature) dark place, this tincture will last for a year or longer. For men-
strual pain and cramps, take 1 teaspoon of the tincture two to three times
daily, or as needed. (Warning — this tincture tastes quite horrible!)
NATURAL COUGH SYRUP

In a ceramic pot with a lid, combine 4 tablespoons of guaco, 2 tablespoons
of embauba, and 2 tablespoons amor seco. Add 8 cups of distilled water.
Bring to a boil and place the lid on the pot. Reduce heat to medium and
continue boiling until it is reduced to 4 cups (about thirty to forty-five min-
utes). Cool slightly and let powder settle to the bottom of the pot. Strain
mixture through a cheesecloth-lined tea strainer into a clean pot, discard-
ing sediment/ powder. Add
cup of sugar and bring back to a boil. Boil,
1
covered with a lid, for about twenty minutes, until it is syrupy. Remove
from heat and add V4 cup honey and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Let cool.
Pour into a glass jar or bottle and store in the refrigerator (will last several
months). When needed for coughs or sore throats, take 1 tablespoon every
four to six hours. Use 1 -teaspoon dosages for children. (This one actually
tastes pretty good!)
PAIN-RELIEVING MASSAGE OIL

Combine 1 cup of andiroba oil, V2cup copaiba oil, and V2 cup of grapeseed
oil together in a glass or plastic bottle and shake well to combine. Use as a
regular massage oil, or rub lightly into painful or inflamed muscles, joints,
sprains, and strains. If you live in the southern United States and can get
your hands on some fresh scarlet bush leaves, infuse about V2 cup of fresh,
roughly chopped and bruised leaves in this combination of oil. Combine
the oils and leaves in a glass Mason jar and put in a sunny window for a
week to infuse them. Strain out the leaves and put in a clean bottle. This
makes a wonderful topical pain-relief remedy!
PARASITE CLEANSE
Using ground powders, combine 5 tablespoons of amargo, 4 tablespoons
of simarouba, 3 tablespoons of fedegoso, 2 tablespoons of epazote, and 2
tablespoons of boldo and mix well, making 1 cup. Use a heaping teaspoon
per cup of water and prepare as a standard decoction. Take V2 to 1 cup,
depending on body weight, of the decoction twice daily for twenty-one
consecutive days. This parasite cleanse remedy is generally used once
Rainforest Remedies and Recipes
annually (or twice annually you are exposed to more parasites than the
if
average American). This remedy is also a good one if you come down with
amebic dysentery when traveling to Third World countries.
PROSTATE REMEDY
For prostate pain and inflammation, combine 2 tablespoons each of jatoba
and nettle root with 1 tablespoon each of nettle leaf, cipo cabeludo, mutam-
ba, and pau Mix well and store in a glass jar. Prepare as needed as
d'arco.
a standard decoction and drink 1 cup two to three times daily. This decoc-
tion can also be taken as 1 cup twice weekly to help prevent prostate prob-
lems and maintain a healthy prostate.
The above herbal remedies are just a few that are possible using the plants
featured in this book. Don't be afraid to try your own combinations to pre-
pare others. The tables of condensed information and condition-specific

data in Part Two you select which plants to combine together
will help
for specific conditions. Just remember to read the information about each
plant in Part Three to make sure there are no particular contraindications
before using it in a remedy.
•
7 * '
!.«• ^V >»
>..-nrJ
'
"iF^"
Embauba trees along

the Amazon in Brazil
*nit
PART TWO
Quick Guides to
Medicinal Plants
OF THE Amazon
h ^ Two provides information on seventy-three widely used medic-

Amazon rainforest. This material presented in
^ inal plants of the is
7^^ easily accessible table format for quick reference. Chapter 5 is a guide
to the main properties and actions of common rainforest plants. Chapter 6
lists various diseases and disorders, and which medicinal plants are used
in herbal therapy. Chapter 7 summarizes the specifics on each rainforest
botanical. Together, these three chapters provide the reader with a guide to
many of the most commonly used Amazonian plants, their properties and
actions, and possible uses.
The tables and the summary provided in this section reorganize and
cross reference much of the extensive information on each plant found in
Part Three. Part Two can help readers identify which specific plants they
should consider and research for their particular needs —be that a prop-
erty (for example, an anti-inflammatory agent or a diuretic) or a way to
treat a specific disease/disorder (for example, asthma or a yeast infec-

tion). However, since not all the plant information is completely summa-
rized in these quick-reference guides, readers should always refer to the
comprehensive information about each plant given in Part Three. Part
Two should serve as an excellent starting point to an exploration of rain-
forest botanicals.
CHAPTER 5
Properties
AND Actions
OF Rainforest Plants
his chapter presents valuable information, in an easy-to-use table,
on the properties and actions attributed to the medicinal plants

of the Amazon region. Table 5.1 defines the technical terms used to
describe these properties, and lists commonly used for
those plants most
the particular property/ action. This table also indicates those plants whose
use for that action has been documented by research or by traditional
medicinal use.
Scientists, herbalists, health practitioners, and researchers refer to the
biological or therapeutic properties and actions of medicinal plants using
general industry-standard words like anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-
bacterial,and so on. Some words, such as antibacterial and a7itiviral are
easy and self-explanatory. Other words, such as vulnerary or verinifiige may
be much less familiar to nonprofessionals, and in most cases, simpler, more
easily understood words have been used here. Some of the more techni-
cal terms may also have special nuances and meanings.
For example, the words and cathartic all
apierient, laxative, purgative,
refer to specific laxative-like actions the substances can have on bowel

elimination, but there are differences in their exact meanings. A plant with
an aperient action used as a very mild or gentle "laxative" (generic term)
is
to increase mucus and water in the intestine to aid in elimination, and may
take a day or two to take effect. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a
"laxative" that has a purgative or cathartic action promotes the immediate
and complete evacuation of the bowel, oftentimes prior to liquefying,
acts in a few hours or less, and can sometimes cause intestinal cramping
because it stimulates the smooth muscles in the colon to move things along
rather quickly. Therefore, just using the generic and well-known word
"laxative" to describe these different properties and actions is not always
helpful to the nonprofessional (especially one sitting in rush-hour traffic
thinking they've taken a "laxative" instead of understanding it was real-
ly a purgative!).
In Table 5.1, column 1 lists the technical term for the property or action
and corresponding lay term. A definition of the term or a cross reference to
a simpler word for the particular property is provided incolumn 2. Rain-
forest plants having the specific property/action, as documented in this
book and by hundreds of third-party documents, clinical studies, labora-
tory experiments, and/or herbal medicine books published in other coun-
tries, are then listed. Since many actions and properties can be attributed
to the same plant (and many plants can have the same documented action),
it can get confusing to the average person, and even to the professional, as
to which plant to first turn for a particular action or property.

In an effort to simplify things, information about the uses of the dif-
ferent plants has been broken down in three ways. Column 3 lists the
top five plants that practitioners and herbalists generally turn to first to
achieve a particular action; these five plants are listed in order of prefer-
ence. The table also differentiates whether the actions /properties have been
documented through research or only through traditional use in herbal
medicine. Those plants whose specific actions/ properties have been docu-
mented through clinical research and/or laboratory studies are listed in
column 4; these plants are listed alphabetically. Please remember that
actions of the plants listed in this column may have been documented by
a laboratory experiment, a test tube study, or preliminary animal research
and not a human clinical study or medical trial. Finally, those plants whose
actions/ properties have been recorded just by their documented use in
herbal medicine are listed in column 5; these plants are also listed alpha-
betically.
This information has been compiled and provided as a quick-reference

guide to what has been actuallydocumented on the plants. It is not intend-
ed to make specific medical claims for them. As always, it is best to refer
to the text provided in Part Three, Medicinal Plants of the Rainforest, for
more complete information on each plant's potential actions, properties,
and uses, as well as on what actual research supports it. These document-
ed actions may help explain why a specific plant is used in a particular way
in herbal medicine systems. For example, a plant used in herbal medicine
Properties and Actions of Rainforest Plants 67
as a heart tonic or to lower high blood pressure might have been docu-
mented to have a hypotensive action in an animal study. Table 5.1 may also
help the reader determine which plants he or she should read about in
more detail; for example, someone with arthritis looking for plants with
documented anti-inflammatory actions would look under anti-inflamma-
tory and be guided to read, in Part Three, about the top five plants used for
anti-inflammatory actions.
Harvesting
jergon sacha
root.
Technical Term (Lay Term) Definition ofTerm

Abortifacient A substance that causes or induces abortions.
TABLE 5.1 (Abortive)
Properties
and Actions ACE Inhibitor A substance that inhibits angiotensin-converting
of Common enzyme, typically resulting in lowered blood pressure.
Adaptogen A substance that restores or balances, in some

Rainforest unknown way, the normal functions of an organ
Plants or system.
Aldose Reductase An agent that inhibits aldose reductase, an enzyme

Inhibitor that converts glucose into a nerve toxin that results
in nerve damage (e.g., diabetic neuropathy, macular
degeneration).
Alterative See Adaptogen.
Amebicide An agent used to kill amebas and treat amebic
(Anti-amebic) infections.
Analgesic A substance that relieves or reduces pain;

(Pain-reliever) also referred to as anodyne.
Anaphylactic A substance that causes an allergic reaction.
Anesthetic A substance that decreases or blocks nerve

sensitivity to pain.
Antacid A substance that reduces or neutralizes stomach

acid.
Anti-allergy See Anti-anaphylactic.
Anti-amebic See Amebicide.
Anti-anaphylactic A substance that blocks or reduces an allergic

(Anti-allergy) reaction.
Antianxiolytic An agent used to reduce or prevent anxiety.

(Anti-anxiety)
Most Widely Used Herbs Scientifically Validated Herbs Traditionally Used

Not applicable anamu, boldo, carqueja, chanca piedra, bitter melon, damiana, epazote,
clavillia, pau d’arco espinheira santa, fedegoso, gervao,
manaca, picao preto, scarlet bush,
vassourinha
erva tostao, embauba, abuta, embauba, erva tostao, mutamba Not applicable
mutamba, abuta
suma, cat’s claw, erva tostao, cat’s claw, erva tostao, samambaia damiana, guarana, maca, manaca, muira
samambaia, sarsaparilla puama, picao preto, sarsaparilla, suma,
tayuya, velvet bean, yerba mate
chanca piedra, pedra hume annatto, chanca piedra, chuchuhuasi, Not applicable
caa, chuchuhuasi, annatto pedra hume caa
simarouba, amargo, epazote, amargo, epazote, erva tostao, graviola, bitter melon, carqueja, cashew, gervao
erva tostao, guava guava, quinine, simarouba
internal — iporuru, tayuya, abuta, amargo, amor seco, anamu, andiroba, andiroba, boldo, cipo cabeludo, clavo
manaca, vassourinha, Brazilian peppertree, carqueja, catuaba, huasca, epazote, espinheira santa,
mulungu chanca piedra, chuchuhuasi, copaiba, fedegoso, graviola, guaco, iporuru,
external — copaiba, andiroba, embauba, erva tostao, gervao, guacatonga, juazeiro, mullaca, mulungu, quinine,
sangre de grado, kalanchoe, guarana, guava, jurubeba, kalanchoe, sangre de grado, sarsaparilla,
manaca macela, manaca, muira puama, nettle, simarouba
passionflower, pau d’arco, scarlet bush,
suma, tayuya, vassourinha, velvet bean
Not applicable balsam, Brazil nut, cashew, copaiba Not applicable
sangre de grado, manaca, Brazilian peppertree, chanca piedra, copaiba, embauba, guacatonga, guaco,
guaco, scarlet bush, curare, sangre de grado, scarlet bush manaca

Brazilian peppertree
espinheira santa, guacatonga, carqueja, espinheira santa, gervao, annatto, copaiba, epazote
carqueja, gervao, jurubeba guacatonga, jurubeba
amor seco, nettle, amor seco, gervao, guaco, kalanchoe, erva tostao, pau d’arco, sangre de
kalanchoe, gervao, guaco nettle grado, suma, yerba mate
passionflower, mulungu, mulungu, passionflower anamu, catuaba, damiana, graviola,
tayuya, manaca, damiana guava, manaca, muira puama, suma,

tayuya, velvet bean

Antibacterial A substance that kills or inhibits bacteria.
TABLE 5.1
Properties
and Actions
of Common
Rainforest
Plants
(continued)
Anticandidal An agent that inhibits or kills the yeast
(Anti-yeast) Candida albicans.
Anticarcinomic A substance that kills or inhibits carcinomas

(Anticancerous) (a cancer that arises in epithelium/tissue cells).
Anticoagulant A substance that thins the blood and acts to

(Blood thinner) inhibit blood platelets from sticking together
and forming a clot.
Anticonvulsant An agent that reduces or prevents convulsions.
Antidepressant A substance used to treat depression.
Antidysenteric An agent used to reduce or treat dysentery and

diarrhea.
Antifungal An agent that kills or inhibits the growth of fungi.
Antihelmintic See Vermifuge.
Antihemorrhagic An agent that stops or prevents bleeding.

(Hemostatic, Styptic)

internal —picao preto, abuta, anamu, andiroba, annatto, avenca, aveioz, cipo cabeludo, nettle, quinine
mullaca, anamu, Brazilian balsam, bitter melon, Brazilian peppertree,
peppertree, fedegoso cashew, catuaba, chanca piedra, clavillia,
external — copaiba, sangre copaiba, embauba, erva tostao, fedegoso,

de grado, mulateiro, graviola, guacatonga, guaco, guarana, guava,
anamu, andiroba jatoba, juazeiro, kalanchoe, macela, mulateiro,
mullaca, mulungu, mutamba, pau d’arco, picao
preto, sangre de grado, sarsaparilla, scarlet

bush, simarouba, stevia, vassourinha
jatoba, pau d’arco, anamu, anamu, avenca, Brazilian peppertree, (See previous column.)
Brazilian peppertree, picao clavillia, guaco, guava, jatoba, mulateiro,
preto pau d’arco, picao preto, stevia
internal — ^graviola, mullaca, amargo, anamu, andiroba, bitter melon, aveioz, fedegoso, guaco, jergon sacha,
espinheira santa, Brazilian peppertree, cat’s claw, chuchuhuasi, samambaia, sarsaparilla

vassourinha, guacatonga copaiba, epazote, espinheira santa, graviola,
external — espinheira santa, guacatonga, macela, mullaca, mutamba, pau
sangre de grado, graviola, d’arco, sangre de grado, simarouba, suma,
mullaca, copaiba vassourinha
guaco, cipo cabeludo, boldo, cipo cabeludo, guaco, guarana, macela, anamu, boldo, cat’s claw, pau d’arco
mullaca, macela manaca, mullaca, picao preto
erva tostao, amor seco, abuta, amor seco, erva tostao, graviola, anamu, annatto, guava, jaborandi,
abuta, mulungu, nettle nettle kalanchoe, macela, mulungu,
passionflower, tayuya
mulungu, tayuya, cat’s claw, graviola, mulungu Brazilian peppertree, damiana, muira
passionflower, muira puama, passionflower, tayuya, yerba
puama, graviola mate
simarouba, sangre de grado, amargo, cashew, gervao, guava, pau d’arco, cat’s claw, chuchuhuasi, clavillia,
amargo, guava, cashew samambaia, sangre de grado, simarouba scarlet bush
internal — jatoba, pau d’arco, abuta, anamu, Brazilian peppertree, clavillia, balsam, cashew, quinine
anamu, fedegoso, picao preto copaiba, embauba, fedegoso, graviola, guacatonga,
external — jatoba, copaiba, guava, iporuru, jatoba, kalanchoe, mulateiro,
sangre de grado, mulateiro, mutamba, pau d’arco, picao preto, sangre de

pau d’arco grado, sarsaparilla, scarlet bush, stevia, vassourinha
internal — abuta, sangre de abuta, annatto, sangre de grado Brazilian peppertree, carqueja, cashew,
grado, Brazilian peppertree, embauba, fedegoso, guacatonga, jatoba,
erva tostao, picao preto juazeiro, mullaca, mutamba, nettle,
external —sangre de grado, pedra hume caa, picao preto,
juazeiro, nettle, mutamba, simarouba
kalanchoe
Technical Term (Lay Term) Definition of Term
Antihepatotoxic A substance that protects the liver from toxins

TABLE 5.1 (Liver detoxifier) or clears toxins from the liver.
Properties
and Actions Antihistamine An agent used to counteract the effects of
histamine production in allergic reactions.
of Common
Anti-inflammatory A substance used to reduce or prevent
Rainforest
inflammation.
Plants
(continued)
Antileukemic A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of

leukemia cells.
Antilithic An agent that reduces or suppresses the formation

of kidney stones and acts to dissolve those already
present.
Antimalarial An agent used to treat malaria and/or kill the

malaria-causing organism, Plasmodium.
Antimicrobial A substance that destroys or inhibits the growth

of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, fungi, and
other microorganisms.
See also Antibacterial, Anticandidal,

Antifungal, and Antiviral.
Antimutagenic An agent that can reduce, prevent, or reverse cells
(Cellular protector) from mutating (for example, prevent healthy cells
from mutating to cancer cells).
Antioxidant A substance that prevents oxidation and is thought

to protect body cells from the damaging effects of
oxidation (through free radical activity and lipid
peroxidation).

boldo, carqueja, erva tostao, artichoke, boldo, carqueja, chanca piedra, amargo, cat’s claw, epazote, mutamba
chanca piedra, fedegoso erva tostao, fedegoso, macela, picao preto,
sarsaparilla
gervao, guaco, nettle, amor abuta, amor seco, gervao, guaco, carqueja, erva tostao, iporuru,
seco, kalanchoe kalanchoe, nettle pau d’arco
internal — iporuru, guaco, abuta, anamu, andiroba, boldo, carqueja, acerola, amargo, amor seco, annatto,
amor seco, tayuya, cat’s claw cashew, cat’s claw, chuchuhuasi, copaiba, bitter melon, chanca piedra, curare,
external — copaiba, andiroba, embauba, erva tostao, fedegoso, gervao, epazote, espinheira santa, jaborandi,
scarlet bush, guaco, guacatonga, guaco, iporuru, jatoba, juazeiro, jergon sacha, mullaca, mutamba
kalanchoe jurubeba, kalanchoe, macela, manaca,
mulungu, nettle, passionflower, pau d’arco,
picao preto, samambaia, sangre de grado,
sarsaparilla, scarlet bush, suma, tayuya,
vassourinha, velvet bean, yerba mate
mullaca, picao preto, bitter melon, cat’s claw, cipo cabeludo, (See previous column.)
vassourinha, simarouba, espinheira santa, mullaca, pau d’arco, picao
cipo cabeludo preto, simarouba, suma, vassourinha
chanca piedra, boldo, cipo chanca piedra amargo, artichoke, avenca, boldo, cipo
cabeludo, artichoke, erva cabeludo, erva tostao, kalanchoe,
tostao velvet bean
quinine, simarouba, amargo, abuta, amargo, andiroba, chanca piedra, amor seco, anamu, annatto, damiana,
vassourinha, epazote epazote, fedegoso, graviola, guava, pau bitter melon, carqueja, gervao, guaco,
d’arco, picao preto, quinine, simarouba, jatoba, manaca, mullaca, mutamba,
vassourinha sarsaparilla, scarlet bush
cat’s claw, chanca piedra, boldo, cat’s claw, chanca piedra, fedegoso, guacatonga, simarouba
samambaia, fedegoso, boldo manaca, samambaia
cat’s claw, samambaia, abuta, acerola, anamu, annatto, artichoke, avenca, bitter melon, jatoba, pau
gervao, tayuya, fedegoso boldo, Brazil nut, camu-camu, cat’s claw, d’arco, pedra hume caa, sarsaparilla,
chuchuhuasi, embauba, fedegoso, gervao, suma

guarana, guava, macela, mulateiro, mutamba,
samambaia, sangre de grado, tayuya,
yerba mate

Antiparasitic A substance that kills parasites, either internally or
TABLE 5.1 externally.
Properties
and Actions
Antiprotozoal A substance that kills protozoa, a large family of
of Common single-cell microscopic organisms, many of which
Rainforest cause disease.
Plants Antipyretic See Febrifuge.
(continued) Antiseptic A substance that destroys or inhibits germs and

disease-causing organisms and is sufficiently
nontoxic to cleanse wounds and prevent infections.
Antispasmodic A substance that relieves spasms or inhibits the

(Muscle-relaxer) contraction of smooth muscles.
Antitumorous An agent that kills tumor cells and/or prevents

the formation of tumors.
Antitussive See Cough Suppressant.

Anti-ulcerogenic An agent used to protect against the formation
Antiulcerous of ulcers or as a treatment for ulcers.
(Anti-ulcer)
Antivenin An agent used against the venom of a snake, spider,

or other venomous animal.

amargo, simarouba, amargo, andiroba, balsam, boldo, epazote, annatto, bitter melon, clavillia,
epazote, boldo, fedegoso fedegoso, graviola, quinine, simarouba erva tostao, guava, jatoba, macela,
mulateiro, nettle, pau d’arco, picao
preto, scarlet bush, velvet bean
amargo, guaco, simarouba, amargo, anamu, bitter melon, epazote, erva boldo
bitter melon, anamu tostao, graviola, guaco, guava, quinine,
simarouba
mullaca, Brazilian peppertree, balsam, Brazilian peppertree, copaiba, abuta, andiroba, annatto, boldo,
picao preto, annatto (leaf), sangre de grado cashew, damiana, embauba, epazote,
guava (leaf) espinheira santa, fedegoso, guacatonga,
guarana, guava, mullaca, mulungu,
nettle, picao preto, quinine, sarsaparilla
amor seco, abuta, vassourinha, abuta, amargo, amor seco, annatto, boldo, anamu, chuchuhuasi, damiana,
manaca, mulungu Brazilian peppertree, chanca piedra, clavillia, epazote, guaco, iporuru, picao preto
curare, embauba, erva tostao, fedegoso,
gervao, graviola, guava, kalanchoe, macela,
manaca, mullaca, mulungu, mutamba, passion-
flower, quinine, vassourinha, velvet bean,
yerba mate
internal — graviola, mullaca, amargo, anamu, andiroba, bitter melon, aveioz, gervao, jergon sacha, jurubeba,
espinheira santa, Brazilian peppertree, cat’s claw, chuchuhuasi, manaca

vassourinha, guacatonga copaiba, epazote, espinheira santa, graviola,
external — espinheira santa, guacatonga, iporuru, kalanchoe, macela,
sangre de grado, graviola, mullaca, mutamba, pau d’arco, picao preto,
mullaca, copaiba sangre de grado, scarlet bush, simarouba,

suma, vassourinha
(internal peptic) gervao, abuta, amargo, balsam, carqueja, cat’s claw, andiroba, bitter melon, epazote, guava,
carqueja, espinheira santa, chanca piedra, copaiba, espinheira santa, juazeiro, mutamba, pau d’arco, tayuya
guacatonga, cat’s clav^ gervao, guacatonga, jurubeba, kalanchoe,

(internal H. pylori) carqueja, muira puama, picao preto
guacatonga, bitter melon,
balsam, pau d’arco
(external) copaiba, gervao,
kalanchoe, juazeiro, picao
preto
jergon sacha, guaco, annatto, guacatonga, guaco, picao preto, abuta, amargo, anamu, curare, erva
guacatonga, embauba, velvet bean tostao, jergon sacha, manaca, pata de
picao preto, tayuya vaca, pau d’arco, tayuya, vassourinha

Antiviral A substance that destroys or inhibits the growth

TABLE 5.1 and viability of viruses.
Properties
and Actions
of Common
Rainforest Aperient A substance that acts as a mild laxative by
Plants increasing fluids in the bowel.
(continued)
Aphrodisiac An agent that increases sexual activity and libido
and/or improves sexual performance.
Appetite Stimulant A substance used to increase or stimulate the

appetite.
Appetite Suppressant A substance that suppresses the appetite and/or

eliminates the feelings of hunger.
Astringent A substance that, by contracting blood vessels and

certain body tissues (such as mucous membranes),
reduces secretions and excretion of fluids and/or
has a drying effect.
Bile Stimulant A substance that increases the volume and flow

(Gallbladder) of bile from the gallbladder; sometimes called
choleretic.
Bile Stimulant A substance that increases the production and flow

(Liver) of bile in the liver; sometimes called chologogue.
Bitter Having a sharp, acrid, and unpleasant taste that is
thought to stimulate the flow of bile and other

digestive juices to aid in digestion.

internal — ^jergon sacha, amargo, anamu, bitter melon, Brazilian andiroba, aveioz, avenca, copaiba,
mullaca, anamu, chanca peppertree, carqueja, cat’s claw, catuaba, embauba, fedegoso, graviola,
piedra, bitter melon cha de bugre, chanca piedra, clavillia, erva guacatonga, jergon sacha
external —sangre de grado, tostao, iporuru, kalanchoe, macela, mullaca,
bitter melon, carqueja, mutamba, pau d’arco, picao preto, sangre
clavillia, vassourinha de grado, simarouba, stevia, vassourinha
carqueja, fedegoso, nettle, fedegoso amargo, annatto, Brazilian peppertree,

erva tostao, samambaia carqueja, curare, damiana, erva tostao,
guava, jurubeba, nettle, samambaia
(male) muira puama, catuaba, damiana, muira puama, passionflower, abuta, annatto, bitter melon, cashew,
damiana, clavo huasca, suma, velvet bean catuaba, chuchuhuasi, clavo huasca,
velvet bean guarana, iporuru, maca, sarsaparilla
(female) clavo huasca, abuta,
catuaba, suma, passionflower
quinine, bitter melon, jatoba, amargo, quinine amargo, avenca, bitter melon, boldo,
amargo, boldo chanca piedra, chuchuhuasi, clavo
huasca, erva tostao, guaco, jatoba,
muira puama, samambaia, suma
cha de bugre, guarana, damiana, guarana cha de bugre, yerba mate

damiana, yerba mate
mutamba, pau d’arco, jatoba, cashew, mulateiro acerola, amargo, andiroba, annatto,
Brazilian peppertree, guarana artichoke, avenca, bitter melon,

Brazilian peppertree, camu-camu,
cat’s claw, copaiba, damiana, embauba,
espinheira santa, graviola, guacatonga,
guarana, guava, jatoba, juazeiro,
macela, muira puama, mutamba,
nettle, passionflower, pata de vaca,
pau d’arco, pedra hume caa, picao
preto, quinine, simarouba
artichoke, chanca piedra, artichoke, boldo, chanca piedra, macela abuta, amargo, balsam, erva tostao,
boldo, erva tostao, macela jaborandi
boldo, artichoke, jurubeba, artichoke, boldo, yerba mate amargo, erva tostao, gervao,
gervao, jaborandi jaborandi, jurubeba
amargo, quinine, carqueja, amargo, andiroba, artichoke, quinine bitter melon, boldo, carqueja,
simarouba, artichoke damiana, macela, picao preto,

simarouba, tayuya
Blood Cleanser An agent used to cleanse or purify the blood;

TABLE 5.1 sometimes called a depurative.
Properties
and Actions
of Common
Rainforest
Plants
Blood Thinner See Anticoagulant.
(continued)
Bronchodilator An agent that dilates or relaxes bronchial muscles.
Cardiodepressant An agent that decreases the contraction force

of the heart and/or lowers heart rate.
Cardiotonic A substance that strengthens, tones, or regulates

(Heart tonic) heart functions without overt stimulation or
depression.
Carminative An agent used to prevent or expel gas from the

stomach and intestines.
Cathartic See Purgative.
Cellular Protector See Antimutagenic.
Central Nervous A substance that depresses the central nervous

System (CNS) system.
Depressant
Central Nervous A substance that stimulates the central nervous
System (CNS) system.
Stimulant
Choleretic See Bile Stimulant (Gallbladder).
Choliokinetic A substance that increases the contractive powe

of the bile duct.
Chologogue See Bile Stimulant (Liver).
Cicatrizant See Wound Healer.


tayuya, sarsaparilla, samambaia, sarsaparilla amargo, amor seco, anamu, annatto,
manaca, mullaca avenca, bitter melon, boldo, carqueja,
cat’s claw, chanca piedra, erva tostao,
espinheira santa, fedegoso, guacatonga,
guaco, guarana, guava, jaborandi,
jurubeba, manaca, mullaca, mutamba,
nettle, pata de vaca, samambaia, tayuya,
vassourinha, velvet bean, yerba mate
amor seco, guaco, embauba, amor seco, gervao, guaco avenca, balsam, embauba, guarana,
gervao, balsam manaca, velvet bean, yerba mate
graviola, mutamba, guava, graviola, guava, mutamba, nettle jaborandi, manaca

nettle, jaborandi
embauba, Brazilian pepper- cha de bugre, embauba, guava, jurubeba, abuta, acerola, annatto, artichoke,
tree, erva tostao, picao picao preto, quinine, stevia, vassourinha avenca, Brazilian peppertree, cat’s claw,
preto, vassourinha erva tostao, graviola, guarana, juazeiro,

macela, muira puama, mulungu,
mutamba, passionflower, pau d’arco,
pedra hume cal yerba mate
jurubeba, epazote, bitter copaiba bitter melon, boldo, carqueja, chanca

melon, carqueja, espinheira piedra, clavillia, clavo huasca, epazote,
santa erva tostao, espinheira santa, guarani

jatoba, jurubeba, kalanchoe, macela,
picao preto, simarouba, suma, velvet

bean
manaca, kalanchoe, passion- damiana, guava, kalanchoe, manaca, embauba, gervao, mulungu
flower, mulungu, damiana passionflower, vassourinha
muira puama, guarana, guarana, muira puama catuaba, velvet bean, yerba mate
catuaba, yerba mate,

velvet bean
artichoke, carqueja, jaborandi artichoke carqueja, jaborandi

Contraceptive An agent that prevents conception or interferes

TABLE 5.1 with fertility.
Properties Cough Suppressant A substance that suppresses coughing; also called

antitussive.
and Actions
of Common
Rainforest
Plants
(continued)
COX Inhibitor An agent that inhibits or interferes with the
production of cyclooxygenase enzymes, which are
linked to inflammatory processes and diseases.
Decongestant A substance that relieves or reduces nasal or

bronchial congestion.
Demulcent See Emollient.
Detoxifier A substance that promotes the removal of toxins

from a system or organ.
Diaphoretic A substance that induces perspiration; also called

(Sweat promoter) sudorific.
Digestion Stimulant An agent that stimulates or strengthens the activity

of the stomach to improve the appetite and
digestive processes; also called stomachic.
Disinfectant An agent that destroys or inhibits the growth of

harmful organisms.

Not applicable bitter melon, cat’s claw, espinheira santa amor seco, epazote, vassourinha
guaco, embauba, amor seco, guaco, guava, passionflower abuta, amor seco, annatto, avenca,
passionflower, guava balsam, bitter melon, cashew, copaiba,
damiana, embauba, espinheira santa,
gervao, iporuru, jatoba, jergon sacha,
juazeiro, kalanchoe, macela, mutamba,
picao preto, vassourinha, velvet bean
iporuru, picao preto, anamu, iporuru, picao preto Not applicable

anamu
amor seco, nettle, embauba, nettle abuta, amor seco, carqueja, cashew,
jatoba, gervao cipo cabeludo, embauba, erva tostao,
gervao, jatoba, jurubeba, mutamba,
picao preto, vassourinha
samambaia, chanca piedra, artichoke, sarsaparilla amor seco, avenca, bitter melon,
fedegoso, tayuya, nettle boldo, cat’s claw, chanca piedra,

clavillia, erva tostao, espinheira santa,
fedegoso, nettle, samambaia, tayuya,
vassourinha
jaborandi, jatoba, mutamba, jaborandi abuta, anamu, avenca, carqueja, cha
picao preto, guaco de bugre, chanca piedra, embauba,

epazote, fedegoso, gervao, guaco,
jatoba, macela, manacl mutamba,
nettle, picao preto, samambaia,
sarsaparilla, simarouba
jurubeba, artichoke, artichoke, boldo, carqueja, espinheira abuta, amargo, amor seco, annatto,
mutamba, carqueja, amargo santa, jurubeba balsam, bitter melon, Brazilian

peppertree, cashew, cat’s claw, chanca
piedra, chuchuhuasi, clavillia, clavo
huasca, damiana, embauba, erva

tostao, gervao, graviola, guacatonga,
guarana, jatoba, juazeiro, muira puama,
mutamba, nettle, quinine, sarsaparilla,
simarouba, tayuya, yerba mate
mullaca, Brazilian peppertree, Brazilian peppertree anamu, copaiba, espinheira santa,
anamu, copaiba, espinheira guacatonga, mullaca, mulungu,
santa passionflower

Diuretic A substance that increases urination.
TABLE 5.1
Properties
and Actions
of Common
Rainforest
Plants
(continued)
Emetic An agent that induces vomiting.
Emollient An agent that has a protective and soothing action

on the surfaces of the skin and membranes; also
called demulcent.
Expectorant An agent that increases bronchial mucous secretion

by promoting liquefaction of the sticky mucus and
expelling it from the body.
Febrifuge An agent that reduces fever; also called antipyretic.
Galactagogue See Lactation Stimulant.
Gastrotonic Substance that strengthens, tones, or regulates

(Gastroprotective) gastric functions (or protects from injury), without
overt stimulation or depression.
Heart Tonic See Cardiotonic.
Hemostatic See Antihemorrhagic.
Hepatoprotective A substance that helps protect the liver from

(Liver protector) damage by toxins, other chemicals, or other
disease processes.

erva tostao, amor seco, abuta, boldo, chanca piedra, embauba, erva acerola, amor seco, anamu, annatto,
chanca piedra, cipo cabeludo, tostao, jaborandi, nettle, passionflower, pata artichoke, avenca, Brazilian pepper-
nettle de vaca, sarsaparilla, scarlet bush, stevia, tree,carqueja, cashew, cat’s claw,
vassourinha cha de bugre, cipo cabeludo, clavillia,
copaiba, curare, damiana, epazote,

espinheira santa, fedegoso, gervao,
guaco, guarana, jatoba, jergon sacha,
juazeiro, jurubeba, manaca, mullaca,
picao preto, samambaia, tayuya,
velvet bean, yerba mate
Not applicable aveioz, graviola copaiba, jaborandi, yerba mate
andiroba, avenca, copaiba, Not applicable amor seco, andiroba, annatto, avenca,
samambaia, sarsaparilla balsam, boldo, bitter melon, Brazil
nut, copaiba, mulateiro, mutamba,
nettle, picao preto, samambaia,
sarsaparilla, vassourinha
embauba, guaco, samambaia, guaco abuta, amargo, anamu, andiroba,
avenca, guava annatto, avenca, Brazilian peppertree,

copaiba, damiana, embauba, guava,
jatoba, juazeiro, mullaca, mutamba,
samambaia, vassourinha
juazeiro, scarlet bush, boldo, juazeiro, kalanchoe, manaca, nettle, abuta, amargo, anamu, andiroba,
manaca, vassourinha, scarlet bush, velvet bean annatto, avenca, bitter melon,
kalanchoe Brazilian peppertree, carqueja,
cashew, chanca piedra, chuchuhuasi,

curare, fedegoso, gervao, graviola,
guaco, jurubeba, mullaca, mutamba,

picao preto, quinine, samambaia,
sarsaparilla, simarouba, vassourinha
jurubeba, picao preto, annatto, artichoke, boldo, carqueja, cat’s claw, abuta, amargo, avenca, bitter melon,
carqueja, cat’s claw, chanca piedra, copaiba, gervao, guacatonga, epazote, muira puama
guacatonga guava, jurubeba, macela, picao preto
carqueja, erva tostao, annatto, artichoke, boldo, carqueja, chanca abuta, acerola, avenca, cat’s claw,
chanca piedra, picao piedra, erva tostao, fedegoso, gervao, jatobi epazote, mutamba
preto, boldo macela, picao preto

Hepatotonk A substance that strengthens or tones the liver,
TABLE 5.1 (Liver tonic) sometimes employed to normalize liver enzymes

and function.
Properties
and Actions
Hormonal A substance that has a hormone-like effect similar
of Common (Female) to that of estrogen and/or a substance used to
Rainforest normalize female hormone levels.
Plants Hormonal A substance that has a hormone-like effect similar
(continued) (Male) to that of testosterone and/or a substance used to

normalize male hormone levels.
Hyperglycemic A substance that raises blood sugar levels.
Hypocholesterolemic A substance that lowers blood cholesterol levels.
(Cholesterol reducer)
Hypoglycemic An agent that lowers the concentration of glucose

(sugar) in the blood.
Hypotensive A substance that lowers blood pressure.
Hypothermal See Refrigerant.
Immune modulator A substance that affects, modulates or selectively

changes the functioning of the immune system
(often used in auto-immune diseases).
Immune stimulant A substance that stimulates the activity of immune

cells/function and/or increases the production of
immune cells.
Immune suppressant A substance that suppresses the functioning of the

immune system.
Insecticide A substance that kills insects.
Insect Repellant An agent that repels insects.
Lactagogue See Lactation Stimulant.


carqueja, picao preto, artichoke, chanca piedra, erva tostao, abuta, acerola, amargo, anamu,
gervao, artichoke, chanca fedegoso, jurubeba, mulungu avenca, boldo, carqueja, embauba,
piedra gervao, juazeiro, macela, mullaca,
pau d’arco, picao preto, vassourinha
abuta, damiana, Brazilian abuta, cat’s claw, damiana Brazilian peppertree, chuchuhuasi,
peppertree, suma, damiana, espinheira santa, maca, suma

chuchuhuasi
muira puama, nettle, nettle, velvet bean catuaba, chuchuhuasi, damiana, maca,
sarsaparilla, damiana, muira puama, sarsaparilla, suma
velvet bean
Not applicable annatto, guarana Not applicable
bitter melon, artichoke, artichoke, bitter melon, chanca piedra, acerola, annatto, avenca, carqueja,
suma, chanca piedra, guava, suma, velvet bean cat’s claw, kalanchoe, muira puama,
velvet bean sarsaparilla, vassourinha, yerba mate
pata de vaca, pedra hume abuta, anamu, annatto, avenca, bitter melon, amargo, cat’s claw, iporuru, jatoba,
caa, chanca piedra, bitter carqueja, chanca piedra, damiana, embauba, mulateiro
melon, stevia guava, macela, mullaca, mutamba, pata de vaca,
pedra hume caa, stevia, vassourinha, velvet bean
graviola, abuta, chanca piedra, abuta, Brazilian peppertree, carqueja, chanca annatto, artichoke, avenca, cashew,
picao preto, erva tostao piedra, embauba, erva tostao, fedegoso, gervao, guarana, jaborandi, pedra
graviola, guava, jurubeba, muira puama, hume caa, samambaia, velvet bean,
mulungu, mutamba, nettle, passionflower, yerba mate
picao preto, stevia, vassourinha
cat’s claw, samambaia erva tostao, mullaca, nettle, picao preto, cat’s claw, pau d’arco
samambaia, sarsaparilla, suma, velvet bean
cat’s claw, anamu, mullaca, anamu, bitter melon, cat’s claw, chuchuhuasi, chanca piedra, jergon sacha, maca, pau
fedegoso, macela fedegoso, macela, mullaca, scarlet bush d’arco, simarouba, suma, yerba mate
Not applicable aveioz, kalanchoe Not applicable
amargo, graviola (seeds), amargo, andiroba, epazote, graviola, kalanchoe, annatto, bitter melon, Brazilian pepper-
andiroba, mulateiro, epazote manaca, mulateiro, pau d’arco, quinine tree, fedegoso, macela, vassourinha
andiroba, annatto, mulateiro, andiroba amargo, annatto, aveioz, mulateiro,
amargo, vassourinha vassourinha

Lactation Stimulant An agent that increases the production of breast

TABLE 5.1 milk and/or stimulates milk flow; also called a
galactagogue or lactagogue.
Properties
and Actions Larvicidal An agent that kills insect or parasite larva.
of Common
Laxative A substance that stimulates evacuation of the
Rainforest
bowels, causing looseness or relaxation of the
Plants intestinal muscles.
(continued)
Molluscicidal An agent that kills snails. (Typically used as a testing

method to find agents to treat schistosomiasis.)
Muscle Relaxer See Antispasmodic.
Nervine A substance that has a normalizing or balancing

effect on the nerves and/or central nervous
system.
Neurasthenic A substance used to treat nerve pain and/or

weakness (neuralgia, sciatica, etc.).
Neuroprotective A substance that protects brain cells from damage,

helps repair damaged brain cells, and/or balances
brain chemicals. In herbal medicine, neuroprotective

plants are often used for memory disorders.
Pectoral Pertaining to or used for the chest and
respiratory tract.
Pediculicide An agent that kills lice.
Piscicide An agent that kills fish. (Also indicative that the

substance possibly has other properties that
make it toxic to parasites or bacteria.)

nettle, erva tostao, gervao, None avenca, bitter melon, epazote, erva
avenca, graviola (fruit juice) tostao, gervao, graviola, jaborandi,
mulungu, nettle
amargo, gervao, carqueja, amargo, bitter melon, carqueja, gervao balsam, boldo, jergon sacha,
boldo, bitter melon simarouba
guava, gervao, tayuya, gervao amor seco, aveioz, bitter melon,

chanca piedra, amor seco boldo, chanca piedra, clavillia,
embauba, epazote, espinheira

Santa, guarana, guava, pau d’arco,
simarouba, tayuya
graviola (seeds), bitter bitter melon, cashew, cipo cabeludo, Not applicable
melon, macela, epazote, epazote, jatoba, graviola, guacatonga,
cashew macela, pata de vaca
catuaba, damiana, tayuya, damiana amor seco, catuaba, cipo cabeludo,

graviola, muira puama epazote, graviola, guarana, guava,
muira puama, quinine, sangre de
grado, scarlet bush, suma, tayuya,
yerba mate
sangre de grado, passion- passionflower, sangre de grado catuaba, guarana, guava, macela,
flower, mulungu, tayuya, manaca, muira puama, mulungu,

manaca quinine, suma, tayuya, velvet bean,
yerba mate
samambaia, cat’s claw. cat’s claw, graviola, guarana, samambaia. catuaba, damiana, mulungu, simarouba.
sarsaparilla, guarana, sarsaparilla, velvet bean suma, yerba mate

velvet bean
avenca, samambaia, amor None abuta, amor seco, avenca, balsam,
seco, embauba, balsam catuaba, cha de bugre, copaiba,

embauba, epazote, gervao, graviola,
guaco, jatoba, kalanchoe, mutamba,

picao preto, samambaia, sarsaparilla,
vassourinha
amargo, andiroba, graviola amargo, balsam andiroba, fedegoso, graviola,
(seed), balsam, fedegoso guacatonga, nettle
abuta, graviola, aveioz, None abuta, anamu, aveioz, Brazilian
chanca piedra, Brazilian peppertree, cashew, graviola,
peppertree, anamu guarana, mulungu


Purgative A substance used to cleanse or purge, especially
TABLE 5.1 causing the immediate evacuation of the bowel.
Properties
and Actions Refrigerant A substance that lowers the temperature of the
body or a part of the body, used to reduce the
of Common metabolic activity of tissues or to provide a local
Rainforest anesthetic effect; also sometimes known as
Plants hypothermal.
(continued) Sedative A substance that soothes, calms, or tranquilizes,

reducing or relieving stress, irritability, or
excitement.
Sialogogue A substance used to increase or promote the

excretion of saliva.
Spasmolytic See Antispasmodic.
Stimulant A substance that promotes or increases the activity

of a body system or function.
Stomachic See Digestive Stimulant.
Styptic See Antihemorrhagic.
Sudorific See Diaphoretic.
Tonic A substance that acts to restore, balance, tone,

strengthen, or invigorate a body system without
overt stimulation or depression.
Uterine Relaxant An agent that relaxes the muscles in the uterus.
Uterine Stimulant An agent that stimulates the uterus (and often

employed during active childbirth).

abuta, jatoba (fruit/seed), None abuta, annatto (seeds), aveioz, bitter
graviola (seed), manaca, melon, cashew, clavillia, graviola
aveioz (seeds), jatoba, manaca, yerba mate
scarlet bush, manaca, manaca, nettle, scarlet bush annatto, avenca, bitter melon,
kalanchoe, mulateiro, carqueja, cashew, erva tostao,
mutamba kalanchoe, mulateiro, mutamba,

nettle, samambaia, sarsaparilla,
vassourinha
manaca, mulungu, kalanchoe, amargo, graviola, guava, kalanchoe, anamu, boldo, epazote, gervao,
passionflower, vassourinha mulungu, passionflower, vassourinha macela, manaca, mullaca, nettle
jaborandi, espinheira santa, jaborandi amargo, Brazilian peppertree,

amargo, picao preto, espinheira santa, picao preto
Brazilian peppertree
guarana, yerba mate, jatoba, erva tostao, guarana, yerba mate abuta, artichoke, avenca, boldo,
chuchuhuasi, erva tostao Brazilian peppertree, catuaba, cha de

bugre, chuchuhuasi, copaiba, damiana,
jatoba, maca, muira puama, picao
preto, sarsaparilla, suma, yerba mate
cat’s claw, suma, chuchuhuasi, None abuta, amargo, artichoke, avenca,
catuaba, sarsaparilla bitter melon, Brazilian peppertree,

carqueja, cashew, cat’s claw, catuaba,
chanca piedra, chuchuhuasi, clavillia,
curare, damiana, espinheira santa,

gervao, jatoba, juazeiro, jurubeba,
maca, muira puama, pata de vaca,
quinine, samambaia, sarsaparilla,
simarouba, tayuya, vassourinha
abuta, passionflower, boldo, abuta, boldo chanca piedra, chuchuhuasi, embauba,
chuchuhuasi, embauba passionflower, pata de vaca
fedegoso, mutamba, picao bitter melon, Brazilian peppertree, clavillia, avenca, carqueja, erva tostao,
preto, Brazilian peppertree. fedegoso, graviola, mutamba, picao preto kalanchoe, nettle, velvet bean
bitter melon

Vasoconstrictor An agent that causes constriction of the blood
TABLE 5.1 vessels and decreases blood flow.
Properties Vasodilator A substance that causes a widening and/or

relaxation of the blood vessels and therefore an
and Actions
increase in blood flow.
of Common
Vermifuge A substance used to expel worms from the
Rainforest intestines.
Plants
(continued)
Vulnerary See Wound Healer.
Wound Healer A substance used to heal wounds and promote

tissue formation and the formation of a scab; also
called vulnerary.
The Amazon River.
1

fedegoso, guava, nettle, fedegoso, guava artichoke, nettle
artichoke
graviola, boldo, gervao, boldo, catuaba, gervao, graviola, guarana, Brazilian peppertree, simarouba,
guarana, yerba mate yerba mate stevia
amargo, epazote, simarouba, amargo, bitter melon, boldo, carqueja, anamu, andiroba, balsam, cat’s claw,
boldo, carqueja epazote, fedegoso, simarouba chanca piedra, clavillia, copaiba, erva
tostao, gervao, graviola, guaco, guava,
jatoba, macela, mullaca, passionflower,
pata de vaca, picao preto, scarlet

bush, vassourinha, velvet bean
sangre de grado, copaiba, balsam, Brazilian peppertree, copaiba, acerola, amor seco, andiroba, annatto,
juazeiro, scarlet bush, juazeiro, sangre de grado avenca, bitter melon, cat’s claw,
Brazilian peppertree clavillia, embauba, epazote, espinheira
Santa, gervao, guacatonga, guaco,
picao preto, sarsaparilla, scarlet bush,

stevia, vassourinha
CHAPTER 6
Herbal Treatment
OF Specific Diseases
AND Disorders
he World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 80 percent

of the world's population still relies mainly on herbal medicine for
'primary health care, especially in developing nations and rainforest
countries. People in tropical forests around the world have used the plants
growing in their backyards as part of their healthcare systems for millennia.
In fact, archaeologists have discovered the remains of plants used as medi-
cine at archaeological dig sites in Latin and South America dating back to
8000 B.C. In the northwestern Amazon alone, at least 1,300 plant species are
used to create drogas do certdo or "wilderness drugs" for the primary health
care needs in the region today. Many of these plant-based remedies have
never been subjected to any type of scientific research.
Traditional uses of medicinal plants can be very important, especially

to researchers and drug companies. If a plant has been used in a specific
way for a specific purpose for many years and in many different geo-
graphical areas, there is probably a reason for it. It is this rapidly growing
industry (called ethnobotany) that helps scientists target which plants to
research first and what to Indigenous people originally
study them for.
discovered the medicinal uses of three-quarters of the plant-derived drugs

in use today.
Let's face pharmaceutical drugs aren't getting any cheaper and most
it,
are out of the financial reach of a peasant or farmer in the Amazon who
earns the equivalent of $50 monthly to support a family of seven. That
doesn't mean he and his family can't afford to be sick, or aren't faced with
many of the same illnesses and maladies as people in developed nations.
93
What it does mean is that plant-based medicines are often the most acces-
sible and appropriate therapy for a wide diversity of health problems ex-
perienced by rural and rainforest inhabitants. Often, these populations
cultivate and transplant wild medicinal plants in and around their homes
and villages and use them to treat many common health problems they are
faced with including fevers, fungal infections, respiratory problems, pain,
gastrointestinal problems, and even as antidotes for poisonous snakebites.
But that doesn't mean that many have a
of these people wouldn't rather
convenient aspirin or two to take occasionally for a simple headache,
instead of going through the time-consuming steps of harvesting some
leaves, bark, or roots out of the forest and boiling them into a tea remedy
for headache. The sad fact is that even aspirin can be unavailable or too
expensive for some forest dwellers.
Table 6.1 serves as a quick reference for matching a specific disorder or
condition to the plants that have been used in the tropics, developing
nations, and rainforests to treat it. Diseases not commonly found in devel-
oped nations but often common in developing nations, which lack ade-
quate immunization programs, and tropical diseases, are included in the
following table. The information has been provided as a summary of his-
torical medicinal uses for the plants by disease and condition. It was com-
piled, cataloged, and condensed from more than 500 published sources of
documentation listed in the References section of this book. The goal is to
provide information and a starting point for categorizing and cross-refer-
encing the extensive information provided in Part Three.
It is not intended to make any medical claim that the plants have been
scientifically or clinically proven to cure or effectively treat the listed dis-
eases or conditions in any way. It also is not meant to imply or suggest that
the plants are more effective at treating the specific conditions than drugs
or products available in the United States or other developed nations, but
not available in the countries where these plants grow and where their his-
tory of medicinal use has been recorded. Sometimes it really is just easier
and better to take an aspirin to relieve the occasional headache (if you have
access to it and can afford it). Just because traditional herbal medicine anci
herbal remedies are c^ften used in the Amazon and other remote areas to
replace cc^nventional medicine and drugs due to socioeconomic factors or
simple unavailability, it is not advisable to use them here to replace or avoid
proper medical care and drugs that could be beneficial. Again, conven-
tional medicine and traditional medicine systems should ideally play com-
—
plementary roles in health care one should not substitute the other.
Herbal Treatment of Specific Diseases and Disorders 95
If you are looking for natural remedies for a serious medical disease or
condition, please always seek the advice and help of qualified healthcare
professionals. There are many healthcare professionals available these days
with practical medical training as well as education and experience with
medicinal plants, supplements, and nutrition and dietary recommenda-
tions. Find one. Books like this one, as well as the Internet, are good places
to begin your research, especially when looking up and verifying both con-
ventional and complementary products, therapies, treatments, and drugs.
However, don't start and end there. Get qualified help and advice from
experienced health professionals that can combine the best of both health
systems, practices, products, and therapies into an effective and compre-
hensive treatment program. Please always remember that many medicinal
plants (including those discussed in this book) have active biological prop-
ertiesand active chemicals that should be treated with care, respect, and
knowledge. Some are not without side effects, and for most, there is little
data on their suitability and contraindications in combination with the
many pharmaceutical drugs that are commonly and routinely prescribed
here in the United States.
TABLE 6. 1 Specific Diseases/Disorders and Their Herbal Treatment

Condition Plants Used in Herbal Medicine (in order of preference)
Abdominal Pain jurubeba, carqueja, artichoke, erva tostao, kalanchoe, epazote, clavillia, abuta, bitter
melon, fedegoso, chuchuhuasi
Abrasions sangre de grado, andiroba, scarlet bush, mutamba, juazeiro, copaiba, fedegoso, balsam,
kalanchoe
See also Wounds
Abscesses guaco, erva tostao, fedegoso, picao preto, sarsaparilla, epazote, graviola, cat’s claw,
samambaia, aveioz (topical), clavillia, balsam, jurubeba
Acid Reflux See Heartburn
Acne abuta, sarsaparilla, bitter melon, espinheira santa, damiana, fedegoso, tayuya,
chuchuhuasi, artichoke, andiroba (external), clavillia, cat’s claw
Adrenal Gland chuchuhuasi, tayuya, erva tostao, espinheira santa, maca, catuaba, suma, muira puama,
Disorders cat’s claw, artichoke, passionflower
Aging (anti-) samambaia, cat’s claw, sarsaparilla, suma, yerba mate, andiroba (topical), annatto
AIDS and HIV jergon sacha, mullaca, bitter melon, carqueja, amargo, chanca piedra, macela, clavillia,
vassourinha, cha de bugre, catuaba, simarouba, cat’s claw, pau d’arco

Allergies amor seco, nettle, kalanchoe, gervao, guaco, carqueja, jatoba, pau d’arco, picao preto,
yerba mate, bitter melon, cat’s claw, samambaia
Alopecia {hair loss) nettle, mutamba, avenca, gervao, catuaba, sarsaparilla, muira puama, chuchuhuasi,
picao preto, guarana (topical), quinine, jaborandi (topical), juazeiro (topical)
Alzheimer’s Disease samambaia, cat’s claw, velvet bean, catuaba, sarsaparilla, guarana, damiana, mulungu,
simarouba, suma, yerba mate, anamu
Amebic infections simarouba, amargo, epazote, erva tostao, guava, graviola, quinine, bitter melon,
carqueja, gervao
Amenorrhea damiana, sarsaparilla, suma, espinheira santa, Brazilian peppertree, avenca, chuchuhuasi,
(absence of menstruation) vassourinha, macela, gervao, epazote, maca, jergon sacha, tayuya, balsam, cat’s claw
Amyloidosis mullaca, vassourinha, simarouba, anamu, Brazilian peppertree, suma, graviola, cat’s claw
Anal Warts sangre de grado, vassourinha, bitter melon, clavillia, pau d’arco, macela, Brazilian
peppertree, jergon sacha
Anemia carqueja, jurubeba, amargo, chanca piedra, camu-camu, maca, erva tc^tao, vassourinha,
fedegoso, acerola, artichoke, suma, nettle, espinheira santa, simarouba, pau d’arco,
quinine
Angina mulungu, abuta, Brazilian peppertree, embauba, picao preto, epazote, carqueja, cat’s claw
Anorexia amargo, samambaia, jatoba, jurubeba, boldo, damiana, sarsaparilla, clavo huasca,
quinine, carqueja, simarouba, passionflower, yerba mate
Anxiety mulungu, passionflower, tayuya, manaca, damiana, catuaba, damiana, graviola, guava,
muira puama, velvet bean, suma, anamu, curare
Arrhythmia Brazilian peppertree, quinine, guava, mulungu, abuta
Arteriosclerosis/ macela, cat’s claw, artichoke, yerba mate, acerola, guaco, guarana, camu-camu, bitter
Atherosclerosis melon, suma, vassourinha, sarsaparilla
Arthritis amor seco, cat’s claw, guaco, iporuru, tayuya, picao preto, chuchuhuasi, nettle,
mulungu, scarlet bush, gervao, kalanchoe, samambaia, anamu, manaca, pau d’arco,
mullaca, sarsaparilla, vassourinha, graviola, cipo cabeludo, suma, copaiba (topical),
andiroba (topical)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid See Autoimmune Disorders
Asthma amor seco, embauba, avenca, guaco, mutamba, samambaia, jatoba, mullaca, gervao,
abuta, macela, nettle, kalanchoe, chuchuhuasi, mulungu, bitter melon, espinheira

santa, epazote, fedegoso, anamu, balsam, damiana
Athlete’s Foot jatoba, sangre de grado, copaiba, pau d’arco, Brazilian peppertree, fedegoso, anamu,
mulateiro, scarlet bush, juazeiro
Autoimmune Disorders mullaca, anamu, macela, fedegoso, cat’s claw, samambaia, clavillia, Brazilian peppertree,
erva tostao, picao preto, pau d’arco, velvet bean, nettle, suma, sarsaparilla

Back Injuries/Pain tayuya, iporuru, cats claw, guaco, amor seco, mulungu, manaca, picao preto,
vassourinha, scarlet bush, gervao, chuchuhuasi, sarsaparilla, cipo cabeludo, pau
d’arco, copaiba (topical), kalanchoe (topical), andiroba (topical)
Bacterial Infections, picao preto, mullaca, anamu, mutamba, embauba, Brazilian peppertree, guava, fedegoso,
General sangre de grado, sarsaparilla, kalanchoe, macela, graviola, erva tostao, annatto, avenca,
simarouba, vassourinha, guaco, bitter melon, cashew, clavillia, copaiba, juazeiro,
mulateiro, scarlet bush, pau d’arco, chanca piedra, guacatonga, stevia, balsam
Bedsores sangre de grado, copaiba, gervao, anamu, annatto, scarlet bush
Benign Prostatic nettle, mutamba, jatoba, vassourinha, cipo cabeludo, graviola, damiana, chanca piedra,
Hypertrophy (BPH) pau d’arco
Bladder Disorders jatoba, pau d’arco, abuta, anamu, chanca piedra, cipo cabeludo, erva tostao, fedegoso,
annatto, clavillia, Brazilian peppertree, amor seco
Blennorrhagia picao preto, erva tostao, jatoba, amor seco, chanca piedra, mutamba, embauba,
(excessive mucus) vassourinha, amargo, cipo cabeludo, Brazilian peppertree, manaca, abuta, tayuya
Bloating jurubeba, amargo, artichoke, simarouba, boldo, carqueja, bitter melon, gervao,
epazote, quinine, clavo huasca
Boils anamu, guaco, mullaca, clavillia, mutamba, copaiba (topical), picao preto, fedegoso,
mulateiro, pau d’arco, annatto (topical), scarlet bush (topical)
Bone Cancer vassourinha, graviola

See also Cancer
Bowel Disorders cat’s claw, boldo, macela, jurubeba, sangre de grado, simarouba, tayuya, anamu,
mutamba, artichoke, bitter melon, carqueja, gervao, guaco, cipo cabeludo, clavillia,
epazote, annatto
Breathing Problems embauba, amor seco, avenca, samambaia, guaco, mullaca, mutamba, guava, nettle,
picao preto, gervao, macela, jatoba, pau d’arco, abuta
Bronchitis picao preto, embauba, guaco, samambaia, amor seco, avenca, jergon sacha, bitter
melon, simarouba, gervao, fedegoso, anamu, jatoba, mullaca, mutamba, Brazilian

peppertree, macela, abuta, clavillia, epazote, juazeiro
Burns scarlet bush, kalanchoe, sangre de grado, andiroba, mulateiro, juazeiro, sarsaparilla,
nettle, mutamba, annatto
Bursitis cat’s claw, iporuru, chuchuhuasi, amor seco, tayuya, picao preto, guaco, gervao, nettle,
sarsaparilla
Cancer graviola, espinheira santa, mullaca, mutamba, vassourinha, bitter melon, guacatonga,
simarouba, cat’s claw, anamu, pau d’arco, fedegoso, sangre de grado, suma, amargo,
copaiba
Candida jatoba, pau d’arco, clavillia, anamu, fedegoso, Brazilian peppertree, graviola, sangre
(yeast infections) de grado, andiroba (topical), copaiba (topical), mulateiro (topical), guaco, guava

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome manaca, mulungu, iporuru, tayuya, amor seco, pau d’arco, kalanchoe
Cartilage Disorders tayuya, cat’s claw, iporuru, maca, acerola, camu-camu
Cataract bitter melon, jaborandi, annatto, erva tostao, fedegoso, gervao, Brazilian peppertree,
acerola, camu-camu, cat’s claw
Catarrh amor seco, jatoba, avenca, mutamba, balsam, nettle, guaco, cipo cabeludo, graviola,
erva tostao, picao preto, chanca piedra
Cavities, Dental stevia, juazeiro, anamu, cashew
Celiac Disease cat’s claw, macela, anamu, boldo, sangre de grado, jurubeba, simarouba, tayuya, gervao
Cellulite andiroba (topical), cha de bugre
Cellulitis anamu, fedegoso, bitter melon, mullaca, clavillia, scarlet bush, sarsaparilla, Brazilian
peppertree, picao preto, gervao, simarouba, amor seco, cat’s claw
Central Nervous manaca, kalanchoe, passionflower, mulungu, damiana, muira puama, guava, guarana,
System Disorders catuaba, yerba mate, velvet bean, vassourinha
Cervical Dysplasia abuta, graviola, andiroba, cat’s claw, copaiba, anamu, fedegoso, erva tostao, bitter
melon, clavillia, macela, jergon sacha, gervao, chuchuhuasi, mullaca
Chagas Disease epazote, guaco, mullaca, macela, anamu, pau d’arco, clavillia, embauba, copaiba,
carqueja, andiroba
Chickenpox mullaca, bitter melon, vassourinha, jergon sacha, macela, clavillia, chanca piedra, cat’s
claw, sangre de grado (topical), copaiba (topical)
Childbirth abuta, anamu, avenca, bitter melon, embauba, scarlet bush, vassourinha, mutamba,
sangre de grado, picao preto, gervao
Cholecystitis See Gallbladder and Bile Duct Diseases

Cholelithiasis See Gallstones
Cholera mutamba, guava, anamu, guaco, erva tostao, sangre de grado
Cholesterol, Elevated artichoke, bitter melon, boldo, velvet bean, chanca piedra, guava, carqueja, yerba
mate, suma, sarsaparilla, vassourinha, maca, cat’s claw, annatto, acerola, andiroba
Chorea guava, embauba, epazote
Chronic Fatigue cat’s claw, mullaca, anamu, fedegoso, jergon sacha, chuchuhuasi, maca, pau d’arco,
Syndrome catuaba, clavillia, sarsaparilla, jatoba, guarana, yerba mate, suma, macela, muira puama,
mutamba, gervao, erva tostao
Chronic Obstructive embauba. abuta, amor seco, avenca, jatoba, samambaia, cat’s claw, macela, epazote,
Pulmonary Disease gervao, guaco, mullaca, mutamba
(COPD)
Cirrhosis erva tostao, chanca piedra, carqueja, boldo, picao preto, artichoke, guaco, fedegoso,
gervao
Cold Sores See Herpes Simplex

Colds and Flu picao preto, fedegoso, mullaca, amor seco, mutamba, Brazilian peppertree, bitter
melon, clavillia, gervao, guava, simarouba, guaco, macela, jergon sacha, kalanchoe,
anamu, avenca, pau d’arco, samambaia, balsam, acerola, camu-camu, cat’s claw
Colic guava, jurubeba, amor seco, passionflower, boldo, cashew, damiana
Colitis cat’s claw, boldo, simarouba, macela, picao preto, anamu, gervao, tayuya, sangre de
grado, cipo cabeludo, clavillia, jurubeba, amor seco
Colon Polyps graviola, mutamba, sangre de grado, cat’s claw, bitter melon, mullaca, vassourinha
Conjunctivitis annatto (topical), picao preto, guava, vassourinha, Brazilian peppertree, epazote,
sarsaparilla, fedegoso, clavillia, abuta
Constipation jatoba, annatto, fedegoso, artichoke, graviola, boldo, clavillia, epazote
Convulsions erva tostao, amor seco, abuta, mulungu, nettle, graviola, manaca, annatto, tayuya,
anamu, guava, kalanchoe, macela, passionflower
Cough guaco, embauba, amor seco, passionflower, guava, samambaia, avenca, mutamba,
balsam, jatoba, picao preto, gervao, jergon sacha, vassourinha, epazote, juazeiro,
kalanchoe, macela, velvet bean
Crohn’s Disease cat’s claw, sangre de grado, macela, boldo, mullaca, fedegoso, carqueja, anamu, Brazilian
peppertree, clavillia, gervao, guaco, cipo cabeludo, simarouba, tayuya, abuta, artichoke
Croup avenca, embauba, jergon sacha, mutamba, guaco, balsam, epazote, guava, gervao, samambaia
Cuts and Wounds sangre de grado, scarlet bush, cat’s claw, nettle, andiroba, juazeiro, copaiba, balsam,
Brazilian peppertree, espinheira santa, sarsaparilla, guacatonga, guaco, picao preto
Cystic Fibrosis amor seco, samambaia, nettle, embauba, gervao, picao preto, abuta, erva tostao,
amargo
Cystitis See Interstitial Cystitis
Dandruff copaiba, juazeiro, avenca, nettle, quinine, guarana, balsam, brazil nut, artichoke
Degenerative sangre de grado, samambaia, cat’s claw, sarsaparilla, guarana, velvet bean, passion-
Nerve Diseases flower, mulungu, tayuya, manaca, pau d’arco, yerba mate, picao preto
Dementia See Memory Disorders
Dengue Fever simarouba, amargo, jergon sacha, mullaca, anamu, chanca piedra, bitter melon,
manaca, kalanchoe, guaco, scarlet bush, juazeiro, vassourinha
Depression mulungu, tayuya, passionflower, muira puama, damiana, graviola, cat’s claw, Brazilian
peppertree, yerba mate
Dermatitis Internal: samambaia, pau d’arco, cat’s claw, sarsaparilla, boldo, fedegoso, tayuya, suma
External: andiroba, copaiba, scarlet bush, sangre de grado, juazeiro, mutamba,

guacatonga, mulateiro, balsam, annatto
Diabetes pata de vaca, pedra hume caa, bitter melon, chanca piedra, stevia, annatto,
chuchuhuasi, embauba, guava, macela, mullaca, mutamba, vassourinha, carqueja, anamu
Diabetic Kidney chanca piedra, erva tostao, sarsaparilla

Problems See also Kidney Disorders, General
Diabetic Macular chanca piedra, pedra hume caa, chuchuhuasi, annatto

Degeneration
Diabetic Neuropathy sangre de grado, chanca piedra, pedra hume caa, chuchuhuasi, tayuya, annatto
Diaper Rash andiroba, scarlet bush, copaiba, guava
Diarrhea sangre de grado, amargo, simarouba, guava, bitter melon, Brazilian peppertree,
carqueja, cashew, fedegoso, epazote, anamu
Digestive Disorders artichoke, carqueja, jurubeba, espinheira santa, boldo, erva tostao, guacatonga, sangre
de grado, amargo, quinine, cipo cabeludo, simarouba, annatto, bitter melon, cat’s claw,
gervao, amor seco, picao preto
Diphtheria mutamba, embauba, picao preto, mullaca, anamu, Brazilian peppertree, fedegoso,
macela, avenca, guava, annatto, kalanchoe, erva tostao, simarouba, vassourinha, guaco,
cashew, copaiba, jaborandi
Diverticulitis cat’s claw, boldo, abuta, sangre de grado, jurubeba, macela, tayuya, passionflower,
gervao, anamu
Dry Eye Syndrome jaborandi
Dysentery simarouba, amargo, guava, sangre de grado, epazote, erva tostao, Brazilian peppertree,
cashew, mutamba, anamu, clavillia, fedegoso, gervao
Dysmenorrhagia abuta, erva tostao, vassourinha, amor seco, tayuya, iporuru, manaca, chuchuhuasi,
(painful menstruation) passionflower, scarlet bush
Dyspepsia See indigestion
E. coli Infections anamu, guava, macela, bitter melon, mutamba, embauba, sangre de grado, jatoba,
catuaba, kalanchoe, annatto
Ear Infections/Earaches annatto (topical), gervao (topical), clavillia, fedegoso, vassourinha, mullaca, guava
(topical), boldo, kalanchoe (topical), picao preto, cashew
Eating Disorders amargo, quinine, guava, sarsaparilla, damiana, simarouba, boldo, carqueja, jurubeba,
artichoke
Eczema sarsaparilla, andiroba, tayuya, samambaia, bitter melon, sangre de grado, copaiba,
balsam, nettle, clavillia, cashew, guacatonga (topical), gervao, guaco, vassourinha,
pau d’arco, cat’s claw, boldo, suma, fedegoso
Edema chanca piedra, annatto, kalanchoe, cha de bugre, erva tostao, nettle, amor seco,
anamu, guacatonga, Brazilian peppertree, jaborandi, curare, picao preto, jurubeba,
carqueja

Elephantiasis mutamba, pata de vaca, sarsaparilla, nettle, samambaia
Emphysema jatoba, macela, anamu, embauba, manaca, samambaia, avenca, amor seco, epazote,
gervao, guaco, mullaca, mutamba
Encephalitis simarouba, amargo, jergon sacha, mullaca, anamu, chanca piedra, bitter melon,
manaca, kalanchoe, guaco, scarlet bush, juazeiro, vassourinha
Endocrine Disorders maca, sarsaparilla, abuta, chuchuhuasi, damiana, suma, muira puama, catuaba, nettle
Endometriosis abuta, graviola, tayuya, iporuru, gervao, chuchuhuasi, erva tostao, cat’s claw
Enteritis See Gastritis/Gastroenteritis
Epilepsy mulungu, manaca, amor seco, passionflower, catuaba, muira puama, graviola, tayuya
Epstein-Barr Virus bitter melon, tayuya, cat’s claw, suma, Brazilian peppertree, mullaca, jergon sacha,
macela, chanca piedra, vassourinha, clavillia
Erectile Dysfunction See Impotence

Erysipelas vassourinha, gervao, mutamba, jurubeba, fedegoso, scarlet bush, Brazilian peppertree,
annatto, copaiba, fedegoso, anamu, erva tostao, kalanchoe, abuta, nettle
Eye Diseases annatto, cashew, guava, jaborandi
Fatigue jatoba, maca, guarana, chuchuhuasi, yerba mate, suma, catuaba, muira puama,
sarsaparilla
Fatty Liver chanca piedra, artichoke, boldo, erva tostao, fedegoso, carqueja, picao preto, gervao
Fever juazeiro, scarlet bush, manaca, vassourinha, kalanchoe, velvet bean, nettle, boldo,
quinine, amargo, curare, guaco, mutamba, simarouba
Fibroids See Uterine Fibroids
Fibromyalgia mullaca, anamu, macela, Brazilian peppertree, clavillia, manaca, chuchuhuasi, fedegoso,
gervao, tayuya, iporuru, muira puama, mulungu, amor seco, passionflower
Fistulas guaco, erva tostao, fedegoso, picao preto, anamu, epazote, graviola, samambaia, clavillia
Flatulence jurubeba, epazote, bitter melon, carqueja, espinheira santa, copaiba, boldo, chanca
piedra, kalanchoe, macela, artichoke
Fractures embauba, nettle, epazote, sangre de grado, clavillia, Brazilian peppertree, scarlet bush,
kalanchoe
Fungal Infections jatoba, pau d’arco, anamu, fedegoso, picao preto, copaiba, sangre de grado, mulateiro,
Brazilian peppertree, clavillia, graviola, guava, kalanchoe, scarlet bush, embauba,
guacatonga, vassourinha
Gallbladder and artichoke, boldo, chanca piedra, erva tostao, amargo, carqueja, jurubeba, macela,
Bile Duct Diseases abuta, avenca, balsam, bitter melon, fedegoso, gervao
Gallstones chanca piedra, boldo, carqueja, avenca, amargo, artichoke, cipo cabeludo, jurubeba,
macela, erva tostao
Gastritis/ jurubeba, carqueja, espinheira santa, guava, macela, boldo, epazote, picao preto, gervao,
Gastroenteritis guaco, sangre de grado, cats claw, simarouba, amargo, pedra hume caa, tayuya, sarsaparilla
Gastrointestinal sangre de grado, Brazilian peppertree, abuta, carqueja, erva tostao, picao preto, cashew,
Bleeding mutamba, simarouba
Genital Warts See Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Giardia Infections guava, simarouba, anamu, mutamba
Glaucoma jaborandi
Gonorrhea mutamba, pau d’arco, picao preto, annatto, bitter melon, boldo, Brazilian peppertree,
clavillia, embauba, chanca piedra, erva tostao, cat’s claw, copaiba, curare, jaborandi
Gout chanca piedra, carqueja, cipo cabeludo, tayuya, boldo, artichoke, epazote, manaca, guaco,
sarsaparilla, jergon sacha, velvet bean, bitter melon, picao preto, yerba mate,
chuchuhuasi, Brazilian peppertree, balsam
Gum Diseases Brazilian peppertree, anamu, mulungu, macela, guava, samambaia, cat’s claw, fedegoso,
pau d’arco, gervao, juazeiro, clavillia, cashew
Hair Loss See Alopecia
Hangover jurubeba
Hay Fever See Allergies
Head Lice amargo, andiroba, balsam, fedegoso, graviola (seeds), nettle
Headache iporuru, tayuya, manaca, vassourinha, mulungu, pau d’arco, amor seco, scarlet bush,
passionflower, kalanchoe, guaco, gervao, guarana, muira puama, chuchuhuasi, damiana,
abuta, cat’s claw
Heart Diseases, abuta, avenca, Brazilian peppertree, embauba, cha de bugre, cat’s claw, guarana, graviola,
General guava, mulungu, gervao, artichoke, jurubeba, yerba mate, suma, vassourinha, sarsaparilla,
chanca piedra, picao preto, stevia, quinine, boldo, bitter melon, samambaia, erva tostao
Heart Palpitations mulungu, Brazilian peppertree, quinine, abuta, guava
Heart Valve Diseases mullaca, Brazilian peppertree, anamu, clavillia, macela, fedegoso, tayuya, iporuru
Heartburn/Reflux carqueja, espinheira santa, guacatonga, boldo, epazote, guaco, gervao, picao preto,
annatto, jergon sacha
Heat Stroke scarlet bush, guarana, manaca, kalanchoe, mulateiro, mutamba

Helicobacter pylori carqueja, pau d’arco, cashew, bitter melon (fruit), balsam, copaiba, guacatonga, guava
Stomach Ulcers
Hemochromatosis damiana, mulungu, manaca
Hemorrhages abuta, sangre de grado, Brazilian peppertree, erva tostao, mutamba, picao preto, annatto,
pedra hume caa, scarlet bush, simarouba, kalanchoe, juazeiro
Hemorrhagic Fevers embauba, guava, epazote, Brazilian peppertree, clavillia, mutamba, erva tostao, scarlet bush

Hemorrhoids sangre de grado, Brazilian peppertree, copaiba, vassourinha, epazote, erva tostao,
passionflower, picao preto, chuchuhuasi, artichoke, quinine, yerba mate, nettle
Hepatitis chanca piedra, jergon sacha, mullaca, anamu, macela, sangre de grado, clavillia, fedegoso,
bitter melon, vassourinha, mutamba, erva tostao, gervao, carqueja, picao preto, mulungu
Hernia jergon sacha, mulungu, fedegoso, pau d’arco, tayuya, iporuru
Herniated Disk iporuru, tayuya, chuchuhuasi, amor seco, gervao, guaco, picao preto, kalanchoe,
sarsaparilla
Herpes Simplex (I & II) jergon sacha, sangre de grado, mullaca, vassourinha, mutamba, simarouba, bitter melon,
clavillia, pau d’arco, cha de bugre, macela, carqueja, chanca piedra, guacatonga, embauba,
andiroba
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) cat’s claw, jergon sacha, mullaca, sangre de grado, pau d’arco, bitter melon, vassourinha,
gervao, clavillia, macela, passionflower
Hiatal Hernia carqueja, guaco, guacatonga, espinheira santa, sangre de grado, tayuya, gervao, picao
preto, boldo, jergon sacha, epazote, annatto
High Blood Pressure abuta, graviola, chanca piedra, picao preto, erva tostao, Brazilian peppertree, embauba,
stevia, mulungu, mutamba, fedegoso, guava, carqueja, passionflower, vassourinha,
jurubeba, nettle
HIV See AIDS and HIV

Hives nettle, kalanchoe, guaco, amor seco, pau d’arco, gervao, picao preto, carqueja, sangre
de grado (topical), andiroba (topical)
See also Allergies
Hodgkin’s Disease bitter melon, graviola, pau d’arco, mullaca, vassourinha, anamu, mutamba, cat’s claw,
espinheira santa, simarouba, suma
Hot Flashes manaca, scarlet bush, vassourinha, kalanchoe
Human Papilloma andiroba, bitter melon, sangre de grado, jergon sacha, copaiba, vassourinha, clavillia,
Virus (HPV) cat’s claw, macela, mullaca, chanca piedra
Huntington’s Disease velvet bean, guava, embauba, epazote, mulungu, manaca, samambaia, cat’s claw
Hypertension See High Blood Pressure
Immune System cat’s claw, anamu, mullaca, fedegoso, samambaia, macela, suma, chuchuhuasi, sarsaparilla,
Disorders bitter melon, acerola, camu-camu, erva tostao
Impetigo sangre de grado, pau d’arco, anamu, mullaca, embauba, clavillia, fedegoso, copaiba
(topical), andiroba (topical), annatto (topical), kalanchoe (topical)
Impotence muira puama, velvet bean, catuaba, damiana, nettle, sarsaparilla, iporuru, suma, maca,
macela, amor seco, mutamba, cashew
Indigestion jurubeba, artichoke, amargo, espinheira santa, carqueja, boldo, damiana, gervao, picao
preto, guacatonga, bitter melon, passionflower, guaco, quinine, simarouba

Infectious picao preto, fedegoso, mullaca, Brazilian peppertree, mutamba, guaco, bitter melon,
Mononucleosis cat’s claw, clavillia, anamu, jergon sacha, suma, macela
Infertility, Female maca, abuta, suma, chuchuhuasi, iporuru
Infertility, Male maca, velvet bean, catuaba, chuchuhuasi, muira puama, sarsaparilla
Inflammatory iporuru, guaco, amor seco, tayuya, cat’s claw, chuchuhuasi, guaco, copaiba, embauba,
Conditions manaca, mulungu, erva tostao, scarlet bush, picao preto, samambaia, abuta, kalanchoe,
gervao, nettle, passionflower, pau d’arco, guacatonga, juazeiro, anamu, andiroba, boldo,
carqueja, cashew, fedegoso, jurubeba, macela, sangre de grado, sarsaparilla, suma,
vassourinha, velvet bean
Influenza See Colds and Flu

Insect Bites and Stings sangre de grado, guacatonga, guaco, scarlet bush, copaiba, kalanchoe, jergon sacha,
embauba, vassourinha, amargo, mulateiro, picao preto, gervao, abuta
Insect Repellant andiroba, amargo, mulateiro, clavillia, simarouba, annatto, fedegoso, guaco, Brazilian
peppertree, quinine, cashew, aveioz
Insomnia manacl mulungu, passionflower, catuaba, boldo, graviola, kalanchoe
Interstitial Cystitis jatoba, copaiba, boldo, cipo cabeludo, pau d’arco, erva tostao, annatto, anamu, chanca
piedra, Brazilian peppertree, abuta, samambaia, picao preto, sarsaparilla, pata de vaca,
jurubeba, artichoke, mulungu, nettle
Intestinal Parasites amargo, simarouba, epazote, boldo, fedegoso, carqueja, quinine, andiroba, balsam,
graviola, bitter melon, gervao, erva tostao
Irritable Bowel cat’s claw, macela, sangre de grado, boldo, artichoke, jurubeba, simarouba, tayuya,
Syndrome anamu, abuta, fedegoso, gervao, guaco, mullaca
Itching andiroba, sangre de grado, nettle, kalanchoe, scarlet bush, artichoke, guaco, chanca piedra,
guava, fedegoso, picao preto, gervao, balsam, bitter melon, vassourinha, pau d’arco
Jaundice chanca piedra, artichoke, erva tostao, boldo, fedegoso, carqueja, picao preto, avenca,
abuta, vassourinha, scarlet bush, bitter melon, annatto, jurubeba, guava, curare
Jock Itch See Fungal Infections
Kidney Disorders, chanca piedra, erva tostao, cipo cabeludo, vassourinha, mutamba, amor seco, nettle,
General amargo, jatoba, picao preto, samambaia, copaiba, abuta, carqueja, anamu, mullaca,
sarsaparilla, damiana, cat’s claw, annatto, fedegoso, gervao, pata de vaca, curare
Kidney Failure erva tostao, chanca piedra, samambaia, sarsaparilla, cat’s claw
and Dialysis
Kidney Stones chanca piedra, amargo, abuta, boldo, cipo cabeludo, erva tostao, gervao, kalanchoe,
bitter melon, curare, avenca, pata de vaca
Laryngitis guaco, sangre de grado, picao preto, avenca, guava, jatoba, amor seco, cat’s claw,
macela, balsam, epazote, jaborandi

Leishmaniasis cashew, pau d’arco, chuchuhuasi, graviola, sarsaparilla, copaiba, kalanchoe
Leprosy sarsaparilla, mutamba, guacatonga, bitter melon, fedegoso, vassourinha, andiroba,
clavillia, tayuya, nettle, pata de vaca
Leukemia mullaca, picao preto, vassourinha, simarouba, cipo cabeludo, anamu, suma, pau d’arco,
cat’s claw, bitter melon, espinheira santa, amargo, graviola
Lice See Head Lice
Lipomas espinheira santa, artichoke, embauba, andiroba (topical), sangre de grado (topical),
vassourinha, erva tostao, picao preto, fedegoso, mullaca, cat’s claw
Listeria Infections anamu, pau d’arco, mullaca
Liver Disorders, erva tostao, picao preto, carqueja, fedegoso, boldo, chanca piedra, gervao, artichoke,
General amargo, macela, jurubeba, mulungu, guaco, annatto, avenca, epazote
Lupus See Autoimmune Disorders
Lymphatic Diseases manaca, sarsaparilla, kalanchoe, jergon sacha, cat’s claw, suma, gervao, guaco,
espinheira santa, graviola
Macular Degeneration See Diabetic Macular Degeneration
Malaria quinine, simarouba, amargo, vassourinha, epazote, fedegoso, graviola, guava, pau d’arco,
picao preto, andiroba, chanca piedra, abuta, erva tostao
Measles mullaca, amargo, sarsaparilla, clavillia, jergon sacha, macela, epazote, vassourinha,
chanca piedra, sangre de grado (topical)
Memory Disorders samambaia, catuaba, sarsaparilla, guarana, suma, anamu, velvet bean, cat’s claw, maca,
muira puama, damiana, epazote
Men’s Health, General muira puama, sarsaparilla, catuaba, chuchuhuasi, mutamba, suma, cipo cabeludo, velvet
bean, cat’s claw
Menopause abuta, espinheira santa, damiana, suma, sarsaparilla, chuchuhuasi, kalanchoe, mulungu,
avenca, bitter melon, clavo huasca, maca, passionflower
Menorrhagia abuta, Brazilian peppertree, erva tostao, vassourinha, sarsaparilla, nettle, velvet bean,
(excessive menstruation) chanca piedra
Menstrual Cramps abuta, manaca, amor seco, mulungu, iporuru, tayuya, passionflower, vassourinha,
kalanchoe, scarlet bush
Metrorrhagia abuta, damiana, nettle, sarsaparilla, espinheira santa, suma, vassourinha, maca
(bleeding between periods)
Migraine manaca, iporuru, passionflower, tayuya, pau d’arco, mulungu, guarana, scarlet bush,
vassourinha, kalanchoe
Molds jatoba, Brazilian peppertree, anamu, pau d’arco, clavillia, fedegoso
Molluscum contagiosum sangre de grado, bitter melon, clavillia, mullaca, macela, vassourinha, jergon sacha, copaiba
Morning Sickness jurubeba
Mouth Ulcers sangre de grado, guaco, Brazilian peppertree, pau d’arco, jatoba, clavillia, mutamba,
copaiba (topical), fedegoso, anamu, bitter melon, mullaca, macela, jergon sacha,
vassourinha, carqueja
Multiple Myeloma graviola, mullaca, bitter melon, cat’s claw, espinheira santa, guacatonga, vassourinha,
mutamba, anamu, simarouba, amargo, suma
Multiple Sclerosis jergon sacha, mullaca, macela, sangre de grado, tayuya, iporuru, manaca, pau d’arco,
amor seco, mulungu, bitter melon, clavillia, vassourinha, gervao
Mumps clavillia, velvet bean, jergon sacha, cat’s claw, bitter melon, macela, mullaca,
vassourinha
Muscle Aches scarlet bush (topical), copaiba (topical), amor seco, iporuru, cat’s claw, tayuya,
chuchuhuasi, kalanchoe, vassourinha, sarsaparilla, guaco, picao preto, gervao, abuta
Muscle Cramps/ amor seco, abuta, vassourinha, manaca, iporuru, mulungu, embauba, passionflower,
Spasms graviola, macela, kalanchoe, erva tostao, fedegoso, gervao, quinine, mutamba, mullaca,
velvet bean, amargo, scarlet bush
Nausea and Vomiting jurubeba, artichoke, gervao, guava, fedegoso, carqueja, kalanchoe, macela, mullaca, boldo
Nephritis chanca piedra, erva tostao, cipo cabeludo, sarsaparilla, mutamba, mullaca, guava,
artichoke, abuta, picao preto, jatoba, damiana, jaborandi
Nervousness See Anxiety
Neuralgia manaca, sangre de grado, passionflower, mulungu, iporuru, tayuya, pau d’arco, macela,
guaco, catuaba, gervao, muira puama, guarana, chuchuhuasi, cipo cabeludo, gervao,
quinine, abuta, nettle
Neurologic Diseases, mulungu, manaca, passionflower, velvet bean, damiana, muira puama, sarsaparilla,
General samambaia, sangre de grado, cat’s claw, guarana, catuaba, bitter melon
Neuromuscular abuta, iporuru, tayuya, amor seco, passionflower, cat’s claw, chuchuhuasi, picao preto,
Disorders sarsaparilla, guaco, gervao
Neuropathy sangre de grado, chuchuhuasi, cat’s claw, muira puama, annatto
Obesity cha de bugre, guarana, picao preto, yerba mate, carqueja, jurubeba, stevia
Osteoarthritis cat’s claw, tayuya, iporuru, chuchuhuasi, amor seco, picao preto, gervao, sarsaparilla,
guaco
Osteomyelitis anamu, vassourinha, mullaca, simarouba, fedegoso, Brazilian peppertree, amor seco,
picao preto, gervao, bitter melon, macela, cat’s claw
See also Bacterial Infections, General
Otitis Media See Ear Infections/Earaches
Pancreatitis boldo, jergon sacha, artichoke, samambaia, picao preto, mullaca, mutamba, anamu,
chanca piedra, nettle, epazote
Condition Plants Used In Herbal Medicine (In order of preference)

Parasites, Skin amargo, andiroba, balsam, mutamba, mulateiro, juazeiro, kalanchoe, epazote, bitter
melon, guaco
Parkinson’s Disease velvet bean, embauba, mulungu, passionflower, manaca, pau d’arco, suma
Peptic Ulcers gervao, carqueja, espinheira santa, guacatonga, cat’s claw, bitter melon, epazote,
jurubeba, picao preto, copaiba, sangre de grado, boldo
Pertussis See Whooping Cough

Pharyngitis guaco, sangre de grado, picao preto, scarlet bush, avenca, guava, pau d’arco, amor seco,
cat’s claw, macela, balsam
Pinworms See Intestinal Parasites
Pityriasis Rosea See Dermatitis
Pleurisy guaco, avenca, samambaia, copaiba, nettle, anamu, sarsaparilla, epazote, jaborandi
See also Bacterial Infections, General; Viral Infections
Pneumonia, bacterial embauba, mutamba, picao preto, kalanchoe, avenca, guava, pau d’arco, erva tostao,
(Streptococcus & macela, fedegoso, Brazilian peppertree, mullaca, cat’s claw, guaco, simarouba, gervao,
Klebsiella pneumoniae) samambaia
Pneumonia, fungal embauba, jatoba, pau d’arco, kalanchoe, anamu, fedegoso, picao preto, guava, Brazilian
(Pneumocystis carinii) peppertree, mutamba, copaiba, sarsaparilla, scarlet bush
Pneumonia, mycoplasmal mullaca, macela, anamu, Brazilian peppertree, clavillia, fedegoso, embauba
(Mycoplasma pneumonia)
Pneumonia, viral jergon sacha, vassourinha, mutamba, mullaca, anamu, macela, bitter melon, sangre de
(several strains) grado, pau d’arco, picao preto, embauba
Poison Ivy sangre de grado (topical), andiroba (topical), gervao, guaco, nettle, picao preto, pau
d’arco
Premenstrual damiana, manaca, mulungu, muira puama, suma, sarsaparilla, passionflower,

Syndrome (PMS) guarana
Prostatitis jatoba, nettle, cipo cabeludo, mutamba, pau d’arco, Brazilian peppertree, chanca piedra,
curare, artichoke, cat’s claw
Psoriasis samambaia, pau d’arco, fedegoso, sarsaparilla, cat’s claw, suma, mullaca, boldo, bitter
melon, cashew, jaborandi, andiroba (topical), copaiba (topical)
Respiratory Disorders, embauba, guaco, kalanchoe, avenca, vassourinha, samambaia, amor seco, Brazilian
General peppertree, jatoba, balsam, anamu, pau d’arco, picao preto, gervao, mutamba, guava,
espinheira santa, sarsaparilla, nettle, epazote, jergon sacha, juazeiro
Rheumatism cat’s claw, iporuru, chuchuhuasi, embauba, picao preto, tayuya, gervao, vassourinha,
mulungu, abuta, guaco, manaca, sarsaparilla, nettle, amor seco, samambaia, fedegoso,
pau d’arco, scarlet bush, anamu, kalanchoe, suma, cipo cabeludo
Rheumatoid Arthritis See Autoimmune Disorders


Rhinitis See Allergies
Ringworm jatoba, fedegoso, sangre de grade, copaiba, pau d’arco, anamu, balsam, Brazilian
peppertree, clavillia, epazote, bitter melon, chanca piedra, velvet bean
Rosacea mullaca, samambaia, pau d’arco, cat’s claw, sarsaparilla, suma, pata de vaca, boldo,
fedegoso
Salivary Gland Disorders jaborandi, espinheira santa, amargo, picao preto, Brazilian peppertree
Salmonella Infections simarouba, guava, embauba, bitter melon, erva tostao, macela, picao preto, abuta, guarana
Sarcoidosis samambaia, embauba, graviola

See also Autoimmune Disorders
Scabies amargo, bitter melon, andiroba, balsam, mutamba, fedegoso, pau d’arco, guava, scarlet
bush, jergon sacha, mulateiro, copaiba, kalanchoe, amor seco
Scars sangre de grado, andiroba, copaiba, samambaia, sarsaparilla
Schistosomiasis pau d’arco, cipo cabeludo, macela, graviola (seeds), bitter melon, epazote, cashew,
jatoba, guacatonga, pata de vaca, copaiba
Sciatica tayuya, manaca, iporuru, mulungu, pau d’arco, quinine, kalanchoe, muira puama
Scleroderma See Autoimmune Disorders
Sclerosis picao preto, erva tostao, avenca, cat’s claw, balsam
Scrofula mullaca, anamu, clavillia, macela, fedegoso, Brazilian peppertree, amargo, sarsaparilla,
samambaia, manaca, cashew, tayuya
Seborrhea copaiba, juazeiro, guarana, mulateiro, sarsaparilla, andiroba, tayuya, samambaia, bitter
melon
Seizures amor seco, mulungu, manaca, passionflower
Senility See Memory Disorders
Sepsis See Bacterial Infections, General
Sexual Dysfunction, clavo huasca, catuaba, abuta, damiana, suma, chuchuhuasi, velvet bean, maca, sarsaparilla,
Female vassourinha, simarouba
Sexual Dysfunction, muira puama, catuaba, nettle, velvet bean, sarsaparilla, mutamba, iporuru, damiana,
Male maca, amor seco, macela, cashew
Shingles See Herpes Zoster

Sickle Cell Anemia suma
Sinusitis amor seco, nettle, kalanchoe, gervao, guaco, carqueja, jatoba, pau d’arco, picao preto,
yerba mate, bitter melon, cat’s claw, samambaia
Skin Rash See Dermatitis
Sleep Disorders manaca, mulungu, kalanchoe, passionflower, vassourinha, graviola


Snakebite jergon sacha, guaco, guacatonga, picao preto, tayuya, velvet bean, annatto, amargo, curare
Sore Throat guaco, guava, sangre de grade, vassourinha, copaiba, picao preto, scarlet bush,
samambaia, carqueja, fedegoso, cashew, abuta, pau d’arco, andiroba, juazeiro,
kalanchoe, epazote, balsam
Spastic Colon See Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Spleen Disorders erva tostao, mulungu, carqueja, jurubeba, nettle, tayuya, avenca, artichoke, bitter
melon, graviola, quinine
Sprains and Strains tayuya, iporuru, embauba, manaca, abuta, amor seco, mulungu, cat’s claw, chuchuhuasi,
vassourinha, kalanchoe, cipo cabeludo, pau d’arco, amargo, gervao, sarsaparilla, scarlet
bush (topical), copaiba (topical), macela (topical)
Staphylococcus mutamba, mullaca, anamu, macela, copaiba, erva tostao, bitter melon, guava, avenca,
Infections Brazilian peppertree, pau d’arco, kalanchoe, mulungu, annatto, chanca piedra
Stomach Ulcers See Helicobacter pylori Stomach Ulcers; Peptic Ulcers
Strep Throat mutamba, mullaca, gervao, copaiba, gervao, bitter melon, pau d’arco, guaco, kalanchoe
Stress manaca, catuaba, mulungu, passionflower, damiana, muira puama, kalanchoe
Stretch Marks andiroba (topical), copaiba (topical), sangre de grado (topical), brazil nut (oil), samambaia
Sunburn samambaia, cat’s claw, gervao, guaco
Sunstroke See Heat Stroke

Syphilis mutamba, sarsaparilla, manaca, clavillia, pau d’arco, boldo, Brazilian peppertree,
samambaia, copaiba, cashew, vassourinha, guaco, scarlet bush, gervao, abuta, damiana,
tayuya, guacatonga, nettle, chanca piedra, velvet bean, pata de vaca, catuaba, jaborandi
Testicular Inflammation abuta, curare
Tetanus fedegoso, guaco, copaiba, andiroba, passionflower, annatto, curare, anamu, clavillia
Thrush See Candida; Fungal Infections
Tick Bites See Insect Bites and Stings
Tonsillitis mutamba, picao preto, mullaca, carqueja, cashew, copaiba, guaco, anamu, Brazilian
peppertree, fedegoso, gervao, sangre de grado, clavillia
Trichomonas guaco, anamu, epazote, simarouba, amargo, fedegoso
Tuberculosis picao preto, anamu, fedegoso, Brazilian peppertree, amor seco, bitter melon, pau
d’arco, sarsaparilla, kalanchoe, jatoba, manaca, copaiba, balsam, chanca piedra, velvet
bean, acerola
Ulcerative Colitis sangre de grado, cat’s claw, macela, picao preto, boldo, sarsaparilla, fedegoso, guaco,
pau d’arco, simarouba
I 10 The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs

Ulcers See Helicobacter pylori Stomach Ulcers; Peptic Ulcers
Urinary Tract Infections chanca piedra, anamu, jatoba, nettle, boldo, cipo cabeludo, copaiba, fedegoso, Brazilian
peppertree, epazote, curare, vassourinha, amor seco, espinheira santa, picao preto,
abuta, annatto, pau d’arco
Urticaria See Hives
Uterine Diseases abuta, amor seco, anamu, Brazilian peppertree, cipo cabeludo, clavillia, curare,
fedegoso, guaco, jatobl pau d’arco, sarsaparilla, picao preto
Uterine Fibroids abuta, graviola, mutamba, cat’s claw, chuchuhuasi, simarouba, Brazilian peppertree
Vaginal Diseases (Infection, jatoba, pau d’arco, anamu, amor seco, clavillia, abuta, curare, annatto, Brazilian pepper-
vaginitis leucorrhea, etc.) tree, guava, fedegoso, sangre de grado, cashew, picao preto, bitter melon, sarsaparilla
Varicose Veins cat’s claw, acerola, andiroba (topical), camu-camu
Vasculitis gervao, guaco, cat’s claw
Viral Infections jergon sacha, mullaca, sangre de grado, anamu, chanca piedra, macela, bitter melon,
pau d’arco, vassourinha, mutamba, kalanchoe, amargo, clavillia, erva tostao, picao
preto, simarouba, carqueja, catuaba, cha de bugre, iporuru, stevia, cat’s claw, Brazilian
peppertree
Vitiligo See Autoimmune Disorders
Warts aveioz (topical), sangre de grado (topical), copaiba (topical), bitter melon, embauba,
clavillia, mullaca, vassourinha, pau d’arco, macela, jergon sacha, Brazilian peppertree,
chanca piedra, sarsaparilla
Whooping Cough jergon sacha, embauba, samambaia, kalanchoe, avenca, mulungu, guaco, guava,
passionflower, mulungu
Women’s Health, abuta, catuaba, clavo huasca, chuchuhuasi, damiana, suma, sarsaparilla, vassourinha,
General erva tostao, cat’s claw
Wounds See Cuts and Wounds

Yeast Infections See Candida
Yellow Fever amargo, jergon sacha, simarouba, mullaca, mutamba, gervao, anamu, vassourinha,
chanca piedra, bitter melon, manaca, kalanchoe, scarlet bush, juazeiro
CHAPTER 7
Plant Data
Summary
his chapter provides a concise overview of the seventy-three rain-

forest plants detailed in the book. Table 7.1 highlights each botani-
cal's main actions and uses, indicates which properties have been
documented by research or traditional use, and lists any applicable cau-
tions. Since this chapter provides only a summary, it is still important for
the reader to read the comprehensive information given in Part Three. The
summary can, however, guide the reader as to which plants he or she may
be interested in exploring in greater detail.
TABLE 7.1 Summary of Rainforest Plants
Main Preparation Main Actions

Plant Method (in order) Main Uses
Abuta decoction or antispasmodic, antihemorrhagic • for menstrual problems (pain, cramps,

vine wood capsules (reduces bleeding), muscle excessive bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis)
(Cissampelos relaxant, uterine relaxant, • as a female tonic (hormonal balancing,
pareira) hypotensive (lowers blood menopausal libido loss, hormonal acne,
pressure) premenstrual syndrome, childbirth)
• for heart problems (irregular heartbeat,
high blood pressure, heart tonic)
• as a general antispasmodic and muscle
relaxer (asthma, stomach cramps, muscle
pain/strains, irritable bowel syndrome [IBS],
diverticulitis)
• for kidney support (kidney stones, kidney/

urinary infections and pain)
Acerola fruit juice antioxidant, nutritive, • for its natural high vitamin C content
(Malpighia astringent, antifungal • for colds/flu (for its vitamin C content)
glabra) • for skin care/anti-aging (for its antioxidant
and vitamin content)
• as an overall health tonic (tones, balances,
strengthens)
• as a heart tonic (tones, balances, strengthens)
Amargo bark infusion or antiparasitic, pediculicide (kills • for lice and skin parasites
(Quassia capsules lice), digestive stimulant, bitter • for intestinal parasites and amebic infections
amara) digestive aid, liver bile stimulant, • for malaria
antilithic (prevents kidney • for digestive problems (ulcers, dyspepsia,
stones) intestinal gas and bloating, sluggish digestion,
anorexia)
• as a liver/gallbladder aid to increase bile
and eliminate toxins and stones
Amor Seco infusion or anti-asthmatic, antispasmodic, • for asthma and allergies

whole herb capsules bronchodilator, muscle relaxer, • for respiratory problems (bronchitis,
(Desmodium antihistamine chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
adscendens) [COPD], emphysema, excessive phlegm/mucus)
• as a general antispasmodic, muscle relaxant,
and pain-reliever for colic, stomach and

bowel cramping, arthritis, muscle/joint aches,
pain, injuries and spasms

• for menstrual disorders (cramps, excessive
bleeding, pain, vaginal discharge)
• for convulsions (allergic reactions, epilepsy)
Plant Data Summary I 13
Properties/Actions Other Properties/Actions

Documented by Research Documented by Traditional Use Cautions
antibacterial, antihistamine, analgesic (pain-reliever), antihemorrhagic It relaxes the uterus

anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, (reduces bleeding), antiseptic, aphrodisiac, and is contraindicated
antispasmodic, diuretic, hypotensive cardiotonic, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), in pregnancy. It may also
(lowers blood pressure), muscle expectorant, febrifuge (lowers fever), hepato- potentiate medications
relaxant, uterine relaxant protective (liver protector), stimulant, tonic used to treat hypertension.
(tones, balances, strengthens)
antifungal, anti-inflammatory, astringent, cardiotonic High dosages of vitamin C

antioxidant may cause diarrhea.
amebicide, analgesic (pain-reliever), antibacterial, antilithic (prevents kidney stones), It interferes with fertility.
anticancerous, antileukemic, anti- antispasmodic, antivenin, carminative (expels Large amounts might
malarial, antiparasitic, antitumorous, gas), digestive stimulant, febrifuge (reduces fever), cause nausea and stomach
antiulcerous, antiviral, bitter, hepatoprotective (liver protector), hepatotonic irritation.
gastroprotective, insecticide, (tones, balances, strengthens liver functions),
larvicide, muscle relaxant, hypoglycemic, liver and gallbladder bile stimulant,
pediculicide (kills lice), sedative sialogogue (increases saliva), tonic (tones,

balances, strengthens), vermifuge (expels worms)
analgesic (pain-reliever), anti- antidiuretic, antihemorrhagic (reduces bleeding), none

anaphylactic (stops allergic reactions), anti-inflammatory, blood cleanser, central
anti-asthmatic, anticonvulsant, nervous system (CNS) tonic (tones, balances,
antihistamine, antispasmodic, strengthens), contraceptive, cough suppressant,
bronchodilator, muscle relaxant, digestive stimulant, lactagogue (promotes
potassium maxi-K inhibitor milk flow), laxative, nervine (balancing/calming
nerves), vermifuge (expels worms), wound healer

Anamu capsules or anticancerous, antiviral, • for cancer and leukemia

whole herb infusion anticandidal, antibacterial, • for immune disorders (to stimulate immune
(Petiveria immune stimulant function and immune cell production)
alliacea) • for colds, flu, and viruses
• for Candida and other yeast infections
• for urinary tract infections
Andiroba cold pressed analgesic (pain-reliever), • for insect bites and stings
seed oil oil anti-inflammatory, insect • as an insect repellant
(Carapa repellant, antitumorous, • for psoriasis, dermatitis, heat rash, skin

guianensis) wound healer fungi, and other skin problems
• for skin parasites
• for skin cancer
Annatto infusion antimicrobial, diuretic, digestive • as a topical antiseptic for ear, eye, and
leaves (Bixa stimulant, hepatoprotective skin infections
Orellana) (liver protector), hypocholes- • for digestive problems (heartburn,

terolemic (lowers cholesterol) constipation, stomachache)
• for prostate and urinary infections
• for hypertension
• for high cholesterol levels
Annatto maceration antioxidant, hepatoprotective • to tone, balance, and strengthen liver

seeds (Bixa or capsules (liver protector), insect function and for hepatitis and liver
Orellana) repellant, diuretic, hypocholes- inflammation/pain
terolemic (lowers cholesterol) • for high cholesterol
• for skin care and skin anti-aging (for
its antioxidant and ultraviolet ray [UV]-
protective effect)
• as a strong diuretic
• for high blood pressure
Artichoke fluid extract liver and gallbladder bile • for gallstones and as a liver and
leaves (Cynara or tincture stimulant, hepatoprotective gallbladder bile stimulant
scolymus) (liver protector), antihepato- • for high cholesterol
toxic (liver detoxifier), hypo- • for digestive disorders
cholesterolemic (lowers • for irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s
cholesterol) disease, and other bowel problems
Aveioz latex cold maceration tumor promoter, carcinogenic, • for warts (topically applied)
(Euphorbia or undiluted immune suppressant, irritant,
tirucalli) latex caustic

Plant Data Summary I 15

abortive, analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-anxiety, antioxidant, anti-rheumatic, It has abortive and

antibacterial, anticancerous, antispasmodic, diaphoretic (promotes hypoglycemic effects.
anticandidal, antifungal, anti- sweating), diuretic, febrifuge (reduces fever),

inflammatory, antileukemic, insecticide, menstrual stimulant, sedative,
antiprotozoal, antitumorous, vermifuge (expels worms)

antiviral, COX inhibitor (linked
to inflammation), hypoglycemic,
immune stimulant, uterine stimulant
analgesic (pain-reliever), antibacterial, antiseptic, balsamic, emollient, febrifuge none

anticancerous, anti-inflammatory, (reduces fever), vermifuge (expels worms),
antimalarial, antiparasitic, wound healer
antitumorous, insect repellant
aldose reductase inhibitor (linked to antacid, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aperient It may potentiate
diabetic complications), antibacterial, (mild laxative), aphrodisiac, astringent, digestive medications used to
antihemorrhagic (reduces bleeding), stimulant, diuretic, febrifuge (reduces fever), treat hypertension.
antivenin hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol),

hypotensive (lowers blood pressure),
wound healer
antioxidant, hepatoprotective expectorant, hypocholesterolemic (lowers It might raise blood sugar

(liver protector), hyperglycemic, cholesterol), hypotensive (lowers blood levels and may potentiate
also used as a food-coloring agent pressure), insect repellant, wound healer medications used to treat
hypertension.
antihepatotoxic (clears toxins in astringent, blood cleanser, cardiotonic (tones, none

liver), antioxidant, liver and gallbladder balances, strengthens the heart), detoxifier,
bile stimulator, hepatoprotective digestive stimulant, diuretic, hypotensive
(liver protector), hepatotonic (tones, (lowers blood pressure), stimulant, tonic

balances, strengthens the liver), hypo- (tones, balances, strengthens)
cholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol)
antimicrobial, carcinogenic, caustic, laxative It is not recommended for
emetic (induces vomiting), immune internal use. It may trigger
suppressant, irritant, tumor latent Epstein-Barr infection
promoter and promote tumor growth.


Avenca leaves infusion or cough suppressant, • for respiratory problems (coughs,

and root tincture decongestant, expectorant, bronchitis, colds, flu, pneumonia, excessive
(Adiantum menstrual stimulant, mucus/phlegm)
capillus-veneris) antimicrobial • for hair loss
%%
• for gallstones
• for menstrual disorders (interruption or
absence of menstrual cycle)
• as a blood cleanser and liver detoxifier
Balsam resin filtered resin emollient (soothes membranes), • for coughs and lung congestion
(Myroxylon diluted in cough suppressant, antiseptic, • for skin rashes and wounds
balsamum) warm water anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic • for head lice
• for skin parasites and ringworm
• for colds, flu, and strep throat
Bitter melon fruit juice hypoglycemic, hypocholester- • for diabetes

fruit and olemic (lowers cholesterol), • for high cholesterol and triglyceride levels
fruit seed antibacterial, carminative • for K pylori ulcers
(Momordica (expels gas), bitter • as a bitter digestive aid for intestinal gas,
charantia) bloating, stomachache, and sluggish digestion

• for intestinal parasites
Bitter melon decoction or anticancerous, antiviral, • for cancer

leaves/stem capsules antibacterial, digestive • for viral infections (HIV, herpes, Epstein-
(Momordica stimulant, hypoglycemic Barr, hepatitis, influenza, and measles)
charantia) • for bacterial infections (Staphylococcus,
Streptococcus, and Salmonella)

• as a bitter digestive aid (for dyspepsia
and sluggish digestion)

• for diabetes
Boldo leaves infusion or liver and gallbladder bile • for gallstones and as a gallbladder stimulant
(Peumus tincture stimulant, digestive stimulant, (to stimulate bile)
boldus) hepatoprotective (liver • to tone, balance, and strengthen liver

protector), vermifuge (expels function (increases liver bile and detoxifies
worms) the liver)
• for upper digestive tract disorders (ulcers,

sluggish digestion, lack of bile, dyspepsia)
• for bowel disorders (colitis, leaky gut,
constipation, spastic colon, irritable bowel
syndrome [IBS])
• for intestinal worms and liver flukes
Plant Data Sumnnary I 17

antibacterial, anticandidal, anti- antioxidant, astringent, liver bile stimulator, It has been documented
fertility, antiviral, contraceptive, blood cleanser, cardiotonic (tones, balances, in animals to have
hypoglycemic strengthens the heart), cough suppressant, contraceptive and anti-
decongestant, detoxifier, diaphoretic (promotes fertility effects. It may
sweating), diuretic, expectorant, hepatoprotective lower blood sugar levels.
(liver protector), hypocholesterolemic (lowers

cholesterol), hypoglycemic, hypotensive (lowers
blood pressure), menstrual stimulant, stimulant,
tonic (tones, balances, strengthens), wound healer
antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiseptic antifungal, anti-inflammatory, cough suppressant, Some people are allergic
expectorant or sensitive to the resin
and develop rashes or
hives.
abortive, antimicrobial, contraceptive, antifungal, antiparasitic, antivenin, bitter, It lowers blood sugar
hypocholesterolemic (lowers cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the levels and has abortive
cholesterol), hypoglycemic heart), digestive stimulant, emetic (causes and contraceptive effects.
vomiting), menstrual stimulator, purgative

(strong laxative), vermifuge (expels worms)
antibacterial, anticancerous, anti- antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, It may lower blood sugar
fertility, antileukemic, antiprotozoal, antiparasitic, antiseptic, bitter, carminative levels.
antitumorous, antiviral, hypoglycemic, (expels gas), digestive stimulant, febrifuge

immune stimulant (reduces fever), hypotensive (lowers blood
pressure), lactagogue (promotes milk flow),
menstrual stimulator, purgative, vermifuge
(expels worms), wound healer
abortive, anti-inflammatory, anti- analgesic (pain-reliever), antihepatotoxic (liver It has abortive and blood-
oxidant, antiparasitic, antispasmodic, detoxifier), blood cleanser, cardiotonic (tones, thinning effects and may
digestive stimulant, diuretic, febrifuge balances, strengthens the heart), carminative cause birth defects. Don’t
(reduces fever), gastroprotective, (expels gas), hepatotonic (tones, balances, use while pregnant. Don’t
hepatoprotective (liver protector), strengthens the liver), laxative, stimulant exceed recommended
hepatotonic (tones, balances, dosages.
strengthens the liver), hypocholester-

olemic (lowers cholesterol),
hypoglycemic, liver and gallbladder
bile stimulant, muscle relaxant,
platelet aggregation inhibitor, uterine
relaxant, vasorelaxant (relaxes blood
vessels), vermifuge (expels worms)


Brazil nut eaten as nutritive, antioxidant. • as a nutritive
(Bertholletia a food emollient • as an antioxidant (for its selenium content)

excelsia) • as an emollient (oil is used for the skin
and hair)
Brazilian tincture or antibacterial, anticandidal. • as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial and

Peppertree decoction antifungal, antihemorrhagic antiseptic against bacterial, viral, and
bark or fruit (reduces bleeding), cardiotonic fungal infections
(Schinus (tones, balances, strengthens • for Candida and yeast infections

moHe) the heart) • to tone, balance, and strengthen heart
function and as a heart regulator for
arrhythmia and mild hypertension
* to stop bleeding and heal wounds
internally and externally
• for Mycoplasmal infections
Camu-Camu fruit juice antioxidant, nutritive, astringent • for its natural high vitamin C content
fruit (Myrciaria • for colds/flu (for its vitamin C content)
dubia) • for skin care/anti-aging (for its antioxidant,
mineral, and vitamin content)
Carqueja tincture or antacid, antiulcerous, digestive • for digestive disorders (ulcers, gastro-
whole herb capsules stimulant, hepatotonic (tones, enteritis, acid reflux, and ileocecal valve
(Baccharis balances, strengthens the liver), disorders) and to slow digestion
genistelloides) detoxifier • to tone, balance, and strengthen liver
function (also to eliminate liver flukes,
increase liver bile, and to remove toxins
from the liver)
• for gallbladder disorders (stones, pain, lack

of bile, sluggish action, toxin build-up)
• as a detoxifier (blood, liver, gallbladder,
pancreas)
• for viral infections (stomach viruses, HIV,
herpes simplex)
Cashew leaves decoction antiseptic, antidysenteric, • for diarrhea, dysentery, and colic
or bark antibacterial, antiulcerous, • as an internal and external antiseptic
(Anacardium astringent against bacterial infections
occidentalis) • for stomach ulcers (all kinds)
• for ear and eye infections
• to stop bleeding and heal wounds
Plant Data Sumnnary I 19
Properties/ Actions Other Properties/Actions

antioxidant emollient, wound healer Brazil nuts can cause an

allergic reaction in some
people.
analgesic (pain-reliever), antibacterial, antidepressant, antihemorrhagic (reduces It has a mild hypotensive

anticancerous, anticandidal, antifungal, bleeding), antiseptic, aperient (mild laxative), effect (lowers blood
anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, astringent, cardiotonic (tones, balances, pressure).
antitumorous, antiviral, hypotensive strengthens the heart), digestive stimulant,
(lowers blood pressure), wound diuretic, menstrual stimulant, stimulant, tonic
healer
antioxidant (vitamin C) nutritive none
abortive, analgesic (pain-reliever), antidiabetic, aperient (mild laxative), bitter It has hypotensive (lowers
antacid, antihepatotoxic (liver detox- digestive aid, blood cleanser, carminative blood pressure) and
ifier), anti-inflammatory, antiulcerous, (expels gas), diaphoretic (promotes sweating), hypoglycemic actions.
antiviral, digestive stimulant, gastro- diuretic, febrifuge (reduces fever), tonic It should not be used
tonic (tones, balances, strengthens (tones, balances, strengthens), vermifuge during pregnancy.
the gastric system), hepatoprotective (expels worms)
(liver protector), hepatotonic
(tones, balances, strengthens the
liver), hypoglycemic, hypotensive
(lowers blood pressure), insect
repellant, uterine stimulant
antibacterial, antidiabetic, anti- antidiabetic, antidysenteric, cough suppressant, none

inflammatory, antiulcerous, decongestant, digestive stimulant, diuretic,
astringent febrifuge (reduces fever), hypotensive (lowers
blood pressure), purgative (strong laxative),
refrigerant (reduces body temperature), tonic

(tones, balances, strengthens), wound healer

Cat’s Claw decoction, immune stimulant, anti- • as an immune stimulant and an adjunctive
vine bark fluid extract, inflammatory, antimutagenic therapy for cancer (to reduce side effects
(Uncaria or capsules (cellular protector), of chemotherapy and protect cells)
tomentosa) anticancerous, antiulcerous • as a bowel cleanser and anti-inflammatory
for Crohn’s disease, colitis, diverticulitis,
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other
bowel problems
• as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis (all
kinds) and muscle pains/strains/injuries

• as a general daily tonic (to tone, balance,
and strengthen all body functions)

• for stomach ulcers and ulcerative colitis
and as an ulcer preventative/stomach and

bowel protector
Catuaba bark tincture or aphrodisiac, nervine (balances/ • as an aphrodisiac and libido stimulant
(Erythroxlyum decoction calms nerves), anti-anxiety, for males and females

catuaba) central nervous system tonic • to tone, balance, and calm the central
(tones, balances, strengthens nervous system (and for nerve pain,
the nervous system), antiviral exhaustion, overstimulation)

• for nervousness, emotional stress, and
insomnia (related to overactive neuro-
transmitters)
• as a general tonic (tones, balances,
strengthens overall body functions)

• for poor memory, Alzheimer’s disease,
and dementia
Cha de bugre infusion appetite suppressant, diuretic, • for weight loss (as an appetite suppressant)
leaves (Cordia stimulant, cardiotonic (tones, • as a mild diuretic
salicifolia) balances, strengthens the • for cellulite

heart), antiviral • to tone, balance, and strengthen heart
function
• for herpes simplex
Plant Data Summary 121

anticancerous, antidepressant, analgesic (pain-reliever), anticoagulant (blood Do not use before or

anti-inflammatory, antileukemic, thinner), antidysenteric, blood cleanser, after an organ or bone
antimutagenic (cellular protector), detoxifier, diuretic, gastrotonic (tones, marrow transplant since
antioxidant, antitumorous, anti- balances, strengthens the gastric system), it boosts immune function.
ulcerous, antiviral, contraceptive, hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol), May also have a mild
immune stimulant tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall blood thinning effect.
body functions), wound healer
analgesic (pain-reliever), antibacterial, anti-anxiety, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic (tones, none

antiviral, vasodilator, vasorelaxant balances, strengthens the heart), central
nervous system tonic (tones, balances,
strengthens), nervine (balances/calms
nerves), tonic (tones, balances, strengthens)
anticancerous, antiviral, cardiotonic appetite suppressant, cough suppressant, It contains naturally
(tones, balances, strengthens the diuretic, febrifuge (reduces fever), occurring caffeine.
heart) stimulant, wound healer


Chanca Piedra infusion or antilithic (prevents and • for kidney stones and gallstones (active
whole herb fluid extract eliminates kidney stones), stones and as a preventative)
(Phyllanthus hepatoprotective (liver • to tone, balance, strengthen, detoxify,
niruri) protector), diuretic, anti- and protect the liver (and to balance
hepatotoxic (liver detoxifier), liver enzymes)
antiviral • for viruses, incFuding hepatitis A, B, and C,
herpes, and HIV
• to tone, balance, strengthen, detoxify, and
protect the kidneys and to reduce uric acid
and increase urination
• for hypertension and high cholesterol
levels
Chuchuhuasi tincture muscle relaxant, anti- • as an analgesic, a muscle relaxant, and an

bark inflammatory, analgesic (pain anti-inflammatory for arthritis, rheumatism,
(Maytenus reliever), menstrual stimulant, and back pain
krukovii) tonic (tones, balances, • as an aphrodisiac for loss of libido (male
strengthens overall body and female)

functions) • to cool and balance adrenal function
• to tone, balance, and strengthen female
hormonal systems and for menstrual
disorders, libido loss, menstrual pain,
and cramps
strengthens overall body functions) and

mild immune stimulant
Cipo Cabeludo infusion or analgesic (pain-reliever), • for prostatitis, benign prostatic

vine/leaf fluid extract antibacterial, decongestant, hypertrophy (BPH), and prostate pain
(Mikania antilithic (prevents or • for urinary tract disorders (infections,
hirsutissima) eliminates kidney stones), cystitis, nephritis, urethritis, kidney stones)
antileukemic • as a pain-reliever for neuralgia, arthritis,
and general muscle pain

• as a decongestant to remove excessive
mucus in the bowel, urinary tract, and lungs
• for leukemia
Plant Data Sunnmary 123

analgesic (pain-reliever), antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, blood cleanser, carminative, It may increase the effect
antihepatotoxic (liver detoxifier), detoxifier, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), of diabetic, high blood
antilithic (prevents and eliminates febrifuge (reduces fever), laxative, menstrual pressure, and diuretic
kidney stones), antimalarial, anti- stimulant, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens drugs. Don’t use during
mutagenic (cellular protector), overall body systems), vermifuge (expels pregnancy.
antispasmodic, antiulcerous, antiviral, worms)
contraceptive, diuretic, gastrotonic
(tones, balances, strengthens the
gastric system), hepatoprotective
(liver protector), hepatotonic (tones,

balances, strengthens the liver), hypo-
cholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol),
hypoglycemic, hypotensive (lowers
blood pressure), uterine relaxant
aldose reductase inhibitor (linked adrenal tonic (tones, balances, strengthens none
to diabetic complications), analgesic the adrenals), antidysenteric, antispasmodic,
(pain-reliever), anticancerous, anti- aphrodisiac, digestive stimulant, febrifuge
inflammatory, antioxidant, (reduces fever), menstrual stimulant, tonic
antitumorous, immune stimulant, (tones, balances, strengthens overall body
protein kinase C inhibitor (linked functions)
to inflammation processes)
antibacterial, anticoagulant, analgesic (pain-reliever), antilithic (prevents Contains coumarin and

antileukemic, molluscicidal or eliminates kidney stones), anti-rheumatic, might thin the blood
(kills snails) blood cleanser, decongestant, diuretic, and/or increase the effect
nervine (balances/calms nerves) of Coumadin drugs.

Clavillia infusion or antiviral, antibacterial, • as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial for

whole herb capsules anticandidal, antifungal, bacterial, fungal, and viral infections
(Mirabilis antispamodic • for Candida and yeast infections

jalapa) • as a bowel cleanser and laxative
• for skin problems (eczema, dermatitis, acne,
rashes, liver spots, skin fungi, ringworm)

• for vaginal discharge, infections, and
sexually transmitted diseases
Clavo Huasca tincture aphrodisiac, analgesic (pain • as an aphrodisiac for pre-menopausal women
vine bark reliever), digestive stimulant, • for muscle pain and aches
(Tynanthus febrifuge (reduces fever), • as a digestive aid to calm the stomach,
panurensis) stimulant increase appetite, and expel intestinal gas
• as a male aphrodisiac; for erectile function
Copaiba resin cold-filtered anti-inflammatory, analgesic • as a topical analgesic (pain-reliever) and

(Copaifera resin (pain-reliever), anticancerous, anti-inflammatory for wounds, rashes,
officinalis) antimicrobial, wound healer dermatitis, bug bites, boils, and psoriasis
• as an antiseptic, disinfectant, and
antimicrobial agent for internal and
external bacterial infections
• for nail and skin fungi
• for skin cancer
• for stomach ulcers and stomach cancer
Curare root decoction antibacterial, antiseptic, wound • for prostatitis

(Chondrodendron healer, anti-inflammatory, • for urinary tract infections
tomentosum) febrifuge (reduces fever) • to tone, balance, and strengthen the kidneys
(also as a diuretic and for kidney stones)
• for vaginal discharge and sexually
transmitted diseases
• for testicular inflammation
Damiana leaf infusion or aphrodisiac, antidepressant, • as a male and female sexual stimulant used
(Turnera capsules central nervous system to treat erectile dysfunction and anorgasmia
aphrodisiaca) depressant, anti-anxiety, tonic • to tone, balance, and strengthen the
(tones, balances, strengthens central nervous system and for emotional
overall body functions) stress, depression, and anxiety
• for general hormonal balancing
• for nervous stomach, colic, and dyspepsia
• for mood disorders (obsessive compulsive
disorder, hypochondria, neurosis, paranoia, etc.)

abortive, antibacterial, anticandidal, antidysenteric, antiparasitic, carminative Do not use during

antifungal, antispasmodic, antiviral, (expels gas), detoxifier, digestive stimulant, pregnancy.
uterine stimulant diuretic, purgative (strong laxative), tonic
(tones, balances, strengthens overall body

functions), vermifuge (expels worms),
wound healer
none analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-rheumatic, none

aphrodisiac, carminative (expels gas),
digestive stimulant, muscle relaxant, tonic
(tones, balances, strengthens overall body

functions)
analgesic (pain-reliever), anti- anesthetic, antacid, antiseptic, antiviral. It may cause a measles-
bacterial, anticancerous, antifungal, astringent, carminative (expels gas), cough like rash in those allergic
anti-inflammatory, antitumorous, suppressant, disinfectant, diuretic, emetic to the resin.

antiulcerous, gastroprotective (causes vomiting), emollient, expectorant,
(protects the gastric tract), laxative, stimulant
wound healer
none antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic. Do not use while

antilithic (to prevent or eliminate kidney pregnant,
stones), diuretic, febrifuge (reduces fever),
menstrual stimulant, wound healer
aphrodisiac, central nervous anti-anxiety, antidepressant, antiseptic, It may reduce the

system depressant antispasmodic, aperient (mild laxative). absorption of iron.
astringent, bitter digestive stimulant, cough
suppressant, diuretic, expectorant, hormonal,
nervine (balances/calms nerves), tonic (tones,
balances, strengthens overall body functions)

Embauba leaf infusion cough suppressant, anti- • for asthma

(Cecropia asthmatic, decongestant, • for upper respiratory problems (coughs,
peltata) antispasmodic, cardiotonic bronchitis, COPD, emphysema, pulmonary
(tones, balances, strengthens sarcoidosis)
the heart) • for upper respiratory bacterial and viral
infections
• for Parkinson’s disease
Epazote decoction or antiparasitic, vermifuge (expels • for intestinal worms and parasites
whole herb capsules worms), insecticidal, digestive • for skin parasites, lice, and ringworm
(Chenopodium stimulant, hepatoprotective • to tone, balance, and strengthen the liver
ambrosioides) (liver protector) (and for liver flukes and parasites)

• to tone, balance, and strengthen the
stomach and bowel (and for acid reflux,
intestinal gas, cramping, chronic

constipation, hemorrhoids, etc.)
• for coughs, asthma, bronchitis, and other
upper respiratory problems
Erva tostao decoction or hepatotonic (tones, balances, • for liver disorders (jaundice, hepatitis,
root and leaf capsules strengthens the liver), antilithic cirrhosis, anemia, flukes, detoxification,
(Boerhaavia (prevents or eliminates kidney chemical injury, etc.)
diffusa) stones), hepatoprotective • for gallbladder disorders (stones, sluggish

(liver protector), diuretic, function, low bile production, emptying,
menstrual stimulant and detoxification)
• for kidney and urinary tract disorders
(stones, nephritis, urethritis, infections, renal
insufficiency/injury, etc.)
• for menstrual disorders (pain, cramps,
excessive bleeding, uterine spasms, water
retention)
adrenals (and for adrenal exhaustion and
excess cortisol production)
Plant Data Sunnnnary 127

ACE inhibitor (typically lowers anti-asthmatic, antihemorrhagic (reduces It may increase the effect
blood pressure), analgesic (pain bleeding), antiseptic, antivenin, antiviral, of diabetic and high blood
reliever), antibacterial, antifungal, astringent, cough suppressant, central pressure drugs.
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, nervous system depressant, decongestant,
antispasmodic, cardiotonic (tones, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), digestive
balances, strengthens the heart), stimulant, expectorant, hepatotonic (tones,
diuretic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive balances, strengthens the liver), laxative,
(lowers blood pressure) menstrual stimulant, wound healer
amebicide, antibacterial, analgesic (pain-reliever), antacid, antihepatotoxic It should not be used

anticancerous, antimalarial, (liver detoxifier), anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, during pregnancy or while
antiparasitic, antitumorous, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiulcer, carminative, breastfeeding. Don’t use
ascaricide (kills Ascaris parasitic contraceptive, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), essential oil internally.
worms), insecticidal, molluscicidal digestive stimulant, diuretic, gastrototonic (tones,
(kills snails), vermifuge (expels balances, strengthens), hepatoprotective (liver

worms) protector), lactagogue (promotes milk flow),
laxative, menstrual stimulant, nervine (balances/
calms nerves), sedative, tonic (tones, balances,
strengthens overall body functions), wound healer
ACE inhibitor (typically lowers antihistamine, antilithic (prevents or eliminates It is contraindicated in
blood pressure), analgesic (pain kidney stones), aperient (mild laxative), blood some heart diseases; it
reliever), antiamebic, antibacterial, cleanser, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens has hypotensive (lowers
anticonvulsant, antihemorrhagic the heart), carminative (expels gas), detoxifier, blood pressure), cardiac
(reduces bleeding), anti-inflammatory, digestive stimulant, kidney tonic (tones, balances, depressant, and ACE-
antispasmodic, antiviral, liver and strengthens the kidneys), lactagogue (promotes inhibitor effects.
gallbladder bile stimulant, diuretic, milk flow), menstrual stimulant, uterine stimulant,
hepatoprotective (liver protector), vermifuge (expels worms)
hepatotonic (tones, balances,
strengthens the liver), hypotensive
(lowers blood pressure), immune
modulator (selectively lowers
overactive immune cells)
•,1

Espinheira decoction or anticancerous, antacid, • for cancer (melanoma, carcinoma,

Santa leaf capsules antiulcerous, menstrual adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, leukemia)
(Maytenus stimulant, detoxifier • for stomach disorders (ulcers, acid reflux,
ilicifolia) gastritis, dyspepsia, indigestion, and to tone,

balance, and strengthen the gastric tract)
• as a menstrual Simulant and for estrogen
hormonal balancing during menopause
• for adrenal exhaustion and to support
adrenal function
• for detoxification (skin, blood, kidney,
stomach, adrenals)
Fedegoso infusion antimicrobial, antihepatotoxic • as a broad-spectrum internal and external

whole herb (liver detoxifier), hepatotonic antimicrobial to treat bacterial and fungal
(Cassia (tones, balances, strengthens infections
occidentalis) the liver), antiparasitic, immune • for liver disorders (jaundice, hepatitis,
stimulant cirrhosis, anemia, detoxification, injury/
failure, bile stimulant, etc.)
• for intestinal worms, internal parasites,
skin parasites
• as an immune stimulant
• as a cellular protector and a preventative
to cell damage (immune, liver, kidney,
cancer preventative)
Gervao infusion antihistamine, bronchodilator, • for allergies and respiratory conditions

whole herb anti-inflammatory, antacid, (cold, flu, asthma, bronchitis, etc.)
(Stachytarpheta antiparasitic • for digestive problems (indigestion, acid

jamaicensis) reflux, ulcers, constipation, dyspepsia, slow
digestion)
• as a general pain-reliever and anti-
inflammatory for various internal/external

painful inflammatory disorders
• to tone, balance, strengthen, protect, and
detoxify the liver (and as a liver bile
stimulant and for chronic liver conditions)
• for intestinal worms and internal/external
parasites

antacid, anticancerous, analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-asthmatic, Do not use with estrogen-

antileukemic, antitumorous, anti-fertility, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, positive cancers. It may
antiulcerous, contraceptive, astringent, blood cleanser, carminative (expels have estrogen-like actions.
estrogenic gas), detoxifier, diuretic, gastrototonic (tones,
balances, strengthens the gastric tract), laxative,

menstrual stimulant, sialogogue (increases
saliva), tonic (tones, balances, strengthens
overall body functions)
antibacterial, antifungal, anti- analgesic (pain-reliever), anticancerous, It may speed the clearance
hepatotoxic (liver detoxifier), antihemorrhagic (reduces bleeding), antiseptic, of some drugs in the liver
anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antiviral, astringent, bile stimulant, blood (thereby reducing their
antimutagenic (cellular protector), cleanser, cardiotonic (tones, balances, effect). It is mildly
antioxidant, antiparasitic, antispas- strengthens the heart), contraceptive, hypotensive (lowers
modic, aperient (mild laxative), detoxifier, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), blood pressure).
hepatoprotective (liver protector), digestive stimulant, diuretic, febrifuge
hepatotonic (tones, balances, (reduces fever), menstrual stimulant, tonic

strengthens the liver), hypotensive (tones, balances, strengthens overall body
(lowers blood pressure), immune functions), vermifuge (expels worms)
stimulant, insecticidal, muscle
relaxant, weak uterine stimulant,

vasoconstrictor
analgesic (pain-reliever), antacid, abortive, amebicide, antiparasitic, antitumorous, Avoid use when pregnant,
anti-anaphylactic (reduces allergic bile stimulant (liver), blood cleanser, cough or if you are allergic
reactions), antidysenteric, suppressant, central nervous system depressant, to aspirin or have a

antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), heart condition.
antioxidant, antispasmodic, digestive stimulant, diuretic, expectorant,
antiulcerous, bronchodilator, febrifuge (reduces fever), gastroprotective
gastrototonic (tones, balances, (protects the gastric tract), hepatotonic (tones,

strengthens the gastric tract), balances, strengthens the liver), hypotensive
hepatoprotective (liver protector), (lowers blood pressure), lactagogue (promotes
larvicidal, laxative, neurasthenic milk flow), menstrual stimulant, nervine
(reduces nerve pain), vasodilator (balances/calms nerves), refrigerant (lowers
body temperature), sedative, tonic (tones,
balances, strengthens overall body functions),
vermifuge (expels worms), wound healer

Mam Preparation Main Actions

Graviola infusion or anticancerous, antitumorous, • for cancer (all types)

leaf/stem/bark capsules antimicrobial, antiparasitic, • as a broad-spectrum internal and external
(Annona hypotensive (lowers blood antimicrobial to treat bacterial and fungal
muricata) pressure) infections
• for internal parasites and worms
• for depression, stress, and nervous
disorders
Guacatonga infusion or anticancerous, antitumorous, • for cancer (sarcoma, carcinoma, and
leaf (Casearia capsules antiulcerous, antivenin, adenocarcinoma)

sylvestris) anti-inflammatory • for stomach disorders (ulcers, acid reflux,
indigestion, dyspepsia, stomachache)

• as an antivenin for snake, spider, and bee
bites and stings
• as a topical analgesic (pain-reliever) and
anti-inflammatory for skin diseases, rashes,
and wounds
• as a blood purifier and general detoxifier
Guaco leaf fluid extract, cough suppressant, • for upper respiratory problems (coughs,
(Mikania syrup, or bronchodilator, bronchitis, colds/flu, asthma, allergies, etc.)
cordifolia, decoction expectorant, antimicrobial, • for various internal and external bacterial
M. glomerate) anti-inflammatory and protozoal infections
• for Candida and yeast infections
• for snakebite and insect bites and stings
• as an analgesic (pain-reliever) and anti-
inflammatory for arthritis, rheumatism,

intestinal inflammation, and ulcers
Guarana seed infusion or stimulant, antioxidant, • as a caffeine stimulant for energy

(Paullina capsules memory enhancer, nervine • as a weight loss aid (suppresses appetite
cupana) (balances/calms nerves), and increases fat burning)
cardiotonic (tones, balances, • for headaches and migraines
strengthens the heart) • to tone, balance, and strengthen the heart,
as a blood cleanser, and to reduce/prevent
sticky blood and blood clots
• as a refrigerant (lowers body temperature)
to prevent overheating and heat stroke

antibacterial, anticancerous, antiviral, cardiotonic (tones, balances, It has cardiodepressant,

anticonvulsant, antidepressant, strengthens the heart), decongestant, vasodilator, and hypo-
antifungal, antimalarial, antimutagenic digestive stimulant, febrifuge (reduces fever), tensive (lowers blood
(cellular protector), antiparasitic, nervine (balances/calms nerves), pediculicide pressure) actions. Large
antispasmodic, antitumorous, (kills lice), vermifuge (expels worms) dosages can cause nausea
cardiodepressant, emetic (causes and vomiting. Avoid
vomiting), hypotensive (lowers combining with ATP-
blood pressure), insecticidal, sedative, enhancers like CoQiq.
uterine stimulant, vasodilator
analgesic (pain-reliever), antacid, anesthetic, antihemorrhagic (reduces bleeding), none

antibacterial, anticancerous, antimutagenic (cellular protector), antiseptic,
antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, astringent, blood cleanser, detoxifier,
antitumorous, antiulcerous, digestive stimulant, wound healer
antivenin, gastroprotective
(protects the gastric tract)
anti-anaphylactic (reduces allergic analgesic (pain-reliever), anesthetic, anti- It contains up to

reactions), antibacterial, anticandidal, asthmatic, anticancerous, antispasmodic, 10 percent coumarin
anticoagulant (blood thinner), blood cleanser, diaphoretic (promotes (coumadin), which has
antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, sweating), febrifuge (reduces fever), a blood-thinning effect.
antiprotozoal, antivenin, vermifuge (expels worms), wound healer

bronchodilator, cough
suppressant, expectorant
analgesic (pain-reliever), antibacterial, anticoagulant (blood thinner), antiseptic, Avoid if allergic or

antioxidant, hyperglycemic, memory aphrodisiac, appetite suppressant, astringent, sensitive to caffeine.
enhancer, nervine (balances/calms blood cleanser, cardiotonic (tones, balances,

nerves), neurasthenic (reduces nerve strengthens the heart), carminative (expels gas),
pain), platelet aggregation inhibitor central nervous system stimulant, digestive
(to prevent clogged arteries), stimulant, diuretic, hypotensive (lowers blood
stimulant, vasodilator pressure), laxative, menstrual stimulant,

thermogenic (increases fat burning)
'î!."^WP.>IMIlPlll>i| J Wl}^ Ml t IMI. J i

Guava leaf decoction antidysenteric, antiseptic, • for dysentery (bacterial and amebic),
(Psidium antibacterial, antispasmodic, diarrhea, colic, and infantile rotavirus enteritis
guajava) cardiotonic (tones, balances, • as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial for

strengthens the heart) internal and external bacterial, fungal,
candidal, and amebic infections

• to tone, balance, protect, and strengthen
the heart (and for arrhythmia and some
heart diseases)
• as a cough suppressant, analgesic (pain
reliever), and febrifuge (reduces fever) for

colds, flu, sore throat, etc.
• as a topical remedy for ear and eye
infections
Iporuru leaf infusion anti-inflammatory, analgesic • for arthritis and rheumatism

and bark (pain-reliever), antiviral, • as an internal and external anti-
(Alchornea antifungal, fertility aid inflammatory and pain-reliever for muscle

castaneifolia) and joint injuries
• for fungal and viral infections
• for erectile dysfunction and female fertility
Jaborandi infusion diaphoretic (promotes • for glaucoma

leaf sweating), sialagogue • for detoxification through copious sweating
(Pilocarpus (increases saliva), anti- • for dry mouth disorders

jaborandi) glaucomic, diuretic, • for hair loss (applied topically)
febrifuge (reduces fever) • for colds, flu, and pneumonia
Jatoba bark tincture or anticandidal, antifungal, • for Candida and yeast infections
(Hymenaea decoction antibacterial, stimulant, • for fungal infections (athlete’s foot, nail
courbaril) cough suppressant fungus, etc.)

• for prostatitis
• for cystitis and urinary tract infections
• as a natural stimulant and energy tonic
(tones, balances, strengthens overall
body functions)
Jergon cold maceration, antiviral, antivenin, cough • for snakebite

sacha root capsules, or suppressant, protease inhibitor • for viral infections (HIV, hepatitis, whooping
(Dracontium tincture (typically used for viral cough, influenza, parvovirus, and others)
loretense) infections), anti-inflammatory • for upper respiratory problems (cough.
bronchitis, asthma, etc.)
• for spider, bee, scorpion, and other
venomous insect bites
• as a topical wound healer
Plant Data Sumnnary 133

amebicide, analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant, antiseptic, It has a cardiac depressant

antibacterial, anticandidal, anti- astringent, blood cleanser, digestive stimulant, effect and is contra-
dysenteric, antifungal, antimalarial, menstrual stimulant, nervine (balances/calms indicated in some
antioxidant, antispasmodic, nerves), vermifuge (expels worms) heart conditions.
antiulcerous, cardiodepressant,
cardiotonic (tones, balances,
strengthens the heart), central
nervous system depressant, cough
suppressant, gastrototonic (tones,
balances, strengthens the gastric
tract), hypotensive (lowers blood
pressure), sedative, vasoconstrictor
antifungal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-arthritic, none

antitumorous, antiviral, COX antihistamine, anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic,
inhibitor (typically reduces aphrodisiac, cough suppressant, fertility aid,
inflammation) hypoglycemic, wound healer
diaphoretic (promotes sweating), anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, cardiac Use under practitioner

digestive stimulant, diuretic, depressant, hypotensive (lowers blood supervision only. See
sialagogue (increases saliva) pressure), lactagogue (promotes milk flow), contraindications in main
spasmogenic (induces spasms) plant section.
antibacterial, anticandidal, antidysenteric, antispasmodic, astringent, It has a natural stimulant

antifungal, anti-inflammatory, carminative (expels gas), cough suppressant, effect: take before 6 pm
hepatoprotective (liver digestive stimulant, diuretic, purgative (strong to avoid insomnia.
protector), molluscicidal laxative), stimulant, tonic (tones, balances,
(kills snails) strengthens overall body functions), vermifuge

(expels worms), wound healer
none anticancerous, anti-inflammatory, antivenin, none

antiviral, cough suppressant, diuretic, immune
stimulant, larvicidal

Juazeiro bark decoction, analgesic (pain-reliever), • as a topical wound-healer

(Ziziphus maceration, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, • as a mouthwash for cavities, gingivitis,
joazeiro) or tincture febrifuge (reduces fever), and tooth extractions
astringent • for fevers (all kinds)
%X • as a topical hair remedy for dandruff,
hair loss, and seborrhea

• for upper respiratory bacterial infections,
coughs, and bronchitis
Jurubeba infusion or gastroprotective (protects • to speed digestion and stimulate digestive

leaf fluid extract the gastric tract), digestive function
(Solanum stimulant, antiulcerous, • to provide relief from sour stomach, gas,
paniculatum) carminative (expels gas) bloating, and general dyspepsia
• for stomach ulcers
• to tone, balance, strengthen, and protect
the liver

heart
Kalanchoe infusion or immunomodulator (selectively • applied externally and taken internally for
leaf fresh leaf juice changes some immune all types of pain and inflammation
(Kalanchoe functions), central nervous • applied externally and taken internally for
pinnata) system depressant, analgesic various bacterial, viral, and fungal infections
(pain-reliever), antimicrobial, • for leishmaniasis
anti-inflammatory • for earaches (leaf juice dropped into ear)
• for upper respiratory infections, flu, and
fever
Maca root eaten fresh/ tonic (tones, balances, • as a natural source of nutrients (amino
(Lepidum dried, or strengthens overall body acids, minerals, etc.)
meyenii) in capsules functions), nutritive, fertility • to support endocrine function

enhancer, endocrine function • to reduce fertility problems (both male
support, anti-fatigue and female)
• to support erectile function
• as an aphrodisiac

analgesic (pain-reliever), antiulcerous, astringent, cardiotonic (tones, none

antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, balances, strengthens the heart), cavity
febrifuge (reduces fever), prevention, cough suppressant, digestive
wound healer stimulant, diuretic, hepatotonic (tones,
balances, strengthens the liver)
analgesic (pain-reliever), antacid, anti-inflammatory, antilithic (prevents or It might reduce fertility
antiulcerous, cardiotonic (tones, eliminates kidney stones), antitumorous, in men. It has a mild
balances, strengthens the heart), aperient (mild laxative), bile stimulant (liver), hypotensive (lowers blood
digestive stimulant, gastroprotective blood cleanser, carminative (expels gas), pressure) and stimulant
(protects the gastric tract), gastro- decongestant, diuretic, febrifuge (reduces effect on the heart and
totonic (tones, balances, strengthens fever), nervine (balances/calms nerves), should be used with
the gastric tract), hepatotonic (tones, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall caution if you have a
balances, strengthens the liver), body functions) heart condition.
hypotensive (lowers blood pressure)
analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-allergic, anticonvulsant, antilithic (prevents or eliminates Avoid long-term use
anti-anaphylactic (reduces allergic kidney stones), carminative (expels gas), cough because of its immune
reactions), antibacterial, antifungal, suppressant, diuretic, hypocholesterolemic suppressant effects.
antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, (lowers cholesterol), menstrual stimulant,

antitumorous, antiulcerous, antiviral, refrigerant (lowers body temperature), tonic
central nervous system depressant, (tones, balances, strengthens overall body
febrifuge (reduces fever) gastro- functions), uterine stimulant, vasoconstrictor,
protective (protects the gastric wound healer

immune modulator (modulates
tract),
some overactive immune cells),

immunosuppressive (suppresses
some immune cells), insecticidal,
muscle relaxant, sedative
aphrodisiac, fertility enhancer, hormonal, immunostimulant, stimulant, tonic Large amounts may cause
increases sperm count/motility (tones, balances, strengthens overall body intestinal gas.
functions)

Macela infusion or analgesic (pain-reliever), anti- • applied externally for pain and inflammation
whole herb tincture bacterial, anti-inflammatory, • for respiratory problems (asthma,

(Achyrocline antiviral, bile stimulant bronchitis, flu, and upper respiratory
satureoides) bacterial and viral infections)
• for arteriosclerosis
• for viral infections (hepatitis, HIV, herpes,
etc.)
• for gallbladder and liver disorders
Manaca tincture or sedative, analgesic (pain • for arthritis and rheumatism (internal
root decoction reliever), central nervous and external) and general painful and
(Brunfelsia system depressant, anti- inflammatory conditions
uniflora) inflammatory, blood cleanser • to cleanse and stimulate the lymphatic
system (and for swollen lymph glands)
• to relieve menstrual pain and cramps
• for colds, flu, and fevers
• for sexually transmitted diseases
Muira puama tincture aphrodisiac, tonic (balances, • for erectile dysfunction and impotency
root and bark strengthens overall body func- • as a male aphrodisiac and libido promoter
(Ptychopetalum 1
tions), neurasthenic (reduces • as a tonic (tones, balances, strengthens)
olacoides) nerve pain), antidepressant, for males

central nervous system tonic • for hair loss and balding
(tones, balances, strengthens • central nervous system tonic (tones,
the central nervous system) balances, strengthens) and antidepressant
Mulateiro decoction antifungal, anticandidal, • for fungal infections of the skin (athlete s
bark astringent, insecticidal, foot, nail fungus, etc.)
(Calycophyllum wound healer • for skin parasites

spruceanum) • for Candida and yeast infections
• as a skin aid for wrinkles, scars, freckles,
and age spots

• for diabetes

analgesic (pain-reliever), antibacterial, anticonvulsant, antiseptic, astringent, bitter It has a sedative effect
anticoagulant (blood thinner), anti- digestive aid, cardiotonic (tones, balances, and might increase the
inflammatory, antioxidant, antispas- strengthens the heart), carminative (expels effects of other sedatives.
modic, antitumorous, antiviral, bile gas), cough suppressant, diaphoretic People with diabetes
stimulant, gastrototonic (tones, (promotes sweating), digestive stimulant, should use with caution
balances, strengthens the gastric menstrual stimulant, muscle relaxant, as it has a mild
tract), hepatoprotective (liver neurasthenic (reduces nerve pain), sedative, hypoglycemic effect.
protector), hepatotonic (tones, vermifuge (expels worms)

balances, strengthens the liver),
hypoglycemic, immunostimulant,
molluscicidal (kills snails)
analgesic (pain-reliever), anticoagulant abortive, anesthetic, antitumorous, antivenin, Use with caution in
(blood thinner), anti-inflammatory, blood cleanser, diaphoretic (promotes combination with MAO
antimutagenic (cellular protector), sweating), laxative, lymphatic stimulant, inhibitors, sedatives, and
antispasmodic, central nervous menstrual stimulant, sedative blood thinners. Avoid
system depressant, febrifuge if allergic to aspirin/
(reduces fever), insecticide, salicylates. Do not exceed

refrigerant (lowers body recommended dosages.
temperature)
adaptogen, analgesic (pain-reliever), antidepressant, anti-rheumatic, anti-stress, none

anti-fatigue, antiulcerous, aphrodisiac, astringent, cardiotonic (tones, balances,
central nervous system tonic (tones, strengthens the heart), digestive stimulant,
balances, strengthens), hypotensive gastrototonic (tones, balances, strengthens
(lowers blood pressure), nervine the gastric tract), hypocholesterolemic
(balances/calms nerves), neurasthenic (lowers cholesterol), stimulant, tonic (tones,
(reduces nerve pain) balances, strengthens overall body functions)
antibacterial, anticandidal, antifungal, antidiabetic, antiparasitic, astringent, emollient, none

antioxidant, insecticidal, insect wound healer
repellant

Mullaca infusion or antibacterial, antimycoplasmal, • for bacterial and viral infections of all kinds
whole herb capsules anticancerous, immuno- • for cancer and leukemia
(Physalis modulator, antiviral • for Mycoplasma and mycobacteria

angulata) infections
• for skin diseases (dermatitis, psoriasis, skin
infections, rosacea, scleroderma, etc.)
• for viral infections of all kinds
Mulungu tincture or antidepressant, anti-anxiety, • for mental disorders (depression, anxiety,
bark and root decoction sedative, nervine (balances/ stress, hysteria, panic disorders, compulsive
(Erythrina calms nerves), hepatotonic disorders, etc.)
mulungu) (tones, balances, strengthens • as a sedative for insomnia, restlessness,
the liver) and sleep disorders

• for liver disorders (hepatitis, obstructions,
high liver enzyme levels, sclerosis, etc.)
• for high blood pressure and heart

palpitations
• for drug and nicotine withdrawal
Mutamba decoction or antibacterial, antiviral, • as a topical hair remedy for hair loss
bark capsules antifungal, antioxidant, and baldness

(Guazuma hypotensive (lowers • as a digestive aid for stomachache, diarrhea,
ulmifolia) blood pressure) dysentery, and stomach inflammation

• as an external skin remedy for wounds,
rashes, skin parasites, dermatitis, fungal
infections, and leprosy
• for viral and bacterial infections (including
syphilis, gonorrhea, upper respiratory
viruses, and kidney infections)
• as an astringent to stop bleeding
Nettle leaf infusion or anti-allergy, anti-anaphylactic, • for seasonal allergies, rhinitis, and sinusitis
and stem capsules anti-inflammatory, • for prostatitis
(Urtica dioica) decongestant, diuretic • for arthritis, rheumatism, and other

inflammatory conditions
• for kidney and urinary tract infections
and inflammation

antibacterial, anticancerous, analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-asthmatic. It may thin the blood and
anticoagulant (blood thinner), antihemorrhagic (reduces bleeding), anti- lower blood pressure.
antileukemic, antimycobacterial, inflammatory, antiseptic, blood cleanser,
antispasmodic, antitumorous, antiviral, disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge
hypoglycemic, hypotensive (lowers (reduces fever), hepatotonic (tones, balances,

blood pressure), immunomodulator strengthens the liver), sedative, vermifuge
(modulates some overactive immune (expels worms)
cells), immunostimulant
anti-anxiety, antibacterial, analgesic (pain-reliever), anticonvulsant. Itmay lower blood

antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, cardiotonic (tones, balances, pressure and may
antimycobacterial, anti-spasmodic, strengthens the heart), central nervous cause drowsiness.
hepatotonic (tones, balances, system depressant, hypnotic, lactagogue
strengthens the liver), hypotensive (promotes milk flow), nervine (balances/
(lowers blood pressure), sedative calms nerves), neurasthenic (reduces
nerve pain)
ACE inhibitor (typically lowers antihemorrhagic (reduces bleeding), anti- Use with caution and
blood pressure), antibacterial, inflammatory, antiulcerous, astringent, blood under a doctor’s
anticancerous, antifungal, antioxidant, cleanser, cough suppressant, decongestant, supervision if you have
antispasmodic, antitumorous, antiviral, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), digestive a heart condition.
cardiac depressant, cardiotonic stimulant, emollient, febrifuge (reduces fever),
(tones, balances, strengthens the hepatoprotective (liver protector), hepatotonic
heart), hypoglycemic, hypotensive (tones, balances, strengthens the liver),
(lowers blood pressure), muscle wound healer
relaxant, uterine stimulant
analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-allergy, anti-asthmatic, antibacterial, antidiabetic, It may lower blood

anti-anaphylatic, anticonvulsant, antihemorrhagic (reduces bleeding), anti- pressure and heart rate.
antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, rheumatic, astringent, blood cleanser, Avoid chronic use due
decongestant, diuretic, hypotensive diaphoretic (promotes sweating), febrifuge to its diuretic effects.
(lowers blood pressure), immuno- (reduces fever), laxative, menstrual stimulant,

modulator (selectively modulates wound healer
overactive immune cells)

Nettle root infusion or anti-androgenic, blood cleanser, • for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
(Urtica dioica) capsules hormonal regulator, diuretic, • as a diuretic for kidney disorders,
hair growth promoter hypertension, and diabetes

• for male pattern baldness and hair loss
• as a blood cleanser and general
detoxification aid
Passionflower infusion antidepressant, analgesic • for mood disorders (depression, anxiety,
leaf (pain-reliever), antispasmodic, stress)
(Passiflora sedative, central nervous • for insomnia and sleep disorders
incarnata) system depressant • for headaches, migraines, and general pain

• for stomach problems (colic, nervous
stomach, indigestion, etc.)
• to relieve menstrual cramps and

premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
PatadeVaca infusion antidiabetic, hypoglycemic, • for diabetes
leaf diuretic, tonic (tones, balances, • for kidney and urinary disorders (including
(Bauhinia strengthens overall body polyuria, cystitis, and kidney stones)
forficata) functions), astringent • as a blood cleanser and to build blood cells
• applied topically for elephantiasis

• for skin disorders (rashes, dermatitis, skin
ulcers, etc.)
Pau d’Arco decoction anticandidal, antifungal, • for Candida, yeast, and other fungal
bark or tincture antiviral, antibacterial, infections (taken internally and used as
(Tabebuia anticancerous a douche or topically)
impetiginosa) • for leukemia and cancer

• for colds, flu, and other upper-respiratory
bacterial and viral infections
• for sexually transmitted diseases (syphilis,

gonorrhea, etc.)
• for psoriasis and dermatitis
Pedra Hume infusion or antidiabetic, hypoglycemic, • for diabetes
Caa leaf capsules aldose reductase inhibitor • as a preventative to diabetic neuropathy

(Myrcia (prevents diabetic and macular degeneration
salicifolia) complications), astringent, • for hypertension and as a heart tonic
hypotensive (lowers blood (tones, balances, strengthens the heart)
pressure) • for enteritis, diarrhea, and dysentery

• as an astringent to stop bleeding and
hemorrhages

analgesic (pain-reliever), anti- anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, blood It may lower blood

androgenic, cardiodepressant, cleanser, cardiotonic (tones, balances, pressure and heart rate,
diuretic, febrifuge (reduces fever), strengthens the heart), emollient, hepatotonic Avoid chronic use due
hormonal regulator, hypotensive (tones, balances, strengthens the liver), to its diuretic effects,
(lowers blood pressure), refrigerant laxative, menstrual stimulant, neurasthenic
(lowers body temperature), sedative (reduces nerve pain)
analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, astringent, It may cause drowsiness

anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens or have a tranquilizing
aphrodisiac, central nervous system the heart), disinfectant, nervine (balances/ effect.
depressant, cough suppressant, calms nerves), neurasthenic (reduces nerve

diuretic, hypotensive (lowers pain), tranquilizer, vermifuge (expels worms)
blood pressure), sedative
diuretic, hypoglycemic antidiabetic, antivenin, astringent, blood Diabetics should use under
cleanser, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens a doctor’s supervision
overall body functions), uterine relaxant, as insulin medications
vermifuge (expels worms) may need adjusting.
analgesic (pain-reliever), antibacterial, anti-allergy, anticoagulant (blood thinner), In excessive amounts, it
anticancerous, anticandidal, antifungal, antidysenteric, antioxidant, anti-rheumatic, may cause gastrointestinal

anti-inflammatory, antileukemic, antiulcerous, antivenin, astringent, cardiotonic upset or nausea.
antimalarial, antiparasitic, anti- (tones, balances, strengthens the heart),
tumorous, antiviral, insecticidal hepatotonic (tones, balances, strengthens
the liver), immunostimulant, laxative
aldose reductase inhibitor, alpha- antihemorrhagic (reduces bleeding), antioxidant, It may lower blood sugar
glucosidase inhibitor, antidiabetic, astringent, cardiotonic (tones, balances, levels. It is contraindicated
appetite suppressant, hypoglycemic strengthens the heart), gastrototonic (tones, in hypoglycemia. Diabetics
balances, strengthens the gastric tract), should monitor their
hypotensive (lowers blood pressure) glucose levels closely.

Picao Preto decoction antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, • as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial for

whole herb or capsules hepatoprotective (liver various internal and external infections
(Bidens pilosa) protector), antiulcerous, (caused by virus, bacteria, yeast, fungi)

antidiabetic • to tone, balance, strengthen, protect, and
detoxify the liver
• for arthritis, rheumatism, and other
inflammatory conditions
• for diabetes
• for stomach ulcers and digestive disorders
Quinine decoction antimalarial, bitter digestive • for malaria
bark aid, antiparasitic, antispasmodic, • as a bitter digestive aid to stimulate
(Cinchona sp) febrifuge (reduces fever) digestive juices

• for nocturnal leg cramps
• for intestinal parasites and protozoa
• for arrhythmia and other heart conditions
Samambaia infusion or immunomodulator (selectively • for psoriasis and other skin conditions
root and leaf capsules modulates overactive immune • for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and
(Polypodium cells), antipsoriatic, neuro- memory problems

decumanum) protective (protects brain • for coughs, bronchitis, chest colds, and
cells), cough suppressant, other upper respiratory problems

anti-inflammatory • for autoimmune disorders
strengthens overall body functions),

cellular protector, and anti-aging aid

antibacterial, anticandidal, anti- abortive, antidiabetic, antihemorrhagic It may potentiate the

coagulant (blood thinner), antifungal, (reduces bleeding), antiparasitic, antiseptic, effects of antidiabetic,
antihepatotoxic (liver detoxifier), antispasmodic, astringent, bitter, carminative, blood thinning, and high
anti-inflammatory, antileukemic, cough suppressant, diaphoretic (promotes blood pressure drugs.
antimalarial, antitumorous, anti- sweating), diuretic, emollient, febrifuge
ulcerous, antivenin, antiviral, cardio- (reduces fever), menstrual stimulant, stimulant,
tonic (tones, balances, strengthens vermifuge (expels worms), wound healer
the heart), COX inhibitor
(reduces inflammation), gastro-
protective (protects gastric tract),
hepatoprotective (liver protector),
hepatotonic (tones, balances,
strengthens the liver), hypoglycemic,
hypotensive (lowers blood pressure),
immunomodulator (selectively
modulates overactive immune cells),
uterine stimulant
anti-arrhythmic, antimalarial, amebicide, analgesic (pain-reliever), antibacterial, It contains quinine

antiparasitic, antiprotozoal, antifungal, antiseptic, astringent, digestive alkaloids that are toxic
antispasmodic, bitter digestive aid, stimulant, febrifuge (reduces fever), insecticide, in large doses. Do not
cardiotonic (tones, balances, nervine (balances/calms nerves), neurasthenic exceed recommended
strengthens the heart) (reduces nerve pain) dosages. See other
contraindications in
main plant section.
antidysenteric, anti-inflammatory, anticancerous, aperient (mild laxative), Do not use in combination

antimutagenic (cellular protector), blood cleanser, cough suppressant, detoxifier, with digitalis and some
antioxidant, antipsoriatic, immuno- diaphoretic (promotes sweating), expectorant, heart drugs.
modulator, neuroprotective febrifuge (reduces fever), hypotensive (lowers
(protects brain cells) blood pressure), tonic (tones, balances,

144

Sangre undiluted resin wound healer, antifungal, • to stop bleeding and to seal and heal
wounds, burns, cuts, tooth extractions
de Grado is taken internally antiseptic, antiviral, anti-
resin (in small amount hemorrhagic (reduces • for herpes virus ulcers (taken internally
{Croton of juice/water) or bleeding) and applied topically)
lechleri) applied topically

• for skin fungi, rashes, and dermatitis
• for insect bitei poison ivy, and other itchy
or allergic skin reactions
• for stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis,
dysentery, and diarrhea
Sarsaparilla capsules or blood cleanser, immuno- • for psoriasis, dermatitis, leprosy, and other
decoction modulator (selectively skin disorders

root
(Smilax reduces overactive immune • as a blood purifier and general
cells), antimutagenic (cellular detoxification aid
officinalis)
protector), detoxifier, tonic • as a general tonic (tones, balances,
(tones, balances, strengthens strengthens), stimulant, and hormonal
overall body functions) regulator

• for arthritis, rheumatism, and autoimmune
disorders which cause inflammation
• for syphilis and other sexually transmitted
diseases
Scarlet Bush decoction analgesic, anti-inflammatory. • as a topical anti-inflammatory and analgesic
antiseptic, febrifuge (reduces (pain-reliever) remedy for skin problems

leaf and stem or tincture
(Hamelia fever), refrigerant (reduces (rashes, bites, stings, etc.) and for bruises,
patens) body temperature) strains, muscle aches, sprains, etc.
• as a topical astringent, antiseptic, and

antimicrobial remedy for wounds, cuts,
burns, skin fungi, etc.

• for fevers and to lower body temperature
(to prevent sunstroke, overheating)
• taken internally for inflammation
(rheumatism, arthritis, etc.)
• taken internally for pain (headaches,

menstrual cramps, post-partum pain, etc.)

anesthetic, anti-allergic, anti- analgesic (pain-reliever), anticancerous, anti-itch. The red resin stains
bacterial, antidysenteric, antifungal, antiulcerous, astringent, blood cleanser clothes/fabric permanently.
antihemorrhagic (reduces bleeding),
anti-inflammatory, antileukemic,
antioxidant, antiseptic, antitumorous,
antiviral, neurasthenic (reduces
nerve pain), vôund healer
antibacterial, antifungal, anti- absorption aid, analgesic (pain-reliever), Excessive dosages can
inflammatory, antimutagenic anticancerous, antioxidant, anti-rheumatic, cause gastrointestinal
(cellular protector), blood antiseptic, aphrodisiac, diaphoretic (promotes irritation.
cleanser, detoxifier, diuretic, sweating), digestive stimulant, febrifuge

hepatoprotective (liver protector), (reduces fever), stimulant, tonic (tones,
immunomodulator (selectively balances, strengthens), wound healer
reduces overactive immune
cells), neuroprotective (protects
brain cells)
analgesic (pain-reliever), anesthetic, antidysenteric, antihemorrhagic (reduces none

antibacterial, antifungal, anti- bleeding), antiparasitic, astringent, febrifuge
inflammatory, antitumorous, (reduces fever), vermifuge (expels worms),

diuretic, immunostimulant, wound healer
nervine (balances/calms nerves),
refrigerant (lowers body
temperature)

Simarouba decoction antidysenteric, amebicide, • for dysentery (amebic and bacterial) and
bark or tincture antiparasitic, antiviral, diarrhea
(Simarouba antihemorrhagic (reduces • for intestinal worms and internal parasites
amara) bleeding) • for malaria

• as an astringent to stop bleeding internally
(stomach ulcers, hemorrhages, etc.) and

externally for wounds
• for viral infections
Stevia leaf infusion or sweetener, hypoglycemic, • as a natural sweetener

(Stevia dry powder hypotensive (lowers blood • for diabetes
rebaudiana) extract pressure), cardiotonic (tones, • for high blood pressure
balances, strengthens the • for cavity prevention
heart), antimicrobial • as a weight loss aid
Suma root decoction adaptogen, tonic (tones, • as a general tonic (tones, balances,
(Pfafpa or capsules balances, strengthens), strengthens) for balancing, energizing,

paniculata) aphrodisiac, steroidal, rejuvenating, and muscle growth
immunostimulant • for hormonal disorders (menopause,
PMS, etc.)
• for chronic fatigue and general tiredness
• for sexual disorders (impotency, frigidity,
low libido, etc.)
• for sickle cell anemia
Tayuya root infusion or analgesic (pain-reliever), • to relieve pain of all types (arthritis,
(Cayaponia capsules nervine (balances/calms migraines and headaches, stomachaches,

tayuya) nerves), neurasthenic menstrual pain, etc.)
(reduces nerve pain), anti- • for central nervous system disorders

inflammatory, detoxifier (sciatica, neuralgia, multiple sclerosis.
epilepsy, nerve injuries, etc.)
• as a general detoxifier and blood cleanser

• for acne, eczema, dermatitis, and other
skin problems
• for emotional fatigue and depression

amebicide, antibacterial, anti- analgesic (pain-reliever), antihemorrhagic Large dosages might cause
cancerous, antidysenteric, (reduces bleeding), astringent, bitter, nausea and vomiting.
antileukemic, antimalarial, carminative, diaphoretic (promotes
antimutagenic (cellular sweating), digestive stimulant, febrifuge
protector), antiparasitic, (reduces fever), menstrual stimulant, tonic
antitumorous, antiviral, (tones, balances, strengthens overall
vermifuge (expels worms) body functions)
antibacterial, anticandidal, antifungal, tonic (tones, strengthens, balances overall none

antiviral, cardiotonic (tones, body functions), vasodilator, wound healer
balances, strengthens the heart),
diuretic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive
(reduces blood pressure), sweetener
analgesic (pain-reliever), anti- adaptogen, anti-allergy, antioxidant, cardiotonic It may have estrogen-like
cancerous, anti-inflammatory, (tones, balances, strengthens the heart), effects. Do not use with
antileukemic, antitumorous, carminative (expels gas), estrogenic, estrogen-positive cancers.
aphrodisiac, cellular protector, immunostimulant, nervine (balances/calms
hypocholesterolemic (lowers nerves), stimulant, tonic (tones, balances,
cholesterol), immunomodulator strengthens overall body functions)
(selectively modulates overactive
immune cells), steroidal
analgesic (pain-reliever), anticonvulsant, antidepressant, anti-rheumatic, none

anti-inflammatory, antioxidant antisyphilitic, antiulcerous, antivenin, bitter,
blood cleanser, detoxifier, digestive stimulant,

diuretic, laxative, nervine (balances/calms nerves),
neurasthenic (reduces nerve pain), sedative,

tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body
functions)

Vassourinha infusion or anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, • for menstrual problems (pain, cramps,

whole herb capsules analgesic (pain-reliever), premenstrual syndrome [PMS], to promote
(Scoparia antispasmodic, anticancerous and normalize menstruation)
dulcis) • for upper-respiratory bacterial and viral
infections
• to relieve pairr of all types (arthritis,
migraines and headaches, stomachaches,

muscle pain, etc.)
• to tone, balance, and strengthen heart
function (and for mild hypertension)
• for sexually transmitted diseases and
urinary tract infections
Velvet Bean capsules or anti-Parkinson’s, androgenic, • for Parkinson’s disease (contains natural
seed standardized aphrodisiac, hypoglycemic, L-dopa)
(Mucuna extract anabolic • for impotency and erectile dysfunction
pruriens) • as an aphrodisiac and to increase
testosterone
• as a muscle builder and anabolic/androgenic
aid to stimulate growth hormone
• as a weight-loss aid
Yerba Mate infusion stimulant, tonic (tones, • as a stimulant (for its caffeine content)
leaf (Ilex balances, strengthens overall • as an overall tonic (tones, balances,
paraguariensis) body functions), thermogenic strengthens the body) and digestive aid
(increases fat-burning), • for obesity and as part of weight loss
nervine (balances/calms regimens
nerves), anti-allergy • as a general nervine (balances/calms
nerves) for nerve pain, nervous fatigue,

and depression
• for allergies and sinusitis

analgesic (pain-reliever), anti- abortive, antimalarial, antivenin, contraceptive, Use with caution in
bacterial, anticancerous, antifungal, cough suppressant, decongestant, detoxifier, combination with

anti-inflammatory, antileukemic, emollient, expectorant, febrifuge (reduces barbiturates and
antispasmodic, antitumorous, fever), hepatotonic (tones, balances, strengthens antidepressants. It has
antiviral, cardiotonic (tones, balances, the liver), insecticide, menstrual stimulant, hypoglycemic effects.
strengthens heart function), refrigerant (lowers body temperature), tonic

central nervous system depressant, (tones, balances, strengthens overall body
diuretic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive functions), vermifuge (expels worms), wound
(lowers blood pressure), sedative healer
anabolic, analgesic (pain-reliever), antilithic (prevents or eliminates kidney stones), It contains L-dopa and
androgenic, anti-inflammatory, anti- antiparasitic, blood cleanser, carminative has androgenic and
Parkinson’s, antispasmodic, antivenin, (expels gas), central nervous system stimulant, hypoglycemic activity.
aphrodisiac, febrifuge (reduces fever), cough suppressant, diuretic, hypotensive See further cautions
hormonal, hypocholesterolemic (lowers blood pressure), menstrual stimulant, in next chapter.
(lowers cholesterol), hypoglycemic, uterine stimulant, vermifuge (expels worms)
immunomodulator, nervine (balances/
calms nerves), neurasthenic (reduces
nerve pain)
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-allergy, antidepressant, appetite suppressant, It contains natural caffeine.
antispasmodic, bile stimulant, blood cleanser, cardiotonic (tones, balances, Don’t use if allergic to
stimulant, thermogenic strengthens the heart), central nervous system caffeine or zanthines.
(increases fat burning), stimulant, digestive stimulant, hypotensive
vasodilator (lowers blood pressure), nervine (balances/

calms nerves), neurasthenic (reduces nerve
pain), neuroprotective (protects brain cells),
purgative (strong laxative)

L3BS
PART THREE
Medicinal Plants
OF THE Amazon
/ Three is a valuable resource to more than seventy medicinal

the Amazon Each plant alpha-
^ plants found in rainforest.
l^*‘betically and includes extensive information. This material the

is listed
is
result of years of research, focusing on both scientific studies and tradi-
tional uses.
For quick reference, each entry is introduced by such important facts
as the plant's family, genus, species, other common names, parts used,
main actions, and standard dosages. Illustrations of each plant are also
included.
For each plant, traditional uses by indigenous tribes and in herbal med-
icine systems worldwide are detailed. Specifics regarding plant chemicals
are invaluable for professionals and anyone interested in learning more
about the plants' possible biological activities. (Such data is not often so
readily accessible!) Clinical research and scientific studies are summarized
which help explain and validate the traditional uses of the plants by
indigenous peoples. Practical uses, methods of preparation, contraindica-
tions, possible drug interactions, and documented uses according to region
are also provided. Whether you absorb this entire section, or only focus on
plants with specific properties. Part Three offers a wealth of essential infor-
mation that will teach you what you need to know about each plant and
how to use it effectively and safely.
ABUTA
HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS
Main Actions Other Actions Standard Dosage
• stops bleeding • kills bacteria Vine Wood
• balances menstruation • prevents convulsions Decoction: I cup two or
• relieves pain • fights free radicals three times daily
• reduces spasms • prevents ulcers Tincture: 2-3 ml two or

three times daily
• relaxes muscles • reduces mucus
Tablets/Capsules: 1-2 g two
• stops inflammation • reduces fever
or three times daily
• increases urination • protects liver
• lowers blood pressure • balances hormones
Family: Menispermaceae Abuta is a woody, climbing rainforest vine with leaves up to 30 cm long. It pro-
Genus: Cissampelos
duces inedible, dark, grape-sized berries. It belongs to the genus Cissampelos, of
which Abuta vine is black-
thirty to forty species are represented in the tropics.
Species: pareira
ish-brown and tough; when freshly cut it has a waxy luster. Abuta is found
Common Names: throughout the Amazon in Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, and Colombia, and it is cul-
abuta, abutua, barbasco,
tivated by many to beautify their gardens.
imchich masha, butua,
The common name of this plant has caused some confusion in herbal com-
false pareira, pareira,
aristoloche lobee, bejuco

merce today. In Brazil, this plant is well known as abutua, and in Peru it is
de raton, feuille coeur, known as abuta or barbasco. References to abuta in herbal commerce today may
liane patte cheval, apply to either Cissampelos pareira or to a completely different plant, Abuta gran-
gasing-gasing diflora. Another tropical vine, Abuta grandiflora, also has the common name of
Parts Used: whole vine, abuta in South America, but this is a very different plant with different chemi-
seed, bark, leaf, root cals and uses in herbal medicine. This plant is referred to in Peru as chiric sana-
go as well as abuta (hence the confusion).
TRIBAL Abuta (Cissampelos pareira) is commonly referred to as the midzvives' herb

AND HERBAL throughout South America because of its long history of use for all types of
MEDICINE USES women's ailments. The vine or root of abuta is used in tropical countries to pre-
vent a threatened miscarriage and to stop uterine hemorrhages after childbirth.
Midwives in the Amazon still carry abuta with them for menstrual cramps and
pre- and post-natal pain, excessive menstrual bleeding, and uterine hemor-
rhaging. Abuta is also believed to aid poor digestion, drowsiness after meals,
and constipation.
Virtually all parts of the plant have been used by indigenous peoples
throughout the South American rainforest for thousands of years for other ail-
ments, and are still in use today. Members of the Palikur tribe in Guyana use a
poultice of abuta leaves as a topical pain-reliever, and the Wayapi Indians use
Medicinal Plants of the Amazon 153
a decoction of the leaf and stem as an oral analgesic. Ecuadorian Ketchwa tribes
use the leaf decoction for eye infections and snakebite. The Creoles in Guyana
soak the leaves, bark, and roots in rum and use it as an aphrodisiac. Indigenous
tribes in Peru use the seeds of abuta for snakebite, fevers, sexually transmitted
diseases, and as and expectorant. Amazonian herbal healers (called
a diuretic
curanderos) toast the seeds of abuta and then brew them into a tea to treat inter-
nal hemorrhages and external bleeding. They also brew a leaf tea for rheuma-
tism and a vine wood-and-bark tea to treat irregular heartbeat and excessive
menstrual bleeding.
Abuta is called the In Brazil, abuta is widely employed in herbal medicine today as a diuretic
“midwives’ herb” as and as a tonic (a general overall balancer), as well as to reduce fever and relieve
it is used for many pain. It is employed for menstrual cramps, difficult menstruation, exces-
often
women’s ailments. sive bleeding and uterine hemorrhages, fibroid tumors, pre- and post-natal
pain, colic, constipation, poor digestion, and dyspepsia. In Mexico, abuta has a
long history of use for muscle inflammation, snakebite, rheumatism, diarrhea,
dysentery, and menstrual problems.
North American herbal medicine, abuta is used for many of the same con-
In
ditions as in South America as well as for inflammation of the testicles and

minor kidney problems.
PLANT Cissampelos plants, including abuta, contain a group of plant chemicals called
CHEMICALS isoquinoline alkaloids. Since the late 1960s, these chemicals have received a
great deal of attention and research. Out of thirty-eight alkaloids thus far dis-
covered in abuta, the one called tetrandrine is the most well documented. Clin-
ical research over the years has found tetrandrine to have pain-relieving,
anti-inflammatory, and fever-reducing properties.^ More than one hundred
recent clinical studies also describe this chemical's promising actions against
leukemia and some other cancer cells, and research is ongoing. However, the
therapeutic dosages of tetrandrine used in these animal studies are much high-
er than one can reasonably obtain from natural abuta root or vine. (The aver-
age-weight person would need to take about 2 lbs. of abuta root each day to
obtain the therapeutic dosage of tetrandrine used in the animal studies.)
Other
recently published studies examined tetrandrine's possible cardioactive

and
blood pressure-reducing (hypotensive) effects through numerous pathways

and mechanisms of action at much smaller dosages.
Abuta contains Another well-known alkaloid chemical, berberine, has been documented to
cardioactive plant have hypotensive, antifungal, and antimicrobial actions. This chemical has been
chemicals that lower used for the treatment of irregular heartbeat, cancer, Candida, diarrhea, and irri-
bowel syndrome.-^ Another alkaloid called cissampeline is sold as a skele-
blood pressure. table
tal muscle relaxant drug in Ecuador.^
The main chemicals in abuta are alkaloids, arachidic acid, bebeerine, berber-
ine, bulbocapnine, cissamine, cissampareine, corytuberine, curine, 4-methylcur-
ine, cyclanoline, cycleanine, dicentrine, dehydrodicentrine, dimethyltetrandrin-
ium, essential oil, grandirubrine, hayatine, hayatinine, insularine, isochondo-
dendrine, isomerubrine, laudanosine, linoleic acid, magnoflorine, menismine,
norimeluteine, nor-ruffscine, nuciferine, pareirine, pareirubrine alkaloids, pare-
itropone, quercitol, stearic acid, and tetrandrine.
BIOLOGICAL In 1962, researchers reported abuta demonstrated anti-inflammatory, smooth

ACTIVITIES muscle relaxant, antispasmodic, and uterine relaxant actions in various labora-
AND CLINICAL tory animals.^ Subsequent studies with animals confirmed the plant's anti-
spasmodic ând anti-inflammatory actions.^ These documented effects are quite
RESEARCH
similar to abuta's traditional uses for menstrual disorders (including cramping
and pain). In other animal studies, a root extract was reported to have a diuret-
ic effect, a finding that confirms another of abuta's traditional medicine uses.^
Clinical research Other in vivo research on extracts of abuta indicated that the leaf has antiul-
documenting muscle cerous actions^® and that the root has a very mild hypoglycemic action at high
relaxant, antispasmodic, dosages. Studies have also shown that the abuta root has other possible thera-
and uterine relaxant peutic uses: it demonstrated anticonvulsant actions in mice;^^ and, in dogs, it was
effects help explain shown to significantly lower blood pressure.^'^ In addition, test-tube {in vitro)
abuta’s long history of studies over the years have reported that abuta has antioxidant properties;^^^
use for menstrual antibacterial actions against Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, and Kleh-
difficulties. siella;^^'^^^ and antimalarial effects.^^'^^ One of these in vitro studies also report-
ed that a root extract demonstrated a toxic effect against colon cancer cells.
CURRENT Abuta is still used in the Amazon and outlying areas for the same purposes for
PRACTICAL USES which it has been used traditionally for centuries —as a childbirth aid and for
general women's ailments. South and North American natural health practi-
tioners commonly rely on abuta as an excellent natural remedy for menstrual
difficulties, including cramping and pain, premenstrual syndrome (PMS),
excessive bleeding, and fibroid tumors. Its ability to curb excessive menstrual
bleeding very quickly can be quite remarkable. It is oftenemployed in overall
female balancing formulas, in kidney formulas (for its diuretic and smooth-
muscle relaxant effects), and, in combination with other plants, in heart tonics
and hypertension remedies.
Toxicity studies with animals confirm the safety of the plant; rats given 10 g
of abuta per kg of body weight evidenced no toxic effects.
Traditional In South America, a standard decoction is generally prepared with the vine
Preparation wood and taken two or three times daily in 1-cup doses. (It tastes quite horri-
ble, however!) The natural remedy in North American herbal medicine systems
for menstrual difficulties is generally 1-2 g of the powdered vine in tablets or
capsules two or three times daily, or 2-3 ml of a standard tincture twice daily,
or as needed.
Contraindications Abuta has been documented to two animal studies;

lower blood pressure in
therefore, abuta is probably contraindicated for people with low blood pressure.
An alkaloid in abuta, tetrandrine, has been documented to have various actions
on heart function in animals and humans. Those with a heart condition or tak-
ing heart medications should consult with their doctor before using this plant.
Abuta has demonstrated to be a uterine relaxant and has been traditionally
employed as a childbirth aid. A pregnant woman should use it only under the
supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
Drug Interactions Abuta may potentiate prescription heart medications.
Worldwide Ethnomedical Uses

Region Uses
Amazonia for childbirth, colic, fever, muscle spasms and pain, nervous children, pinta, snakebite
Argentina for diarrhea, menstrual disorders, respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections
Brazil for abortions, anemia, asthma, bladder problems, colic, congestion, constipation, contusions, cramps,
cystitis, digestive problems, detoxification (by inducing sweating), dysentery, dyspepsia, drowsiness, edema,
excessive phlegm and mucus, fever, gallbladder problems (to stimulate bile), hepatitis, inflammation,
kidney stones, menstrual disorders, muscle aches, pains and spasms, testicular inflammation, threatened
miscarriage, pre-and post-natal pain, rheumatism, snakebite, stomach problems, urinary tract disorders,
uterine hemorrhages, water retention
Guatemala for cramps, erysipelas, fever, menstrual disorders, rheumatism, snakebite, water retention, and to
increase perspiration
Mexico for bladder problems, dermatitis, diarrhea, dysentery, edema, excessive phlegm and mucus, fever,
insect bites, jaundice, menstrual disorders, muscle inflammation, nephritis, pain, pimples, rheumatism,
snakebite, urogenital problems, vaginal discharge, water retention, and as a female balancing aid
Nicaragua for bites, fever, skin rash, sores, stings, sexually transmitted diseases
United forhemorrhages and excessive bleeding, constipation, kidney stones, menstrual disorders, muscle spasms,
States premenstrual syndrome (PMS), testicular inflammation, urinary tract irritation, water retention
Venezuela for bladder problems, kidney stones, snakebite, and as a diuretic
Elsewhere for abortions, anemia, arrow poisoning, asthma, boil, childbirth, constipation, cough, cystitis, diabetes,
diarrhea, dyspepsia, excessive phlegm and mucus, edema, eye problems, fetal growth problems, fever,
hemorrhages, hypertension, indigestion, itch, kidney stones, malaria, menstrual disorders, pain, post-
menstrual hemorrhages, rheumatism, snakebite, sores, sterility, threatened miscarriage, urogenital
inflammation, uterine hemorrhage, sexually transmitted diseases, water retention, wounds and as
a female balancing aid
ACEROLA
• is nutritious • kills fungi Fruit
• fights free radicals • dries secretions Fresh Juice: 1 cup two or

• increases urination three times daily
Tablets/Capsules: l-2g
twice daily or follow the
label directions based
on vitamin C content
Family: Malpighiaceae
Acerola {Malpighia glabra) is a small tree or shrub that grows up to 5 m high in
Genus: Malpighia
the dry, deciduous forest. It produces an abundance of bright red fruit 1-2 cm
Species: glabra, punicifolia in diameter, with several small seeds that look similar to the European cherry.
Common Names: For this reason, acerola is also known as the Antilles, Barbados, Puerto Rican,
acerola, Antilles or West Indian cherry tree. The mature fruits are juicy and soft with a pleasant,
cherry, Barbados tart flavor. Acerola can be found growing wild and under cultivation on the
cherry, cereso, cerezo,
sandy soils throughout northeastern Brazil. It is native to northern South Amer-
escobillo, health tree
ica, Central America, and Jamaica. Its cousin, M. pninicifolia, is present as far
Parts Used: fruit, leaves
north as Florida and Texas.
TRIBAL Acerola juice is as common and popular in Brazil as orange juice is in North
AND HERBAL America. As a natural remedy in Brazil, a handful of fresh fruit is eaten for
MEDICINE USES fever and dysentery. It is also used there as an anti-inflammatory, astringent,
stimulant for the liver and renal systems, diuretic, and to support heart func-
tion as well as to heal wounds. It is employed as a nutritive aid for anemia, dia-
betes, high cholesterol levels, liver problems, rheumatism, tuberculosis, and
during convalescence.
In North America, the use of acerola is mostly based on its high content of
vitamin C, which has long been thought in conventional and alternative health
practices as a powerful antioxidant.
PLANT Until the plant camu-camu appeared on the scene, acerola was considered the
CHEMICALS richest known source of natural vitamin C. Oranges provide 500 to 4,000 parts
per million (ppm) of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, whereas acerola has been
found in tests to provide ascorbic acid in a range of 16,000 to 172,000 ppm^'^
Acerola can contain up to 4.5 percent vitamin C, compared to 0.05 percent in a
peeled orange. The vitamin C content of acerola varies depending on ripeness,
season, climate, and locality.^ As the fruit begins to ripen, it loses a great deal
of its vitamin content; for this reason, most commercially-produced acerola is
harvested while still green.

Acerola contains 4-5 Acerola also provides twice as much magnesium, pantothenic acid, and
times more vitamin C potassium as oranges. It also contains vitamin A (4,300 to 12,500 IU/100 g, com-
than oranges. pared to approximately 11,000 lU for raw carrots) and thiamine, riboflavin, and
niacin in concentrations comparable to those in other fruits.
Thus far, 150 other constituents have been identified in acerola."^ In addition
to ascorbic acid and the other vitamins mentioned above, acerola contains 3-
methyl-3-butenol, dehydroascorbic acid, calcium, dextrose, diketogulonic acid,

fructose, furfural, hexadecanoic acid, iron, limonene, 1-malic acid, phosphorus,
protein, and sucrose.
BIOLOGICAL Acerola has not been the subject of much clinical research since it is mainly con-
ACTIVITIES sumed as a food, rather than used as an herbal remedy. In one in vitro study,
AND CLINICAL the leaves, bark, and fruit of acerola were reported to have antifungal proper-
RESEARCH ties.^ New findings show that acerola may and actions
potentiate the benefits
of other supplements (the cholesterol-lowering actions of soy and alfalfa, in one
study).^
Recent research in cosmetology indicates that vitamin C is a powerful antiox-
idant and free radical scavenger for the skin, and acerola extracts are now
appearing in skin care products that fight cellular aging. In addition to its vita-
min content, acerola contains mineral salts that have shown to aid in the rem-
ineralization of tired and stressed skin, and its mucilage and proteins have
skin-hydrating properties and promote capillary conditioning.
CURRENT In North America, acerola is used for its high content of vitamin C. Dried acero-
PRACTICAL USES la fruit extracts can now be found in tablet form and as an ingredient in many
over-the-counter multivitamin products in the United States as a natural form
of vitamin C.
Traditional In South America, acerola juice is freely consumed like most other fruit juices.
Preparation Consumers in the United States should take acerola supplements based on the
vitamin content provided in the products available in the marketplace. The
C
adult recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin C is 60-75 mg daily.
Therapeutic dosages of vitamin C for colds and flu, general illnesses, and debil-
ity are 1-5 g daily.
Contraindications A study published in 2002 reported that acerola caused allergic reactivity sim-
ilar to that of the well-known allergen latex. Those who may be allergic to latex
158
supplement form or to its addition in various

may also be allergic to acerola in
fruit juices/
Large dosages of vitamin C can cause diarrhea.
Drug Interactions None reported.

Region Uses .
for anemia, diabetes, dysentery, fever, heart function, high

cholesterol levels, inflammation, liver problems,
Brazil
rheumatism, tuberculosis, water retention, wounds, and as a drying/astringent agent
Guatemala for diarrhea
Mexico for fever and as an astringent
Venezuela for bowel inflammation, breast disorders, dysentery
Elsewhere for diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis, liver disorders, and as an astringent
AMARGO
• kills parasites • reduces inflammation Wood, Bark
• kills lice
• kills cancer cells Infusion: I cup two or three
• leukemia ceils
times daily
• expels wornns kills
• prevents tumors
Tablets/Capsules: I
-2 g two
• kills insects
• kills larva • kills viruses
Cold Maceration: 1 cup
• treats malaria
• dries secretions
two or three times daily
Simaroubaceae prevents ulcers • cleanses blood

Family: •
• stimulates digestion • mildly laxative

Genus: Quassia
• increases bile • sedates
Species: amara
• reduces fever • increases saliva
Common Names:
amargo. bitter ash, bitterholz,
bitterwood. bois amer, bois Amargo is a small tropical tree, growing only 2-6 m in height. It is indigenous
de quassia, crucete, quassia, to Brazil, Peru,Venezuela, Suriname, Colombia, Argentina, and Guyana. It has
cuassia, fliegenholz, guabo, beautiful red flowers and fruits that turn red as they mature. Known botanically
hombre grande, Jamaica bark, another tree
as Quassia amara, it is marketed and used interchangeably with
kashshing, marauba, marupi
palo muneco, pau amarelo, species, Picrasma excelsa. Sharing the common name of quassia (and many of
quassia amarga, quassiawood, Quassia amara's constituents and uses), P. excelsa is much taller (up to 25 m in
ruda, simaruba, simaruba-
height) and occurs farther north in the tropics of Jamaica, the Caribbean, the
baum, quassiaholz, quassia
Lesser Antilles, and northern Venezuela. In herbal medicine in the United States
de cayenne, quassie, quina,
simaba, Suriname wood and Europe, very little distinction is made between the two species of trees; they
are used identically and just called quassia. The name amargo means ''bitter" in
Parts Used: wood, leaves
Spanish and describes its very bitter taste.
TRIBAL In the Amazon amargo is used much in the same manner as quinine
rainforest,
AND HERBAL bark: for malaria and fevers and as a bitter digestive aid. It grows at lower ele-
MEDICINE USES vations (where quinine does not) and contains many of the same antimalarial
phytochemicals (plant chemicals) as quinine. In addition, it is used as an insec-
ticide and tonic, and for hepatitis. Brazilian Indians use the leaves in a bath for
measles, as well as in a mouthwash used after tooth extractions. Indians in Suri-
name use the bark for fever and parasites. Throughout South America, amar-
go is a tribal remedy for debility, digestion problems, fever, liver problems,
parasites, malaria, snakebite, and back spasms.
In current Brazilian herbal medicine systems, amargo is considered a tonic,
digestion stimulant, blood cleanser, insecticide, and mild laxative. It is recom-
mended for diarrhea, intestinal worms, dysentery, dyspepsia, excessive mucus,
expelling worms, intestinal gas, stomachache, anemia, and liver and gastroin-
testinal disorders. In Peru, amargo is employed as a bitter digestive aid to stim-

ulate gastric and other digestive secretions as well as for fevers, tuberculosis,
kidney stones, and gallstones. In Mexico, the wood is used for liver and gall-
bladder diseases and for intestinal parasites. In Nicaragua, amargo is used to
expel worms and intestinal parasites, as well as for malaria and anemia.
Throughout South America, the bitter principals of amargo are used to stimu-
late the appetite and secretion of digestive juices, as well as to expel worms and
intestinal parasites.
Amargo is widely used In herbal medicine United States and Europe, amargo is employed as
in the
for all kinds of parasites, a bitter tonic for stomach, gallbladder, and other digestive problems (by increas-
worms, and lice, both ing the flow of bile, digestive juices, and saliva); as a laxative, amebicide, and
internally and externally. insecticide; and to expel intestinal worms. In Europe, it is often found in vari-
ous herbal drugs that promote gallbladder, liver, and other digestive functions.
In Britain, a water extract of the wood is used topically against
scabies, fleas,
lice,and other skin parasites. U.S. herbalist David Hoffman recommends it as

an excellent remedy for dyspeptic conditions, to stimulate production of saliva
and digestive juices, and to increase the appetite (as well as for lice infestations
and threadworms). He also notes, "It may safely be used in all cases of lack of
appetite such as anorexia nervosa and digestive sluggishness."

60
bitter principles
PLANT Amargo bark contains many active constituents including
quinine.^ While amargo contains
CHEMICALS reported to be fifty times more bitter than also con-
many of the same types of antimalarial chemicals as quinine
bark, it
tains another chemical called quassin. The largeamount of quassin in the bark
a bitterness rating of 40,000.^ The bark also contains
and wood gives amargo
the phytochemicals quassimarin and simalikalactone D. Quassimarin has
Chemicals in amargo
studies,'^
demonstrated antileukemic and antitumorous properties in various
make it fifty times more antiviral,^
and simalikalactone D has been documented to have antimalarial,
bitter than quinine!
antitumor,^ and anticancer activities.^^ other quassinoids
have demonstrated
antiamebic actions in vivo and in vitro.
its traditional use

BIOLOGICAL Several early clinical studies performed on amargo verified
treatment for head lice
ACTIVITIES as a natural insecticide, documenting it as an effective
infestation in humans.^^'^'^ One of these studies reported a 99 percent effective-
AND CLINICAL only two topical treatments one week apart.^^
ness in 454 patients who had
RESEARCH with head lice, those treated
a 1991 double-blind placebo trial on 148 children
a pre-
with an amargo bark extract reported fewer new cases, demonstrating
ventative activity against lice.^^ In addition, an amargo water extract has been
reported to work quite well against aphids in the garden,^** and researchers m
insects, includ-
India have discovered larvicidal activity against several types of
ing mosquitoes. Since amargo has long been used for malaria in South Amer-
ica, researchers studied this biological effect as well. One study showed strong
in vivo antimalarial activity in mice.^^
Human studies reveal Amargo was reported to have antiviral activity when scientists at Texas
Christian University demonstrated in 1996 that a water extract was

active in
amargo is 99 percent
vitro against cells infected with HIV.^^ A 1978 in vivo study
reported that amar-
effective for head lice.
quassimarin)
go wood and/or sap extracts (as well as the isolated chemical
inhibited the growth of leukemia in mice."' In 2002, an extract of the
amargo
wood was shown have antiulcerous actions in mice, inhibiting the formation
to
means).^*^ Prior to this
of gastric ulcers (induced by stress and various chemical
study, a U.S. patent was awarded on the quassinoid
phytochemicals in amar-
go, finding them to have 'Temarkable antiulcer effects with low toxicities."^*^ In
amargo was reported to have

study, pain-relieving, muscle-
another in vivo
relaxant, and sedative effects in rats and mice.^^
CURRENT In South America, amargo is still heavily relied on as a natural remedy for par-
asites of all kinds. It is slowly catching on here in
North American herbal med-
PRACTICAL USES
lice, but it is predominately
icine practices as a remedy for parasites and head
used here as a bitter digestive aid and remedy for digestive disorders. Amargo
wood is listed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as generally
regarded as safe (GRAS). The wood and its main bitter chemical, quassin, also
are approved as food additives and are — employed in beverages and baked
goods for their bitter taste. Toxicity studies performed on rats and mice report-
ed no toxicity in oral dosages up to 5 g per kg of body weight.
Traditional The traditional remedy as a digestive aid is V2 teaspoon of wood powder infused
Preparation in 1 cup of boiling water. This is taken ten to fifteen minutes before or with
meals. Alternatively,g in tablets or capsules can be taken two or three times
1
daily on an empty stomach for an internal parasite cleanse. Another remedy

calls for 2 teaspoons of wood powder or chips to be soaked in 1 cup of cold water
overnight (a cold maceration). This is drunk for internal parasites, gallstones,
and digestive disorders. This maceration can also be used topically for skin /hair
parasites or as a bug spray, especially for aphids on plants and fleas on the dog.
For head lice or fleas, prepare a cold maceration (allowing it to macerate /soak
for twenty-four hours). Strain and pour through the hair or apply directly to the
skin. It can be washed off in an hour (or simply left on the dog). For lice, repeat
every three days for three applications, and for fleas, apply once monthly. Also,
a small handful of amargo wood chips can be placed in backyard ponds /foun-
tains (or a few chips in bird baths) to kill mosquito larvae without harming fish
or birds.
Contraindications Amargo should not be used during pregnancy. Amargo has been documented to
have an anti-fertility effect in studies with male rats.^^ Men undergoing fertili-
ty treatment or wishing to have children probably should avoid using amargo.

Large amounts of amargo can mucous membrane of the stomach
irritate the
and can lead to nausea and vomiting. Do not exceed recommended dosages.
Drug Interactions None reported. However, amargo may interfere with male fertility drugs.

Region Uses
Brazil for anemia, anorexia, colic, debility, dental pain, diarrhea, digestion disorders, dysentery, dyspepsia, fever,
flatulence, gallbladder problems, gallstones, gastrointestinal disorders, gonorrhea, kidney stones, liver
problems, malaria, measles, urinary insufficiency, vaginal discharge, and as a bitter digestive stimulant
Costa Rica for diabetes, diarrhea, fever, worms

Europe for bile insufficiency, digestive disorders, fleas, gallstones, liver disease, parasites, scabies, threadworms, and
as a bitter digestive stimulant
Guatemala for constipation, diabetes, high blood pressure, nervousness
Mexico for digestive disorders, gallbladder problems, intestinal parasites, liver disorders, worms, and as a digestive
stimulant
162
malaria, stings, worms, and as an astringent

Nicaragua for anemia, bug bites, intestinal parasites,
malaria, snakebite
Panama for hyperglycemia, fever, liver disorders,
parasites, kidney stones.
fever, gallstones, hepatitis, intestinal
Peru for cleansing blood, digestive disorders, edema,
an insecticide
Stimulating digestion.tuberculosis. worms, and as
digestive disorders, carcinoma.

South for anorexia, cleansing blood, debility,
leukemia, lice, liver disorders malaria,
America cirrhosis,constipation, fever, fleas, hyperglycemia, indigestion,
digestion, worms, and as an aphidicide and msec ici e
parasites, scabies, snakebite, spasms, stimulating
fever, malaria, urinary insufficiency,

and as an astringent and tonic
Turkey for diarrhea, digestive difficulty, dysentery,
gallbladder
convalescence, debility, digestive disorders, fever,
United for alcoholism, anorexia, bowel cleansing,
bile production,
liver support, spasms, stimulating
States problems, increasing saliva, intestinal parasites, lice,
stimulating digestion, worms
worms, and as a tonic
Venezuela for constipation, dysentery, fever,
infections, bacterial infections, cancer,

carcinoma, fever, liver disorders, malaria, snakebite,
Elsewhere for amebic
stimulating digestion, tumors, worms, and as an insecticide and tonic
AMOR SECO
Other Actions Standard Dosage
Main Actions
• cleanses blood Leaves, Whole herb
• reduces pain
• detoxifies Infusion: 1-3 cups daily
• blocks allergies
• increases urination Tincture: 4-6 ml daily
• reduces asthma
• mildly laxative Capsules/Tablets: 4-5 g
• reduces convulsions
daily
• blocks histamine
• heals wounds
• reduces inflammation
Family: Fabaceae • reduces spasms
Genus; Desmodium • dilates bronchials
• relaxes muscles
Species; adscendens
Common Names: grows to 50 cm tall and produces

Amor seco is a weedy, perennial herb that
amor seco, amor-do-campo,
numerous and green fruits in small, beanlike pods. It is
light-purple flowers
strong back, pega pega,
in open forests, pastures,
margarita. beggar-lice, burbur, indigenous to many tropical countries and grows
roadsides, and like many weeds— just about
anywhere the soil is dis-
manayupa, hard man, hard along
stick, mundubirana. barba turbed. In Brazil, the plant is known as aifwr seco or anior-do-amipo; Peruvians
de boi, mundurana, owono-
call the plant mannyupa. The Desmodium genus is a large one, with about 400
bocon, dipinda dimukuyi.
perennial and annual herbs growing in temperate
and tropical
species of
dusa karnira, tick-clover, South Africa. In the South
regions in the Western hemisphere, Australia, and
tick trefoil
American tropics,Desmodium axillare, a closely related plant, is used inter-

Parts Used: aerial parts.
changeably in herbal medicine systems.
leaves
TRIBAL Today, tribes in the Amazon rainforest use amor seco medicinally much as they
AND HERBAL have for centuries. A tea of the plant is given for nervousness, and it is used in
MEDICINE USES baths to treat vaginal infections. Some tribes believe the plant has magic pow-
ers, and it is taken by lovers to rekindle a waning romance. Rio Pastaza natives
in the Amazon brew a leaf tea and wash the breasts of mothers with it to pro-
mote milk flow. Additional indigenous tribal uses include a leaf decoction for
consumption, an application of pounded leaves and lime juice wounds, and for
a leaf infusion for convulsions and venereal sores. A survey, in which more than
8,000 natives in various parts of Brazil were interviewed, showed that a decoc-
tion of the dried roots of amor seco is a popular tribal remedy for malaria.^ The
indigenous Garifuna tribe in Nicaragua uses a leaf decoction of amor seco inter-
nally for diarrhea and sexually transmitted diseases, and to aid digestion.
Amor seco is also quite popular in herbal medicine throughout South and
Central America. In Peruvian herbal medicine today, a leaf tea is used as a blood
cleanser; to detoxify the body from environmental toxins and chemicals; as a
urinary tract cleanser; and to treat ovarian and uterine problems such as inflam-
mation and irritation, vaginal discharges, and hemorrhages. In Belize (where
the plant is called ''strong back"), the entire plant is soaked in rum for twenty-
four hours, and then V4 cup is taken three times daily for seven to ten days for
backaches. Alternatively, an entire plant is boiled in 3 cups of water for ten min-
utes, and 1 cup of warm tea is taken before meals for three to five days for relief
of backache, muscle pains, kidney ailments, and impotence. In Brazilian herbal
medicine, the dried leaves are used for the treatment of asthma, vaginal dis-
charge, body aches and pains, ovarian inflammation, excessive urination, exces-
sive mucus, and diarrhea. In Ghana, a leaf decoction is a popular remedy for
bronchial asthma, constipation, dysentery, and colic, and is also used to dress
wounds.
PLANT Amor seco is known to be rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, and chemicals known
CHEMICALS as soyasaponins. A novel soyasaponin in amor seco is dehydrosoyasaponin. It
is considered a highly active chemical with therapeutic actions for asthma.

Amor seco also contains a chemical called astragalin, which is a well known
antibacterial chemical found in the popular medicinal plant astragalus. Amor
seco's traditional uses for infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and wounds
are probably related to this particular chemical in the plant.
Main chemicals found in amor seco include astragalin, beta-phenylethy-
lamines, cosmosiin, cyanidin-3-o-sophoroside, dehydrosoyasaponins, horde-

nine, pelargonidin-3-o-rhamnoside, salsoline, soyasaponins, tectorigenin,
tetrahydroisoquinolines, and tyramine.
164
-
used amor seco leaves to treat bronchial ast
BIOLOGICAL Herbalists in Ghana have long
it attracted attention
from the scien-
ACTIVITIES ma. The treatment was so successful that
observational study on humans showed
that
tific community. In 1977, a clinical
AND CLINICAL
amor seco leaf powder daily (in three dosages)
pro-
1 to 2 teaspoons of dried
RESEARCH asthma patients treated. In an
'
duced improvement and remission in most

understand the anti-asthmatic properties of this effective natural rem-
effort to
edy, scientists conducted various

animal studies to determine how it worked.
In ten different studies, researchers

found that amor seco interfered with the
produced during an asthma
production of many of the chemicals normally
hista-
that cause contractions in the lung;
attack; chemicals called spasmogens
mine and chemicals called leukotrienes that

that triggers the allergic response;
and increase mucus production
are known to stimulate bronchoconstriction
asthma.-*-'-* Many substances and
allergens
in the airway— all key features of
called anaphylactic shock, or ana-
can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction
reported that amor seco had an anti-
phylaxis. Several of these animal studies
that trigpr such reactions.
anaphylactic action against many known substances
constrict or become too
Human and animal Bronchoconstriction (the tendency of airways to
in response to various stimuli and
studies indicate that amor narrow, thereby making it hard to breath)
allergens is a universal feature of asthma
and anaphylactic reactions. Some
seco is beneficial for
muscle-relaxing effect in lung tissues
asthma. researchers noted that amor seco has a
inhibited contractions and constriction
induced by a vari-
(bronchodilator) and
ety of substances.**-"* Amor shown to activate the chemical
seco has also been
play an
process known as potassium maxi-K channels."’ Maxi-K channels
important role in regulating the tone of airway
smooth muscle and the release
of constrictive substances in the lungs.

One of amor seco s chemicals, dehy-
drosoyasaponin 1, was cited as being "the most potent
known potassium (maxi-
K) channel opener.""’ This effect is also
thought to contribute to amor seco's
therapeutic activity in asthma.

anti-allergic activity acts to inhibit not only con-
Amor seco's documented
airways of the upper respiratory tract but also
traction of smooth muscle in the
throughout the body.^ These docu-
muscle contraction at multiple other sites
help explain why amor seco
mented antispasmodic and muscle relaxant actions
has been traditionally used for backaches
and muscle spasms. Amor seco has
pain-relieving actions
also recentlybeen documented in animal studies to have
as well as anticonvulsant actions.^^
in South America today use this

CURRENT Natural health practitioners and herbalists
allergies and for muscle spasms and back
PRACTICAL USES herbal remedy mainly for asthma and
rheumatism to
pain With some newer published research linking arthritis and
various allergic reactions (and some of the
same allergy-induced chemical
processes found in asthma), the indigenous use of amor seco for back pain and
arthritis may become the subject of future research. Amor seco is easy to admin-
ister and is highly effective at low dosages. In addition, its lack of side effects
or toxicity places it in the first line of defense in the herbalist's medicine chest
of natural remedies.
Traditional Generally, 1-3 cups of amor seco leaf tea (standard infusion) daily, 4-6 ml of a
Preparation standard tincture, or 4-5 g of powdered leaves in capsules daily are used for
most conditions.
Contraindications None known.

Region Uses
Africa for asthma, bronchitis, central nervous system disorders, colic, ringworms, wounds
Amazonia for backache, convulsions, headache, inflammation, muscle spasms, nervousness, pain, stimulating breast milk,
and as a contraceptive
Belize for aches (back, joint, muscle), headache, kidney disorders
Brazil for body aches, cough, diarrhea, excessive mucus, excessive urination, inflammation, malaria, ovarian
inflammation, spasms, vaginal discharge
Ghana for anaphylaxis, asthma, colic, constipation, dysentery, wounds

Nicaragua for diarrhea, digestive disorders, sexually transmitted diseases
Peru for detoxifying blood, hemorrhage, inflammation, nervousness, ovarian problems, urinary problems, vaginitis
Trinidad for detoxifying blood, malnutrition, sexually transmitted diseases, urinary disorders
United for asthma, backache, headache, impotency, joint aches, kidney, muscle pain, muscle spasms
States
Elsewhere for asthma, constipation, convulsion, cough, fractures, scabies, sores, stimulating milk flow, tuberculosis,
sexually transmitted diseases, worms, wounds
Rainforest Herbs
The Healing Power of
1 66
ANAMU
Main Actions
• reduces spasms Whole Herb
• reduces pain
Infusion: to '6 cup two
• kills bacteria
• reduces anxiety
• kills cancer cells
• reduces fever
Family; Phytolaccaceae Tablets/Capsules: 1-3 g
• kills fungi
• lowers blood sugar
daily
Genus: Petiveria • kills insects
Species; alliacea • kills leukemia cells • promotes menstruation
• sedates
Common Names; • reduces free radicals
• increases perspiration
anamu, apacin, apacina, • prevents tumors
apazote de zorro, aposin, • kills viruses
• expels worms
ave, aveterinaryte, • kills Candida
calauchin, chasser vermine,
• increases urination
Congo root, douvant-
• enhances immunity
douvant. emeruaiuma. garlic
weed, guinea henweed,

guine, guinea, guinea hen
Anamu is an herbaceous perennial that grows up to 1 m in height. It is indige-
leaf, gully root, huevo de

and tropical areas of Central and South Ameri-
nous to the Amazon rainforest
gato, kojo root, mapurite, green leathery leaves that he
ca, the Caribbean, and Africa. It produces dark
mucura-caa, mucura,
close to the ground and tall spikes lined
with small white flowers that float air-
mucuracaa, ocano, payche,
called "garlic weed," as the plant, and
espe-
pipi, tipi, verbena hedionda, ily above the leaves. It is sometimes
verveine puante, zorrillo have a strong garlic odor. It is called mnaira in the Peruvian
cially the roots,
niinimi or fi>/ in Brazil, and giiine in other parts of Latin America.
Part Used; whole herb Amazon,
against witch-
TRIBAL In the Amazon rainforest, anamu is used as part of an herbal bath
local jungle herbal healers called
curamleros. The Ka a-
AND HERBAL craft by the Indians and
por Indians call it mikur-ka'a (which means opossum herb) and use it for both
MEDICINE USES Guatemala crush the root and inhale it for
medicine and magic. The Caribs in
and the Ese'Ejas Indians in the Peruvian

Amazon prepare a leaf infu-
sinusifis,
indigenous people in Nicaragua also
sion for' colds and flu. The Garifuna
coughs, and aches and pains, as
employ a leaf infusion or decoction for colds,
thought to be more powerful than the
well as for magic rituals. The root is
leaves. It is considered a pain-reliever
and is often used m the rainforest m top-
into
ical remedies for the skin.
Other indigenous Indian groups beat the leaves
a paste and use it externally for
headache, rheumatic pain, and other types of
pain. This same jungle remedy is also

used as an insecticide.
Anamu has a long history in herbal medicine in all of the tropical countries
where it grows. In Brazilian herbal medicine, it is considered an antispasmod-
ic, menstrual promoter, stimulant, and sweat promoter. Herbalists and
diuretic,
natural health practitioners there use anamu for edema, arthritis, malaria,
rheumatism, and poor memory, and as a topical analgesic and anti-inflamma-
Throughout Central America, women use anamu to
tory for skin afflictions.
relieve birthing pains and facilitate easy childbirth, as well as to induce abor-
tions. In Guatemalan herbal medicine, the plant is called apacui and a leaf decoc-
tion is taken internally for digestive ailments and sluggish digestion, flatulence,
and fever. A leaf decoction is also used externally as an analgesic for muscular
pain and for skin diseases. Anamu is commonly used in big cities and towns
in South and Central America as a natural remedy to treat colds, coughs, in-
fluenza, respiratory and pulmonary infections, and cancer, and to support the
immune system. In Cuba, herbalists decoct the whole plant and use it to treat
cancer and diabetes, and as an anti-inflammatory and abortive.
PLANT Many biologically active compounds have been discovered in anamu, includ-
CHEMICALS ing flavonoids, triterpenes, steroids, and sulfur compounds. Anamu contains a
specific sulfur compound named dibenzyl trisulfide. In a plant-screening pro-
gram at the University of Illinois at Chicago that evaluated more than 1,400
plant extracts as novel therapies for the prevention and treatment of cancer,
anamu was one of thirty-four plants identified with active properties against
cancer. The researchers reported that dibenzyl trisulfide was one of two of the
active compounds in anamu with anticancerous actions.^ Anamu also contains
the phytochemicals astilbin, benzaldehyde, and coumarin, all of which have been
documented with antitumorous and/or anticancerous properties as well.^"^
Anamu contains Main chemicals found in anamu include allantoin, astilbin, barbinervic acid,
chemicals with tested benzylhydroxytrisulfide, coumarin, daucosterol, dibenzyl sulfide, engeletin,
anticancerous actions. friedelinol, ilexgenin A, leridal, leridol, lignoceric acid, linoleic acid, myricitrin,
nonadecanoic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, petiveral, pinitol, proline, sitos-
terol, stearic acid, and trithiolaniacine.
BIOLOGICAL The research published on anamu (and the plant chemicals described above)
ACTIVITIES reveals that the herb has a broad range of therapeutic properties, including
AND CLINICAL antileukemic, antitumorous, and anticancerous activities against several types
RESEARCH of cancer cells. In an in vitro study by Italian researchers in 1990, water extracts
and ethanol extracts of anamu retarded the growth of leukemia cells and sev-
eral other strains of cancerous tumor cells.^ Three years later, the researchers fol-
lowed up with another study, which showed that the same extracts had a
cytotoxic effect, actually killing some of these cancer cells, rather than just
68
extrac
indicated that whole herb water
retarding their growth. This study
but
anamu were leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells
toxic to
More recently, a study published 2002 m d
the growth of breast cancer cells.*
cancer cell line; another vttro m
umented an in vitro toxic effect against a liver
ce s.
retarded the growth of brain cancer
study in 2001 reported that anamu
relat-
A German study documenting anamu's activity against brain cancer cells
compounds found in the plant.
ed its actions to the sulfur
has also been
In addition to itsdocumented anticancerous properties, anamu
Human and animal
In a 1993
vivo and in vitro studies to be
an immunostimulant.
research confirms anamu found in both in
immune cell production (lympho-
immune study with mice, a water extract stimulated
a natural
is
same year, another study with mice demon-
cytes and Interleukin II).’’ In the
stimulant.
killer cell activity by 100 percent
an anamu extract increased natural
strated that
and stimulated the production of even
more types of immune cells (Interferon,
4). Additional research from
1997 to 2001 turther
Interleukin and Interleukin
II,
actions in humans and animals.

substantiated anamu's immunostimulant
arthritis and rheumatism has
been
Anamu's traditional use as a remedy for
its pain-relieving and
anti-inflamma-
validated by clinical research confirming
in Sweden reported that anamu
possesses
tory properties. One research group
COX-1 inhibitors are a new (anc
cyclooxygenase-l (COX-1) inhibitory actions.'-*
being sold foday by pharmaceutica
highly profitable) class of arfhritis drugs
Brazil documented significant anti-
companies. Another research group in
models,'*"'' and researchers m 200
inflammatory effects in rats using various
in rats.'" The pain-relieving and anti-
noted a significant pain-relieving effect
inflammatory effects were even verified when an ethanol extract was applied
traditional use.'"
topically in rats, again validating
reports and studies document that anamu shows broad-spec-
Many clinical
of bacteria, viruses,
trum antimicrobial properties against numerous
strains
extracts inhibited the replication of

the
fungi and yeast. In a 2002 study, anamu
for hepatitis C virus.^" A Cuban
bovine diarrhea virus; this is a test model
documented anamu's antimicrobial properties m vitro against
research group
Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, Psciulomonas
numerous pathogens, including
their crude water extracts performed
and Shiwila and, interestingly enough,
extracts.^' A German group documented
goo
better than any of the alcohol
activity against several gram-positive
and gram-negative bacteria, Mycobacteri-
Candida^ Anamu's antifungal
um tuberculosis, several strains of fungi, and
in 1991,» and again by a
properties were documented by one research group
Its antimicrobial activity was further demon-
Lparate research group in 2001
strated by researchers from Guatemala
and Austria who, in separate studies m
vitro and in vivo studies against
several strains of
1998, confirmed its activity in
protozoa, bacteria, and fungi.’^-^*
While anamu has not been used widely employed for diabetes, it has been
clinically documented to have hypoglycemic actions. Researchers in 1990
demonstrated the in vivo hypoglycemic effect of anamu, showing that anamu
decreased blood sugar levels by more than 60 percent one hour after adminis-
tration to mice. This finding reflects herbal medicine practice in Cuba where
anamu has been used as an herbal aid for diabetes for many years.^^
CURRENT With the many documented properties and actions of this tropical plant, it is
PRACTICAL USES no wonder that anamu has enjoyed such a long history of use in herbal medi-
cine. Continuing research on this plant's attributes is quantifying and qualify-
ing the richness of indigenous herbal traditions. Today, in South America,
anamu is being used for its immune stimulant and anticancerous properties as
a support aid for cancer and leukemia patients. This use is catching on here in
the United States, and anamu is now available in capsules and tablets under
several labels. It is also being employed in various formulas for its antimicro-
bial actions against bacteria, viruses, yeast, and fungi, as well as in other for-
mulas supporting immune function.
In the first published study on toxicity in 1992, researchers noted that, at
high dosages, anamu extract delayed cell proliferation in vitro. When they
tested the extract in mice, they noted that it caused a change in bone marrow
cells; however, they were using 100 to 400 times the traditional dosage given
to humans.^® In two independent studies published by other research- later
ers, oral doses of leaf and root extracts did not cause any toxicity in rats and
mice at up to 5 g per kg of body weight. Methanol extracts of the plant did,

however, cause uterine contractions in an early study;-^^ such contractions can
lead to abortion, one of anamu's well documented uses in traditional herbal
medicine.
Traditional The remedy calls for a decoction or infusion prepared with 30 g of

traditional
Preparation dried anamu whole herb in a liter of water; V4 cup to V2 dosages are taken one
to three times daily or used topically, depending on the condition treated. Since
most of the chemicals are water soluble, powdered whole herb in tablets or
capsules (1-3 grams) daily can be substituted, if desired.
Contraindications Methanol extracts of anamu cause uterine contractions, which can lead to abor-
tion. As such, anamu is contraindicated for pregnant women.

Anamu contains a low concentration of coumarin, which has a blood-thin-
ning effect. People with blood disorders such as hemophilia and people on
blood-thinning medications should not use this plant without the supervision
and advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
170
Peopk with
This plant has been shown to have hypoglycemic effects in mice.
plant unless they are under the
hypoglycemia and diabetes should not use this
care of a healthcare practitioner to
monitor their blood sugar levels.
natural coumarin content, it is con

None published. However, due to anamu s
Drug Interactions
may potentiate the effects of coumadin (Warfarin ).
ceivable that it

Region Uses
infections, rheumatism, swellings,
menstrual problems, respiratory tract
Argentina for colds, diarrhea, feve^headache,
toothache, urinary infections, urinary insufficiency
increasing
diabetes, fever, headache, inflammation,
Brazil for abortions, asthma, arthritis, cancer,
spasms, toothache, y
disorders, osteoarthritis, pain, rheumatism,
intestinal parasites, malaria, menstrual
diseases, worms, and as an insecticide
and sedative
insufficiency, sexually transmitted
for cavity prevention, childbirth,

snakebite
Colombia
for abortions, cancer, diabetes,
inflammation
Cuba
headache, menstrual problems,
dermatitis, diarrhea, erysipelas, fever,
Guatemala for abscesses, blood disorders, boils,
skin eruptions, skin fungus, stomach
cramps
pimples, ringworm, sinusitis, skin disease,
for abortions, absence of menses,

cleansing blood, hysteria, increasing
Latin
urinary insufficiency
America perspiration, nerves, reducing phlegm, spasms,
h^âche heat
boils, catarrh, childbirth, cleansing
blood, colds, delayed menses, epilepsy,
Mexico for abortions,
rabies, rep
influenza, nerves, paralysis, pimples, 8
rash hives, hysteria, increasing perspiration, diseases,
rheumatism, reducing phlegm, spasms, toothache, tumor, urinary
worms
kidney disorders, liver support, pains,
pulmonary disorders,
Nicaragua for aches, colds, coughs, heart problems,
respiratory disorders, snakebite
sinusitis, skin disease,
menstrual disorders, pain (muscular),
for abortions, digestive diseases, fever,
flu,
Paraguay
toothache, and as an insecticide
Peru for colds, flu
menstrual problems
Puerto Rico for abortions, cholera, childbirth, fever,
flu, head cold, irritations, menstrual disorders, thinning blood, sexually

Trinidad for abortions, cleansing blood, cystitis,
transmitted diseases
difficulties, root canal problems,
for abortions, cavities, cleansing
blood, intestinal parasites, menstrual
Venezuela
spasms, worms
colds, coughs, fever, headache, ^ perspW
Elsewhere for abortions, asthma, cancer, childbirth,
pain, reducing phlegm rheumatis
menstrual problems, nervousness,
,
intestinal parasites, lung disorders,

diseases, worms; and as an
snakebite, spasms, toothache, urinary
aphrodisiac, insecticide, and sedative — —
ANDIROBA
• heals wounds • soothes skin Seed Oil
• reduces pain • reduces fever External: Applied topically
• reduces inflammation • prevents tumors to the skin as needed.
• kills bacteria Internal: 2 ml two to threi
• kills parasites
times daily
• expels worms
• repels insects
• kills insects
Family: Meliaceae Andiroba is a tall rainforest tree that grows up to 40 m high. It is in the same
Genus: Carapa family as mahogany, and it has been called Brazilian mahogany or bastard
mahogany due to their similarity. It can be found growing wild throughout the
Species: guianensis,
procera
Amazon rainforest, usually on rich soils, in swamps, and in the alluvial flats,
marshes, and uplands of the Amazon Basin. It can also be found wild or under
Common Names:
cultivation in Brazil in the Islands region, Tocantins, Rio Solimoes, and near the
andiroba, andiroba-
saruba, bastard
seaside. It is one of the large-leafed trees of the rainforest and can be identified
mahogany, Brazilian by its large and distinctively textured leaves.
mahogany, iandirova, Andiroba wood is soft, yet durable, and much sought by sawmills. It has, in
carapa. carapa. cedro the past, been shipped to the United States for use in the furniture industry and
macho, crabwood.
for other uses. Its durability and impalatability to insects have guaranteed com-
figueroa, krapa.
mercial demand wood, and as a result, the species has been devastated
for the
nandiroba, requia,
in all areas near major towns in Amazonia. It could, however, be cultivated eas-
tangare, y-andiroba
ily in the Amazon or other regions of Brazil.
Parts Used; seed oil,
The andiroba tree produces a brown, woody, four-cornered nut, some 3-4
bark, leaves
inches across that resembles a chestnut. The nut contains several oil-rich ker-
nels or seeds that average about 63 percent oil, which is pale yellow in color.
Andiroba oil is a sustainable rainforest product that has a long history of use
in South America as well as commercial value. A single tree will produce, on
average, about 200 kg of nuts annually. Approximately 6 kg of nuts are required
to produce 1 kg (about a liter) of andiroba oil, using the traditional extraction
method. This traditional method is efficient, if somewhat primitive. The seeds
are collected from rivers, where they float after being shed by trees or from the
forest floor. They are then boiled in a large pot of water, left for some two weeks
until they have rotted, and then squeezed (in a primitive press known as a tip-
iti) to extract the oil. One consequence of this extraction method is that crude
andiroba oil is frequently associated with a red coloring that is derived from
Rainforest Herbs
172
oil becomes rancid very

quickly, it must be
the skin of the seeds. Because the
to immediate use or to the
manu-
used quickly. Local usage is mostly limited
facture of soap or candles.
The indigenous peoples in the Amazon have

used andiroba m many ways or
TRIBAL
tree, as well as the seed oil, are utilized
AND HERBAL centuries, and virtually all parts of the
oil for the mummification of
MEDICINE USES The Munduruku Indians traditionally used the
Palikur, and Creole Indian
human heads taken as war trophies. The Wayapi,
tribes have used andiroba oil to
remove ticks from their scalps, for other skin
parasites, and even in the process of
tanning animal hides. The indigenous
into a
tribes of Northwest Amazonia brew
the bark, and sometimes the leaves,
ulcers,
fevers and intestinal worms; they also apply this tea externally for
tea for
Indians have also used the oil as a sol-
skin parasites, and other skin problems.
colorants with which they paint their
vent for extracting the plant pigments and
skin. Several Indian tribes in the
Amazon combine andiroba oil with the red-
rub the oily bright
dish-orange pigment extracted from annatto seeds. They
to protect themselves
orange paste over their bodies, and even into their hair,
all
which they are constantly exposed
from biting insects and to repel rainwater (to
in the rainforest). .
Andiroba oil burns well and is used as a natural

lamp fuel in the ramtores .
Indians in the Amazon

Brazil were fueled with andiroba
use andiroba oil as an In theearly 1800s, the street lamps of Belem,
but it also repels moscpi-
effective insect repellant oil.Not only does it burn cleanly with little smoke
forest dwellers and river people m
Brazil
and to kill skin parasites. toes, flies, and other pests. Traditional
soap using crude andiroba oil, wood ash,
and
called caboclos make a medicinal
cocoa skin residue. This soap is especiallyrecommended for the treatment of

skin diseases and as an insect repellent.
They also apply andiroba oil directly
joints to relieve arthritis
with hot water and human milk and
pain and mix it
on
digestion, the bark is soaked m
drop it into the ear for ear infections. To aid
meals.
water for a day and 1 cup is taken before
herbal medicine systems.
Many of these uses continue today in the Brazilian
either in pure form or mixed
Andiroba oil is used by Brazilian city dwellers
apply it externally to wounds and
with other oils or natural products. They
massage oil and natural insect repellant, and employ it top-
bruises, use it as a
many skin diseases and conditions, including psoriasis. A common
ically for
prepared by soaking V4 of a cabaciriha (the fruit of
natural remedy in Brazil is
ml of hot andiroba oil for several hours.

This warm mac-
Liiffa operculata) in 250
rheumatism and to cau-
eration rubbed into the skin to relieve arthritis and
is
preparation is also gargled for sore throats
terize wounds. A teaspoon of this
also still widely used as an insect
and taken internally for coughs. Andiroba is
repellent and for treating insect bites for
both people and animals.
The oil is commercially manufactured into anti-inflammatory, antibacterial,

anti-arthritic, and insect repellant soaps as well as turned into candles that are
sold as natural insect repellents. The oil is also used in Brazil as a furniture pol-
ish that is thought to protect wooden furniture from termites and other wood-
chewing insects.
PLANT Andiroba oil is a rich source of essential fatty acids including oleic, palmitic,
CHEMICALS stearic, and linoleic acids. It yields up to 65 percent unsaturated fatty acids and
can contain up to 9 percent linoleic acid. (Linoleic acid has been shown in var-
ious studies over the years to lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure,
and provide anti-cancer benefits.)
All parts of the andiroba tree (including the oil) tastes very bitter. This bit-
terness is attributed to a group of terpene chemicals called meJiacins, which are
very similar to the bitter antimalarial chemicals found in other tropical plants.
One of these meJiacins, named gediinin, has recently been documented with
antiparasitic properties and an antimalarial effect equal to that of quinine.^'^
Chemical analysis of andiroba oil, bark, and leaves has also identified the pres-
ence of another group of chemicals called limonoids. The anti-inflammatory
and insect-repellent properties of andiroba oil are attributed to the presence of
these limonoids, including a novel one which has been named andirobin.
Another limonoid called epoxi/azadiradione is found in andiroba oil; it has been
documented with in vitro anti-tumor effects (neuroblastoma and osteosarcoma
cancer cell lines were tested).^
Main chemicals found in andiroba include andirobin, arachidic acid, ace-
toxy-gedunins, epoxyazadiradiones, deacetoxygedunins, hydroxylgedunins,
gedunins, hexadecenoic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, oleic acid, palmitic
acid, palmitoleic acid, and stearic acid.
BIOLOGICAL Tests of crude andiroba oil by Brazilian scientists have produced evidence of its
ACTIVITIES anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties."^ The bark has also demon-
AND CLINICAL Thus far, at least

strated in vitro antibacterial activity in another clinical study.'’
RESEARCH three chemicals found in andiroba have been found to have antiparasitic
and/or insecticidal actions.^'^ A branch of the Brazilian government has been
examining andiroba's insect-repellant properties^ and will be producing an
insect-repellent product utilizing andiroba oil. It will be provided to the mili-
tary and other government workers who are exposed to mosquitoes and other
biting bugs in the forests of Brazil. In 1999, a U.S. patent was filed detailing
that andiroba oil, when applied topically, prevented the formation of cellulite
through a chemical enzyme-blocking action. (Unfortunately, they reported it
)‘^
didn't have the ability to get rid of existing cellulite.
174
more recent research has focused on andiroba's anticancerous

Research confirms Some of the
that the seed oil could prevent and even
andiroba’s traditional actions. In 2002, researchers reported
dysplasia is a precancerous condition that
uses as an insect repellant reverse cervical dysplasia.ô Cervical
In addition, the leaf, bark, seeds,
as well as for pain and can oftentimes develop into cervical cancer.
cells in vitro, an
inflammation. and flowers have shown some activity against sarcoma cancer ^
test to predict anti-tumor activity.
the crude oil passed a preliminary screening
known in Brazil and widely employed to heal many skin

CURRENT Andiroba oil is well
In the last several years, several
PRACTICAL USES conditions and as a natural insect repellant.
andiroba oil products sold in capsules have
appeared Brazilian stores an m
internal healing. North Amer-
pharmacies and are recommended for cancer and
beginning to learn of andiroba s pow-
ican practitioners and consumers are just
erful healing properties. Andiroba oil
can be applied topically several times
daily to rashes, muscle/joint aches and injuries, wounds, insect bites, boils, and
or combined with other oils as a
healing and
ulcers. It can also be used by itself
anti-inflammatory massage oil as well as placed in the ears for ear infections.
for ear mites in dogs and cats: just
place sever-
It's also a great natural remedy
al drops in the affected ears daily for a week.
muscles and joints, liberally apply the

Traditional For skin conditions, insect bites, and sore
For ear infections, place two drops of the
oil
Preparation oil topically several times daily.
the ears. For internal use, 2 ml in a

small glass of warm water is taken
inside
throats.
two or three times daily. This can also be used as a gargle for sore
Contraindications None reported.

Region Uses
leprosy, lice, malaria, mites,
feet (tired), fever, flu, insect bites, itch,
Amazonia for arthritis, coids, chiggers, digestion,
parasites, repelling/killing insects, skin
problems, tetanus, ulcers, worms
diarrhea, ear infections,
constipation, cough, cuts, dermatitis, diabetes,
Brazil for acne, bruises, arthritis, cancer,
psoriasis, repelling insects,
malaria, muscle aches, pain, parasites,
fevers hepatitis, herpes, inflammation, bites,
sores, splenitis, throat problems, worms
rheumatism, skin diseases, skin rashes, skin ulcers,
Guatemala as an insect repellent

rash, skin problems, ticks, wounds
repelling/killing insects, rheumatism, skin
Guyana for inflammation, muscle pain,
astringent
Nicaragua for diarrhea, skin problems, and as an
Panama for arthritis

Peru for dermatitis, fever, herpes, skin sores, worms

Trinidad for colds, fever, flu, killing insects, muscle pain, sore feet, and as a massage oil
Venezuela for itch, leprosy, malaria, parasites, skin problems
Elsewhere for arthritis, herpes, repelling/killing insects, skin disorders, tetanus
ANNATTO
• reduces acid • reduces inflammation Seed and Leaves
• kills bacteria • stops coughing Leaf Decoction; '/2 cup two
• fights free radicals • dries secretions/oils or three times daily
• kills parasites • cleanses blood Seed Powder; 5- 10 mg

twice daily
• kills germs • soothes membranes
Family; Bixaceae • increases urination • reduces phlegm
Genus; 6/xo • stimulates digestion • reduces fever

• lowers blood pressure • raises blood sugar
Species; orellana
• mildly laxative • heals wounds
Common Names;
• protects liver
achiote, achiotec, achiotl,
achote, annatto, urucu,
beninoki, bija, eroya, Annatto is a profusely fruiting shrub or small tree that grows 5-10 m in height.
jafara, kasujmba-kelling,
Approximately fifty seeds grow inside prickly reddish-orange heart-shaped
kham thai, onoto,
pods at the ends of the branches. The trees are literally covered by these brightly
orleanstrauch, orucu
colored pods, and one small annatto tree can produce up to 270 kg of seeds. The
axiote, rocou, roucou,
ruku, roucouyer, unane,
seeds are covered with a reddish aril, which is the source of an orange-yellow
uruku, urucum, urucu-uva dye. Annatto is known

and as iiriiciim in Brazil. It grows
as achiote in Peru
throughout South and Central America and the Caribbean, and can be found
Parts Used; bark, seeds,
leaves, roots, shoots
in some parts of Mexico as well.
TRIBAL Traditionally, the crushed seeds are soaked in water that is allowed to evapo-
AND HERBAL rate. A brightly colored paste is produced, which is added to soups, cheeses,
MEDICINE USES and other foods to give them a bright yellow or orange color. Annatto seed
paste produced in South America is exported to North America and Europe,
where it is used as a food coloring for margarine, cheese, microwave popcorn,
and other yellow or orange foodstuffs. Many times, this natural food coloring
replaces the very expensive saffron in recipes and dishes around the world.
Annatto paste is also used as a natural dye for cloth and wool and is sometimes
employed in the paint, varnish, lacquer, cosmetic, and soap industries.
176
seeds as
Although mostly only the Throughout the rainforest, indigenous tribes have used annatto
ancient Mayan
seed paste or seed oil is body paint and as a fabric dye. It has been traced back to the
Indians, who employed it as a principal coloring
agent in foods, for body paints,
used today, the rainforest
only the seed
tribes have used the and as a coloring for arts, crafts, and murals. Although mostly
tribes have used the
entire plant as medicine paste or seed oil is used commercially today, the rainforest
for centuries. entire plant as medicine for centuries. A tea made with the young shoots is used
by the Piura an aphrodisiac and astringent, and to treat skin problems,
tribe as
to treat skin problems, liver
fevers, dysentery, and hepatitis. The leaves are used
disease, and hepatitis. The plant has also been considered
good for the diges-
tribe uses an infusion of the flowers to stimulate the
tive system. The Cojedes
bowels and aid in elimination as well as to avoid phlegm in newborn babies.
Traditional healers in Colombia have also used annatto as an antivenin for

while the roots are
snakebites. The seeds are believed to be an expectorant,
thought to be a digestive aid and cough suppressant.
medicine, a leaf decoction of annatto is used to
Today in Brazilian herbal
as a mild
treat heartburn and stomach distress caused by spicy foods, and
malaria, and, topically,
diuretic and mild laxative. It is also used for fevers and
Annatto is a common remedy in Peruvian herbal medicine today,
to treat burns.
called achiotec. Eight to ten dried leaves are boiled
for
and the dried leaves are
ten minutes in 1 liter of water for this popular Peruvian remedy. One cup is
meals to treat prostate disorders and

drunk warm or cold three times daily after
cystitis, obesity,
internal inflammation, arterial hypertension, high cholesterol,
renal insufficiency, and to eliminate uric acid. This
decoction is also recom-
mencied as a vaginal antiseptic and wound healer, as a wash for skin

infections,
Peruvian
and for liver and stomach disorders. Curanderos (herbal healers) in the
Amazon squeeze juice from the fresh leaves and place it in the eye for
the
taken
inflammation and eye infections, and they use the juice of twelve fruits
twice daily for five days to "cure" epilepsy.
to 45 percent
PLANT Analysis of annatto seeds indicates that they contain 40 percent
to 0.9 percent essential
CHEMICALS cellulose, 3.5 percent to 5.5 percent sucrose, 0.3 percent
to 16
oil, percent fixed oil, 4.5 percent to 5.5 percent pigments, and 13 percent
3
percent protein, as well as alpha- and beta-carotenoids and
other constituents.
pigments
Annatto oil is extracted from the seeds and is the main source of
Bixin, extracted and used named bixiti uovbixiu which are classified as carotenoids. Bixin, extracted
and
ultraviolet rays
as a food colorant, has and used as a food colorant, has been shown to protect against
research.^-^
been shown to protect and to have antioxidant and liver protective properties in clinical
against ultraviolet rays and In addition to bixin and norbixin, annatto
contains bixaghanene, bixein,
to have antioxidant and phenylalanine, salicylic acid,
bixol, crocetin, ellagic acid, ishwarane, isobixin,
liver protective properties. threonine, tomentosic acid, and tryptophan.
BIOLOGICAL Much has been done in the laboratory validating annatto's traditional uses and
ACTIVITIES finding new ones. A water extract of the root has demonstrated hypotensive
AND CLINICAL activity in rats, as Peruvian herbal systems have practiced.^ The same extract
RESEARCH demonstrated smooth muscle-relaxant activity in guinea pigs and lowered gas-
tric secretions in rats,^ which help to explain its use as a digestive aid and for
stomach disorders. Annatto seed extracts have been documented to raise blood
glucose levels in some species of animals and to lower them in others.
Annatto leaves were reported in yet another study to possess aldose reductase
inhibition actions, a process implicated in the advancement of diabetic neu-

ropathy.^2 A 2000 study confirmed the effectiveness of a leaf-and-bark extract
at neutralizing hemorrhages in mice injected with snake venom,^^ a practice
used in Colombia for many years. Annatto demonstrated antigonorrheal activ-
ity in a 1995 study,^"^ and in other research, flower and leaf extracts demon-
strated in vitro antibacterial activity against several bacteria, including E. coli
and Staphylococcus.^^ This supports its use in traditional medicine systems for
gonorrhea and other types of infections.
CURRENT Although not widely available in the United States, standard decoctions of
PRACTICAL USES annatto leaves are taken by the half-cupful two or three times daily for prostate
and urinary difficulties, as well as for high cholesterol and hypertension.
Ground annatto seed powder is also used in small dosages of 10-20 mg daily
for high cholesterol and hypertension. Higher dosages can cause a marked
increase in urination. It has been noted that some individuals are highly sensi-
tive to annatto seed and this diuretic effect can be caused at much lower doses,
even by just eating a bag of popcorn in which annatto was used as a coloring
or flavoring ingredient.
Annatto's history of use as a food coloring is well established worldwide, and
current trends show that it is being used increasingly in body care products.
Annatto oil is an emollient, and its high carotenoid content provides beneficial
antioxidant properties. In body care products, annatto oil provides antioxidant
benefits while adding a rich, sunny color to creams, lotions, and shampoos.
Tradilional In South America, a standard leaf decoction is prepared. One-half cup amounts
are taken two or three times daily with meals for various conditions. Ground
Preparation
annatto seed powder is also used in small dosages (of 5-20 mg daily).
The seed extract was reported to elevate blood sugar levels in dogs, and it is
Contraindications
therefore contraindicated for people with diabetes. A 1991 study documents an
allergic reaction of one patient to bixin, the dye chemical in annatto seeds, stat-
ing it's "a potential rare cause of anaphylaxis."

178

Region Uses
Argentina for diarrhea, fevers, heart support
for burns, constipation, fevers, heartburn, hepatitis, malaria,

stomachache, urinary insufficiency
Brazil
Colombia as an antivenin, aphrodisiac
Cuba as an aphrodisiac
Guatemala for gonorrhea
Haiti for fever and as a douche and insect repellent
fever, gonorrhea, headache, inflammation,

Mexico for burns, constipation, digestion, dysentery, epilepsy, erysipelas,
insufficiency, vaginitis, wounds; and as an
malaria, sexually transmitted diseases, sore throat, tumors, urinary
aphrodisiac, astringent, and insect repellent
Paraguay as an insecticide and insect repellent

digestion, hypertension, obesity,
Peru for conjunctivitis, cystitis, dysentery, epilepsy, fevers, high cholesterol,
prostatitis, renal problems, urinary problems, urogenital infections,
wounds, and as an antiseptic, aphrodisiac,
astringent, and dye
jaundice, renal insufficiency, sexually transmitted diseases, skin

disease
Trinidad for diabetes, dysentery, flu,
parasites, skin disorders, to stop

Elsewhere for blood cleansing, cancer, diabetes, dysentery, fever, kidney problems,
bleeding, and as an aphrodisiac, astringent, dye, and cosmetic
ARTICHOKE
• reduces cholesterol • dries secretions Leaves
• supports heart Infusion; 1-3 cups daily

• lowers blood pressure
• cleanses blood Liquid Extract; 2-3 ml with
• stimulates bile
each meal
• supports liver
Tablets/Capsules; 2-3 g
• supports gallbladder
three times daily
Family; Asteraceae • enhances digestion
Standardized Extracts;
Genus; Cynaro • fights free radicals
follow label directions
• detoxifies
Species; scolymus
Common Names;
Alcachofra is the Brazilian name for the globe artichoke. A member of the milk
globe artichoke,
alcachofra, alcachofera, thistle family, grows to a height of about 2 m and produces a large, violet-
it
artichaut, tyosen-azami green flower head. The flower petals and fleshy flower bottoms are eaten as a
Parts Used; leaves, flowers

vegetable throughout the world, which has led to its commercial cultivation in
many parts of South and North America (chiefly California) as well as in

Europe. The artichoke was used as a food and medicine by the ancient Egyp-
tians, Greeks, and Romans; in Rome, the artichoke was an important menu item
at feasts. It wasn't until the fifteenth century, however, that it made its appear-
ance throughout Europe.
TRIBAL Artichoke has been used in traditional medicine for centuries as a specific liver
AND HERBAL and gallbladder remedy. In Brazilian herbal medicine systems, leaf prepara-
MEDICINE USES tions are used for liver and gallbladder problems, diabetes, high cholesterol,
hypertension, anemia, diarrhea (and elimination in general), fevers, ulcers, and
gout. In Europe, it is and gallbladder disorders; in several
also used for liver
countries, standardized herbal drugs are manufactured and sold as prescription
drugs for high cholesterol and digestive and liver disorders. Other uses around
the world include treatment for dyspepsia and chronic albuminuria.
In Erance, a patent has been filed that describes an artichoke extract for treat-
ing liver disease, high cholesterol levels, and kidney insufficiency. In all herbal
medicine systems where it is employed, artichoke is used to increase bile produc-
tion in the liver, increase the flow of bile from the gallbladder, and to increase the
contractive power of the bile duct. These bile actions are beneficial in many diges-
tive, gallbladder, and liver disorders. Artichoke is also often used to mobilize fatty
stores in the liver and detoxify it, and as a natural aid to lower cholesterol.
RIANT The artichoke is popular for its pleasant bitter taste, which is attributed most-
CHEMICALS ly to a plant chemical called cynarin found in the green parts of the plant. Cynar-
in is considered one of artichoke's main biologically active chemicals. It occurs
in the highest concentration in the leaves of the plant, which is why leaf extracts
are most commonly employed in herbal medicine. Other documented "active"
chemicals include flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, polyphenols, and caf-
feoylquinic acids.
Artichoke has plant In the 1970s, European scientists first documented cynarin's ability to lower
chemicals in it that help cholesterol in humans. Over the years, other researchers have continued to
lower cholesterol and document artichoke's or cynarin's effect in this area. One study, published in
protect the liver. 2000, was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study that used an
artichoke leaf extract that was standardized to its cynarin content.'^ Eor six
weeks, 143 patients with high cholesterol were given the extract; at the end of
the test, results showed a decrease of 10-15 percent in total cholesterol, low
density lipoprotein (LDL), and ratio of LDL to high-density lipoprotein (HDD
cholesterol. Scientists now report that the cholesterol-lowering effect of arti-
choke can be attributed to chemicals other than just cynarin,^ including sever-
al newly discovered ones.^
80
first came to the

The liver detoxifying anci protective properties of artichoke
in 1966 (in a study that supported its effect
on liver
attention of researchers
focused on the effects of rat liver cells
regeneration in rats).^ A 1987 study that
caffeic acids (both
subjected to harmful chemical agents found both cynarin and
in artichoke) to have significant protective effects.^
acids,
Artichoke's main plant chemicals are caffeic acid, caffeoylquinic
cynarapi-
caryophyllene, chlorogenic acid, cyanidol glucosides, cynaragenin,
crin, cynaratriol, cynarin, cynarolide, decanal, eugenol, ferulic acid, flavonoids,
folacin, glyceric acid, glycolic acid, heteroside-B, inulin,

isoamerboin, lauric
acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, luteolin glucosides,

myristic acid, neochloro-
pseudotaraxasterol,
genic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, phenylacetaldehyde,
scolymoside, silymarin, sitosterol, stearic acid, stigmasterol, and
taraxasterol.
BIOLOGICAL Investigations are still being conducted on artichoke's beneficial effects on liver
ACTIVITIES and gallbladder functions. A 2002 finding noted that an artichoke leaf extract
damage done by harmful chemicals in rat liver cells and, in doing so,
AND CLINICAL reversed
enhanced bile production.
RESEARCH
A portion of artichoke's liver-protective properties is thought to be attributed
to its documented antioxidant 2002 study focused on the antiox-
actions.
idant effects of artichoke extract in cultured blood vessel cells and

reported that
the extract demonstrated "marked protective properties against oxidative stress
induced by inflammatory mediators. Artichoke s antioxidant properties

were also confirmed in an earlier (2000) study that focused on human white
blood cells under various induced oxidative stresses.
Clinical studies confirm A 1999 clinical investigation focused on gallbladder function. It "showed the
safety of artichoke extracts {Cynara scolymus L.) in the treatment
of
artichoke’s traditional efficacy and
uses to support liver and hepatobiliary dysfunction and digestive complaints, such as sensation of full-
gallbladder functions. ness, loss of appetite, nausea and abdominal pain."^^ A 2000 study took this
notion a step further. It was known that artichoke extract was indicated for dys-
pepsia, a digestive disorder involving the esophagus, duodenum, and upper
gastrointestinal tract, but there are many symptom overlaps between dyspep-
and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).i^ A subgroup of patients with IBS was
sia
distilledfrom the dyspepsia study group and was monitored for six weeks after
artichoke leaf
the original study had ended. Of the IBS patients, 96 percent rated
extract as better than or at least equal to previous therapies
administered for
their IBS symptoms.
CURRENT The history of artichoke is a perfect example of science finally catching up to
the longstanding traditional uses of a medicinal plant. While

scientists still
PRACTICAL USES
argue today over which specific chemical or group of chemicals is responsible
for each documented beneficial action, the traditional uses for high cholesterol.
as well as for liver, gallbladder, and digestive disorders, are being validated.
While many Europeans still have to see their doctors for an artichoke extract
prescription, concentrated natural leaf extracts and standardized extracts are
widely available in the United States at health food stores. With the growing
American trend to find more natural and healthy alternatives, these products
will probably gain in popularity as consumers learn more of the most recent
research studies. However, the most effective method to control cholesterol is
with a sensible diet. Unfortunately, there are no magic bullets.
Traditional Traditionally, 1 to 3 cups of a standard leaf infusion are taken daily after meals;
Preparation 3^ ml of a concentrated 4:1 liquid extract, or 3-5 g daily of dried herb in cap-
sules or tablets can be substituted, if desired. With standardized extract prod-
ucts, follow the instructions on the product label.
Contraindications None reported for internal use. Dermatitis, following contact with the fresh
plant and leaves, has been reported.
Artichoke has been documented in traditional uses to be hypoglycemic;
however, no clinical studies have been published to confirm this action. Dia-
betics and people with hypoglycemia should use this plant product with cau-
tion and monitor their blood sugar levels closely in anticipation of these
possible effects.
Drug Interactions Artichoke extracts have been documented to lower blood cholesterol in human
and animal studies and, as such, may potentiate the effects of cholesterol-low-
ering and statin drugs.

Region Uses
Brazil for acne, anemia, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, asthma, bile insufficiency, blood cleansing, bronchitis, diabetes,
diarrhea, dyspepsia, digestive disorders, dandruff, fever, flatulence, gallbladder disorders, gallstones, gout,
heart function, hemorrhage, hemorrhoids, high cholesterol, hypertension, hyperglycemia, inflammation,
kidney insufficiency, liver disorders, nephritis, obesity, prostatitis, rheumatism, seborriasis, ulcers, urethritis,
urinary disorders, and as an astringent and vasoconstrictor
Dominican for bile insufficiency, digestive problems, gallbladder disorders
Republic
high cholesterol, hyperglycemia,
Europe for bile insufficiency, cancer, detoxification, dyspepsia, gallbladder disorders,
jaundice, liver disorders, nausea
Haiti for edema, hypertension, kidney disorders, liver problems, urinary insufficiency
Mexico for cystitis, gallstones, hypertension, liver disorders
edema, rheumatism, urinary insufficiency

Elsewhere for diabetes,
182
AVELOZ
Main Actions
• moderately laxative Latex
• promotes tumors
• causes cancer
Not recommended
• suppresses immune
system
• causes vomiting
• irritates membranes
Family: Euphorbiaceae
• activates viruses
Genus: Euphorbia
Species: tirucalli, insulana

Aveloz is a succulent cactus-like plant growing to a height of about 10 m. Intro-
Common Names: duced from Africa as a garden plant, it is now naturalized in tropical areas and
aveloz, milkbush, pencil rainforests in the Amazon, Madagascar, and South Africa. In Africa, it is a com-
tree, kayu patah tulang, growth promotes its use as a natural bar-
mon garden plant and its thick rapid
kayu urip, mentulang.
rier fence. The main trunk and branches are woody and
brown, but the younger
packing tawa, tikel balung,
branches are green and cylindrical, looking like many pencils and earning
the
tulang-tulang. cega-olho,
early, and
coral-verde, labirinto, plant its common name— pencil tree. Leaves are minute and are shed
cassoneira, arvore-do the function of the leaves taken over by the green branches. All parts of the
is
plant ooze a caustic milky white sap when damaged, like many other
lapis, cassoneira, Euphor-
garrancho, Indian tree
bia species.
spurge, fingertree,
Aveloz is called ''petroleum plant" because it produces a hydrocarbon sub-
milkhedge, petroleum-
stance very much like gasoline. This plant is being studied by Petrobas, the
plant, rubber euphorbia,
national petroleum company in Brazil. It is thought that the hydrocarbon pro-
euphorbe antivenerien,
almeidinha, consuelda duced by the plant could be used directly in existing gasoline refineries; esti-
mates of ten to fifty barrels of oil per acre of cultivated aveloz with cost
Parts Used: latex,
branches, roots estimates of $3-10 per barrel have been postulated.^
TRIBAL In Africa, aveloz is regarded as an insect repellant. The root is used for
tumors and syphilis ulcers; the seeds and

AND HERBAL snakebite; the latex is used for skin
latex are used and decoctions of the wood are used for
for intestinal parasites;
MEDICINE USES
bacterial infections. In Malaysia, the stems are pounded and applied to
swellings, and in the Dutch Indies, the pounded stems are used as a poultice to
extract thorns. A root infusion is used for aching bones and a
poultice of the root
or leaves is used for nose ulcers and hemorrhoids. A wood decoction

is used
for leprosy and paralysis of the hands and feet after childbirth. In India, the
latex is used asthma, cough, earache, neuralgia, rheumatism, toothache, and

for
warts. A decoction c^f the branches or root is used for colic and gastric problems.
In Brazil, the latex is used externally to remove warts and tumors and to treat
rheumatism. The latex is diluted in water and used internally for snakebite, as
well as benign and cancerous tumors. In Peru, the plant is used much like in
India, for abscesses, asthma, cancer, colic, cough, earache, neuralgia, rheuma-
tism, stomachache, and toothache.
PLANT The chemistry of the plant does not validate any of the herbal medicine uses.
CHEMICALS In fact, the plant contains many harmful chemicals that make it unsuitable for
many of the traditional uses, especially those for cancer. The latex of aveioz is
a rich source of terpenes, including phorbol esters and ingenol esters.^ These
phorbol esters are highly irritating and have been clinically documented to
actually promote tumors. One particular phorbol in aveioz, 4-deoxyphorbol

ester, has been clinically documented to enhance Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infec-
tion, cause DNA damage to immune cells, and cause a suppression of the
immune system in general.^^
Chemicals in aveioz may In addition to this one chemical, an extract of aveioz was also shown to
activate dormant Epstein- reduce the ability of certain immune EBV is a mem-
cells (T-cells) to kill EBV.^'®
Barr viruses and suppress ber of the herpes virus family. It is one of the most common human viruses
the immune system. as many as 95 percent of adults in the United States have been infected at some
point in their lives.^ After the initial infection, EBV establishes a lifelong dor-
mant immune system (inside of B-cells). EBV infection can lead

infection in the
to mononucleosis, and some EBV carriers will develop cancer, either Burkitt's
lymphoma or nasopharyngeal carcinoma.‘^
Aveioz contains 4-deoxyphorbol ester, beta-sitosterol, caoutchouc, casuariin,
corilagin, cycloeuphordenol, cyclotirucanenol, ellagic acids, euphorbins,
euphol, euphorone, euphorcinol, gallic acids, glucosides, hentriacontane, hen-
triacontanol, ingenol, isoeuphoral, kamepferol, pedunculagin, phenols, phorbol
esters, proteases, putranjivain A-B, sapogenin acetates, succinic-acid, taraxas-
terol, taraxerin, tirucallol, and tirucallin A-B.
BIOLOGICAL The studies on aveioz, its chemicals, and EBV were conducted by several
ACTIVITIES research groups who were trying to understand why EBV and Burkitt s lym-
AND CLINICAL phoma were endemic in areas where aveioz was widely used as a local rem-
^
RESEARCH edy (usually for parasites) and/or as a common-living fence in Africa.^

Their research concluded that exposure to the latex of aveioz directly acti-
vates latent EBV infections, and exposure to this plant is now considered a
Research indicates that
causative factor in the development of Burkitt lymphoma.^ Burkitt s lym-
s
taking aveioz internally

phoma is a non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma associated with EBV, and
(for any reason) has no
in clinical research, treatment of a Burkitt's lymphoma cell line with the latex
clinical merit or benefit,
of aveioz found the latex to reactivate latent EBV and promote tumor growth
especially for cancer. genera 1.^^“^^
in
184
Since the 1970s, aveloz has been promoted as a "cure" for cancer when
the latex
CURRENT
is taken internally or used externally. While the
plant has a folk use for certain
PRACTICAL USES
types of cancer, has been more widely used for external tumors. The latex is
it
caustic and irritating and has been traditionally used to burn off warts
and
possibly skin tumors. Taking the latex of aveloz internally (for any reason) has
no clinical merit or benefit, especially for cancer.
Aveloz is confirmed to suppress the immune system.® Suppression of the
immune system makes body less resistant to infections and some cancers,
the
and it is therefore not recommended for cancer patients. Even more important,
the latex has also been documented to promote tumor growth and/ or to
trig-
ger certain cancers. Again, this certainly is not beneficial, indicated, or prudent
for cancer patients. Unfortunately, aveloz sap still continues to be touted as a
cancer cure in Brazil and United States without any merit or scien-
now in the
basis. As one group of researchers stated, "cancer management

tific
with
Euphorbia tinicaUi presents no scientific basis, at least up to the moment, since
the phorbol esters have already presented tumor-promoting activity."^

Aveloz is not recommended as a natural remedy for any reason due to its
toxicity and its suppression and tumor-promoting properties. It is

immune
hoped that the time will come where aveloz will go into our cars as a natural
gasoline, rather than into desperate cancer patients who will try anything in
their search for a cure.
Traditional None recommended.

Preparation
Contraindications The latexconsidered a poison and has caused deaths in Africa. Contact of the
is
latex with the eyes can cause blindness. The caustic latex can also cause skin
burns, ulcerations, and dermatitis. Taking pure latex internally is known to
induce hemorrhages and stomach ulcers. Used internally, even in small quan-
tities and in diluted form, the latex can cause digestive disturbances
such as
nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In addition, internal use of the latex may cause
burning and ulceration of the mouth and throat.

Region Uses
Africa for parasites, sexual impotence, snakebite, syphilis, tumors
Asia for broken bones, hemorrhoids, pain, swellings, ulceration

Medicinal Plants of the Annazon 185
Brazil for abscess, asthma, bacterial infections, cancer, constipation, fungal infections, rheumatism, scorpion bite,
snakebite, spasms, syphilis, tumor, viruses, warts, and as an expectorant and irritant
Dutch Indies for bone aches, hemorrhoids, leprosy, nose ulcers, paralysis, thorns
India for abscess, asthma, colic, constipation, cough, earache, gastralgia, neuralgia, rheumatism, syphilis, toothache,
warts
Peru for abscesses, asthma, cancer, colic, cough, earache, neuralgia, rheumatism, stomachache, toothache
Elsewhere for dermatosis, paralysis, pain, poisoning
AVENCA
• suppresses coughs • dries secretions Leaves or rhizome
• reduces phlegm • protects liver Infusion: V2 cup twice daily
Family; Adiantaceae • kills viruses • reduces cholesterol Tincture: 1-3 ml twice daily
• kills bacteria • reduces blood pressure Capsules/Tablets: 2 g twice

Genus: Adiantum
daily
• detoxifies • stimulates
Species: capillus-veneris
• fights free radicals • supports gallbladder
Common Names: • supports heart • heals wounds
avenca, maidenhair fern,
• cleanses blood
adianto, alambrillo, barun,
cabello de venus, capilera,
capille e jenere, celantillo,
centaurea, cilantrillo, • stimulates menstruation
culandrillo, culantrillo de
pozo, culantrillo. fern karn
Avenca is a small, slow-growing evergreen fern found throughout the world in
dam, frauenhaar, hansraj,
herba moist forests. It reaches 35 cm tall, growing in stands from its creeping rhizome,
helecho culantrillo,
capillorum veneris, ladies’ and bears leaves up to 50 cm long. It can be found in the rainforests of the Ama-
hair, venus hair fern zon as well as in the more temperate, moist forests of Southern Europe and the
commonly referred to as funidcuhnir fcni). It is called
Parts Used: leaves, United States (where it is
rhizome Peru and nvcucci in Brazil. These days avenca can be found in many
culcnitt'illo in
plant stores and nurseries, where it is sold as an ornamental landscape

fern for
shade gardens.
TRIBAl. In thePeruvian Amazon, local people prepare the fronds of the plant as an infu-
sion or syrup and use it as a diuretic, as an expectorant
and to calm coughs, to
AND HERBAL
MEDICINE USES promote perspiration and menstruation, and to treat urinary disorders, colds,
rheumatism, heartburn, gallstones, alopecia (hair loss), and sour stomach. In
86
the highlands of the Peruvian Andes, local shanaans and healers decoct the rhi-
zome and use it for alopecia, gallstones, and jaundice. In the Brazilian Amazon,
it is recommended as a good expectorant and
used for bronchitis, coughs, and
other respiratory problems.
Avenca’s history of use Avenca has long held a place in herbal medicine systems worldwide. In
in herbal medicine for European herbal medicine, its documented use predates the era of Dioscorides
respiratory problems and Pliny (23-79 A.D.). According to the well-known British herbalist Nicholas
dates back to 23 A.D. Culpepper (1787 ed.), "This and all other Maiden Hair Ferns is a good remedy
for coughs, asthmas, pleurisy, etc., and on account of its being a gentle diuret-
ic and other impurities of the kidneys." In France, the
also in jaundice, gravel
fronds and rhizomes were once made into a syrup called "Sirop de Capillaire,
which was a favorite medicine for upper respiratory problems such as coughs
and excessive mucus. The plant is also used widely throughout the world for
dandruff, hair loss, and menstrual difficulties.
In Brazilian herbal medicine today, the frond employed for hair
and leaf are
loss, coughs, bronchitis, laryngitis and throat dryness, and to improve

appetite
and digestion, stimulate renal function, regulate menstruation, and facilitate

childbirth. In Peruvian herbal medicine, the frond and rhizome are used for hair
loss, gallstones, hepatic calculi, hydrophobia, asthma, coughs, catarrh, and to
regulate menstruation. In India, the entire plant is used for its cooling effects,
for diabetes, colds, bronchial disease, and for its menstrual-promoting proper-
ties. Externally it is used for boils, eczema, and wounds.
PLANT Chemical analysis of avenca reveals an array of compounds including triter-

CHEMICALS penes, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and carotenoids. Interestingly, despite its
ancient use, there has been no specific research on avenca to isolate and test its
chemicals for biological activities.
Adiantone, adiantoxide, astragalin, beta-sitosterol, caffeic acids, caffeyl-

galactose, caffeylglucose, campesterol, carotenes, coumaric acids, coumaryl-
glucoses, diplopterol, epoxyfilicane, fernadiene, fernene, filicanes, hopanone,
hydroxy-adiantone, hydroxy-cinnamic acid, isoadiantone, isoquercetin, kaemp-
ferols, lutein, mutatoxanthin, naringin, neoxanthin, nicotiflorin, oleananes,
populnin, procyanidin, prodelphinidin, quercetins, querciturone, quinic acid,
rhodoxanthin, rutin, shikimic acid, violaxanthin, and zeaxanthin are chemicals
found in avenca.
The plant has demonstrated However, in animal studies, it has

BIOLOGICAL little toxicity.
been shown to have an anti-fertility effect. In the 1980s, two separate researchers
ACTIVITIES
in India found that a pet ether extract of the plant had an anti-implantation
AND CLINICAL
effect in rats, preventing conception.
RESEARCH
Avenca’s tested In 1989, scientists in Irac] demonstrated avenca's antimicrobial properties.^

antibacterial and antiviral A methanol extract of the aerial parts was reported to have in vitro antimicro-
effects may explain its bial actions against Bacillus, £. coli, Staphylococcus, Proteus, Pseudomonas, and
long-standing use for Candida. French scientists demonstrated that an ethanol extract of the rhizome
colds and flu. evidenced antiviral properties in vitro against Vesicular stomatitis virus."^ Other
early (1967) research showed that a water extract of the entire plant had hypo-
glycemic activity when given to mice (10 mg/kg) orally.^ Much later (in 1993),
Belgian scientists confirmed that avenca leaves had in vivo hypoglycemic

properties in mice. In one study, a water extract of the aerial parts was given
to mice (25 mg/kg) orally and found to reduce glucose-induced hyper-
glycemia.^ An ethanol extract, however, showed no activity. They reconfirmed
these findings in 1995 by demonstrating that a water extract reduced glucose-
induced hyperglycemia.^
CURRENT Despite the plant's ancient history of use for respiratory disorders, no clinical
PRACTICAL USES research has been done to validate these traditional uses. In spite of the lack of
scientific research done on avenca, and healthcare practitioners
herbalists
throughout the world continue to use the plant based on its traditional uses (for
literally thousands of years): for respiratory disorders and hair loss, and to reg-
ulate menstruation.
Traditional One-half cup leaf infusion can be taken twice daily or 1-3 ml of a 4:1 root tinc-
Preparation ture used twice daily. desired, 1-2 g of

If powdered leaf or root in tablets or
capsules twice daily can be substituted.
Contraindications Avenca has been documented to lower blood sugar levels in animal studies.
People with diabetes and people with hypoglycemia should use this plant with
caution and monitor their blood sugar levels accordingly.
Avenca has a long history of use in herbal medicine systems to stimulate the
uterus and promote menstruation; it is contraindicated in pregnancy.

The plant has shown to have an anti-implantation effect in animal studies
and may prevent conception. Couples seeking fertility treatment or pregnancy
should not take avenca.
Due on fertility and menstruation, avenca may have estrogen-like
to its effect
effects and should probably be avoided by women with estrogen-positive

cancers.
Drug Interactions Avenca may potentiate insulin and antidiabetic drugs.

188

Region Uses
respiratory problems, urinary disorders,
Amazonia for blood cleansing, coughs, excessive mucus, menstrual problems,
urinary insufficiency, and to increase perspiration
flu, hair loss, kidney problems, laryngitis,

Brazil for asthma, bronchitis, childbirth, cough, digestion, excessive mucus,
insufficiency, and to stimulate
menstrual disorders, respiratory problems, rheumatism, throat (sore), urinary
hepatitis, snakebite, spider bite, splenitis, urinary insufficiency,

and
Egypt for asthma, chest colds, cough, edema, flu,
to increase perspiration
disorders, pleurisy, shortness of breath,
England for asthma, cough, hair loss, jaundice, kidney stones, menstrual
swellings, urinary insufficiency, yellow jaundice
detoxification, diabetes, excessive mucus, flu,

Europe for alcoholism, bronchitis, bronchial diseases, cough, dandruff,
hair loss, menstrual problems, and to sooth mucous membranes
problems, skin diseases, wounds

India for boils, bronchial diseases, colds, diabetes, eczema, fever, menstrual
menstrual disorders, respiratory difficulty, reducing

Iraq for bronchitis, colds, cough, excessive mucus, flu,
secretions, urinary insufficiency, and to increase perspiration
hair loss, kidney stones, liver function,

Mexico for birth control, bladder problems, blood cleansing, constipation,
menstrual disorders, respiratory distress
for asthma, colds, cough, congestion, excessive mucus, flu, gallstones, hair loss, heartburn, hydrophobia, liver
Peru
problems, urinary insufficiency,
problems, menstrual disorders, respiratory problems, sore throat, stomach
and to increase perspiration
United for chills, coughs, excessive mucus, fever, flu, lung problems, menstrual disorders, menstrual pain,
respiratory ailments, sclerosis (spleen), sores, urinary insufficiency, and to sooth

membranes and
States
Rain clouds gathering over the rainforest.

BALSAM OF PERU / BALSAM OF TOLU

• kills bacteria • reduces inflammation Gum or Oil

• kills fungi • reduces phlegm Internal: 5-8 drops twice
• suppresses coughs daily
• kills parasites
External: Apply to affected
• kills germs
area.
Family: Fabaceae Balsam of tolu {Myroxylon balsamum), a tall tree native to northern South Amer-
Genus: Myroxylon ica, is found predominantly in Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, and some areas of
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia. A closely related species called bal-
Species: balsamum,
sam of Peru (M. pereirae) is native to Central America farther north. Balsam of
pereirae
Peru was named such because it was originally assembled and shipped to
Common Names:
Europe from the ports of Callao and Lima, Peru, but the species is not indige-
Balsam of Peru, Balsam
nous to Peru.
of tolu, Peru balsam, tolu
balsam, balsamo, baume Both trees grow up to 35 m in height and produce white flowers and winged
de tolu, pau de balsamo, seedpods. Balsam trees are tapped like rubber trees to collect their resinlike
tache, estoraque, gums that are used commercially and sold as "balsam." A tree must be at least
cabreuva veremelha, twenty years old before it gum, and one tree produces only
can be tapped for its
nabal, chirraca, sadalo
about 3 kg of gum annually. Today, El Salvador is the main exporter of balsam
Parts Used: resin, bark of Peru (exporting approximately 50 metric tons annually), and Colombia and
Venezuela are the main producers of balsam of tolu. The gum has a vanilla-like
smell and taste and is used as a food additive and flavoring in cough syrups,
soft drinks, confectioneries, and chewing gums.
TRIBAL The indigenous tribes of Mexico and Central America use the leaves and fruit
AND HERBAL of M. pereirae for asthma, colds and flu, rheumatism, and external wounds. The
MEDICINE USES Choco Indians use the powdered bark as an underarm deodorant. The sap of
M. balsatnum has documented indigenous uses for colds and lung ailments, and
Amazon rainforest tribes have employed it for abscesses, asthma, bronchitis,
catarrh, headache, rheumatism, sores, sprains, tuberculosis, sexually transmit-
ted diseases,and wounds.
Balsam has been officially The indigenous use of balsam of Peru led to its export to Europe in the sev-
listed as an herbal drug in enteenth century, where it was first documented in the German Pharmacopeia. It
the U.S. Pharmacopoeia was used as an antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic agent in cases of sca-
bies, ringworm, lice, superficial ulcerations, wounds, bedsores,
diaper rash, and
since the early 1 800s to
chilblains. In Britain, balsam is used topically for scabies, prurigo (chronic
treat bronchitis and other
respiratory problems. inflammation of the skin), pruritus, and acute eczema, as well as taken inter-
nally for asthma and bronchitis and to generally lessen mucous secretions.
190
US. Pharmacopeia since 1820, with docu-

Balsam of Peru has been in the
mented uses for bronchitis, laryngitis, dysmenorrhea, diarrhea, dysentery, and

leucorrhea. Today, used extensively in topical preparations for the treat-
it is
antidandruff
ment of wounds, ulcers, and scabies. It can be found in hair tonics,
fragrance in soaps,
preparations, and feminine hygiene sprays and as a natural
detergents, creams, lotions, and perfumes. Balsam of tolu
was also included in
Additional-
the US. Pharmacopeia in 1820 with similar uses as balsam of Peru.
ly, it is a cough suppressant and respiratory
aid used in cough lozenges and
respiratory ailments. The
syrups, for sore throats, and as a vapor inhalant for
times daily.
internal dosage is reported to be to 1 g taken three
to 28 per-
PLANT Balsam contains 50 percent to 64 percent volatile oil and 20 percent
acid esters. The ben-
CHEMICALS cent resin. The volatile oil contains benzoic and cinnamic
constituents of the
zoic and cinnamic acids are believed to be the main active
extract-
resin. The contains about 60 percent cinnamein, a volatile oil that is
oil
cosmetic, and
ed by steam distillation and used commercially in the perfume,
soap industries.
alpha-
chemicals are found in balsam of Peru: alpha-bourbonene,
Many
alpha-muuro-
cadinene, alpha-calacorene, alpha-copaene, alpha-curcumene,
lene, alpha-pinene, benzaldehyde, benzoic, benzoic-acids, benzyl-alcohol,
beta-
benzyl-benzoate, benzyl-cinnamate benzyl-ferulate, benzyl-isoferulate,
bourbonene, beta-elemene, cadalene, calamenene, caryophyllene, cinnamalde-
hyde, cinnamein, cinnamic-acids, cinnamyl-benzoate,
cinnamyl-cinnamate,
dihy-
cis-ocimene, coumarin, d-cadinene, dammaradienone, delta-cadinene,
dromandelic-acid, eugenol, farnesol, ferulic-acid, gamma-muurolene,
hydrox-
yhopanone, 1-cadinol, methyl-cinnamate, nerolidol, oleanolic-acid, p-cymene,

tolures-
peruresinotannol, peruviol, resin, styrene, sumaresinolic-acid, tannin,
inotannol-cinnamate, vanillin, and wax.
BIOLOGICAL Balsam of Peru and balsam of tolu have been documented to have antiseptic,
antiparasitic, and antibacterial properties as well as to
promote the growth of
ACTIVITIES
inhibit Mycobacteri-
epithelial (tissue) cells.^"^ The plants have been reported to
AND CLINICAL
common ulcer-causing bacteria H. pylorP in test-
um tuberculosis^ as well as the
RESEARCH
tube studies.
Although having beneficial At published in recent years indicate that balsam can
least six clinical studies
reported are
properties, research cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic reactions
skin rashes and dermatitis when the balsam comes into contact
with
shows that balsam can generally
cause allergic skin rashes the skin —even in small amounts found in soaps, perfumes, and other common
body care products. These allergic reactions are attributed to
the gum's benzoic
in some people when
used topically. acids, to which some people are highly sensitive.
CURRENT Balsam of Peru and balsam of tolu are widely available now in the U.S. natu-
PRACTICAL USES ral products market. The resinous gum, or the essential oil distilled from the
gum, is sold in small bottles and used topically, in aromatherapy, and taken
internally in small amounts. Generally, its topical use is recommended for skin
rashes, eczema, and skin parasites. In aromatherapy, it is considered warming,
opening, and comforting and is used in various nervous tension and stress for-
mulas. It is taken internally (5-10 drops) for upper respiratory problems and
excessive mucus.
Traditional For topical use, mix 1 part balsam gum

with 3 parts of a carrier oil for
or oil —
Preparation example, mix 1 teaspoon of balsam with 3 teaspoons of almond or grape seed
oil — and apply it topically to wounds, rashes, or skin parasites twice daily. For
internal use, place 5 drops of the essential oil in a small glass of warm water
and take twice daily for excessive mucus and upper respiratory problems.
Contraindications Balsam has been reported to cause allergic skin reactions. Discontinue use if a
skin rash develops.
Drug Interactions None known.

Region Uses
Amazonia for abscesses, asthma, bronchitis, flu, headache, rheumatism, sexually transmitted diseases, sores, sprains,
tuberculosis, wounds
Caledonia for bronchitis, cough, skin sores, wounds: also used in perfumes
Dominican for excessive mucus, digestion, sores, wounds

Republic
Europe for bacterial infections, cancer, chilblains, fungal infections, lice, parasites, scabies, skin rash, skin problems,
ulcers, wounds
Mexico for asthma, bronchitis, colic, flu, freckles, gout, itch, menstrual problems, osteomyelitis, parasites,
rheumatism, ringworm, scabies, sexually transmitted diseases, sores, spasm, stomachache, tumor, urinary
insufficiency, worms
South Africa for bronchitis, colds, coughs; used as an antiseptic, expectorant, and in perfumes
for bronchitis, coughs, dandruff, diarrhea, dysmenorrhea, dysentery, hair support,

leucorrhea, laryngitis,
United
skin care products
States respiratory ailments, scabies, sore throat, wounds, ulcers, and as a natural fragrance in
Elsewhere for asthma, bacterial infections, coughs, digestion, flu, headache, inflammation, respiratory problems,
and
rheumatism, sclerosis, sexually transmitted diseases, topical cleanser, tuberculosis, umbilicus,
in
deodorants
192
BITTER MELON
Main Actions
• reduces inflammation Leaves, Fruit
• kills bacteria
• fights free radicals Decoction: 1 cup one or
• kills viruses
• enhances libido
two times daily
Tincture: 1—3 ml twice daily
• kills leukemia cells • cleanses blood
Tablets/Capsules: 1
g twice
• prevents tumors
daily
• prevents ulcers • detoxifies
• treats diabetes
• expels worms
• reduces blood sugar • balances hormones
• reduces blood pressure • enhances immunity
• stimulates digestion
• kills insects
Family; Cucurbitaceae • lowers body temperature • mildly laxative
Genus: Momordica • promotes milk flow
Species; charantio
Bitter melon grows in tropical areas, including parts of the Amazon, east Africa,
Common Names:
cultivated throughout South America as a food
bitter melon, papailla, Asia, and the Caribbean, and is
melao de sao caetano, and medicine. It's a slender, climbing annual vine with long-stalked leaves and
bittergourd, balsam apple, yellow, solitary male and female flowers borne in the leaf axils. The fruit looks
balsam pear, karela, k'u
like a warty gourd, usually oblong and resembling a small cucumber. The
kua kurela, kor-kuey, ku when At maturi-
young fruit is emerald green, turning to orange-yellow ripe.
gua, pava-aki, salsamino,
ty, the fruit splits into three irregular valves that curl backwards and release
sorci, sorossi, sorossie,
numerous reddish-brown or white seeds encased in scarlet arils. The Latin
sorossies, pare, peria laut,
of the leaves,
peria name Momordica means "to bite," referring to the jagged edges
whole which appear as if they have been bitten. All parts of the plant, including the
Parts Used; plant,
fruit, seed fruit, taste very bitter.
TRIBAL In the Amazon, local people and indigenous tribes grow bitter melon m their
gardens food and medicine. They add the and/or leaves to beans and
fruit
AND HERBAL for
soup for a bitter or sour flavor; parboiling it first with a dash of salt may
remove
MEDICINE USES
some of the bitter taste. Medicinally, the plant has a long history of use by the
indigenous peoples of the Amazon. A leaf tea is used for diabetes, to expel
intes-
tinal gas, to promote menstruation, and as an

antiviral for measles, hepatitis,
and feverish conditions. It is used topically for sores, wounds, and infections,
and internally and externally for worms and parasites.
for tumors, wounds,
In Brazilian herbal medicine, bitter melon is used
rheumatism, malaria, vaginal discharge, inflammation, menstrual problems,
abortions and as an
diabetes, colic, fevers, and worms. It is also used to induce
aphrodisiac. It is prepared into a topical remedy for the skin to treat vaginitis,
hemorrhoids, scabies, itchy rashes, eczema, leprosy, and other skin problems.
In Mexico, the entire plant is used for diabetes and dysentery; the root is a
reputed aphrodisiac. In Peruvian herbal medicine, the leaf or aerial parts of the
plant are used to treat measles, malaria, and all types of inflammation. In
Nicaragua, the leaf is commonly used for stomach pain, diabetes, fevers, colds,
coughs, headaches, malaria, skin complaints, menstrual disorders, aches and
pains, hypertension, infections, and as an aid in childbirth.
PLANT Bitter melon contains an array of biologically active plant chemicals including
CHEMICALS triterpenes, proteins, and steroids. One chemical has clinically demonstrated
the ability to inhibit the enzyme guanylate cyclase, which is thought to be
linked to the cause of psoriasis and also necessary for the growth of leukemia
and cancer cells. In addition, a protein found in bitter melon, momordin, has
clinically demonstrated anticancerous activity against Hodgkin's lymphoma in
animals.^ Other proteins in the plant, alpha- and beta-momorcharin and cucur-
bitacin B, have been tested for possible anticancerous effects. A chemical ana-
log of these bittermelon proteins has been developed, patented, and named
"MAP-30"; its developers reported that it was able to inhibit prostate tumor
—
growth.^ Two of these proteins alpha- and beta-momorcharin have also been —
reported to inhibit HIV virus in test tube studies.^°“^^ In one study, HIV-infect-
ed cells treated with alpha- and beta-momorcharin showed a nearly complete
loss of viral antigen while healthy cells were largely unaffected. The inventor
ofMAP-30 filed another patent which stated it was "useful for treating tumors
and HIV infections. Another clinical study showed that MAP-30's antiviral
activity was also relative to the herpes virus in vitro.^'^
Anticancerous, antiviral, In numerous studies, at least three different groups of constituents found
and hypoglycemic in all parts of bitter melon have clinically demonstrated hypoglycemic (blood
chemicals are present in sugar-lowering) properties or other actions of potential benefit against diabetes
bitter melon, which may These chemicals that lower blood sugar include a mixture of
mellitus.^^"^*^
explain many of its steroidal saponins known as charantins, insulin-like peptides, and alkaloids.
traditional uses. The hypoglycemic effect is more pronounced in the fruit of bitter melon where
these chemicals are found in greater abundance.
Alkaloids, charantin, charine, cryptoxanthin, cucurbitins, cucurbitacins,
cucurbitanes, cycloartenols, diosgenin, elaeostearic acids, erythrodiol, galac-
turonic acids, gentisic acid, goyaglycosides, goyasaponins, guanylate cyclase
inhibitors, gypsogenin, hydroxytryptamines, karounidiols, lanosterol, lauric
acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, momorcharasides, momorcharins, momorde-
nol, momordicilin, momordicins, momordicinin, momordicosides, momordin,
multiflorenol, myristic acid, nerolidol, oleanolic acid, oleic acid, oxalic acid.
194
proteins, ribosome-inac-
pentadecans, peptides, petroselinic acid, polypeptides,
spinasterol, steroidal glycosides,
tivating proteins, rosmarinic acid, mbixanthin,
inhibitors, uracil,
stigmasta-diols, stigmasterol, taraxerol, trehalose, trypsin
riboside, zeaxanthin, and
vacine, v-insulin, verbascoside, vicine, zeatin, zeatin
zeinoxanthin are all found in bitter melon.
BIOLOGICAL To date, close have demonstrated the blood sugar-low-

to 100 in vivo studies
the ability to enhance
ACTIVITIES ering effect of this bitter fruit. The fruit has also shown
cells' uptake of glucose,^^ to promote
insulin release, and to potentiate the
AND CLINICAL
bitter melon fruit and/or seed
effect of insulin.26-27 in other in vivo studies,
RESEARCH elevated cholesterol
has been shown to reduce total cholesterol. In one study,
after ten weeks
and triglyceride levels in diabetic rats were returned to normal
of treatment.^^
of the
More than 100 studies Several in vivo studies have demonstrated the antitumorous activity
bitter melon. In one study, a water extract blocked
the growth of
with animals and humans entire plant of
indicate bitter melon can rat prostate carcinoma;^ another study reported that a hot water extract of the
development of mammary tumors in mice.' Numer-
lower blood sugar and entire plant inhibited the
studies have also demonstrated the anticancerous and antileukemic
cholesterol levels. ous in vitro
liver cancer,
melon against numerous cell lines, including
activity of bitter
human leukemia, melanoma, and solid sarcomas.
melon, like several of its isolated plant chemicals, also has been docu-
Bitter
in vitro antiviral activity against numerous viruses, including
mented with
Epstein-Barr, herpes, and HIV viruses. In an in vivo study, a leaf extract
increased resistance to viral infections and had an immune-stimulant

effect in
humans and animals, increasing interferon production and natural killer cell
activity.^^
In addition to these properties, leaf extracts of bitter

melon have demon-
extracts of the leaves
strated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Various
in vitro antibacterial activities against E. coli,
Staphylococcus,
have demonstrated
Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Streptohacilliis and Streptococcus,'^^ an extract of the
entire plant was shown to have antiprotozoal activity against Entamoeba his-
tolytica The fruit and fruit juice have demonstrated the same type of antibac-
properties and, in another study, a fruit extract demonstrated
activity
terial
pylorid^
against the stomach ulcer-causing bacteria Helicobacter
Many in vivo clinical studies have demonstrated the relatively low toxicity
melon plant when ingested orally. However, toxicity and

of all parts of the bitter
even death in laboratory animals has been reported when extracts are injected
intravenously.*^^ Other studies have shown extracts of the fruit and leaf (ingest
to be safe during pregnancy.*^^'*^*^ The seeds,
however, have demon-
ed orally)
ability to induce abortions in rats and mice, and
the root has been
strated the
documented as a uterine stimulant in animalsd^”^^ The fruit and leaf of bitter

melon have demonstrated an in vivo anti-fertility effect in female animals;"^^'^^
and in male animals, to affect the production of sperm negatively.^^
CURRENT Over the years, scientists have verified many of the traditional uses of this plant,
PRACTICAL USES which continues to be an important natural remedy in herbal medicine sys-
tems. Bitter melon capsules and tinctures are becoming more widely available
in the United States and are employed by natural health practitioners for dia-
betes, viruses, coldsand flu, cancer and tumors, high cholesterol, and psoria-
sis. Concentrated fruit and seed extracts can be found in capsules and tablets,
as well as whole herb /vine powders and extracts in capsules and tinctures.
Traditional Traditionally, V2 to 1 whole herb decoction is taken one

cup of a standard leaf or
Preparation or two times daily, or 1-3 ml of a 4:1 tincture is taken twice daily. Powdered leaf
in tablets or capsules 1 to 2 — —
g daily can be substituted, if desired. The tradi-
tional South American remedy for diabetes is to juice 1-2 fresh bitter melon
fruits and drink twice daily. For seed or fruit extracts in capsules or tinctures,
follow the label instructions.
Contraindications Bitter melon traditionally has been used as an abortive and has weak uterine
stimulant activity; therefore, it is contraindicated during pregnancy.
This plant has been documented to reduce fertility in both males and females
and should therefore not be used by those undergoing fertility treatment or
seeking pregnancy.
The active chemicals in bitter melon can be transferred through breast milk;
therefore, it is contraindicated in women who are breastfeeding.
All parts of bitter melon (especially the fruit and seed) have demonstrated
in numerous in vivo studies that they lower blood sugar levels. As such, it is
contraindicated in persons with hypoglycemia. Diabetics should check with

their physicians before using this plant, and use with caution while monitoring
their blood sugar levels regularly, as the dosage of insulin medications may
need adjusting.
Although all parts of the plant have demonstrated active antibacterial activ-
ity, none has shown activity against fungi or yeast. Long-term use of this plant
may result in the killing of friendly bacteria with resulting opportunistic over-
growth of yeast (Candida). Cycling off the use of the plant (every twenty-one to
thirty days for one week) may be warranted, and adding probiotics to the diet
may be beneficial if this plant is used for longer than thirty days.
Drug Interactions Bitter melon may potentiate insulin and antidiabetic drugs and cholesterol-low-
ering drugs.
196

Region Uses
diabetes, diarrhea, eczema, fever, flu,
hemorrhoids,
Brazil for abortions, burns, colic, constipation, dermatosis,
libido, liver inflammation, malaria,
menstrual problems,
hepatitis, hives, itch, impotency, leprosy, leukemia,
vaginitis, vôrms, wounds
pain, rheumatism, scabies, skin problems, tumor, vaginal discharge,
renal insufficiency, kidney problems
China for breast cancer, diabetes, fever, halitosis, impotency,
intestinal parasites, kidney stones, liver

problems,
Cuba for anemia, colitis, diabetes, fever, hyperglycemia,
menstrual problems, sterility (female), worms
fever, liver diseases, skin problems, rhinitis,
and as an
Haiti for anemia, constipation, dermatosis, eye infections,
appetite stimulant and insecticide
diabetes, eczema, fat loss, food, fever, gout,

hemorrhoids,
India for abortions, birth control, constipation,
parasites, jaundice, kidney stones, eprosy, iver
hydrophobia, hyperglycemia, increasing milk flow, intestinal
rheumatism, scabies, skin problems, snakebite, vaginal
disorders, menstrual disorders, pneumonia, psoriasis,
discharge
dermatosis, diarrhea, headache, intestinal parasites.
Malaysia for abdominal pain, asthma, burns. Celiac disease,
Stomachache, worms
libido, scabies, sores, worms
Mexico for bowel function, burns, diabetes, dysentery, impotency,
infections,
cough, diabetes, fever, headache, hypertension,
Nicaragua for aches, anemia, childbirth, colds, constipation,
skin problems
lung disorders, malaria, pain, pregnancy, rashes,
malaria, menstrual problems, and
Panama for colds, diabetes, fever, flu, gallbladder problems, hives, hypertension, itch,
as an insecticide
parasites, lung
diarrhea, fever, hepatitis, inflammation, intestinal
Peru for colic, constipation, contusions, diabetes,
pus, wounds
problems, malaria, measles, menstrual problems, skin sores,
malaria, rheu matism, worms
Trinidad for diabetes, dysentery, fever, hypertension,
BOLDO
Main Actions
• supports heart Leaves
• stimulates Infusion: '6 cup one or two
• protects liver
times daily
• detoxifies liver
• reduces gas
Tincture: 2-4 ml twice daily
• stimulates bile
• moderately laxative
Capsules/Tablets: I -2 g
• supports gallbladder
twice daily
• cleanses blood
• reduces spasms
• expels worms • relieves pain

Family; Monimiaceae
• kills parasites
Genus: Peumus
Species: boldus
Common Names: Boldo is a slow-growing, shrubby evergreen tree that grows 6-8 m in height and
boldo. boidu, boldus, produces small, berry-like The plant's scented flowers are either male or
fruit.
boldoa, boldina, baldina,
female, and only one sex is found on any one plant; as such, male and female
molina
plants must be grown together for the plants to reproduce. Boldo is found in
Part Used; leaves
the Andean regions of Chile and Peru, and also is indigenous to parts of Moroc-
co. It is cultivated in and North Africa to meet the demand for its
Italy, Brazil,
medicinal leaves in European and Canadian markets, where it is widely used.
TRIBAL Indigenous uses of boldo have been widely documented. Legend has it that the
AND HERBAL medicinal uses of the plant were discovered by chance: a Chilean shepherd
MEDICINE USES noticed that his sheep were healthier and had fewer liver problems, when they
grazed on native boldo plants growing in his fields. Since this discovery, the
plant has been used by the indigenous peoples of Chile for liver, bowel, and
gallbladder troubles. It is also widely used in Chilean folk medicine to expel
intestinal worms, for insomnia, rheumatism, cystitis, colds, hepatitis, constipa-
tion, flatulence, poor digestion, gallstones, earaches, and it is considered a gen-
eral tonic. For many years, the fruit has been eaten as a spice, the wood has been
used for charcoal, and the bark has been used in tanning hides. In parts of Peru,
boldo leaves are used by indigenous tribes against liver diseases, to treat gall-
stones, and as a diuretic.

Boldo's uses in other traditional medicine systems are well documented.
Worldwide, the plant is used in homeopathy and herbal medicine in the treat-
ment of digestive disorders, as a laxative, a diuretic, for liver problems, and to
increase the production of bile in the gallbladder. The leaves are used against
intestinal worms, and botanist Dr. James Duke reports its traditional use for
urogenital inflammations, gonorrhea, syphilis, gout, jaundice, dyspepsia,
rheumatism, head colds, and earaches. In Brazilian herbal medicine systems,
boldo is used for a variety of disorders including hepatitis, liver congestion,
constipation, flatulence, dizziness, stomach and intestinal cramps and pain,

gallstones, insomnia, rheumatism, and a lack of appetite. Throughout the rest
of South America, boldo is used for gonorrhea, as well as for liver, gallbladder,
and digestive complaints.

Boldo is the subject of a German therapeutic monograph that allows the use
(as an herbal drug) for mild gastrointestinal spasms and dyspeptic disorders.
In Germany, it is employed for liver and gallbladder complaints, gastric disor-
ders, and to stimulate gastric secretions (especially bile production and secre-
tion in the gallbladder and liver). It is also used for loss of appetite and as an
antispasmodic. It is used for similar purposes in other countries throughout
Europe.
In American herbal medicine systems, boldo is used to stimulate the secre-
198
and liver activity; it's chiefly valued as a remedy for gall-

tion of saliva, bile flow
stones, liver problems, and gallbladder pain.
have
PLANT Boldo has many biologically active chemicals. At least seventeen alkaloids
several of which are believed to be boldomain
s
CHEMICALS been documented thus far,
Much of the biological activity of the plant has been

active constituents.'-^
attributed to a single alkaloid called boldine.
In various studies over the years boldine has
shown to protect the liver, to '
to stimulate digestion,
stimulate the production of bile in the liver,^^ as well as
increase the secretion of gastric juices, and
stimulate the production of bile and
its secretion from the gallbladden^-ô

In other laboratory tests, boldine has
properties as
demonstrated diuretic, fever reducing, and anti-inflammatory
In animal studies, boldine
well as the ability to reduce excess uric acid.^^'^^
activities,^4,i5 as well as the
exhibited anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic
damage and inflammation in induced colitis and
ability to protect against colon
colon inflammation in animals.^^ Other research

on boldine indicates that it has
effect in the blood^^ and can nor-
a strong cellular protective and antioxidant
In 2002, boldine was
malize sticky blood (inhibits platelet aggregation).^^'^^
reported to have an effect on the cardiovascular
system as well. Researchers
force and heart
found that it increased coronary blood flow, depressed cardiac
and had a vasorelaxant effect.ô
rate,
Most of these studies validate the plant's traditional

uses for many types of
One of boldo’s main
and elimination problems, gallbladder problems, and
liver disorders.
chemicals is responsible digestive
understandable that
for the plant’s ability to With so many studies on this important active alkaloid, it is
for boldine content.
benefit the liver, most boldo herbal drugs sold in Europe are standardized
ascaridole, benzaldehyde, boldin,
gallbladder, and many In addition to boldine, boldo contains
coumarin, cuminaldehyde,
digestive functions. boldoglucin, borny 1-acetate, 1,8-cineol, coclaurine,
eugenol, farnesol, fen-
2-decanone, 6(a)-7 dehydroboldine, diethylphthalate,
kaempferols, laurolitsine, lau-
chone, gamma terpinene, 2-heptaone, isoboldine,
rotetainine, norboldine, norisocorydine,
pachycarpine, P-cymene, P-cymol,
sabinene, smoacutme, ter-
pro-nuciferine, 2-octanone, reticuline, rhamnosides,
pinoline, thymol, trans verbenol, 2-tridecanone,
and 2-undecanone.
in the 1950s and 1960s and

BIOLOGICAL Researchers verified indigenous uses of boldo leaves
and bile-produc-
ACTIVITIES showed that leaf extracts had diuretic, digestion stimulation,
2^'^2 Although these properties are attributed
ing properties in animal studies.
AND CLINICAL with rats indicated that an alco-
largely to the plant chemical boldine, one study
RESEARCH than boldine alone.^ An ethanol
hol extract of boldo leaves was more active
extract of the leaf administered to mice was
shown to have a liver protective
damage from chemical exposure. recent human
effect, preventing liver
study demonstrated that boldo relaxes smooth muscle tissue and prolongs
intestinal transit (which again validates its traditional uses for digestive func-
tions).^^ The antioxidant property of boldo leaves has also been documented,^'^
and animal studies confirm that boldo leaf has an anti-inflammatory effect.’^ A
U.S. monograph reports that boldo can increase urine output by 50 percent,
which validates the plant's traditional use as a diuretic.^^
Clinical research Toxicity studies show that boldo should not be consumed regularly or in
confirms most of boldo’s high dosages, and it should be respected for its very active qualities. The essen-
traditional uses. tial oil of the plant contains a compound called asaridole. Asaridole has
antiparasitic and worm-expelling properties,^^ but it is also a documented liver
toxin. Therefore, distilled essential oil products of boldo should only be used
externally. In addition, boldine has been reported to have toxic effects in high
dosages. In large quantities (higher than it occurs in traditional dosages of the
natural leaf), it causes cramps, convulsions, and muscle paralysis, eventually
leading to respiratory paralysis.^^ It also has demonstrated a uterine relaxant
effect in rats.^^ In a 2000 study with rats, an extract of dry boldo leaves and the
chemical boldine showed abortive actions and lowered the blood levels of
bilirubin, cholesterol, glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate
aminotransferase (AST), and urea. These researchers reported, however, that
the long-term administration of regular dosages of the leaf extract and boldine
did not cause any toxic effect over a period of ninety days.^^
CURRENT Centuries ago, boldo was a little-known plant growing in farmers' pastures in
PRACTICAL USES Chile. Today, huge fields of boldo are cultivated around the world to supply the
market demand for a specific herbal remedy or herbal drug for gallstones and
gallbladder inflammation and for many types of liver, stomach, and digestive
conditions. However, persons with gallstones should seek the help and advice
of a qualified and trained healthcare practitioner before self-medicating with
boldo. It has such a pronounced effect on the gallbladder that it can cause the
gallbladder to dump stones and grit rapidly, possibly causing a blockage in the
bile ducts below the gallbladder and/or damaging the pancreas. It is best used
in small quantities and with other plants to avoid these problems.
Many digestive disorders are due to a lack of bile and digestive juices, which
results in sluggish digestion (causing bloating and an uncomfortable feeling of
fullness after a meal, intestinal gas, fermentation and belching, and poor
absorption of nutrients in the stomach and bowel). Boldo is one of the best nat-
ural remedies for these types of digestive problems because it stimulates the
production and secretion of bile and other digestive juices in the stomach, gall-
bladder, and liver, thereby maximizing and speeding digestive processes in

general. It also is one of the first natural remedies natural health practitioners
200
damage from toxins

to prevent liver
use to assist in detoxifying the liver and
effect on the liver. However, con-
and drugs that are known to have a toxic
dosages for boldo; it is a very
sumers should not exceed the recommended
with respect.
powerful and active plant that should be treated
capsules, tablets, and liquid
There are several boldo products available in
extracts providing a standardized
amount
extracts in the U.S. market, including
extracts are sold as herbal drugs in
Europe by
of boldine. These standardized
over-the-counter herbal supple-
prescription only; however, they are sold as
ments in the United States.
a digestive aid or liver detoxifier, use V2

cup of a leaf infusion one or two
Traditional As
tincture twice daily. Or, if desired, take
Preparation times daily with meals or 2-4 ml of a 4:1
capsules twice daily. For standardized
1-2 g of powdered leaf in tablets or
extracts, follow the label instructions.
Boldo has demonstrated abortive properties

and caused fetal birth defects m
Contraindications
used during pregnancy or while
animal studies and therefore should not be
breastfeeding. .
taking blood-thmnmg mec

-
Chemicals in boldo may thin the blood. Those
ications (such as Warfarin®) or those
with disorders that have a tendency
hemophilia) should not take
towards thin blood (such as thrombocytopenia or
healthcare practitioner.
boldo unless under the supervision of a qualified
for long-term, chronic use.
Boldo has diuretic effects and is contraindicated
Do not exceed the recommended dosages.
potentiate the effects of blood-thinning

medications such as War-
Drug Interactions Boldo may
farin®.
decrease
One in vivo clinical study suggests that boldo and/or boldine can
the
metabolic activation and/or metabolism of toxins, drugs, and chemicals in
liver.30 As such, boldo may decrease the effect or reduce the half-life of certain
drugs that should be metabolized in the liver.

Region Uses
for digestive problems, dyspepsia,
hangover, intestinal gas, liver disorders
Asia
dizziness, dyspnea,
constipation, debilitation, digestive disorders,
Brazil for anorexia, bile insufficiency, cholecystitis,
liver disorders, liver
gallstones, gastritis, gonorrhea, hepatitis,
insomnia, intestinal gas, liver congestion,
stomach pain, urinary insufficiency, weakness, and to stimulate
support, rheumatism, stomach problems,
digestion
Chile for anorexia, bile insufficiency, bowel problems, high cholesterol, colds, cough, constipation, cystitis, diarrhea,
dyspepsia, earache, edema, fluid retention, gallbladder problems, gallstones, gastric sluggishness,
hypothyroidism, inflammation, intestinal gas, intestinal cramps, intestinal parasites, jaundice, liver disorders,
liver support, liver protection, obesity, rheumatism, sores, stomachache, stomach cramps, urinary
insufficiency, worms, and as an antioxidant, antiseptic, digestive stimulant, and sedative
Europe for bile insufficiency, digestion problems, dyspepsia, gallbladder pain, gallstones, gastrointestinal spasms,
gonorrhea, gout, liver disorders, spasms, urinary insufficiency, and as an appetite stimulant and digestive
stimulant
Latin for anorexia, bile insufficiency, bowel problems, colds, constipation, cystitis, digestion problems, dyspepsia,
America earache, gallbladder problems, gallstones, gonorrhea, gout, hepatitis, intestinal gas, intestinal parasites,
jaundice, kidney stones, liver disorders, liver support, malaria, pain, parasites, rheumatism, spasms, stomach
pain, syphilis, urogenital inflammation, urethritis, urinary insufficiency, worms, and as an antiseptic, digestive
stimulant, and general tonic
Mexico for bile disorders, digestive disorders, gallbladder problems, gallstones, liver disorders, liver support, pain,
rheumatism, and as a digestive stimulant
Turkey for liver support, rheumatism, urinary insufficiency, worms and used as an antiseptic, digestive stimulant,
sedative, and tonic
United for bile stimulation, cystitis, digestive problems, elimination problems, gallbladder disorders, gallstones,
States gastrointestinal spasms, gout, hepatitis, inflammation, kidney disorders, liver disorders, pain, uric acid
elimination, urinary infections, urinary insufficiency, urinary antiseptic, and used as an antiseptic (urinary),
digestive stimulant, sedative, and tonic
BRAZIL NUT
• fights free radicals • none Nut, Nut oil
• is nutritious
• is soothing
The Brazil nut tree is enormous, fret]uently attaining the height of 40 to 50 m

Family; Lecythidaceae
or more, and it can reach ages of 500-800 years old. The tree is called castanheiro
Genus: Bertholletia do para in Brazil and is found throughout the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, Peru,
Species: excelsia Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. The fruit is a large, round woody capsule
or pod, about the size of a large grapefruit and weighing up to 2.2 kg. The fruit
Common Names;
Brazil nut, castania,
pods grow ends of thick branches, then ripen and fall from the tree from
at the
castanheiro do para, January to June, usually with a loud crashing sound as they fall 150 feet through
para-nut, creamnut, the canopy like cannon balls. Inside each fruit pod, wedged in like orange seg-
castana de-para, castana ments, are twelve to twenty-five Brazil nuts, each within its own individual
de-Brazil shell. Mature Brazil nut trees can produce approximately 300 or more of these
Parts Used: nut, seed oil fruit pods annually.
202
Brazil nuts from the Amazon

(which
Today, the monetary value of exporting
that of rubber. T e
the 1600s with Dutch traders) is second only to
began in
metric tons of Brazil nuts annua y.
ir-
alone imports more than 9
United States -
production comes from wild forest trees and wild harves
tually all Brazil nut
long as ten to thirty years e ore
ine. The trees grow very slowly, taking as
pollinate the ow-
producing nuts, and they require a specific species of bee to
unsuitable and unprofitable for plan-
ers. Both of these factors make the trees
tation cultivation. r.u
of the intricate ecosystem of the
Ama-
The Brazil nut tree is a good example
are inexplicably intertwined.
Not only is the
zon where plants and animals
insect species to
pollination of this tree so specialized, requiring one particular
capable of chewing t roug
produce the but only one species of animal is
fruit,
The
disburse the seeds for new tree growth.
the extremely tough fruit pod to
rather large rat (up to 10 pounds!) with extremely sharp front teetl% is
agouti, a
ensuring e
the forest with Brazil nuts and
solely responsible for reseeding
rainforest, the tree, bee, and agouti are
next generation of trees. In the Amazon
for survival.
all dependent on one another
a three-sided nut with white

meat or flesh that consists of 70
TRIBAL The Brazil nut is
the
protein. For centuries, the indigenous tribes o
AND HERBAL percent fat and 17 percent
staple m
as an important and significant
MEDICINE USES rainforest have relied on Brazil nuts
nuts have even been used as a trade
com-
their diet-so important that the
tribes eat the nuts raw or grate
them an
modity, much like money. Indigenous
Amazon, the nuts are grated with the
mix them into gruels. In the Brazilian
roots of Socrntea palms into a white mush known as leite tie castan-
thorny stilt
This food is a valuable source of calories,
ha and then stirred into manioc flour.
the Amazon's rural and tribal
peoples.
fat, and protein for much of
content, fresh Brazil nuts will even
burn like miniature
With such a high oil
when The oil is

and used by indigenous and
extracted from the nuts
candles lit.
soap, and livestock feed. The empty

seed-
rural people for cooking oil, lamps,
are used to carry around small smoky
fires
pods, often called "monkey's pots,"
flies, as cups to collect rubber
latex from tapped
to discourage attacks of black
used
trees, and as drinking cups.
The husks of these seedpods have also been
in Brazilian folk medicine to
brew into tea to treat stomachaches, and the tree
bark is brewed into tea to treat liver ailments.
mainly palmitic, oleic, and linoleic and alpha Imolenic

RIANT Brazil nut oil contains
stearic acids and phytosterols. In addi-
CHEMICALS acids and small amounts of myristic and
to protein and fat, Brazil nuts
provide the highest natural source of seleni-
tion
the U.S. Recommended Daily
Allowance of
um. One single Brazil nut exceeds
selenium. The proteins found in Brazil nuts are very high in sulfur-containing
One single Brazil nut amino acids like cysteine (8 percent) and methionine (18 percent) and are also
exceeds the U.S. extremely rich in glutamine, glutamic acid, and arginine.^"^ The presence of
Recommended Daily these amino acids (chiefly methionine) enhances the absorption of selenium
Allowance of selenium. and other minerals in the nut.
In addition to the chemicals discussed above, Brazil nuts contain antimony,
cerium, cesium, europium, fatty acids, lanthanum, lutetium, samarium, scan-
dium, selenoprotein, tantalum, tungsten, and ytterbium.
BIOLOGICAL Since the Brazil nut has long been a common food, rather than an herbal reme-
ACTIVITIES dy, it hasn't been the subject of any clinical research. Anyone using it "therapeu-
AND CLINICAL tically" employs the nuts for their high content of natural selenium. Selenium
RESEARCH isan essential trace mineral in the human body with antioxidant, anti-cancer,
and cancer-preventative properties (especially, it seems, for prostate cancer).
CURRENT Brazil nuts and their oil are mainly used as a food in the United States. Brazil
PRACTICAL USES nut oil is clear yellowish oil with a pleasant, sweet smell and taste. It makes a
wonderful light oil for salad dressings: try combining it with raspberry vine-
gar for tasty vinaigrette. In addition, Brazil nut oil is often used in soaps, sham-
poos, and hair conditioning/repair products in South America, and this use is
beginning to catch on in the United States as well. It is a wonderful hair con-

ditioner, bringing shine, silkiness, and softness and renewing dry, life-
to hair
less hair and split ends. Brazil nut oil in skin creams helps lubricate and
moisturize the skin, provides antioxidant benefits with its high selenium con-
tent, helps prevents dryness, and leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated.
Traditional A Brazil nut a day is a great way to get the daily recommended amount of nat-
Preparation ural selenium.
Contraindications Brazil nuts, like many other nuts, can cause allergic reactions in some sensitive
individuals. If you are allergic to other nuts, like peanuts, you might be aller-
gic to Brazil nuts as well.
Dnig Interactions None known.

Region Uses
Amazonia for liver problems, stomachache, and used as a food, emollient, soap, and insect repellant
Venezuela used as a food and insect repellant

204
BRAZILIAN PEPPERTREE
Main Actions
• relieves pain Leaf, Bark
• kills bacteria
• kills cancer cells Bark decoction; 'T
• kills fungi
twice daily
• Candida yeast
• relieves depression
kills
Leaf infusion; 'T twice
• reduces spasms
daily
• kills viruses
Tincture; 2-3 ml twice daily
• regulates heartbeat
Family; Anacardiaceae
• stimulates menstruation
• mildly laxative
Genus; Schinus • reduces phlegm
• stimulates uterus
Species; molle, • insects
• heals wounds kills
terebinthifolius, aroeira
Common Names; leaves. grows 4 to

a shrubby tree with narrow, spiky
It
Brazilian peppertree is
Brazilian peppertree,
cm in diameter. produces an abundance of
10 m
It
tall, with a trunk 25 to 35
Peruvian peppertree,
bear a great many small, flesh-colored,
California peppertree, small flowers formed in panicles that
It is indigenous to
South and Cen-
aroeira, aroeira salsa, berry-like fruits in December and January.
the
escobilla, Peruvian mastic America and can also be
tral
found in semitropical and tropical regions of
tree, mastic-tree, United States and Africa. In both North
and South America, three different
American Schinus terebinthifolius—are all inter-
trees— Sc/iimis molle, Schinus aroeira, and
aguaribay,
pepper, anacahuita,
changeably called "peppertrees."
Castilla, false pepper, produce a
and essential oil contents that
All parts of the tree have high oil
gualeguay, Jesuit’s balsam,
peppertree have such high oil
molle del Peru, mulli, spicy,aromatic scent. The leaves of the Brazilian
pepper tree, pimentero, content that leaf pieces jerk and twist
when placed in hot water as the oil is
pimientillo, pirul released. which have a peppery flavor, are used
The berries,
syrups, vinegar, m
wines; and are dried and ground
Parts Used; fruit, bark, and beverages in Peru; are added to Chilean
in the tropics. The dried berries have also
been used
leaf up for a pepper substitute
as an adulterant of black pepper in

some countries.
leaves, bark, fruit, seeds,

parts of this tropical tree, including
its
TRIBAL Virtually all
(or balsam) have been used medicinally by indigenous peo-

AND HERBAL resin and oleoresin
ples 'throughout the tropics. The plant has a very long history of use and
MEDICINE USES among some of the ancient Chilean
Tpears in religious artifacts and on idols
Amerindians. .
Brazilian peppertree is reported to

Throughout South and Central America,
digestive stimulant, tonic, antiviral, and
be an astringent, antibacterial, diuretic,
laxative and a diuretic, and the
wound healer. In Peru, the sap is used as a mild
for fractures and as a topical antiseptic. The ole-
entire plant is used externally
oresin is used externally as a wound healer, to stop bleeding, and for

toothaches, and it is taken internally for rheumatism and as a purgative. In
South Africa, a leaf tea is used to treat colds, and a leaf decoction is inhaled for
colds, hypertension, depression, and irregular heartbeat. In the Brazilian Ama-
zon, a bark tea is used as a laxative, and a bark-and-leaf tea is used as a stimu-
lant and antidepressant. In Argentina, a decoction is made with the dried leaves
and is taken for menstrual disorders and is also used for respiratory and uri-
nary tract infections and disorders.
In Brazilian herbal Brazilian peppertree is still employed in herbal medicine today in many
medicine today, Brazilian countries. It is used for many conditions in the tropics, including menstrual
peppertree is employed disorders, bronchitis, gingivitis, gonorrhea, gout, eye infections, rheumatism,
for heart problems (hyper- sores, swellings, tuberculosis, ulcers, urethritis, urogenital disorders, sexually
tension and irregular transmitted diseases, warts, and wounds. In Brazilian herbal medicine today,
heartbeat), infections of the dried bark and/or leaves are employed for heart problems (hypertension
all sorts, menstrual and irregular heartbeat), infections of all sorts, menstrual disorders with exces-
disorders with excessive sive bleeding, tumors, and general inflammation. A liquid extract or tincture
bleeding, tumors, and prepared with the bark is used internally as a stimulant, tonic, and astringent,
general inflammation. and externally for rheumatism, gout, and syphilis.
PLANT Phytochemical analysis of Brazilian peppertree reveals that the plant contains
CHEMICALS tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroidal saponins, sterols, terpenes, and a large
amount of essential oil.^”^ The essential oil present in the leaves, bark, and fruit
is a rich source of chemicals (over fifty constituents identified thus far, includ-
ing biologically active triterpenes and sesquiterpenes). Some of these chemicals
scientists have not seen before, and many of the plant's documented biological
The fruit can contain up to 5 percent
activities are attributed to its essential oil.
essential oil, and the leaves can contain up to 2 percent essential oil.^'^
The list of chemicals found in the Brazilian peppertree is long: amyrin,
behenic acid, bergamont, bicyclogermacrene, bourbonene, cadinene, cadinol,
calacorene, calamenediol, calamenene, camphene, car-3-ene, carvacrol,
caryophyllene, cerotic acid, copaene, croweacin, cubebene, cyanidins, cymene,
elemene, elemol, elemonic acid, eudesmol, fisetin, gallic acid, geraniol butyrate,
germacrene, germacrone, guaiene, gurjunene, heptacosanoic acid, humulene,
laccase, lanosta, limonene, linalool, linoleic acid, malvalic acid, masticadienoic
acid, masticadienonalic acid, masticadienonic acid, muurolene, muurolol,
myrcene, nerol hexanoate, octacosanoic acid, oleic acid, paeonidin, palmitic
acid, pentacosanoic acid, phellandrene, phellandrene, phenol, pinene, piperine,
piperitol, protocatechuic acid, quercetin, quercitrin, raffinose, sabinene, sitos-
terol, spathulene, terpinene, terpineol, terpinolene, and tricosanoic acid.

206
In laboratory tests, the essential oil (as

well as leaf and bark extracts) has
BIOLOGICAL
peppertree has dis-
ACTIVITIES demonstrated potent antimicrobial properties. Brazilian
in vitro antifungal actions against numerous fungi,
AND CLINICAL played good-to-very strong
action
as well as Candida. One research group indicated that the antifungal
RESEARCH
was more effective than the antifungal drug Multifungin
.
of the essential oil

in vitro antibacterial
The essential oil and leaves have clinically demonstrated
activity against numerous bacterial strains
(which probably explains why it is
in its native countries).'
an herbal remedy for so many infectious conditions
essential oil preparation of Brazilian
In 1996, a U.S. patent was awarded for an
against Pseudomonas and
peppertree as a topical bactericidal medicine used
Staphi/lococcus for humans and animals, and as
an ear, nose, and/or throat
preparation against bacteria.^^ Another patent was
awarded in 1997 for a simi-
wound cleanser.^^ ^ûch ear-
lar preparation used as a topical antibacterial
peppertree demonstrated antiviral
lier in vitro tests, a leaf extract of Brazilian
to these documented anti-
actions against several plant viruses.^^ In addition
anti-cancer plant screening
microbial properties, Brazilian peppertree passed an
program by demonstrating
in 1976 antitumorous actions.^'^ In 2002, researchers
in Argentina documented that it was toxic in vitro against a human liver cancer
cell line.^^
animal studies on
Brazilian peppertree is Overthe years, several research groups have conducted
Brazilian peppertree that have further substantiated
some of its many tradi-
effective against numerous
A fruit extract and a leaf extract were shown to
bacteria, fungi, and yeast. tional uses in herbal medicine.
lower blood pressure in dogs and rats,'*’-'^ as well as to stimulate uterine activ-
ity in guinea pigs and rabbits.'^''* Leaf extracts have clinically demonstrated
properties in rats and
pain-relieving activity in mice^^ and antispasmodic
In 1974, the anti-
guinea pigs (including uterine antispasmodic actions).’*'--*’
effect of Brazilian pepperfree was documented;
the herb was
inflammatory
used with chronic cervicitis and vaginitis effectively.^’ In
to treat 100 patients
anti-inflammatory properties
1995 and 1996, other researchers documented the
of this plant once again.22-2‘i
on Brazilian peppertree's essential oil indi-

CURRENT A monograph published in 1976
humans ingesting or applying the essential
PRACTICAL USES cated no toxicity in animals and
Today, herbalists and natural health practitioners in
both North
oil topically.'^
for colds, flu, and other
and South America use Brazilian peppertree mostly
respiratory infections; as a remedy for hypertension
and for irregular
upper
and Candida; and as a female balancing aid for
heartbeat; for fungal infections
and excessive
numerous menstrual disorders, including menstrual cramps
bleeding.
Traditional The leaves are best prepared as an infusion, and the bark is best prepared as a
Preparation decoction or an alcohol tincture. Generally, V2 cup of a bark decoction twice
daily is used for colds, flu, sore throats and other upper respiratory infections;
2-3 ml of a 4:1 tincture taken two or three times daily can be substituted, if
desired. This traditional remedy is also used as a heart tonic and for irregular
heartbeat. A leaf decoction twice daily or as needed is generally used for men-
strual disorders.
Contraindications This plant was shown to stimulate the uterus in animal studies and therefore
should not be used in pregnancy.
Drug Interactions None reported. However, this plant has exhibited hypotensive actions in ani-
mal studies; in light of such, it is conceivable that the use of this plant may
potentiate high blood pressure medications.

Region Uses
Argentina for diarrhea, menstrual disorders, respiratory tract infections, inflammation, urinary tract infections, wounds
Brazil for bronchitis, constipation, cough, cystitis, depression, diarrhea, eye diseases, fever, flu, gonorrhea, heart
problems, hemorrhage, inflammation, menstrual disorders, respiratory tract infections, rheumatism, spasms,
tumors, urethritis, urinary tract disorders, and as an astringent, stimulant, and tonic
Colombia for diarrhea, lung diseases, rheumatism
Mexico for asthma, bronchitis, cataract, colic, conjunctivitis, constipation, cough, digestive disorders, flu, foot
fungus, gonorrhea, gum diseases, mouth sores, rheumatism, sexually transmitted diseases, sores (skin),
stomachache, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, ulcers, urogenital diseases, warts, wounds, and as an
astringent
Paraguay for gonorrhea, menstrual disorders, sores, urethritis, urinary insufficiency, wounds
Peru for constipation, fevers, fractures, rheumatism, toothache, tumors, urinary insufficiency, warts, wounds, and
as an antiseptic
South Africa for arrhythmia, colds, cough, depression, gout, hypertension, inflammation, pain, rheumatism
Turkey for constipation, coughs, excessive mucus, gonorrhea, urinary insufficiency, and as a digestive stimulant and
tonic
Uruguay for menstrual disorders, rheumatism, wounds, and as an antiseptic
Elsewhere for bronchitis, constipation, coughs, excessive mucus, edema, eye diseases, gingivitis, gout, hypertension,
menstrual disorders, rheumatism, sexually transmitted diseases, sores, swelling, urinary insufficiency,
urogenital inflammation, viruses, and to stimulate digestion

208
CAMU-CAMU
Main Actions
’ dries secretions Fruit
• IS nutritious
• fights free radicals

three times daily
Tablets/Capsules: I
-2 g
twice daily or follow the
label directions based on
vitamin C content
Camu-camu is a low-growing shrub found throughout the

Amazon rainforest,
Family; Myrtaceae
mainly in swampy or flooded areas. It grows to a height
of about 2-3 m and has
Genus: Myrciaria about the
produces round, light orange-colored fruits
large, feathery leaves. It
Species; dubia
which contain a significant amount of vitamin C. Its high vitamin
size of lemons,
natural products mar-
Common Names; C content has created a demand for camu-camu fruit in the
camu-camu, rumberry cultivation methods for this impor-
ket. Some groups are now beginning to study
still harvested wild throughout
the
Part Used: fruit tant new rainforest resource, which is
a Shaman s
Amazon region. Ethnobotanist Mark Plotkin notes in his book. Tales of
Apprentice, that ''a forest stand of worth twice the amount to be
camu-camu is
with cattle, and he believes

gained from cutting down the forest and replacing it
that camu-camu cultivation holds real economic
promise for local economies.
fruit is wild-harvested in canoes because
the fruits mature
Usually, camu-camu
at high water or during flooding seasons in the Amazon rainforest.
TRIBAL Camu-camu has never been documented as a traditional herbal remedy for any
Amazon region. was not widely eaten as a fruit by the
AND HERBAL condition in the In fact, it
camu-camu has
indigenous people, due to sour, acidic taste. In recent years,
MEDICINE USES its
and creams.
become popular in Iquitos, Peru, where it is made into drinks ice
PLANT Camu-camu fruit has the highest recorded amount of natural vitamin C known
CHEMICALS on the planet. Oranges provide 500^,000 ppm vitamin C, or ascorbic acid;
acero-
la has tested in the range of 16,000-172,000 ppm.

Camu-camu provides up to
per 100 g of fruit. In comparison to
500,000 ppm, or about 2 g of vitamin C
^
vitamin C, ten times more iron,

oranges, camu-camu provides thirty times more
riboflavin, and 50 percent more phos
three times more niacin, twice as much
phorus.i Camu-camu is also a significant source of potassium, providing
711 mg
also has a full complement of minerals and
amino acids that
per kg of fruit.2 It
can aid in the absorption of vitamin C.

Alpha-pinene and d-hmonene (com-
pounds known as terpenes) predominate as the volatile

compounds in this fruit.
Camu-camu provides As with any vitamin C-rich fruit, however, the time between harvesting and
thirty times more vitamin consumption is crucial; the fruit may lose up to a quarter of its vitamin C con-
C than oranges. tent in less than a month (even if frozen)."^ Even with this loss, camu-camu still
has a dramatic edge over its next challenger, acerola, for vitamin C content.
In addition to the chemicals mentioned above, camu-camu contains beta-
carotene, calcium, leucine, protein, serine, thiamin, and valine.
BIOLOGICAL There has been no research conducted or published on any medicinal or ther-
ACTIVITIES apeutic properties of camu-camu. However, there are a few herbal supplement
AND CLINICAL companies in the United States marketing camu-camu extracts in powders and
RESEARCH pills and alluding to claims of its benefits —from curing viral infections, colds,
flu, cold sores, and autoimmune disorders to even weight loss. The fact is there
just isn't any research to back up these claims. There is some research suggest-
ing high dosages of vitamin C offer a benefit for various illnesses and condi-
tions, yet even some of those studies are controversial. And, remember, this
research on vitamin C, not on camu-camu specifically.
is
—
Make no mistake camu-camu is a great source of natural vitamin C. In
addition, it comes with many other naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, and
amino acids that may well help with the absorption and efficient uptake of vita-
min C. This is thought to be superior to just taking an ascorbic acid tablet alone.
Don't believe some of the more far-reaching and far-fetched marketing claims
that are in the marketplace today, however. The only studied and verified health
benefit today regarding camu-camu is based upon its vitamin C content and —
not other "mysterious" chemicals that surround it.
CURRENT In the North American nutritional market, suggested daily servings are based
PRACTICAL USES upon the vitamin C content in the product sold, which can vary. Adjust the serv-
ing size or dosage based upon the amount of vitamin C the product contains.
Traditional None documented.

Preparation
Contraindications None reported. Side effects for high or excessive dosages of vitamin C include
gastrointestinal disturbances and diarrhea.

Region Uses
United States Nutritive
210
CARQUEJA
Main Actions
• induces abortions Aerial parts
• protects liver
• kills viruses Infusion; ^2

• detoxifies liver
three times daily
• aids digestion
Tincture; 2—4 ml two or
• reduces acid
• reduces fever
three times daily
• treats ulcers • promotes sweating
Capsules/Tablets: 2 g twice
• relieves pain daily
• expels worms
Family; Asteraceae
• mildly laxative
Genus: Baccharis • reduces inflammation
Species: genistelloides
• cleanses blood
Common Names:
• tones gastric tract
carqueja, bacanta,
bacahda. cacaia-amarga,
cacalia amara, cacalia-
Carqueja is a perennial green herb that grows to a height of 1-2 m and produces
amarga, cacalia-amargosa, green, flat, winged
yellowish-white flowers at the top of the plant. The bright
cacliadoce. carqueja
the "wings" take the place of
amara, carqueja-
stalks have a fleshy, succulent consistency and
amargosa, carqueja-do- leaves. genus is composed of more than 400 species native to trop-
The Baccharis
Carcjueja known by several botanical names in
mato, carquejilla, ical and subtropical America. is
and B. trimera; however, all

carquejinha, chinchimani. Brazil, including Baccharis genistelloides, B. triptera,
same plant. The herb is found throughout the Amazon rainforest
chirca melosa. condamina. in
refer to the
cuchi-cuchi, quimsa- of Argentina, Paraguay,
Peru, Brazil, and Colombia, as well as in tropical parts
kuchu, quina-de- include Baccharis
condamiana. quinsu-
and Uruguay. Other common species called carqueja in Brazil
trinervis and B. gaiidichaiidiana which look similar
(but smaller in height and
cucho. tiririca-de-balaio,
for B. genistelloides.
tres-espigas, vassoura with smaller wings) and are sometimes used as substitutes
from carqueja) is
Another well-known species in the family (but very different
Parts Used: entire plant,
a small shrub, B. cordifolia, which is toxic to grazing animals.
aerial parts
centuries to cure
TRIBAL Indigenous peoples of the rainforest have used carqueja for
common ailments. Its uses in herbal medicine were first recorded in Brazil
in
AND HERBAL carqueja being used for
1931 by Pio Correa, who wrote about an infusion of
MEDICINE USES men. Correa described carqueja as hav
sterility in women and impotency in
fever reducer, and digestive aid,
ing the therapeutic properties of a tonic, bitter,
uses for dyspepsia, gastroenteritis, liver diseases,
and diarrhea. Car-
with cited
to treat liver diseases, to
queja has long been used in Brazilian medicine
help purge obstructions of
strengthen stomach and intestinal function, and to
theliver and gallbladder. Almost every book
published in Brazil on herbal
Medicinal Plants of the Annazon 21 I
Almost every book medicine includes carqueja, since it has shown to be so effective for liver and
published in Brazil on digestive disorders, as well as being a good blood cleanser and fever reducer.
herbal medicine includes Other popular uses for carqueja in Brazilian herbal medicine today are to treat
carqueja, since it has malaria, diabetes, stomach ulcers, sore throat and tonsillitis, angina, anemia,
sho'A'n to be so effective diarrhea, indigestion, urinary inflammation, kidney disorders, intestinal worms,
for liver and digestive leprosy, and poor blood circulation. In Peruvian herbal medicine today, car-
disorders. queja is used for liver ailments, gallstones, diabetes, allergies, gout, intestinal
gas and bloating, and sexually transmitted diseases.
PLANT Carqueja is a rich source of flavonoids. Certain flavonoids, such as silymarin in
CHEMICALS milk thistle, have shown liver-protective properties and are used for many liver
conditions in herbal medicine systems. Carqueja is rather like the South Amer-
ican version of milk thistle. It contains up to 20 percent flavonoids, including
quercetin, luteolin, nepetin, apigenin, and hispidulin. The flavonoids are
considered carqueja's main active constituents. Several novel plant chemicals
called clerodane diterpenoids have been identified in carqueja and, in 1994, sci-
entists showed that these chemicals had maximum effects against worms. ^ This
could possibly explain carqueja's long history of use as an agent to expel intes-
tinal worms.
Carqueja contains many chemicals: 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, alpha-phellan-
drene, alpha-terpinene, alpha-ylangene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-phellandrene,
beta-pinene, calacorene, camphene, carquejol, cirsimaritin, clerodane diter-
penoids, elemol, eriodictyol, essential oils, eudesmol, eugenol, eupatorin, eupa-
trin, farnesene, farnesol, flavonoids, genkwanin, germacrene D, glycosides,
hispidium, hispidulin, ledol, limonene, linalool, luteolin, muurolene, myrcene,
neptin, nerolidol, palustrol, pentadecanol, quercetin, resins, sabinene, saponins,
spatholenol, spathulenol, squalene, terpinolene, viridiflorene, and viridiflorol.
BIOLOGICAL Carqueja's liver protective properties were confirmed in a clinical study when
ACTIVITIES a crude flavonoid fraction of carqueja, as well as a crude leaf/ stem extract,
AND CLINICAL dose-dependently increased the survival rate to 100 percent in mice adminis-
RESEARCH tered lethal dosages of phalloidin — a liver toxin (as compared to only a 24 per-
cent survival rate in the control group). ^ While these scientists indicated that
the single flavonoid hispidulin evidenced the highest liver-protective effect of
the flavonoids tested (it increased survival to 80 percent), the crude extract and
the whole flavonoid fraction provided a stronger liver detoxifying and protec-
tive effect than the single flavonoid. This led to the conclusion that other con-
stituents in the crude extract, besides the flavonoids, had liver-protective effects
and/or there were interactions between the flavonoids and other plant chemi-
cals that potentiated the flavonoids' effects.
212
and validated by
Animal research confirms Other traditional uses of carqueja have been studied
properties were documented
carqueja’s antacid, anti- research. Its antacid, anti-ulcer, and hypotensive
1992.3-4 its anti-ulcer and pain-relieving prop-
ulcer, and liver protective in two Brazilian animal studies in
erties were reported in a 1991 clinical study

that showed that carqueja reduced
benefits.
rats with H. pylori ulcers. That
gastric secretions and had an analgesic effect in
disorders by reduc-
study concluded that carqueja ''may relieve gastrointestinal
ing acid secretion and gastrointestinal hyperactivity."^
A later study, m 2000,
carqueja adminis-
confirmed its antiulcerogenic effect when a water extract of
ulcers.^ Other researchers
tered to rats protected them from alcohol-induced
documented pain-relieving effects.^ This same research group in
carqueja's
percent to 90 per-
Spain also reported a strong anti-inflammatory effect— a 70
the carqueja extract prior to
cent inhibition— when mice were treated with
inflammation. ^
being treated with various chemicals that induced
natural aid for dia-
Carqueja has also long been used in South America as a
betes, and several studies confirm its blood
sugar-lowering effect in mice, rats,
and humans (in both normal and diabetic subjects).^^^

Finally, carqueja's traditional use for colds, and stomach viruses has also
flu,
been verified by research. Some of the more recent research has focused on its
antiviral properties. In a clinical study published

in 1999, researchers m Spam
showed in vitro antiviral actions against
reported that a water extract of carqueja
Researchers
Herpes simplex I and Vesicular stomatitis viruses at low dosages.^^
extract of carqueja provided
in Texas had already reported in 1996 that a water
subsequent research,
an in vitro inhibition of HIV virus replication in T-cells.^^ In
found in the water
they have attributed this anti-HIV effect to a single chemical
extract of carqueja —
3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and reported that this plant
chemical is a potent inhibitor of HIV at dosages as low as only 1 meg /ml.
Brazil
CURRENT Carqueja isone of the more widely known and used medicinal plants in
natural herbal
PRACTICAL USES and other parts of South America. It is as popular in Brazil as a
States and Europe. Many
liver and digestive aid as milk thistle is in the United
of its traditional uses have been verified by research,

and it appears in the offi-
cial pharmacopoeias of several South
American countries as a specific liver and
Toxicity studies with
digestive aid. Carqueja is considered safe and nontoxic.
rats indicated no toxic effects when various
leaf/ stem extracts were given at up
to 2 g/kg body weight.^

in
States are just learn-
Herbalists and natural health practitioners in the United
ing of the many effective uses of carqueja. They
document that it helps strength-
functions; fortifies, cleanses
en digestive, ileocecal valve, stomach, and liver
worms, is helpful for
and detoxifies the blood and the liver; expels intestinal
poor digestion, liver disorders, anemia, or loss of blood;
and removes obstruc-
tions in the gallbladder and liver.
Traditional Traditionally, 2 g in capsules or tablets or 2-4 ml of a standard tincture are taken
Preparation with each meal as a digestive aid or liver remedy. Alternatively, a standard infu-
sion is prepared with 5 g (about a teaspoon) of dried herb to 4-6 ounces water
and infused for ten minutes. This traditional remedy is usually taken two or
three times daily with meals as a digestive aid. For topical use (pain and inflam-
mation), 60 g of herb (about 2 ounces) is decocted in 1 liter of water and applied
to the affected area.
Contraindications Carqueja should not be used during pregnancy, as it has demonstrated uterine
stimulant and abortive effects in rats.^^
The use of this plant is contraindicated in persons with low blood pressure
due to its documented hypotensive effects. Persons with any heart condition or
taking heart medications should check with their physician prior to using this
plant.
Carqueja has been documented to lower blood glucose levels in human and
animal studies. As such, it is contraindicated in persons with hypoglycemia, and
people with diabetes should check with their doctor prior to using this plant,
and use with caution while monitoring their blood sugar levels accordingly.
Drug Interactions Carqueja may potentiate the effects of antihypertensive drugs and insulin and
antidiabetic drugs.
Carqueja may speed the clearance of some drugs metabolized in the liver,
thereby reducing the pharmacological effect and/or side effects of drugs that
are metabolized in the liver.

Region Uses
Bolivia for abortions, digestion, gastrointestinal problems, ulcers
Brazil for abortions, acid stomach, anemia, angina, anorexia, bile disorders, blood purification, bronchitis,
Chagas disease, circulation, colds, constipation, detoxification, diabetes, diarrhea, digestion disorders,
dyspepsia, edema, fevers, flu, gallstones, gallbladder disorders, gastritis, gastroenteritis, gout, heartburn,
high cholesterol, hypertension, ileocecal disorders, impotence, indigestion, intestinal disorders, intestinal
parasites, kidney stones, leprosy, liver detoxification, liver disorders, liver protection, malaria, nausea,
obesity, rheumatism, sexually transmitted diseases, sore throat, spleen disorders, stomach problems,
sterility, tonsillitis, ulcers (gastric), ulcers (skin), urinary insufficiency, urinary tract disorders, worms
Colombia for stopping bleeding, promoting menstruation, ulcers, wounds
Paraguay for diabetes, high cholesterol, infertility
Peru for bloating, bronchopulmonary disorders, diabetes, digestive disorders, dislocations, flu, gallstones,
gastritis, gastrointestinal disorders, gout, intestinal gas,

liver diseases, malaria, rheumatic pain, promoting
menstruation, sexually transmitted diseases, stomachache, urinary disorders, uterine problems

214
CASHEW
Main Actions
• reduces inflammation Leaf, Bark
• kills bacteria
• suppresses coughs Decoction: '/2 2-3
• stops diarrhea
times daily
• kills germs • increases libido
• aids digestion
• reduces fever
• reduces blood pressure
• lowers body temperature
Family: Anacardiaceae Cashew is a multipurpose tree of the Amazon that grows up to 15 m high. It
they frequently
has a thick and tortuous trunk with branches so winding that
Genus: Anacardium
reach the ground. Cashew trees are often found growing
wild on the drier,
Species: occidentale
sandy soils in the central plains of Brazil, and are cultivated in many parts of
Common Names: the Amazon rainforest.

cajueiro. cashew, cashu,
The cashew tree produces many resources and products. The bark and leaves
casho, acajuiba, caju,
of the tree are used medicinally, and the cashew nut has international appeal
acajou, acaju. acajaiba. medici
alcayoiba. anacarde.
and market value as a food. Even the shell oil around the nut is used
nally and has industrial applications in the plastics and resin
industries for its
anacardier. anacardo.
cacajuil. cajou. gajus. phenol content. Then, there is the pseudo-fruit— a swollen peduncle that grows
jocote maranon. behind the cashew nut. The pseudo-fruit, a large pulpy
real fruit that yields the
maranon. merey. noix and juicy part, has a fine sweet flavor and is commonly referred to as the
pomme cajou.
"cashew fruit" or the "cashew apple." Fresh or frozen cashew fruit concentrate
d’acajou.
pomme. jambu. jambu
is as common a juice product in South American food stores as orange juice is
golok. jambu mete, jambu
in the United States. very perishable, however; therefore, no fresh cashew
It is
monyet. jambu terong
fruit is exported into the United States or Europe from South America.
Parts Used: fruit, leaves.
The cashew nut is defined botanically as the fruit. It grows externally in its
bark, nut/seed
own kidney-shaped hard shell at the end of this pseudo-fruit, or peduncle. The
nut kernel inside is covered with an inner shell, and between the two shells is
a thick, caustic, and toxic oil called cardol. Cashew nuts must be cleaned to
remove the cardol, and then roasted or boiled to remove the toxins before they
can be eaten.
TRIBAL Native to the northeast coast of Brazil, cashew was domesticated long before
end of the fifteenth century. Itwas "discovered"
AND HERBAL the arrival of Europeans at the
1578. It was taken from
MEDICINE USES by European traders and explorers and first recorded in
In sixteenth-
Brazil to India and East Africa, where it soon became
naturalized.
century Brazil, cashew fruits and their juice were taken by Europeans to treat
fever, sweeten breath, and "conserve the stomach."

Cashew fruit juice and a The cashew tree and its nuts and fruit have been used for centuries by the
tea made from the tree indigenous tribes of the rainforest, and it is a common cultivated plant in their
bark are very common gardens. The Tikuna tribe in northwest Amazonia considers the fruit juice
diarrhea remedies medicinal against influenza, and they brew a tea of leaves and bark to treat diar-
throughout the Amazon rhea. The Wayapi tribe in Guyana uses a bark tea as a diarrhea remedy and colic
today, used by herbal remedy for infants. Tribes in Suriname use the toxic seed oil as an external
healers and local worm medicine to kill botfly larvae under the skin. In Brazil, a bark tea is
people alike. used as a douche for vaginal discharge and as an astringent to stop bleeding
after a tooth extraction. A wine made from the fruit is used for dysentery in
other parts of the Amazon rainforest. The fruit juice and a bark tea are very
common diarrhea remedies throughout the Amazon today, used by curanderos
and local people alike.
In Peruvian herbal medicine today, cashew leaf tea (called casho) is employed
as a common diarrhea remedy; a bark tea is used as an antiseptic vaginal
douche; and the seeds are used for skin infections. In Brazilian herbal medicine,
the fruit is taken for syphilis and as a diuretic, stimulant, and aphrodisiac. A
leaf tea is prepared as a mouthwash and gargle for mouth ulcers, tonsillitis, and
throat problems and is used for washing wounds. An infusion and/or macer-
ation of the bark is used to treat diabetes, weakness, muscular debility, urinary
disorders, and asthma. The leaves and/or the bark is also used in Brazil for
eczema, psoriasis, scrofula, dyspepsia, genital problems, and sexually trans-

mitted diseases, as well as for impotence, bronchitis, cough, intestinal colic,
leishmaniasis, and syphilis-related skin disorders. North American practition-
ers use cashew for diabetes, coughs, bronchitis, tonsillitis, intestinal colic, and
diarrhea, and as a general tonic.
PLANT In addition to being delicious, cashew fruit is a rich source of vitamins, miner-
and other essential nutrients. has up to five times more vitamin C than
CHEMICALS als, It
oranges and contains a high amount of mineral salts. Volatile compounds pres-
ent in the fruit include esters, terpenes, and carboxylic acids.^ The bark and
leaves of cashew are a rich source of tannins, a group of plant chemicals with
documented biological activity. These tannins, in a 1985 rat study, demonstrat-
ed anti-inflammatory and astringent effects,^ which may be why cashew is

effective in treating diarrhea. Anacardic acids are found in cashew, with their
highest concentration in the nutshells. Several clinical studies have shown that
these chemicals curb the darkening effect of aging by inhibiting tyrosinase
activity, and that they are toxic to certain cancer cells.^"^"^
The main chemicals found in cashew are alanine, alpha-catechin, alpha-
linolenic acid, anacardic acids, anacardol, antimony, arabinose, caprylic acid.

216
acid, gingkol, glu-

cardanol, cardol, europium, folacin, gadoleic acid, gallic
hydroxybenzoic acid,
curonic acid, glutamic acid, hafnium, hexanal, histidine,
leucocyanidin, leu-
isoleucine, kaempferols, L-epicatechin, lauric acid, leucine,
myristic acid,
copelargonidine, limonene, linoleic acid, methylglucuronic acid,
phenylala-
naringenin, oleic acid, oxalic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid,
acid, samarium, scan-
nine, phytosterols, proline, quercetin-glycoside, salicylic
tryptophan.
dium, serine, squalene, stearic acid, tannin, and trans-hex-2-enal
documented in a 1982 in vitro

BIOLOGICAL Cashew's antimicrobial properties were first
study.^ In 1999, another study was published indicating it had good in vitro
ACTIVITIES
antibacterial activity against E. coli and Pseudomonas.^ A 2001 study reported
AND CLINICAL against thirteen of
that a bark extract exhibited in vitro antimicrobial activity
RESEARCH reported that cashew
fifteen microorganisms tested.^® In 1999, researchers
antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which
is
fruit exhibited
effectiveness
now considered to cause acute gastritis and stomach ulcers. Its
Cashew has
was documented in two clinical studies.
against leishmanial ulcers also
demonstrated broad mice and the other in rats) in 1989 and 1998 docu-
Finally, two studies (one in
spectrum antibacterial
the protective quality of a leaf extract against lab-induced
diabetes.^'^'^^
ment
many
Although the extract did not act as hypoglycemic as some others, it did stabi-
actions in
laboratory tests.
lize blood glucose levels near pretest levels.
different products produced from wide range of applica-

this tree offer a
CURRENT The
tions. The fruit is used to make highly nutritive snacks
and juices, and fruit
PRACTICAL USES its high amount
extracts are now being used in body-care products. Because of
of vitamin C and mineral cashew fruit is used as a catalyst in the treat-
salts,
ment of premature aging of the skin and to re-mineralize the skin. It is also an
lotions, and
effective scalp conditioner and tonic and is often used in shampoos,
scalp creams for the conditioning activity of and mucilage. Cashew

its proteins
leaf or bark tea is still widely used throughout the tropics as

an effective diar-
Unfortunately,
rhea and colic remedy, considered gentle enough for children.
there are not many cashew products available in the U.S. market, besides of
course, cashew nuts.
Traditional The natural rainforest remedy for diarrhea and dysentery is V2 cup of a stan-
dard decoction of leaves and twigs, taken two or three times daily.
Preparation
Skin contact with various parts of the fresh plant (leaves, bark,
fruit, fruit oil)
Contraindications
may cause dermatitis and produce an allergic response. Cashew nuts and fruits
have also been documented to cause food allergy reactions.


Region Uses
Africa for malaria
Brazil for asthma, bronchitis, corns, cough, diabetes, dyspepsia, eczema, fever, genital disorders, impotence,
intestinal colic, leishmaniasis, libido stimulation, muscular debility, pain, psoriasis, scrofula, sexually
transmitted diseases, syphilis, throat (sore), tonsillitis, ulcers (mouth), urinary disorders, urinary
insufficiency, warts, wounds, and as a gargle and mouthwash
Haiti for cavities, diabetes, stomatitis, toothache, warts
Malaysia for constipation, dermatosis, diarrhea, flu, nausea, thrush
Mexico for diabetes, diarrhea, freckles, leprosy, skin, swelling, syphilis, ulcer, warts
Panama for asthma, colds, congestion, diabetes, diarrhea, hypertension, inflammation
Peru for diarrhea, flu, infection, skin infections, and as an antiseptic and douche
Trinidad for asthma, cough, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, stomachache
Turkey for diarrhea, fever, poisoning, warts
Venezuela for dysentery, leprosy, sore throat, and as a gargle
Elsewhere for asthma, colds, colic, congestion, corns, cough, debility, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, scurvy, skin
problems, tumor, urinary insufficiency, warts
CAT'S CLAW
• stinnulates immune system • relieves pain Inner Vine Bark
• reduces inflammation • kills viruses Decoction: I cup twice

daily
• protects cells • detoxifies
Capsules/Tablets: 1-2 g two
• cleanses blood
• cleanses bowel • increases urination
Fluid Extracts: 2-4 ml twice
daily
• kills leukemia cells
• reduces cholesterol
Tinctures: 2-4 ml twice
• tones and balances • decreases depression
daily
Standardized Extracts:
follow the label
instructions
8
Cat's claw (U. tomeutosn) is woody vine that derives its name from hook-
a large,
Family: Rubiaceae
like thorns that grow along the vine and resemble the claws of a cat.
Two close-
Genus: Uncaria
ly related species of Uncaria areused almost interchangeably in the rainforests:
Species: tomentosa, U. tonioitosa and U. guianensis. Both species can reach over
30 m high into the
guianensis
canopy. U. tomentosa has small, yellowish-white flowers, whereas U.
guianensis
claw is
Common Names: has reddish-orange flowers and thorns that are more curved. Cat s
indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of South and
cat’s claw, una de gato, Cen-
paraguayo, garabato,
tral America, including Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana,
Trinidad, Venezuela,
garbato casha, samento,
Suriname, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama.
toro, tambor huasca, una una
huasca, una de gavilan,
There are other species of plants with a common name of cat's claw (or
Mexico and Latin America; however, they are entirely different

hawk’s claw, saventaro de gato) in
plants, not belonging to the Uncaria genus, or even the Rubiaceae family. Sev-
Parts Used: bark, root,
eral of the Mexican una de gato varieties have toxic properties.
leaves
of the
TRIBAL Both South American Uncaria species are used by the indigenous peoples
AND HERBAL Amazon rainforest in very similar ways and have long histories of use. Cat's
claw (U. tomentosa) has been used medicinally by the Aguaruna, Ashaninka,
MEDICINE USES The
Cashibo, Conibo, and Shipibo tribes of Peru for at least 2,000 years.
Ashaninka Indian tribe in central Peru has the longest recorded history of use
of the plant. They are also the largest commercial source of cat's claw from Peru
of the uri-
today. The Ashaninka use cat's claw to treat asthma, inflammations
nary tract, arthritis, rheumatism, and bone pain; to recover from chilcibirth; as
a kidney cleanser; to cure deep wounds; to control inflammation
and gastric
ulcers; and for cancer. Indigenous tribes in Piura region of Peru use cat's claw
Cat’s claw has been
tumors, inflammations, rheumatism, and gastric ulcers. Other Peruvian
to treat
used medicinally by the
Aguaruna, Ashaninka,
indigenous tribes use cat's claw to treat diabetes, urinary tract cancer in women,
Cashibo, Conibo, and

hemorrhages, menstrual irregularity, cirrhosis, fevers, abscesses, gastritis,
Shipibo Indian tribes

rheumatism, tumors, and inflammations as well as for internal cleansing and
to "normalize the body." Reportedly, cat's claw has also been used
as a contra-
of Peru for at least
2,000 years.
ceptive by several different tribes of Peru (but only in very large dosages). Fer-
nando Cabieses, MD, a noted authority on Peruvian medicinal plants, explains
that the Ashaninka boil 5 to 6 kg (about 12 lbs.) of the root in water until it is
reduced to little more than 1 cup. This decoction is cup daily) dur-
then taken (1
ing the period of menstruation for three consecutive months; this supposedly
^
causes sterility for three to four years.

Cat's claw has been used in Peru and Europe since the early 1990s as an
adjunctive treatment for cancer and AIDS, as well as for other diseases that tar-
get the immune system. In herbal medicine today, cat's claw is employed
around the world for many different conditions, including immune disorders,
gastritis, ulcers, cancer, arthritis, rheumatism, rheumatic disorders, neuralgias.

chronic inflammation of all kinds, and such viral diseases as herpes zoster
(shingles). Brent Davis, DC, has written several articles on cat's claw and refers
to it as the "opener of the way" for its ability to cleanse the entire intestinal tract
and its effectiveness in treating stomach and bowel disorders (such as Crohn's
disease, leaky bowel syndrome, ulcers, gastritis, diverticulitis, and other inflam-
matory conditions of the bowel, stomach, and intestines). Julian Whitaker, MD,
reports using cat's claw for its immune-stimulating effects, for cancer, to help
prevent strokes and heart attacks, to reduce blood clots, and for diverticulitis
and irritable bowel syndrome.
PLANT Cat's claw has several groups of plant chemicals that account for much of the
CHEMICALS plant's actions and and most studied is a group of oxidole alkaloids
uses. First
that has been documented with immune-stimulant and antileukemic proper-
ties. Another group of chemicals called quinovic acid glycosides have docu-
mented anti-inflammatory and antiviral actions. Antioxidant chemicals (tannins,
catechins, and procyanidins) as well as plant sterols (beta-sitosterol, stigmas-
Alkaloid chemicals in
terol, and campesterol) account for the plant's anti-inflammatory properties. A

cat’s claw are the subject
compounds known as carboxyl alkyl esters found in cat's claw has been
class of
of four U.S. patents
documented with immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, anticancerous, and
indicating they increase
cell-repairing properties.
immune function by up
Cat's claw contains ajmalicine, akuammigine, campesterol, catechin, car-
to 50 percent in relatively
boxyl alkyl esters, chlorogenic acid, cinchonain, corynantheine, corynoxeine,
small amounts.
daucosterol, epicatechin, harman, hirsuteine, hirsutine, iso-pteropodine, logan-
ic acid, lyaloside, mitraphylline, oleanolic acid, palmitoleic acid, procyanidins,
pteropodine quinovic acid glycosides, rhynchophylline, rutin, sitosterols, specio-
phylline, stigmasterol, strictosidines, uncarine A through F, and vaccenic acid.
BIOLOGICAL With so many documented traditional uses of this important rainforest plant,
ACTIVITIES it is not surprising that it came to the attention of Western researchers and sci-
when Klaus Keplinger, a journalist and

AND CLINICAL entists. Studies began in the early 1970s
RESEARCH self-taught ethnologist from Innsbruck, Austria, organized the first definitive
work on cat's claw. Keplinger 's work in the 1970s and 1980s led to several
extracts of cat's claw being sold in Austria and Germany as herbal drugs,~~* as
research confirms
well as the filing of four U.S. patents describing extraction procedures for the
Clinical
that cat’s claw vine-bark

immune-stimulating oxindole alkaloids.^-^ These novel oxindole alkaloids
extracts boost immune worldwide interest in the medicinal properties of this valuable vine of
fueled
been
the rainforest. Other independent researchers in Spain, France, Japan, Germany,
function, which have
used since the 1980s

and Peru followed Keplinger, many of them confirming his research on the
in
Europe for immune- immuno-stimulating alkaloids in the vine and root. Many of these studies pub-
related conditions.
lished from the late 1970s to early 1990s indicated that the whole oxindole alka-
220
whole vine bark and/or root bark extracts, or six individually-

loid fraction,
increased
tested oxindole alkaloids, when used in relatively small amounts,
immune function by up to 50 percent.^"^^ These study results were substantiat-
ed by Canadian researchers at the University of Ottawa (1999) and by Peruvian
researchers (1998), both working with whole vine extract.^^'^^
Unsubstantiated product- Proprietary extracts of cat^s claw have been manufactured since 1999. Clin-
ical studies, funded by the manufacturers of these extracts, have
been published
sponsored research
has confused consumers showing that these cat's claw products continue to provide the same immune-
stimulating benefits as has been documented for almost twenty years.
about the long-established
and well-researched But then facts concerning cat's claw's benefits became confusing, as often
immune-stimulating happens with market-driven research. A manufacturer of a cat s claw extract

effects of cat’s claw’s funded a test tube study about these immune-stimulating alkaloids. The
oxindole alkaloids. research indicated that, supposedly, two different types (chemotypes) of cat s
claw vines are growing in the rainforest, and/ or that cat's claw produces good
alkaloids" and "bad alkaloids." It has coined the "good ones" pentacyclic
(POA) alkaloids and the "bad ones" tetracyclic (TOA) alkaloids; both are oxin-
dole alkaloids. The research and marketing attempt to suggest that one set of
"bad alkaloids" counteracts the immune benefits of the "good alkaloids."
This research has not been confirmed by independent researchers that is, —
those who are not selling cat's claw or being paid by companies selling cat's
claw. This research has also not been confirmed in humans or animals. This
market-driven research would seek to discount or disprove all the definitive,

independent research done over the last three decades in Japan, Peru, Germany,
same
Spain, and the United States (including the four U.S. patents filed by these
researchers). Much of the previous independent research was performed on
whole oxindole extracts and whole root or vine extracts (some in humans and
animals). This research documented the presence of both types of alkaloids,
both of which showed immune-stimulant actions. Indeed, some of the "new

research" refuted the marketer's original (and independently confirmed) find-
ings! As for the possibility of a new chemotype; a plant doesn't change its
chemical constituency in five years. Again, two species of cat's claw exist— 17.
tornentosa and U. guianensis; they have a similar chemical makeup but a differ-
ent ratio of oxindole alkaloids. Admittedly U. tornentosa has declined in the

Peruvian rainforest because of overharvesting in the last five to eight years. The
lower growing and easier-to-find U. guianensis variety is a common "adulter-
ant" in many large lots of cat's claw bulk material being exported out of South
America today.
In addition to its immune-stimulating activity, in vitro anticancerous prop-
erties have been documented and other constituents in cat's

for these alkaloids
claw. Five of the oxindole alkaloids have been clinically documented with in
Recent research has vitro antileukemic properties,^^ and various root and bark extracts have demon-
reported that cat’s claw strated antitumorous and anticancerous properties. Italian researchers
may provide an reported in a 2001 in vitro study that cat's claw directly inhibited the growth of
anticancerous action a human breast cancer cell line by 90 percent, while another research group
(especially against breast reported that it inhibited the binding of estrogens in human breast cancer cells
cancer cells) and may be in vitro?^ Swedish researchers documented it inhibited the growth of lym-
beneficial in reducing phoma and leukemia cells in vitro in 1998.^^ Early reports on Keplinger's obser-
chemotherapy side vatory trials with cancer patients — taking cat's claw in conjunction with such
effects. traditional cancer therapies as chemotherapy and radiation — reported fewer
side effects to the traditional therapies (such as hair loss, weight loss, nausea,
secondary infections, and skin problems).^ Subsequent researchers have shown
how these effects might be possible —they have reported that cat's claw can aid
in DNA cellular and prevent cells from mutating; it also can help pre-
repair
vent the loss of white blood cells and immune cell damage caused by many
chemotherapy drugs (a common side effect called leukopenia).
Another significant area of study has focused on cat's claw's anti-inflam-
matory properties. While plant and antioxidant chemicals found in cat's

sterols
claw account for some of these properties, new and novel plant chemicals called
qiiinovic acid glycosides were documented to be the most potent anti-inflamma-
tory constituents of the plant.^"^ This studyand subsequent ones indicated that
cat's claw (and, especially, its glycosides) could inhibit inflammation from 46
percent up to 89 percent in various in vivo and in vitro tests.'^'^^ The results of

these studies validated its long history of indigenous use for arthritis and
rheumatism, as well as for other types of inflammatory stomach and bowel dis-
orders. It was also clinically shown to be effective against stomach ulcers in an

in vivo rat study."^^
Other research validates Research in Argentina reports that cat's claw is an effective antioxidant;'^'^
cat’s claw’s long history other researchers in 2000 concluded that it is an antioxidant as well as a remark-
of indigenous use for ably potent inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha production. TNF rep-
arthritis and rheumatism, resents a model for tumor growth driven by an inflammatory cytokine
as well as for other types chemical.'^ Other researchers in the United States reported in 2002 that the anti-
of inflammatory stomach inflammatory actions of cat's claw are not attributable to immune-stimulating
and bowel disorders. alkaloids, but rather to another group of chemicals called carboxyl alkyl estersd^
This would explain why a product comprised of mostly alkaloids showed only
modest benefit to arthritis patients— in a study by another group that was inci-
dentally selling a special alkaloid preparation of cat's claw.-^^ The same group
of anti-inflammatory glycoside chemicals also demonstrated in vitro antiviral
properties in another earlier study.*^^
In addition to the immunostimulant alkaloids, cat's claw contains the alka-
loids rhynchophylline, hirsutine, and mitraphylline, which have demonstrated

222
and dilate blood vessels. Rhyncho-

Cat’s claw most recently the ability to lower blood pressure
has shown possible phylline has shownprevent blood clots in blood vessels, dilate peripheral
to
cholesterol.^^'^®
applications for heart blood vessels, lower the heart rate, and lower blood levels of
research indicates that cat's claw might be helpful to
people
function, Alzheimer’s Some of the newer
disease, and mild with Alzheimer's disease; this could be attributable to the antioxidant effects
possibly, to the dilation of peripheral blood vessels in
the
depression. already confirmed or,
brain by alkaloids such as rhynchophylline.^^''’^

Another research group recently reported that cat's claw s immune-stimu-
lating alkaloids pteropodine and isopteropodine might have other properties

and applications. They reported that these two chemicals have shown
to have
called 5-HT(2) recep-

a positive modulating effect on brain neurotransmitters
variety of
torsP These receptor sites are targets for drugs used in treating a
conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders,
chronic pain con-
ditions, and obesity.
CURRENT Cat's claw has grownquite popular in the natural products industry and is
mostly taken today to boost immune function, as an overall tonic

and preven-
PRACTICAL USES
tative to stay healthy, for arthritis and inflammation, for
bowel and colon prob-
lems, and as a complementary therapy for cancer. The most common forms
used today are cat's claw capsules and tablets, both of which have become
widely available in most health food stores at reasonable prices. There are also
newer (and more expensive) proprietary extracts of cat s claw in tablets and
—
capsules, some backed by research albeit paid-for research.
A good-quality, natural cat's claw vine-bark with naturally occurring chem-
icals is the best value, money wise. It contains all the chemicals that nature
anti-
provides in the proper ratio (including immune-stimulating alkaloids,
inflammatory glycosides, and antioxidant chemicals), without chemical inter-
vention. Some invasive extraction and manufacturing techniques may only
extract one particular type of chemical, or change the complex ratio of natural-
ly occurring chemicals in the plant —
which ignores the efficiency and synergy
chemicals work
of the plant. Scientists do not fully know how all these complex
together in harmony. In fact, scientists are still discovering new and
novel active
chemicals in this plant, even after over twenty years of research on cat's
claw.
As the market demand hasincreased for this rainforest plant over the last five
years, more companies have gone into the business of harvesting it, and the
quality of the bulk materials from South America can be sometimes
coming in
questionable. Oftentimes, a combination of U. tomentosa and U.

giiianensis is
harvested and sold as "cat's claw" (as, presently, the giiianensis species is found
more easily). Pick a good quality and trusted label and manufacturer for the
best results and the best value.
Traditional For general immune and prevention benefits, practitioners usually recommend
Preparation 1 g daily of vine powder in tablets or capsules. Therapeutic dosages of cat's
claw are reported to be as high as 20 g daily and average 2-3 g two or three
times daily. Generally, as a natural aid for arthritis, bowel, and digestive prob-
lems, taking 3-5 g daily is recommended, if a good product is obtained. Alter-
natively, a standard vine bark decoction can be used in much the same way
indigenous people of the Amazon The dosage for a standard decoction
use it.
for general health and maintenance is V2 -I cup of a decoction once daily and
up to 1 cup three times daily in times of special needs. Adding lemon juice or
vinegar to the decoction when boiling will help extract more alkaloids and
fewer tannins from the bark. Use about V2 teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar
per cup of water. For standardized and/or proprietary extract products, follow
the label instructions.
Contraindications Cat's claw has been clinically documented with immune-stimulant effects and
is contraindicated before or following any organ or bone marrow transplant or
skin graft.
Cat's claw has been documented with anti-fertility properties and is con-
traindicated in persons seeking to get pregnant. However, this effect has not
been proven to be sufficient for the product to be used as a contraceptive, and
it should not be relied on for such.
Cat's claw has chemicals that can reduce platelet aggregation and thin the
blood. Check with your doctor first if you are taking coumadin or other blood-
thinning drugs, and discontinue use one week to ten days prior to any major
surgical procedure.
Cat's claw vine bark requires sufficient stomach acid to help break down the
tannins and alkaloids during digestion and to aid in absorption. Avoid taking
bark capsules or tablets at the same time as antacids. Avoid taking high tannin
(dark-colored) liquid extracts and tinctures directly by mouth and dilute first
in water or acidic juice (such as orange juice).
Large dosages of cat's claw (3-4 g doses at a time) have been reported to
cause some abdominal pain or gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea
(due to the tannin content of the vine bark) in some people. The diarrhea or
loose stools tend to be mild and go away with continued use. Discontinue use
or reduce dosage if diarrhea persists longer than three or four days.
Due immune-stimulant effects, cat's claw should not be used with med-
Drug Interactions to its
ications intended to suppress the immune system, such as cyclosporin or other

medications prescribed following an organ transplant. (This theory has not
been proven scientifically.)
pmuiiiiuiRiiii j.i.

224
claw may protect against gastrointesti-

Based upon in vivo rat studies, cat's
associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory

drugs (NSAIDs)
nal damage
such as ibuprofen.
Cat's claw may potentiate coumadin and blood-thinning drugs.

Region Uses
Colombia for dysentery, gonorrhea
French for dysentery
Guiana
pain, cancer, cirrhosis, diabetes, diarrhea,
disease
for abscesses, AIDS, arthritis, asthma, blood cleansing,
bone
Peru
hemorrhages, herpes, immune disorders,
prevention, dysentery, fevers, gastric ulcers, gastritis, gonorrhea,
cleansing, prostatitis, rheumatism, shingles,
inflammations, intestinal disorders, menstrual irregularity, kidney
wounds
skin disorders, stomach disorders, ulcers problems, urinary tract disorders, tumors,
Suriname for dysentery, intestinal disorders, wounds
for arthritis, cancer, colds, colitis, Crohn’s disease,

depression, diverticulitis, flu, gastritis, heart support,
United
leukemia, rheumatism, skin disorders,
States immune disorders, inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome, leaky gut,
shingles (herpes zoster), ulcers, viruses, wounds
CATUABA
Main Actions
• relieves pain Bark
• increases libido
• kills bacteria Infusion: I cup one to three
• calms nerves
times daily
• reduces anxiety • kills viruses
• dilates blood vessels
• relaxes blood vessels
Erythroxylum catuaba is a vigorous-growing, small tree that produces yellow

Family: Erythroxylaceae
fruit. It grows
and orange flowers and small, dark yellow, oval-shaped, inedible
Genus: Erythroxylum
in the northern part of Brazil in Amazonas, Para,
Pernambuco, Bahia, Maran-
Species: catuaba the family Erythroxylaceae,
hao, and Alagoas. This catuaba tree belongs to
Common Names: whose principal genus, Erythroxylum, contains several species that are sources
catuaba, cataguT
Catuaba, however, contains none of the active cocaine alkaloids.
of cocaine.
chuchuhuasha. tatuaba,
pau de reposta,
A large amount of confusion exists today regarding the actual species of tree
harvested in Brazilian forests and sold around the world as
catuaba.
caramuru, piratangara, that is
catuaba" and
angelim-rosa. catigua Experienced Brazilian harvesters will refer to two species: a "big
a "small catuaba." The confusion thickens
when relating these trees to
Part Used: bark
approved botanical species names. "Small catuaba" is Enjthwxyliim catuaba (cat-

aloged and accepted in 1936), which grows 2-4 m tall and sports yellow-to-
orange flowers and— in Brazil— is referred to as catuaba. "Big catuaba," in the
mahogany family, is Trichilia catigua, which grows 6-10 m tall, has cream-col-
ored flowers and — in Brazil — is referred to as catigua and augelim-rosa. More-
over, three other (unapproved) botanical names for catuaba are used incorrectly
in herbal commerce today: Juniperus brasilmisis (which is thought to refer to
"small catuaba"), and Anemopaegma mirandum and Eriotheca candolleana, which
are completely different species altogether.
Anemopaegma is a huge tree in the Bignonia family, growing to 40 m tall and
called catuaba-verdadeira in Brazil. This species of tree is now harvested and
exported out of Brazil by inexperienced or unethical harvesters (resulting in the
incorporation in herbal products sold in the U.S. today) as just "catuaba." Ery-
throxylum catuaba and Trichilia catigua are the preferred Brazilian herbal medi-
cine species, with the longest documented history of use as "big and little
catuaba." Both types are used interchangeably in Brazilian herbal medicine sys-
tems for the same conditions.
TRIBAL Catuaba has a long history of use in herbal medicine as an aphrodisiac. The
AND HERBAL Tupi Indians in Brazil first discovered the aphrodisiac qualities of the plant, and
MEDICINE USES over the few centuries have composed many songs praising its wonders
last
and abilities. Indigenous and local peoples have used catuaba for generations.
It is the most famous of all Brazilian aphrodisiac plants. In the Brazilian state
of Minas there is a saying, "Until a father reaches 60, the son is his; after that,
the son is catuaba's!"
Catuaba has a long In Brazilian herbal medicine today, catuaba is considered a central nervous
history in herbal medicine system stimulant with aphrodisiac properties. A bark decoction is commonly
as an aphrodisiac. The used for sexual impotency, agitation, nervousness, nerve pain and weakness,
Indians in the Amazon poor memory or forgetfulness, and sexual weakness. According to Dr. Meira
have composed many Penna, catuaba "functions as a stimulant of the nervous system, above all when
songs praising its v/onders one deals with functional impotence of the male genital organs ... it is an inno-
and effects as a sexual cent aphrodisiac, used without any ill effects at all."’ In Brazil, it is regarded as
stimulant. an aphrodisiac with "proven efficacy" and, in addition to treating impotence,
it is employed for many types of nervous conditions including insomnia,
hypochondria, and pain related to the central nervous system (such as sciatica
and neuralgia). In European herbal medicine, catuaba is considered an aphro-

disiac and a brain and nerve stimulant. A bark tea is used for sexual weakness,
impotence, nervous debility, and exhaustion. Herbalists and health practition-
ers in the United States use catuaba in much the same way: as a tonic for gen-
ital function, as a central nervous system stimulant, for sexual impotence.
226
related to hypertension, agitation

general exhaustion and fatigue, insomnia
Michael van Straten, noted British author
and
and poor memory. According to
beneficial to men and women as an
researcher of medicinal plants, catuaba is
aphrodisiac, but "it is in the area of male
impotence that the most striking
results have been reported" and "there is

no evidence of side effects, even after
long-term use."^
alkaloids, tannins, aromat-

PLANT The chemical constituents found in catuaba include
phytosterols, cyclolignanS, sequiterpenes,
and
CHEMICALS ic oils and fatty resins,
flavonoidsc^-6 One Brazilian researcher

documented (in 1958) that catuaba con-
unclear which species of tree he was
tained the alkaloid yohimbine (but it was
cinchonain (also found in qui-
studying) 3 A mixture of flavalignans, including
Trichilia catigua and reported to have
nine bark), was isolated from the bark of
antibacterial and anticancerous properties.^'^
have shown results related to its antibacterial

BIOLOGICAL Clinical studies on catuaba also
ACTIVITIES and antiviral properties. A 1992 study indicated that an extract of catuaba {Ery-
effective in protecting mice from lethal infections of
AND CLINICAL thoxlyum catuaba) was
and Staphlococciis aureus, in addition to inhibiting
HIV signifi-
RESEARCH Escherichia coli
anti-HIV activity
cantly.3 ^ê study found that the pathway of catuaba's
absorption into cells, and
stemmed (at least partially) from the inhibition of HIV
opportunistic infections in HIV
suggested that catuaba had potential against
to a group of Brazilian researchers
patients.^ A U.S. patent was granted (in 2002)
Research with animals
for a catuaba bark extract {Trichilia catigua). This patent refers to animal studies
show that catuaba can and relaxed and dilated blood vessels in rats,
that reported that it relieved pain
relieve pain and inhibit
and guinea pigs.*^ A study published in 1997 reported that catuaba bark
rabbits,
bacteria and viruses.
had significant pain-relieving activity iu vivo.^^''
have been published on catuaba but its long his-

CURRENT To date, no toxicity studies
or ill effects. In fact, according to
PRACTICAL USES tory of use in Brazil has reported no toxicity
Dr. Meira Penna, the only side effects
are beneficial— erotic dreams and
has validated the tradition-
increased sexual desire! While no clinical research
to be used widely for its abili-
al use of catuaba as an aphrodisiac, it continues
libido in both men and women. In the
ty to enhance sexual drive and increase
last several years, its popularity has

grown in the North American herbal mar-
ket,with various products (especially libido formulas)
now available in health
showing up in other formulas for depression, stress,
food stores. Catuaba is also
which species is being sold,
and nervous disorders. (The jury's still out as to
reputable manufacturer and
however!) Interested consumers should seek a
—
product with a verified plant source and botanical
species for the herbal ingre-
dient being sold.

Traditional Generally, in Brazil, a standard infusion (bark tea) and an alcohol tincture are
Preparation employed. Recommended usage is reported to be 1-3 cups of an infusion daily,
or 2-3 ml of a standard alcohol tincture twice daily.
Worldwide Ethnobotanical Uses

Region Uses
an aphrodisiac, central nervous system stimulant, and tonic; for exhaustion, fatigue, forgetfulness,
frigidity, general pain, genitals, hypochondria, impotence, insomnia, nerve pain, nervousness,
poor memory,
sexual weakness, sleep, syphilis
Peru for skin cancer
United States as an aphrodisiac, stimulant, and tonic; for fatigue, impotency, insomnia, nervous exhaustion, nervous
system weakness, pain, poor memory, sleep, weakness
Elsewhere for brain, circulation, fatigue, genitals, impotence, low libido, nervous system
CHA DE BUGRE
• decreases appetite • kills viruses Leaves
• reduces cellulite • reduces fever Infusion: 1 cup '/2 to 1 hour
• increases urination before meals
Family: Boraginaceae
• supports heart Tincture: 2-3 ml two to
Genus: Cordia three times daily
• stimulates
Species: salicifolia, Tablets/Capsules: 2-3 g
ecalyculata twice daily
Common Names:
cha de bugre, porangaba,
Cha de bugre is a small tree growing 8-12 m in height with a trunk 30^0 cm
cafezinho, cafe do mato,
in diameter. It is indigenous to Brazil and can be found growing predominate-
claraiba, cafe de bugre, cha
ly in the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Bahia, Acre, and Goias. It is also found
de frade, louro-salgueiro,
louro-mole, boid d’inde, bois

in tropical forest areas of Argentina and Paraguay. In Brazil, the tree is botani-
d’ine, coquelicot, grao-do- cally classified as Cordia salicifolia and in Paraguay the same tree is classified as
porco, bugrinho, cha-de Cordia ecalyculata. In Brazil, it is commonly called cafe do mato (coffee of the
negro mina, laranjeira do- woods) because it produces a red fruit resembling a coffee bean, which is roast-
mato, rabugem
ed and brewed into tea as a coffee substitute.
Parts Used: leaves, fruit,
bark
228
are highly commercialized as a

weight-loss aid Brazil, m
TRIBAL Cha de bugre products
and tinctures of cha de bugre are commonly
seen
AND HERBAL where tea bags, fluid extracts,
and refreshment stands
in pharmacies, stores, and even in the beach-front eateries
MEDICINE USES has long been a popular
along Rio de Janeiro's beaches (where bikinis
rule!). It
as a diuretic and appetite sup-

weight-loss product, which has been marketed
fatty deposits and cellulite. Sev-
pressant, and believed to help prevent or reduce
eral years ago, an enterprising Brazilian
company re-launched a cha de bugre
porangaba, and market demand
weight-loss product, calling it by its Indian name,
Cha de bugre, which the
Dr. G.L. Cruz in his book, Dictionanj of
in Brazil has been fierce ever since.
suppresses the appetite
Plants Used in Brazil, recommends cha de
bugre as an excellent diuretic and
and reduces cellulite, is
a good general heart tonic, which can
help stimulate
weight-loss aid as well as
one of the most popular and Haiti as a tea to help relieve coughs,
in Brazil
reg-
circulation. It is also used
dieting aids in Brazil. externally to heal wounds.
ulate renal function, and reduce uric acid, and
Brazil, very little has been done to

PLANT Despite the popularity of cha de bugre in
present it is known to contain caf-
CHEMICALS analyze the phytochemicals in the plant. At
fruits or berries of cha
potassium, allantoin, and allantoic acid. The red
feine,
caffeine. The allantoin and allan-
de bugre (resembling a coffee bean) contain
may explain the traditional use of the plant for wound healing.^ Mam
toic acid
acid, caffeine, and potassium.
plant chemicals include allantoin, allantoic
commonly sold and popular natural product already,

BIOLOGICAL Since cha de bugre is a
very little clinical research or interest has been shown to study the plant in
ACTIVITIES
A Japanese university, however, has discovered some new uses for cha
AND CLINICAL Brazil.
extract reduced herpes virus
de bugre. In 1990, they demonstrated that a leaf
RESEARCH cells with the extract. ^ In 1994,
penetration by 99 percent when they pretreated
percent with
they demonstrated that the herpes virus yield was reduced by 33
also discovered that had toxic activity against
as little as 0.25 meg /ml, and it
extract of the
Research has validated cancer (demonstrating a 40 percent inhibition), utilizing an
cells
rabbits and guinea pigs val-
cha de bugre’s traditional branches and leaves.^ Then, in 1997, research with
use to support heart heart tonic when cardiotonic and
idated the traditional use of the plant as a
function.
increased cardiovascular actions (using a leaf
extract) was reported.*^
CURRENT One certainly sees less cellulite on Rio's beaches than most American beaches,
PRACTICAL USES however, this phenomenon is probably not attributed to just cha de bugre!
be sold as
Whether it is cha de bugre or porangaba, it will probably long
called
and throughout Brazil. It is a great appetite sup-
a natural weight-loss aid in Rio
together (then causing intense
pressant-but rather than cutting off appetite all
gives one a sense of being full
hunger when it wears off at the wrong time) it
This seems to promote much
and satiated after eating only a few bites of food.
what many practitioners believe is better
smaller meals, more often, which is
throughout the
for sustained weight loss and keeping the metabolism going
day. It works best if taken thirty minutes to one hour prior to a meal. Cha de
bugre not widely available in the U.S. market today, but give it some time
is . .
these types of natural weight-loss aids are just as popular (and profitable) here
as they are in South America —
especially if they work.
Traditional One cup of a leaf infusion two to three times daily, thirty minutes before meals.
Preparation or 2-3 ml of a 4:1 leaf tincture twice daily. desired, 2-3 g of powdered leaf in
If
tablets or capsules, one to three times daily, can be substituted.

Region Uses
Brazil as a circulatory stimulant, diuretic, and heart tonic; for arthritis, cellulite, circulatory insufficiency, cough,
energy, fever, gout, kidney stones, obesity, renal insufficiency, rheumatism, wounds
Haiti as a digestive stimulant, for obesity
Japan as an antiviral, for herpes
CHANCA PIEDRA
• expels stones • kills bacteria Whole herb
• supports kidneys • treats malaria Infusion: 1 cup two to three
• increases urination • prevents mutation times daily
• relieves pain • reduces fever Fluid Extracts: 2-4 ml two

to three times daily
• protects liver • mildly laxative
Capsules/Tablets: l-2g
• detoxifies liver • expels worms
twice daily
• reduces spasnns
Family: Euphorbiaceae • reduces inflannnnation

• kills viruses
Genus: Phyllanthus
• clears obstructions
Species: niruri, amarus
• aids digestion
Common Names: • reduces blood sugar

chanca piedra, quebra pedra, • lowers blood pressure
stone- breaker, arranca-pedras,
• lowers cholesterol
punarnava, amli, bhonya.
230
Chanca piedra is a small, erect, weed-like herb that

grows 30-40 cm m height. It
bhoomi amalaki, bhui-amla,
Amazon and other tropical areas through-
bhui amla, bhuianvalah, is indigenous to the rainforests of the
bhuimy-amali. bhuin-amla,
out the world, including the Bahamas,
southern India, and China. P. mnin is
bhumyamalaki, cane peas
quite prevalent In the Amazon and other
wet rainforests, growing and spread-
senna, carry-me-seed, creole sellmmmis are closely related to
ing freely (much like a weed). P. urnimrin and P.
senna, daun mahsan, derriere- but typically are
P niniri in appearance, chemical structure, and history of use,
dos, deye do, erva-pombinha,
and even Florida and Texas.
in the drier tropical climates of India,
Brazil,
elrageig, elrigeg, evatbimi, found
shrubs, trees, and herbs
gale-wind grass, graine en bas The Pht/llanthus genus contains over 600 species of
subtropical. regions of both hemi-
fievre, hurricane weed, jar-
distributed throughout the tropical and
deal of confusion among scien-
amla, jar amla, kizha
spheres. Unfortunately, there remains a great
nelli,
malva-pedra, mapatan, para-

fisfs regarding planf identification
and, in many cases, plant misidentification
parai mi, paraparai mi, pei, anumis and P. sellmvianus
pombinha, quinine
makes evaluation of published information difficult. P
or else no distinction is made among
phyllanto,
weed, sacha foster, cane are often considered a variety of P niruri,

research. Often, one name is indicated
senna, creole senna, shka-nin- these three species, in published clinical
another and, sometimes, both names are used
inter-
du, viernes santo, ya-taibai, to be synonymous with
yaa tai bai, yah-tai-bai, yerba
changeably as if referring to one plant. became so confusing that, in the
It
de san pablo PIn/llniitIms genus was conducted which

1990s, a major reorganization of the
Parts Used: entire plant classified P. amariis as a type of P. niniri.
or shat-
TRIBAL The Spanish name of the plant, chanca piedra, means "stone breaker
It was named for its effective
use by generations of Amazonian
AND HERBAL ter stone."
and gallstones. In Brazil, the
indigenous peoples in eliminating kidney stones
MEDICINE USES (which also translates to break-
plant is known as ipiebra-pedra or arranca-pedras
stones
stone"). It is and highly effective natural remedy for kidney
a leading
throughout South America. In addition kidney stones, the plant is employed

to
for numerous other conditions by the

indigenous peoples,
in the Amazon
jaundice, vag-
including colic, diabetes, malaria, dysentery, fever, flu, tumors,
use
initis, gonorrhea, and dyspepsia. Based on its long documented history of
in the region, the plant is generally used to reduce pain, expel intestinal gas,
stimulate and promote digestion, expel worms,

and as a mild laxative.
systems in every trop-
Chanca piedra has been Chanca piedra has a long history in herbal medicine
ical country where For the most part, it is employed for similar con-
it grows.
called “stone breaker"
has been used ditions worldwide. main uses are for many types of biliary and urinary
Its
because it
stones; for hepatitis, colds, flu,
by indigenous peoples of conditions including kidney and gallbladder
diseases and disorders including
the Amazon as an tuberculosis, and other viral infections; liver
bacterial infections such as cystitis,
effective remedy to anemia, jaundice, and liver cancer; and for
tract infections. It is also
eliminate kidney stones
sexually transmitted diseases, and urinary
prostatitis,
well as for its diuretic, pain-
for generations. widely used for diabetes and hypertension as
fever-reducing, and cellular-pro-
relieving, digestive stimulant, antispasmodic,
tective properties in many other conditions.
PLANT Since the mid-1960s, chanca piedra has been the subject of much phytochemi-
CHEMICALS cal research to determine the active constituents and their pharmacological
activities. It is a rich source of plant chemicals, including many which have
been found only in the Phyllauthus genus. Many of the ''active" constituents are
attributed to biologically active lignans, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, ellag-
itannins, and phenylpropanoids found in the leaf, stem, and root of the plant.
Common lipids, sterols, and flavonols also occur in the plant.
The main plant chemicals chanca piedra include alkaloids, astragalin, bre-
in
vifolin, carboxylic acids, corilagin, cymene, ellagic acid, ellagitannins, gallocat-
echins, geraniin, hypophyllanthin, lignans, lintetralins, lupeols, methyl
salicylate, niranthin, nirtetralin, niruretin, nirurin, nirurine, niruriside, norse-
curinines, phyllanthin, phyllanthine, phyllanthenol, phyllochrysine, phylte-

tralin, repandusinic acids, quercetin, quercetol, quercitrin, rutin, saponins,
triacontanal, and tricontanol.
BIOLOGICAL It is little wonder that chanca piedra is used for so many purposes in herbal
ACTIVITIES medicine systems: in clinical research over the years, the plant has demon-
AND CLINICAL strated liver-protective, antilithic (expels stones), pain-relieving, hypotensive,
RESEARCH antispasmodic, antiviral, antibacterial, diuretic, antimutagenic, and hypo-
glycemic activities. Due to the confusion among P. niruri, P. amariis, and P. sell-
oioiamis over the years (and the reclassification of the genus), the research
reviewed herein will encompass that which has been reported on all three of
these very similar species.
Clinical research validates The first notable area of study has validated chanca piedra's long-standing
chanca piedra’s long- traditional use for kidney stones. In 1990, the Paulista School of Medicine in Sao
standing use for kidney Paulo, Brazil, conducted studies with humans and rats with kidney stones.
stones: animal research They were given a simple tea of chanca piedra for one to three months and it
suggests that it can was reported that the tea promoted the elimination of stones.^ They also report-
eliminate as vêll as ed a significant increase in urine output as well as sodium and creatine excre-
prevent the formation tion. Subsequently, the medical school educated new doctors about the ability
of kidney stones. to treat kidney stones with this natural remedy and now it is found in many
pharmacies throughout Brazil.
In a 1999 in vitro clinical study, a chanca piedra extract exhibited the ability
to block the formation of calcium oxalate crystals (the building blocks of most
kidney stones), which indicates that it might be a useful preventative aid for
people with a history of kidney stones.- In a 2002 in vivo study, researchers

seeded the bladders of rats with calcium oxalate crystals and treated them for
forty-two days with a water extract of chanca piedra. Their results indicated
that chanca piedra strongly inhibited the growth and number of stones formed
over the control group. Several of the animals even passed the stones which
232
could
did form. In 2003, scientists again
confirmed in vitro that chanca piedra
with
prevent the formation of kidney stones, stating, "that it may interfere
help
of stone formation and may represent an alternative form of
the early stages
treatment and/or prevention of urolithiasis.'"*
activity of chanca piedra
Previously (in the mid-1980s), the antispasmodic
that "smooth muscle relaxation
was reported. This led researchers to surmise
facilitates the expulsion of kidney
within the urinary or biliary tract probably
or bladder calculi."^ Researchers
had already reported chanca piedra's anti-
a uter-
spasmodic and smooth muscle relaxant properties (including
properties*-
that Dr.
In 1990, Nicole Maxwell reported
ine relaxant effect) in earlier studies.^
treated over 100 kidney stone
Wolfram Wiemann (of Nuremburg, Germany)
patients with chanca piedra obtained in
Peru and found it to be 94 percent suc-
cessful in eliminating stones within

a week or two.*
gallstones and, while no
Chanca piedra is also used in herbal medicine for
Chanca piedra has
that specifically validated this use,
one study does
demonstrated the ability research has been performed
effect on gallbladder processes.
In a 2002
to reduce cholesterol, indicate that chanca piedra has an
secre-
that chanca piedra increased bile acid
blood pressure, and study, Indian researchers reported
significantly lowered blood cholesterol
levels m
blood sugar, as well as tion in the gallbladder and
beneficial effects of lowering cholesterol
and triglyceride levels was
to increase urination. This rats.^ The
in vivo (rat) study in 1985.’*
research in animals helps also confirmed by anofher
been explored by research, as
validate its uses in herbal The plant's traditional use for hypertension has
reported in a dog study in 1952 (in which
medicine for hypertension, well. The hypotensive effects were first
a diuretic effect was noted also)."

The hypotensive effects were attributed to a spe-
diabetes, and high
1988 study.” In 1995,
cholesterol. cificphyfochemical in chanca piedra called genwiin in a
with high blood pressure chanca piedra
Indian researchers gave human subjects
a significant reduction in systolic
blood
leafpowder in capsules and reporfed
pressure, and a significant increase in
urine volume and sodium excretion.
recorded as far back as 1929 and, -
Chanca piedra's diuretic effect in humans was

chanca piedra (called Pnnarnava) is sold as a diurefic.
in India, a tablet of
blood sugar levels
that
In the above 1995 study, researchers also reported
studied.’" Two other studies with
were reduced significantly in human subjects
in dia-
rabbits’5 document the hypoglycemic effect of chanca piedra
rats’*
betic animals. Yet another study

documented chanca piedra with aldose reduc-
tase inhibition (ARl) properties.’"
Aldose reductases are substances that act on
sugar concentration and can lead to dia-
nerve endings exposed to high blood
betic neuropathy and macular
degeneration. Inhibitors of these substances can
that occur, and thus protect the nerve.
prevent some of the chemical imbalances
attributed, in part, to a plant chemical
This ARl effect of chanca piedra was
ellagic acid. This well-studied
plant chemical has been documented with
called
numerous clinical studies (over 300 to date).
many other beneficial effects in
Chanca piedra has shown Another area of research has focused on the pain-relieving effects of chanca
in the laboratory to be an piedra. So far, researchers at this Brazilian university have published six stud-
effective pain-reliever: a ies on their findings. The first three studies reported strong and dose-depend-
single chemical in the ent pain-relieving effects in mice given extracts of chanca piedra against six
plant was documented to different laboratory-induced pain models.^^-ô In 1996, they isolated and tested
be seven times more chanca piedra's hypotensive plant chemical geraniin and reported that it was
potent than aspirin or seven times more potent as a pain-reliever than aspirin or acetaminophen.^^
acetaminophen. Their last two studies (published in 2000) continued to document chanca
piedra's pain-relieving effects against normal pain models in mice, and, newly-
tested nerve-related pain models.^2,23 Again, they related this effect to the
geraniin plant chemical and reported its ability to inhibit several neurotrans-
and receive pain signals in the brain.^^ Unlike aspirin
mitter processes that relay
(which can harm the mucousal lining of the stomach and cause ulcers), gerani-
in has been reported to have antiulcerous properties and to protect the gastric
tract, instead. This pain-relieving effect is probably why so many people tak-
ing chanca piedra for kidney stones (a very painful affair) report such quick
relief, and long before chanca piedra could actually break down and expel a
stone.
The liver-protecting activity of chanca piedra is another subject which has
been established in clinical research with animals and humans. These effects
have been attributed to (at least)two novel plant chemicals in chanca piedra
named phyllanthin and hypopihyllanthin. The researchers who reported the cho-
lesterol-lowering effects also reported that chanca piedra protected rats from
liver damage induced by alcohol and normalized a "fatty liver.''^^ One in vitro
study and four in vivo studies (with rats and mice) document that extracts of
chanca piedra effectively protect against liver damage from various chemical
liver toxins. Two human studies reported chanca piedra's liver protective
and detoxifing actions in children with hepatitis and jaundice. Indian research-
ers reported that chanca piedra was an effective single drug in the treatment of
jaundice in children,^'^ and British researchers reported that children treated
with a chanca piedra extract for acute hepatitis had liver function return to nor-
mal within five days.^^ Researchers in China also reported liver protective
actions when chanca was given to adults with chronic hepatitis.^^

piedra
Research suggests that A 2000 study even documented that chanca piedra increased the life span of
chanca piedra can protect, mice with liver cancer from thirty-three weeks (control group without treat-
detoxify, and even help ment) to fifty-two weeks. Another research group tried to induce liver cancer
regenerate the liver. in mice that had been pre-treated with a water extract of chanca piedra. Their
results indicated the chanca piedra extract dose-dependently lowered tumor
incidence, levels of carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes, levels of liver cancer
markers, and liver injury markers. Both studies indicate that the plant has a
234
and slow down the growth of tumors, rather than a

better ability to prevent
direct toxic effect or ability to kill cancer
cells.
ability to stop cells from

Some new research may It well be that chanca piedra's documented
may
anticancerous activity. In
suggest that chanca mutating plays an important factor in this reported
cultures), extracts of chanca piedra
piedra might have several animal studies (as well as within cell
from mutating in the pres-
applications for cancer have stopped or inhibited cells (including liver cells)
cellular mutations and A strand DN
prevention. ence of chemical substances known to create
cells).^^-^? ^gain, one of these
breaks (which can lead to the creation of cancerous
several enzyme processes pecu-
studies indicated that chanca piedra inhibited
liar to cancer cells' replication and
growth— rather than a direct toxic effect of
killing the cancer cell (sarcoma, carcinoma,
and lymphoma cells were studied).
in other research, which indicat-
This cellular-protective quality was evidenced
chemically-induced bone marrow dam-
ed that chanca piedra protected against
damage in mice.^^
age in mice,38 as well as against radiation-induced
most extensive and the most
The last area of published research (which is the
properties. Both human and ani-
confusing) concerns chanca piedra's antiviral
the liver, even during hepa-
mal studies indicate that chanca piedra can protect
antiviral
titis infection. Chanca piedra has also been reported to have direct
hepatitis B virus.
activity in human, animal, and test tube studies against the
and
Over twenty clinical studies have been published to date about these effects,
the results have been inconsistent and
confusing (unless thoroughly evaluated).
merit sifting through the dis
Over twenty clinical Hepatitis is enough of a worldwide concern to
the leading cause of liver cancer
studies have been parate studies. Hepatitis B infection (HBV) is
considered 100 percent fatal. Carriers of HBV are
200
published to date about worldwide— which is
after initial infection. Many
chanca piedra’s antiviral times more likely to develop liver cancer decades
often, asymptomatic) carriers
effects against hepatitis; people who contract HBV become chronic (and,
to others. HBV is reported to be 100
other studies indicate of the disease while still being contagious
is transmitted through blood
antiviral actions against times more infectious than HIV and, like HIV,
needles, sexual contact, and iu utero (from
mother to child in the
the HIV virus. transfusions,
are staggering: one out of every 250 Americans
are
womb). Statistics on HBV
new
HBV carriers! The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 200,000
U.S. cases of HBV infection per year
are added to the current estimate of one
300 million worldwide). The CDC
million carriers in the U.S. (and an estimated
- annual deaths from cirrhosis and 1,000
also reports that (in the U.S.) 3 000 4,000 ,
deaths from liver cancer are HBV-related. So

when Dr. Baruch Blumberg report-
clear up the chronic carrier state of hepatitis
B in
ed that chanca piedra could
Blumberg was the winner of the 1963 Nobel Prize for
1988 ,
it was a big deal. Dr.
HBV antigen in the first place. This led to the discovery that
discovering the
cause of liver cancer and initiated the
development of
HBV was the primary
HBV vaccines.
Most of Blumberg's early research was carried out in India in collaboration

with an Indian research group. Their first human study reported that a water
extract of Phi/llanthus amariis cleared the HBV surface antigen from twenty-two
of thirty-seven chronic HBV patients in only thirty days (and they continued to
test negative for nine months, at which time the report was published).*^^
same group had published several earlier in vitro studies as well as animal
(woodchuck) studies. (Woodchucks respond to chronic HBV infection in much
the same manner as do humans, which is why they are chosen for such re-
search.) All reported similar and effective anti-HBV effects ."^^'"^2 5y \;[Yne,
Blumberg was employed with the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia; he.
Fox Chase, and the Indian researchers filed two patents on the plant's ability to
treat HBV and its antiviral properties in 1985 and 1988 (now calling the plant
P. niruri).^^’^^ The first patent was specific to HBV; the second stated that the
plant's antiviral properties were achieved in part through a strong inhibition of
reverse transcriptase (chemicals necessary for many types of viruses to grow)
which made it possible to treat such retroviruses as HIV and sarcoma and
leukemia viruses.
It was also during this time that the group developed a new and "better"
extraction process. This process involved multiple, complicated extractions in
which the plant was first soaked in cold water, then the resulting fluid was
extracted first in hexane, then in benzene, then in methanol, and back into
water. The group's documentation revealed, however, that they didn't know
specifically what the active chemicals were in the final extract that provided the
antiviral effects! While it was certainly a complicated and patentable process,
much of the subsequent published research by this group throughout the 1990s
using this new, patented "water extract" conflicted with their earlier studies,
and was not as effective in the in vivo research for HBV. This caused much
confusion as to whether chanca piedra (P. niruri or P. aniariis) was an effectivê
treatment or not. To add to the confusion, in 1994, a New Zealand research
group prepared a chemically altered extract (of which was stan-
P. aniariis)
dardized to the geraniin chemical content (the chemical documented with anal-
gesic and hypotensive properties). They started a double-blind HBV human
trial, later discontinued it due to lack of response, and published another neg-
ative result study.

Meanwhile, group in China (where HBV is widespread)
a separate research
working with a straight water extract and/or herb powder published two pos-
itive studies showing good results with human HBV patients in 1994 and
1995.“*'’'“^^ Their second study suggested that different results were obtained
through different Phyllanthiis species of plants used (and that yet another
—
species P. urinaria provided the best anti-HBV results). The Chinese published
236
HBV patients taking a chanca

a study in 2001 that compared thirty chronic
interferon (the leading conven-
piedra extract to twenty-five patients taking
tional drug used for HBV) for three months.
Both treatments showed an equal
effectiveness of 83 percent, but the chanca piedra

group rated significantly high-
er in the normalization of liver enzymes

and recovery of liver function than the
interferon-treated group.''^ The researchers published yet
another study 2003 m
mainly to four chemicals in chanca
which attributed the anti-HVB effects
piedrai niranthin, nirtetralin, hinokinin,

and geraniin.
Copenhagen re-
Finally, The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Research Group in
randomized trials) and
viewed all the HBV published research (twenty-two
results. stated that treatment with
published an independent review of the
It
"Phyllnuthiis herb" (they acknowledged the confusion among the various

clearance of serum HBsAg" (HBV sur-
species used) had "a positive effect on
face antigen) comparable to interferon
and was better than nonspecific treat-
enzyme normalization.
ment or other herbal medicines for HBV and liver
due to these documented
They also indicated that large trials were warranted
and the lack of standardization of research
methods and plant
positive effects
species used in the various published
studies to date.
group reported that a sim-
In addition to hepatitis, Focusing on HIV specifically, a Japanese research
ple water extract of P. niruri inhibited
HIV-1 reverse transcriptase in 1992.^
chanca piedra also has
(Several conventional drugs used today
against HIV are classified as 'Teverse
been studied as an
transcriptase inhibitors.") They attributed this
effect to a plant chemical chan- m
antiviral agent for HIV.
ca piedra called repamiiisinic acid A.
When they tested this chemical individu-
toxicity to HIV-1 at very small dosages (a 90
ally it demonstrated significant
Squibb Pharma-
percent in vitro inhibition using only 2.5 meg). Bristol-Myers
ceutical Research Institute isolated yet another

chemical chanca piedra with m
—
anti-HIV actions a novel compound that they
named niruriside and described
in a 1996 study.^^ A German research organization published their first study
on chanca piedra and its application with HIV therapy (reporting a 70-75 per-
to these antiviral properties, the
cent inhibition of virus) in 2003.52 jj, addition
other antimicrobial effects. Chanca
plant has also been documented as having
against Staphylococcus, Micro-
piedra demonstrated in vitro antibacterial actions
in vitro antimalarial
coccus, and Pasteurclla bacteria53'54 as well as in vivo and
properties,55'56 which validates other traditional uses.
example of a highly beneficial medicinal plant

which
CURRENT Chanca piedra is a perfect
PRACTICAL USES is deserving of much more —

research but one which is fraught with the
typical
rich plant. Unless a major

problems of working with a complicated, chemically
(and well-funded) pharmaceutical or research
company can isolate a single,
patentable extraction process that
patentable chemical (or can come up with a
the high cost of
actually as a simple water extract) to justify
works as well
research, chanca piedra probably will remain in the '"unproven herbal remedy"
category. There just aren't enough non-profit dollars or government grant funds
available to fund research on natural plant extracts that can't be patented. Since
chanca piedra's many and benefits are attributed to many
biological activities
different chemicals (whose synergistic interactions are unclear), and most seem
to be completely water soluble (no complicated and patentable manufacturing
processes necessary), for-profit research dollars will probably be spent else-

where. It is yet another perfect example that Mother Nature is infinitely a bet-
ter chemist; the natural herb continues to work better than any man-made
chemically altered (and patentable) extracts.
But what a natural remedy it is! With its applications for kidney stones and
and liver protection, hypertension and high cholesterol, can-
gallstones, cellular
cer prevention, and its pain-relieving and antiviral effects, it is gaining in pop-
ularity on many continents as an effective herbal remedy. It is also important
to note that in all the research published over the last twenty years, no signs of
toxicity or side effects have been reported in any of the human or animal stud-
ies, even in acute or chronic use.
Traditional A standard herb infusion or weak decoction is prepared as the traditional rem-
Preparation edy. Depending on what it's employed for, 1-3 cups are taken daily. Prevention
and health maintenance dosages for kidney stones are reported by practition-
ers to be 1-3 cups weekly, while 3^ cups daily are used to expel existing stones.
Some pharmacies and South America sell concentrated fluid extracts
in Brazil
or water/glycerine extracts. Depending on the concentration of the extracts,

2-6 ml are taken two to three times daily. Since most of the active chemicals are
water soluble (and broken down
during digestion), 2-3 g in tablets or capsules
twice daily can be substituted, if desired. Alcohol tinctures have not been tra-
ditionally used with chanca piedra (as the more fragile, water-soluble plant
chemicals and sterols are thought to be damaged in alcohol).
0
Contraindications Chanca piedra has demonstrated hypotensive effects in animals and humans.
People with a heart condition and/or taking prescription heart medications
should consult their doctor before taking this plant. may be contraindicated
It
for such individuals and their heart medications may need monitoring and
adjusting.
Chanca piedra has been considered in herbal medicine to be abortive (at
high dosages) as well as a menstrual promoter. While not studied specifically

in humans or animals, animal studies do indicate it has uterine relaxant effects.
It should therefore be considered contraindicated during pregnancy.

Chanca piedra has been documented with female anti-fertility effects in one
mouse study (the effect was reversed forty-five days after cessation of dosing).'’^
238
of the plant is
While has not been documented in humans, the use
this effect
or taking fertility drugs.
probably contraindicated in women seeking pregnancy
used as a contraceptive,
This effect has not been substantiated sufficiently to be
however, and should not be relied on for such.
animals and
Chanca piedra has demonstrated hypoglycemic effects in
Diabetics should
humans. It is contraindicated for people with hypoglycemia.
their doctor before taking this plant, as
insulin medications may need
consult
monitoring and adjusting.
Chanca piedra has been documented, in human and animal studies, with
diuretic effects. Chronicand acute use of this plant may be contraindicated in
not advised. Chronic long-
various other medical conditions where diuretics are
imbalances; howev-
term use of any diuretic can cause electrolyte and mineral
chronic use)
human studies with chanca piedra (for up to three months of
er,
have not reported any side Consult your doctor concerning possible
effects.
to use this plant chronical-
side effects of long-term diuretic use if you choose
ly for longer than three months.
and antidiabetic drugs.This plant con-

Drug Interactions Chanca piedra may potentiate insulin
tains a naturally-occurring phytochemical called geraniin. This chemical has

inotropic, hypotensive,
been documented with negative chronotropic, negative
studies with
and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor effects in animal
and As such, this plant may potentiate antihypertensive
frogs, mice, rats.^^
(including chronotrop-
drugs. Beta-blocker drugs, and other heart medications
ic and inotropic drugs).

Region Uses
dysentery, dyspepsia, edema,
bowel inflammation, colic, constipation, diabetes, digestion stimulation,
Amazonia for
gonorrhea, kidney aliments, kidney stones, malaria, pain,
intestinal gas, itch, jaundice,
fever, flu, gallstones,
disorders, vaginitis, worms, and to
proctitis’, stomachache, tumor, urinary insufficiency, urinary tract
stimulate menstruation
fever, hyperglycemia, spasms,

for bacterial infections, colds, constipation,
flu,
Bahamas/ .
j c
appetite stimulant, laxative, liver detoxifier,
Caribbean stomachache, typhoid, urinary insufficiency, viral infections; as an
liver protector, liver tonic
bacterial infections, bile stimulant, biliary conditions,

Brazil for abortions, aches (joint), albuminuria, arthritis,
cancer, catarrh (liver and kidney), cystitis, diabetes,
bladder problems, bladder stones, blood cleanser,
stimulation, gallstones, gastritis, gastrointestinal
problems,
digestion stimulation, edema, fever, gallbladder
stones,
inflammation, jaundice, kidney colic, kidney pain, kidney
gout, hepatitis, hypertension, hypoglycemic,
prostatitis, renal colic, renal problems, spasms,
tonic, uric
liver’disorders. liver support, malaria, obesity, pain,
uterine relaxant, viral infections; and as a muse e
acid excess, urinary insufficiency, urinary problems,
relaxant and to promote perspiration
Haiti for bowel inflammation, colic, digestion stimulation, digestive problems, fever, flu, indigestion, intestinal gas,
malaria, spasms, stomachache, urinary insufficiency
India for anemia, asthma, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, cough, diabetes, diarrhea, digestion stimulation, dysentery,
fevers, edema, eye disorders, genitourinary disorders, gonorrhea, hepatitis, jaundice, lack of milk production,
menstrual disorders, ringworm, scabies, thirst, tuberculosis, tumor (abdomen), urinary insufficiency,
urogenital tract infections, vaginal discharge, warts
Malaysia for caterpillar stings, constipation, dermatosis, diarrhea, itch, miscarriage, renal disorders, syphilis, urinary
insufficiency, vertigo, and to stimulate menstruation
Peru for gallstones, hepatitis, kidney pain, kidney problems, kidney stones, urinary infections, worms, and to
stimulate menstruation
United for bile insufficiency, bronchitis, diabetes, fever, gallbladder problems, gallstones, gout, hepatitis,
States hypertension, kidney problems, kidney stones, liver disease, obstructions, pain, uric acid excess, urinary
tract infections, viral infections
Elsewhere for bile insufficiency, bruises, constipation, cough, cuts, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, edema, eye
diseases, fever, gallstones, gonorrhea, itch, jaundice, kidney disease, kidney stones, malaria, menstrual
problems, pain, rectitis, sexually transmitted diseases, stomachache, tuberculosis, urinary insufficiency,
urinary tract infections, vaginitis
CHUCHUHUASI
• reduces inflammation • kills cancer cells Bark
• relieves pain • prevents tumors Decoction: I cup two to
• relaxes muscles • stimulates digestion three times daily
• enhances immunity Tincture: 3-5 ml two to

three times daily
• increases libido
Family: Celastraceae • supports adrenals
Genus; Maytenus
Species; krukovii Chuchuhuasi is an enormous canopy tree of the Amazon rainforest that growls
Common Names:
to 30 m high. It has large leaves (10-30 cm), small white flowers, and extreme-
chuchuhuasi, chucchu
ly tough, heavy, reddish-brown bark. Several botanical names have been given
huashu, chuchuasi, to this species of tree. It is referenced as Maytenus krukovii, M. ebenifolia, M. lac-
chuchasha, chuchuhuasha, vis,and M. macrocarpa; however, all botanical names refer to the same tree.
chuchuaso, chuchumuasi, Chuchuhausi is indigenous to the tropical rainforests of Bolivia, Colombia,
curi-caspi
Ecuador, and Peru.
Part Used: bark
240
TRIBAL Indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest have been using the bark of
Peruvian name, chuchuhuasi, means
AND HERBAL chuchuhuasi medicinally for centuries. Its
use for arthritis, rheuma-
MEDICINE USES "trembling back," which refers to its long-standing
for arthritis and rheumatism calls
tism, and back pain. One local Indian remedy
a week.
for 1 cup decoction taken three times a day for more than
of a bark
Amazon believe that chuchuhuasi is an
Local people and villagers along the
local sugarcane rum (aguar-
aphrodisiac and tonic, and the bark soaked in the
diente) is a popular jungle drink that is even
served in bars and to tourists (often
called "go-juice" to relieve pain and muscle aches and to keep going during
in the Amazon use
long treks in the rainforest). Local healers and curanderos
Chuchuhuasi has long
general tonic, to speed healing and, when
combined with
as a jungle
chuchuhuasi as a
been used
types of illnesses. In Colombia,
other medicinal plants, as a synergist for many
remedy for arthritis, back
the Siona Indians boil a small piece of the
bark (5 cm) in 2 liters of water until
pain and muscle spasms,
arthritis and rheumatism. In the
Ecuadorian
1 liter remains, and drink it for
as a healthy tonic to tone,
a bark decoction for general
rainforest, the Quijos Quichua Indians prepare
balance and normalize
aches and pains, rheumatism, sore muscles,
menstrual pain, and stomachaches.
the body, and as an
still considered the best remedy
for
aphrodisiac. In the Peruvian Amazon, chuchuhuasi is
It is also used as a muscle relax-
arthritis among both city and forest dwellers.
ant, aphrodisiac, and pain-reliever, for

adrenal support, as an immune stimu-
balance and regulation. In Peruvian herbal
medicine
lant, and for menstrual
treat osteoarthritis, rheuma-
systems, chuchuhuasi alchohol extracts are used to
and menstrual irregularities
toid arthritis, bronchitis, diarrhea, hemorrhoids,
and pain.
PLANT Chuchuhausi is a chemicals— mostly triterpenes, favonols,

powerhouse of plant
chemicals in
CHEMICALS and sesquiterpene alkaloids. Two of the more well-known
chuchuhuasi are mayteine and maytansine alkaloids long —
documented (since the
Maytemis plants as
and which occur in other
1960s) with anti-tumor activity
well. While these chemicals are found in
chuchuhuasi, they don t occur in high
amounts to really be therapeutic for cancer, however. Another
rainfor-
enough
Maytemis plant, espinheira santa (also featured in this book), is a much bet-
est
novel compounds found only
tersource of these anticancerous chemicals. Other
in chuchuhuasi thus far include ciammarane-
and friedelane-type triterpenes,
constituents.
which are considered to be some of the plant s active
agarofuran ses-
The main plant chemicals found in chuchuhuasi include;
c[uiterpenes, canophyllol, catechin tannins,
dammarane triterpenes, dulcitol,
friedelan triterpenes, krukovine
ebenifoline alkaloids, euojaponine alkaloids,
macrocarpin triterpenes, maytansine, mayteine,
triterpenes, laevisine alkaloids,
proanthocyanidms, and
maytenin, mebeverine, phenoldienones, pristimeran,
tingenone (and its derivatives).
BIOLOGICAL Chuchuhuasi's long history of use has fueled much clinical interest in the
ACTIVITIES research community. In the 1960s, an American pharmaceutical company dis-
AND CLINICAL covered potent immune-stimulating properties of a leaf extract and a bark
RESEARCH extract, documenting that it increased phagocytosis (the ability of immune cells
to attack bacteria and foreign cells) in mice.*^ Researchers in 1977 reported that
alcohol extracts of the bark evidenced anti-inflammatory and analgesic activi-
ties in various studies with mice, which validated chuchuhuasi's traditional
uses for arthritic pain.^ Its anti-inflammatory action again was reported in the
1980s by an Italian research group. They reported that this activity (in addition
to radiation protectant and anti-tumor properties) was at least partially linked
to triterpenes and antioxidant chemicals isolated in the trunk bark.^
Scientists are just In 1993, a Japanese research group isolated another group of novel alkaloids
beginning to understand in chuchuhuasi that may be responsible for its effectiveness in treating arthri-
and to report why tis and rheumatism.^ In the United States, a pharmaceutical company studying
chuchuhuasi is effective chuchuhuasi's anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties determined that
for arthritis. these alkaloids can effectively inhibit enzyme production of protein kinase C
(PKC).® PKC inhibitors have attracted much interest worldwide, as there is evi-
dence that too much PKC enzyme is involved in a wide variety of disease
processes (including arthritis, asthma, brain tumors, cancer, and cardiovascu-
lar disease).^ A Spanish research team found more new phytochemicals in 1998,
one of which was cited as having activity against aldose reductase.^® (This
enzyme is implicated in nerve damage in diabetic patients.)
In the mid-1970s, Italian researchers tested a chuchuhuasi extract against

skin cancers and identified its antitumorous properties.*^ They attributed these
effects totwo chemicals in chuchuhuasi called tingenonc and pristimeriu. Three
groups found new and different sesquiterpene compounds in 1999, two of
which showed marginal anti-tumor activity against four cell lines, and one of
which was documented as effective against leishmaniasis (a tropical parasitic
disease). Other researchers found four more chemicals in the roots of
—
chuchuhuasi (named macrocarpins) in 2000 three of which were documented
as cytotoxic to four tumor cell lines.
CURRENT If the constituents in chuchuhuasi responsible for inhibiting PKC can be syn-
PRACTICAL USES thesized, it is possible that a new arthritis drug will be developed. In the mean-
time, the natural bark of this important Amazon rainforest tree will continue to
be an effective natural herbal remedy for arthritis, for adrenal support, and as
—
an immune tonic as it has been for centuries. It is best prepared as it has been
traditionally: as an alcohol tincture or a decoction. It normally takes about three
to four days of daily use to get a beneficial effect for arthritic pain, and up to a
month or longer of daily use is necessary for adrenal support.

p

242
Traditionally, 2-3 cups daily of a standard bark decoction or 2-4 ml of a stan

Traditional
dard tincture three times daily is used for this rainforest remedy.
Preparation

Region Uses
Brazil for skin cancer
and for arthritis, rheumatism

Colombia as an aphrodisiac, pain-reliever,
pain, rheumatism, stomachache, tumors (skin), and as an

Ecuador for aches (menstrual, muscles), arthritis, fever,
aphrodisiac
disease,
cancer, diarrhea, dysentery, gastrointestinal
Peru for aches (back, muscles), arthritis, bronchitis,
osteoarthritis, pain,
hemorrhoids, impotency, inflammation, influenza, menstrual disorders, nausea,
rheumatism, tumors, virility, and as an aphrodisiac
CIPO CABELUDO
Main Actions
* kills leukemia cells Vines, Leaves
• relieves pain
* cancer cells Infusion; V2 cup twice daily
• reduces mucus l<iHs
* calms nerves Tincture: 5-10 ml twice

daily
• thins blood
13-18 cm tall and

Cipo cabeludo a very small, shrubby vine that grows only
is
Family: Asteraceae
produces small, white flowers. member of the Milawin genus (which com-
A
Genus: Mikania
vines), it is indigenous to many
prises over 300 tropical species of climbing
It is also indigenous to Bolivia,
parts of Brazil, including the Amazon region.
Species; hirsutissima
Common Names; Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana,

Guyana, Honduras, Panama,
Brazil its common name is cipo
cipo cabeludo. guaco- Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. In
with other Mikania vines
cabeludo, guaco peludo,
cabeludo or guaco-cabeludo. It sometimes is confused
cipo-almecega-cabeludo,
erva dutra
that grow in the same regions —Mikania guaco or M. cordifolia whose common
name is "guaco" (which is also featured in this book).

Part Used: aerial parts
TRIBAL Cipo cabeludo is widely used in Brazilian herbal medicine and highly regard-
AND HERBAL ed as a powerful diuretic. Its main documented uses are for cystitis, prostatitis,
MEDICINE USES. urethritis, gout, urinary tract infections, excessive mucus, gallstones, kidney
stones, and to help lower uric acid levels in the urine and blood. It is a preferred
natural remedy for nephritis and prostatitis and is considered helpful in remov-
ing excessive mucus from the urinary and bronchial tracts. It also is employed
as a pain-reliever for neuralgia, chronic rheumatism and arthritis, and general
muscle pain.
PLANT Chemical screening has revealed that cipo cabeludo contains coumarin,
CHEMICALS sesquiterpenes, flavonols, saponins, and kaurenoic acid derivatives.^ These acid
derivatives are chemicals that have been documented with various biological
activities. Several of the known kaurenoic acids in cipo cabeludo (and other
Mikania species) have demonstrated in vitro antibacterial properties against a
broad range of bacteria in published research.^'^ Cipo cabeludo (and other Mika-
nia plants) contain the natural plant chemical coumarin. Coumadin (an antico-
agulant prescription drug with blood-thinning effects) is derived and/or
synthesized from this natural plant chemical. The main chemicals in this vine
include coumarin, essential oils, flavonols, flavones, kaurenoic acid diterpenes,
resins, saponins, and tannins.
BIOLOGICAL This particular species of Mikania was described by a Brazilian researcher at the
ACTIVITIES University of Sao Paulo in the early 1970s.‘^'^ In the mid-eighties, other Brazil-
AND CLINICAL ian researchers documented that an extract of cipo cabeludo had powerful
RESEARCH molluscicidal effects (a lethal effect against adult snails) at only 10 ppm con-
centration.^ This type of test generally is conducted on plants in the ongoing
search for new products to treat the common and highly problematic tropical
disease, schistosomiasis. More recently, cipo cabeludo has interested a research
group in Japan. Their first study (in two novel
1999) reported the discovery of
sesquiterpene chemicals, as well as nine other known compounds. They tested
eleven of the isolated compounds against leukemia cells in vitro and reported
that four of them "showed relatively strong cytotoxicity."" Their second (2000)
study reported that cipo cabeludo contained five biologically active kaurenoic
acids (which also occur in other Mika}iia species) as well as a novel one which —
they named mikanialactone.^
Preliminary research Little research has been conducted thus far on cipo cabeludo; virtually none
indicates cipo cabeludo of its longstanding traditional uses have been confirmed by animal studies. Its
has an anti-leukemic effect. use for various urinary infections may be related to the documented antimi-
crobial kaurenoic acid derivative chemicals found in the vine but, again, these
244
been confirmed in animals or humans. One rat study in 2002

effects haven't
species (some guaco
tested the anti-inflammatory effects of several Mikania
species are known for their anti-inflammatory properties).
While the research-
ers noted no anti-inflammatory effect for cipo cabeludo, they reported there
were no signs of toxicity in rats at a dosage of 400 mg per kg of body weight
with a standard leaf decoction.^
CURRENT Today, cipo cabeludo is mainly used in various products and formulas in Brazil
kidney problems and prostatitis. It is not widely known or used outside of

PRACTICAL USES for
Brazil and very few products are available in the U.S. market.
Traditional In Brazilian herbal medicine, V2 cup of a standard herb infusion once or twice
daily, or 5-10 ml of a standard tincture daily is generally recommended.

Preparation
used in herbal medicine as a diuretic. While these effects have

Contraindications Cipo cabeludo is
not been confirmed scientifically, use of this plant may be

contraindicated in
Chronic long-
various medical conditions where diuretics are not appropriate.
as well
term use of any diuretic can cause electrolyte and mineral imbalances
as other medical problems and are generally not
recommended; therefore, it is
probably best to avoid chronic use of this plant.
While not substantiated scientifically, it is possible that cipo cabeludo may

demonstrate a blood-thinning effect coumarin content. Consult your
due to its
if coumadin
doctor before using this plant if you are taking coumadin drugs (or
anticoagulant-type drugs are contraindicateci for your condition).
Cipo cabeludo may potentiate coumadin and ciiuretic drugs.

Drug Interactions

Region Uses
for albuminuria, arthritis, cystitis, diarrhea, excessive

mucus, gallstones, gastrointestinal disorders, gout,
Br*azil
neuralgia, pain, paralysis, prostatitis, renal
kidney stones, lumbago, menstrual colic, muscle pain, nephritis,
tract infection^
disorders, rheumatism, urethritis, urinary insufficiency, u rinary
CLAVILLIA
• kills viruses • kills parasites Roots
• kills bacteria • reduces spasms Infusion: V2 cup twice daily
Family: Nyctaginaceae • kills fungi • increases urination Tincture: 1-2 ml twice daily
strongly laxative Capsules/Tablets: g twice

•
Genus: Mirabilis I
• aids digestion daily

Species: jalapa
Common Names:
clavillia, four-o’clocks, Clavillia is a perennial herb that reaches a height of 50-100 cm from a tuberous
jalap, maravilla, bonina, root. Some cultivated hybrid species also can grow up to a meter in height. It
boa-noite, bonita, a’bbass,

produces beautiful flowers that usually open around four o'clock in the after-
beauty of the
de
night, belle
nuit, bella di notte,

—
noon hence its common name, four 0 clocks. It is a popular ornamental plant
'
grown worldwide for the beauty of its flowers (which can be white, red, pink,
buenas tardes, bunga
pukul empat, dondiego de purple, or multicolored) and their sweet fragrance. It was officially botanically
noche, false jalap, flower recorded in 1753, although it had already long been distributed as an orna-
of a’bbas, isabelitta, mental plant throughout the tropics of the world. There is some disagreement
morning rose, marvel of about where it came from originally: Mexico, Chile, or India. Today, clavillia is
Peru, nodja, noche buena,
naturalized throughout the tropics of South America, Latin America, France,
numera, pathrachi, segera
and India. In Brazil the plant is known as clavillia, maravilha, or bonina; in Peru
Parts Used: roots, leaves, it is known as jalapa or maravilla. Hybrids of clavillia can be found in nurseries
flowers
throughout the U.S. where they are sold as ornamental landscape plants.
TRIBAL The indigenous people of the Amazon enjoy the beauty of clavillia's flowers as
AND HERBAL much as city dwellers, and often plant it in their gardens. They employ the
MEDICINE USES plant medicinally as well. Indigenous Peruvian people use a root decoction as
a diuretic; the Shipibo-Conibo Indians put the flowers in baths to treat colds and
flu. In Brazil, the Kayapo Indians inhale the powdered, dried flowers as a snuff
for headaches, and use a root decoction to wash wounds and to treat such skin
afflictions as leprosy. The Assurani Indians in Brazil crush the seeds to use as a
peppery condiment on foods, and grate the tuberous root into cold water and
drink it for intestinal parasites. The tribal people of Orissa, India grind the roots
of the plant into a paste with black pepper and take it orally for conjunctivitis.
They also apply the juice of the leaves to fungal infections of the skin.
These indigenous practices impelled clavillia's presence in herbal medicine
systems around the world. In Peru, the plant and/or tuber is used as a diuret-
Clavillia is used in many ic, laxative, and bowel cleanser. The juice of the flower is used to clear herpes
tropical countries as an lesions and for earaches. In Brazilian herbal medicine, a paste is made of the
herbal remedy for a leaf and flower and applied to affections of the skin such as itchiness, eczema,
variety of viral, bacterial, herpes, skin spots, and skin infections. The juice of the root is dropped into the
fungal, and parasitic ear for earaches. Brazilians also use the root to combat worms, intestinal para-
infections. sites, leucorrhea, edema, diarrhea, dysentery, abdominal colic, syphilis, and
liver disorders. In Mexico, the entire plant is decocted and used for dysentery,
vaginal discharge, infected wounds, and bee and scorpion stings. In the Unit-
ed States, the plant is used for mumps, bone fractures, and as a uterine stimu-
lant to hasten childbirth.
PLANT Chemical analysis of clavillia shows that it is rich in many compounds

active
CHEMICALS including triterpenes, proteins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroids. Of particu-

lar interest to researchers is a group of amino acid-based proteins, called
mirabilis antiviral proteins (MAPs). These chemicals have shown specific antivi-
ral and antifungal actions. They are produced in the seeds, roots, and young
shoots, and help the plant protect against various plant viruses and soil-borne
fungi. In 1994, a Japanese tobacco company was awarded a U.S. patent on the
MAPs in clavillia as being effective in protecting economically important crops
(such as tobacco, corn, and potatoes) from a large variety of plant viruses (such
as tobacco mosaic virus, spotted leaf virus, and root rot virus). ^ Researchers in
Hong Kong isolated another MAP in the roots of clavillia with the same antivi-
ral actions, and also noted, 'The MAP demonstrated to possess abortifacient
labortion-causingl activity in pregnant mice, inhibitory effects on cell-free pro-
tein synthesis, and antiproliferative effects on tumor cells. The MAPs found
in clavillia have shown to inhibit cellular processes in viral The highest
cells.^'"^
concentration of MAPs are found in the seeds of the plant, followed by the
roots, then leaves.^
Chemicals in clavillia The seeds, however, are a significant source of other peptide chemicals with
have been patented actions similar to the neurotoxic peptides found in spider venom.^ These pep-
as antiviral agents. tides are in the same classification as (and act similarly to) another plant-
derived toxic peptide, ricin (now being employed as a biological weapon). As

compared with ricin, though, clavillia's peptides are only about one-thirtieth
as toxic.^ Because of this toxicity, though, the seeds are not generally used in
herbal medicine systems (despite researchers' documentation of the significant
antimicrobial actions attributed to them).^"*^
Clavillia's main chemicals include alanine, alpha-amyrins, arabinose, beta
amyrins, betalamic acid, betanin, brassicasterol, beta-sitosterols, 2-carbosyara-

binitol, campesterol, daucosterol, d-glucan, dopamine, hexacosan-l-ol, indica-
xanthin, isobetanin, 6-methoxyboeravinone C, methylabronisoflavone, mirabilis
antiviral proteins, mirabilis peptides, miraxanthins, n-dotriacontane, n-hentri-

acontane, n-heptacosane, n-hexacosane, n-nonacosane, n-octacosane, n-penta-
cosane, n-pentatriacontane, n-tetracosane, n-tetratriacontane, n-triacontane,
n-tricosane, n-tritriacontane, oleanolic acid, stigmasterol, tartaric acid, trigo-
nelline, tryptophan, ursolic acid, and vulgaxanthin I.
BIOLOGICAL The plant and root have demonstrated other biological activities, in addition to
ACTIVITIES the antiviral actions of the MAPs. In 2001, researchers found new phenolic com-
AND CLINICAL pounds in clavillia which demonstrated in vitro action against the yeast Candida
RESEARCH albicans.^^ A hot water extract of the flower, leaf, and root of clavillia has shown
antifungal activity in another in vitro study.^^ Other research on the leaf and
Lab studies seem to suggest
branches of clavillia did not confirm any antimicrobial actions, therefore, these
that the roots of clavillia
In early
properties are probably attributed only to the root of the plant.
provide the best action and ethanol demonstrated
research, the root of the plant (in water extracts) also
against fungi and Candida. guinea
mild uterine stimulant actions in rats, and antispasmodic actions in pigs.^*^
CURRENT Clavillia, the lovely, sweet-smelling ornamental, has also earned its place in
PRACTICAL USES herbal medicine practices around the world; its array of biological activities
continue to support its continued use worldwide for viruses, fungi, and yeast.
As most research surrounding this plant's activity has occurred in the past ten
years, additional findings regarding clavillia's power and versatility will like-
ly explain more of its indigenous uses, and unearth new applications for it.
Today, clavillia is generallyemployed as an antiviral herbal remedy for herpes,

hepatitis, influenza, and other upper repiratory viruses, as well as for Candida
and yeast infections.
Traditional For viruses and Candida, generally V2 cup of a standard root infusion or 1-2 ml
Preparation of a 4:1 tincture is taken twice daily. If desired, 1 g of powdered root in capsules
or tablets twice daily can be substituted.
Contraindications The seeds of the plant contain neurotoxic chemicals and should not be ingested.
Chemicals found in clavillia have been documented to have abortive actions.
Clavillia itself has been documented with a mild uterine stimulant effect; there-
fore, its use during pregnancy is not advised.


Region Uses
Brazil for Candida, chagas disease, colic, constipation, contusions, diarrhea, dysentery, earache, eczema, edema,
freckles, herpes, hives, itch, intestinal parasites, liver problems, pain, skin infections, skin problems, syphilis,
vaginal discharge, urinary insufficiency, worms, wounds
Cuba for herpes, intestinal parasites
Guatemala for abscesses, aches, boils, bruises, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, fungal infections, gonorrhea, inflammation,
mucosal lesions, ringworm, scrofula, skin problems, sores, ulcers (skin), vaginal discharge, vaginitis, wounds
India for conjunctivitis, edema, fungal infections, inflammation, pain, swellings
Mexico for bee stings, dysentery, scorpion stings, vaginal discharge, wounds
Peru for constipation, dermatitis, earaches, herpes, urinary insufficiency
United for abortions, bone fractures, childbirth, mumps

States
Elsewhere for abscesses, arthritis, boils, bowel cleansing, bruises, burns, colic, constipation, diabetes, digestion
stimulation, dyspepsia, edema, fungal infections, gonorrhea, hepatitis, herpes, hypochondria, intestinal gas,
intestinal parasites, libido stimulation, liver problems, menstrual irregularities, muscle pains, piles, pimples,
sores, splenitis, strains, syphilis, thrush, tumors, urinary insufficiency, urogenital inflammation, urticaria,
wounds, and as a tonic
CLAVO HUASCA
• increases libido • relieves pain Vine wood

• stimulates digestion • expels gas Tincture: 3-4 ml twice daily
Clavo huasca is a large, woociy vine that grows up to 80 m in length and is

Family: Bignoniaceae
indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and other parts of tropical South Ameri-
Genus: Tynonthus ca. It produces very small, white flowers (which are pollinated by bees and but-
Species: panurensis terflies)and elongated, flat, bean-like fruits. The vine bark and root have a
distinctive, dove-like aroma (as do the leaves, somewhat), earning its common
Common Names:
clavo huasca, clove vine,
name clove vine or white clove. The vine, when cross-sectioned, has a distinctive
white clove, cipo cravo. ''Maltese cross" design in the wood (with a darker, reddish color as the back-
cipo trindade ground and a golden color in the heartwood). Two species of plants are sold
Parts Used: vine wood. in herbal commerce as "clavo huasca" — the true Tynantliiis vine, and another,
bark completely different, Mamlevilla genus vine.
TRIBAL The Shipibo-Conibo, Kayapo, and Assurini Indian tribes in the Amazon rain-
AND HERBAL forest highly regard clavo huasca as an impotency remedy, for weak erections,
MEDICINE USES and as an effective aphrodisiac for both men and women. It is also used as an
adjunctive ingredient in various ayahuasca recipes (or taken shortly after tak-
ing the concoction) to settle the stomach. Ayahuasca is a phytochemically rich
combination of plants brewed by Indian shamans to connect to the spirit world.
Through a series of reactions among chemicals from several plants working
together, a hallucinogenic plant extract is created. While clavo huasca is not
itself a hallucinogen, the ayahuasca brew also can be quite purgative —causing
vomiting and diarrhea. Clavo huasca is sometimes added to the brew or taken
simultaneously to help reduce these effects.
Clavo huasca has a long Clavo huasca is also widely regarded as an aphrodisiac for both men and
history in the Amazon as women in Peruvian herbal medicine today. It is an ingredient in two famous
an aphrodisiac for both herbal formulas for impotency and frigidity, which are sold widely in the herbal
men and women. markets and stores Peru as aphrodisiacs and for sexual potency. One is called
in
Siete Raices ("seven roots") and the other is Rompe Calzon ("bust your britches").
In addition, this vine tincture is also employed for fever, aching muscles, and
arthritis pain in Peruvian herbal medicine. The fresh sap or resin from the root
of the plant is used as a toothache —
remedy containing a chemical called eugenol
that acts as a topical pain-reliever. As an aphrodisiac, clavo huasca is tradition-
ally prepared by soaking the vine bark and wood in alcohol, or most commonly,
the local sugarcane rum called aguardiente. In Brazilian herbal medicine, the
plant is called cipd cravo; it is considered an excellent remedy for dyspepsia, dif-
ficult digestion, and intestinal gas (when brewed as a water decoction) and an
aphrodisiac (when macerated in alcohol into a tincture).
RIANT Preliminary phytochemical analysis by Brazilian scientists have discovered an
CHEMICALS alkaloid they named tinantina as well as other alkaloids, tannins, tannic acids,
eugenol, and other essential oils.
BIOLOGICAL Despite its long and popular use in South America, there are no published clin-
ACTIVITIES ical studies as yet on clavo huasca.
AND CLINICAL
RESEARCH
CURRENT Clavo huasca widely employed as a natural aphrodisiac for both men
is still
and women in South America today. It's reported to be highly effective, espe-
PRACTICAL USES
cially for pre-menopausal women (but not as effective for libido loss after
menopause). This use has caught on in the U.S., and more clavo huasca prod-
ucts are now available in natural product stores. It is also showing up as an
ingredient in various herbal libido formulas for men and women as well. For
its aphrodisiac qualities, it is best prepared in its time-honored traditional
method; as an alcohol tincture.
Traditional As a libido aid, 3-4 ml of a 4:1 tincture is taken twice daily. As a digestive aid
Preparation appetite stimulant, 1 cup of a vine wood or leaf infusion is prepared.

Region Uses
Brazil as an aphrodisiac and appetite stimulant: for arthritis, digestive problems, dyspepsia, impotency, intestinal
gas, pain, rheumatism, worms
Ecuador as an aphrodisiac and for arthritis, fever, muscle aches, pain, rheumatism
Peru as an aphrodisiac and pain-reliever; for arthritis, backaches, erectile dysfunction, fever, frigidity, impotency,
muscle aches, rheumatism, toothache, virility
Elsewhere as an aphrodisiac and for fever, toothache
COPAIBA
• relieves pain • increases urination Resin
• reduces inflammation • expels worms Internal: 5-15 drops two or

• kills germs • reduces acid three times daily
• kills bacteria • suppresses coughs External: apply diluted resin

on affected areas
• kills fungi • expels phlegm
• inhibits tumor growth

• heals wounds
• protects gastric tract
• mildly laxative
• soothes and softens

• disinfects
Family: Fabaceae Copaiba trees are considerably branched and grow from 15-30 m high. They
Genus: Copaifero produce many small, white flowers on long panicles and small fruit pods
with two to four seeds inside. There are thirty-five species of Copaifera, found
Species: officinalis,
mainly in tropical South America (particularly in Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia,
langsdorffii, reticulata
Guyana, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela). Several different species are used as
Common Names:
found mostly
traditional medicines interchangeably: C. langsdorffii is in the
copaiba, copaipera,
cupayba, copauba, copal,
cerrados of central Brazil, C. reticulata is indigenous to the Amazon region, and
balsam copaiba, copaiva. C. officinalis occurs widely throughout South America, including the Amazon.
copaiba-verdadeira. The part of the tree that is often employed medicinally is the oleoresin that
Jesuit's balsam. accumulates in cavities within the tree trunk. It is harvested by tapping or
copaibeura-de-Minas. drilling holes into the wood of the trunk and collecting the resin that drips out,
cobeni. Matidisguate.
much in the same manner maple syrup. A single copaiba tree can
as harvesting
matisihuati. mal-dos-sete-
provide about 40 liters of oleoresin annually, making it a sustainable rainforest
dias. aceite de palo. pau-
de-oleo. basamo de resource that can be harvested without destroying the tree or the forest in which
copayba it grows. When tapped, the initial oily resin is clear, thin, and colorless; it thick-
ens and darkens upon contact with air. Commercially sold resins are a thick,
Parts Used: resin, oil
clear liquid, with a color that varies from pale yellow to golden light brown.
The variety gathered in Venezuela is said to be thicker and darker in color.
Although it is often referred to as a balsam or oil, it is actually an oleoresin.
TRIBAL On the Rio Solimoes in northwest Amazonia, copaiba resin is used topically
AND HERBAL by indigenous tribes as a wound healer, to stop bleeding, for skin sores and
MEDICINE USES psoriasis, and to treat gonorrhea. Healers and ciiranderos in the Amazon today
use copaiba resin for all types of pain, for skin disorders and insect bites, and
to cool inflammation.
In Brazilian herbal In Brazilian herbal medicine systems, the resin is used as a strong antiseptic
medicine, copaiaba resin and expectorant for the respiratory tract (including bronchitis and sinusitis), as
is used as a strong an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic for the urinary tract (for cystitis, bladder,
antiseptic and and kidney infections), and as a topical anti-inflammatory agent for all types of
expectorant for the skin problems. Copaiba resin is sold in gel capsules in stores and pharmacies
respiratory tract, as an in Brazil and recommended for all types of internal inflammation, stomach
anti-inflammatory and ulcers, and cancer. One of more popular home-remedy uses in
its Brazil is as
antiseptic for the urinary an antiseptic gargle for sore throats and tonsillitis (fifteen drops
of resin in
tract, as a topical anti- warm water). In Peruvian traditional medicine, three or four drops of the resin
inflammatory agent for all are mixed with a spoonful of honey and taken as a natural sore throat remedy.
types of skin disorders, It is also employed in Peruvian herbal

medicine systems to reduce inflamma-
and internally and tion and increase urination, and in the treatment of incontinence, urinary prob-
externally for cancer lems, stomach ulcers, syphilis, tetanus, bronchitis, catarrh, herpes, pleurisy,
and ulcers. tuberculosis, hemorrhages, and leishmaniasis (applied as a plaster).
Copaiba resin was first recorded in European medicine in 1625 (brought back
from the New World by the Jesuits and called Jesuit's balsam) and has been used
there since in the treatment of chronic cystitis, bronchitis, chronic diarrhea, and
as a topical preparation for hemorrhoids. In the United States, it was an official
drug in the U.S. Pharmacopeia from 1820 to 1910. Noted ethnobotanist and
author Mark Plotkin reports that copaiba oil has been used in the United States
as a disinfectant, diuretic, laxative, and stimulant — in addition to being used in
cosmetics and soaps. The Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients cites that
copaiba has diuretic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, disinfectant,
and stimulant activities.
PLANT The resin contains up to 15 percent volatile oil; the remaining materials are
CHEMICALS resins and acids. The active biological properties of copaiba resin are attributed
to a group of phytochemicals called sesquiterpenes (over 50 percent of the resin

may be sesquiterpenes), diterpenes, and terpenic acids. These chemicals include
caryophyllene, calamenene, and copalic, coipaiferic, copaiferolic, hardwickic,
and kaurenoic acids. Several of these chemicals are novel ones found only in
copaiba. Copaiba resin is the highest known natural source of caryophyllene,
comprising up to 480,000 parts per million. Caryophyllene is a well-known
plant chemical, which has been documented as having strong anti-inflamma-
(among other actions).
tory effects
Copaiba is the highest The main chemicals found in copaiba include: alloaromadendrene, alpha-
known source of the anti- bergamotene, alpha-cubebene, alpha-multijugenol, alpha-selinene, ar-curcumene,

inflammatory chemical, beta-bisabolene, beta-cubebene, beta-elemene, beta-farnesene, beta-humulene,
caryophyllene. beta-muurolene, beta-selinene, calamenene, calamesene, carioazulene, caryo-
phyllenes, coipaiferic acid, copaene, copaiferolic acid, copalic acid, copaibic
acids, cyperene, cielta-cadinene, delta-elemene, enantio-agathic acid, gamma-
cadinene, gamma-elemene, gamma-humulene, hardwickic acids, illurinic acid,
kaurenoic acids, kaurenic acid, kolavenol 1, maracaibobalsam, methlyl copalate,

paracopaibic acids, polyalthic acid, and trans-alpha-bergamotene.
BIOLOGICAL Much of the clinical research performed to date has verified the traditional uses
ACTIVITIES of copaiba. In 2002, researchers in Brazil confirmed that it was highly effective
AND CLINICAL as a topical wound healer in animal studies.^ Copaiba has long been used both
RESEARCH internally and externally for inflammation of all sorts. Clinical research vali-
dates the resin's anti-inflammatory effects against various laboratory-induced

inflammation in other animal The anti-inflammatory effects have
studies.'^''’
been related to the sesquiterpene chemicals in copaiba oil, which scientists have
—
noted can vary significantly not only between different copaiba tree species,
but also within a given species and, even among individual trees.^ Sesquiter-
pene content can range anywhere from 30-90 percent. This may account for the
results obtained by other Brazilian researchers who tested eight different com-
mercial samples of copaiba oil, and only three of the eight demonstrated sig-
nificant anti-inflammatory effects.^ Of these sesquiterpenes, caryophyllene is
the most well studied, demonstrating pain-relieving properties,® antifungal

properties against nail fungus,^ as well as anti-inflammatory and gastro-pro-
tective properties in other animal studies.^®
Clinical research reveals The gastro-protective effects of caryophyllene documented in 1996 also help
that copaiba heals justify another traditional use of copaiba oil —as a natural remedy for stomach
wounds, reduces pain and ulcers. In this animal study, not only did caryophyllene evidence significant anti-
inflammation, and kills inflammatory effects without any damage to the stomach lining (most other non-
germs and bacteria on steroidal anti-inflammatory agents cause stomach problems) — it actually
contact. significantly inhibited stomach injury induced by various chemicals.^® Two years
later, another Brazilian research group reported that giving natural copaiba resin
to rats provided dose-dependent, significant protection against chemical- and
stress-induced gastric damage and also evidenced an anti-ulcerous effect.^^
Copaiba's traditional uses as an antiseptic for sore throat, upper respiratory,
and urinary tract infections can be explained partly by the resin's antibacterial
properties documented in the 1960s and 1970s.^^'^® Researchers again confirmed
(in 2000 and 2002) that the resin as a whole (and, particularly, two of its diter-
—
penes copalic acid and kaurenic acid) demonstrated significant in vitro anti-
bacterial activity.^"^'^® One of copaiba's other chemicals, kaurenoic acid, has also
demonstrated selective antibacterial activity in other recent studies.
The newest research Another recent area of research on copaiba resin has focused on its anti-
on copaiba suggests it cancerous and anti-tumor properties. Researchers in Tokyo isolated six chemi-
contains chemicals which cals (clerodane diterpenes) in the oleoresin of copaiba in 1994 and tested them
may have applications against carcinomas in mice to determine their anti-tumor activity. One partic-
for cancerous tumors ular compound, kolavenol, was twice as effective at increasing the lifespan in
and leukemia. mice with carcinomas (by 98 percent) as the standard chemotherapy drug, 5-
Fluorouacil (5-FU).^® The natural resin also increased lifespan by 82 percent
which was still higher than 5-FU (which increased lifespan by 46 percent).
Interestingly, the in vivo tests provided better anti-tumor effects than in previ-
ous test-tube studies. The Spanish team of researchers that documented copai-
ba's antimicrobial effects in 2002 also tested for in vitro anti-tumor effects. These
scientists reported that another phytochemical in the resin, methlyl copalate,
had human lung carcinoma, human

in vitro activity against colon carcinoma,
human melanoma, and mouse lymphoid neoplasm cell lines. Brazilian
researchers reported in 2002 that one of copaiba's active chemicals, kaurenoic

acid, also inhibited the growth of human leukemic cells by 95 percent, and
human breast and colon cancer cells by 45 percent in vitro . Kaurenoic acid can
comprise as much as 1 .4 percent of the natural copaiba oleoresin.
CURRENT In all herbal medicine systems where it is employed, copaiba resin is taken
PRACTICAL USES internally only in very small dosages —usually only 5-15 drops (approximate-
ly V2 -I ml) one to three times daily. In large doses, it has been documented to
cause nausea, vomiting, fever, and a measles-like skin rash. A French derma-
tologist reported that these side effects can also occur with the absorption of
copaiba resin through the skin in sensitive individuals.^^ It has, however, been
approved officially in the U.S. as a food additive and is used amounts
in small
as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages. It has also been employed as a

fixative in perfumes.
Today in the United States, copaiba resin used mostly as a fragrance com-
is
ponent in perfumes and in cosmetic preparations (including soaps, bubble

baths, detergents, creams, and lotions) for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory,
and emollient (soothing and softening) properties. Natural health practitioners
are just beginning to learn about the many ways that this important rainforest
resource is employed South American herbal medicine systems, and are

in
beginning to incorporate them in their practices here. Used prudently and in

small quantities, it is a wonderful natural remedy for stomach ulcers, inflam-
mation of all kinds, nail fungus (applied topically), and for its documented
wound-healing, antimicrobial, and anticancerous properties.
Traditional In South America, 5-15 drops of the oleoresin in a cup of hot water is usually
Preparation taken two to three times daily. It is applied directly to the skin for skin prob-
lems and wounds (normally prepared with one part copaiba resin to five parts
glycerine or grapeseed oil). It is also employed topically as a massage oil for
painful or inflamed muscles and joints — normally combineci with another car-
rier oil (one part copaiba to ten parts carrier oil, such as almond or grapeseed
oil). For nail fungus and skin cancer, the resin is applied full strength directly
on the affected area(s) without diluting it in another oil or glycerine.
Contraindications Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes, as the resin can act as an irri-
tant. Those sensitive to the resin may experience a measles-like rash accompa-
nied by irritation, itching, and/or tingling when using topically or taking
internally. Discontinue use if these effects occur.

Do not take internally in large dosages (more than 5 ml). Large dosages have
been reported to cause nausea, vomiting, fever, and rashes. Discontinue or
reduce dosage if these effects occur. Do not take internally during pregnancy.


Region Uses
Amazonia for coughs, excessive mucus, flu, gonorrhea, incontinence, inflammation, psoriasis, skin sores, syphilis,
urinary tract disorders, wounds, and as a diuretic and disinfectant
Brazil for bacterial infections, bladder infections, bronchitis, cancer, cough, cystitis, dandruff, dermatitis,
dermatosis, diarrhea, dysentery, flu, gastric disorders, gonorrhea, hypertension, incontinence, inflammation,
intestinal parasites, kidney inflammation, lung disorders, pain, pneumonia, psoriasis, respiratory problems,
sinusitis, skin disorders, skin ulcers, sore throat, stomach ulcers, syphilis, tetanus, tumors, urinary
infections, urinary inflammation, vaginal discharge, wounds, and as an antiseptic
Europe for bladder irritation, bronchitis, chilblains, constipation, cystitis, diarrhea, edema, excessive mucus
(bladder, vagina, respiratory tract), gonorrhea, hemorrhoids, intestinal gas, itch, sexually transmitted
diseases, urinary inflammation, vaginal discharge; and as an antiseptic, diuretic, and stimulant
Peru for bronchitis, diuretic, edema, excessive mucus, gonorrhea, hemorrhages, herpes, incontinence,
inflammation, intestinal gas, insect bites, leishmaniasis, muscle pain, pleurisy, sexually transmitted diseases,
syphilis, tetanus, tuberculosis, ulcers, urinary infections, vaginal discharge, wounds
United States as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, stimulant
Elsewhere for constipation, dermatitis, eczema, gonorrhea, sexually transmitted diseases, urinary insufficiency,
wounds, and as a massage oil
CURARE
• increases urination • blocks pain signals Root
• reduces fever • relaxes muscles Decoction: I cup twice
daily
• promotes menstruation
Family: Menispermaceae
Curare is a South American vine native to the Amazon Basin. It is found grow-
Genus: Chondrodendron
ing in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, French Guiana, Ecuador, Panama, and Colombia.
Species: tomentosum This woody vine, sometimes 4 in. thick at its base, climbs a considerable height
Common Names: up into the canopy (up to 30 m high). Its large heart-shaped leaves have a sc^ft
curare, grieswurzel, pareira

silky underside made up of tiny white hairs, giving the plant the common name
brava, pareira. vigne
of velvet leaf. It has both male and female flowers, which are small, greenish-
sauvage, uva-da-serra, uva
white, and grow in clusters. It produces an edible bittersweet fruit. The names
do-mato, ampihuasca
blanca, antinupa, antinoopa, curare and woorari are Indian names that refer to the poisons they prepare for
comida de venados, curari, their hunting darts and arrows. The actual name, curare, is a corruption of two
ourari, woorari, worali, Tupi Indian terms meaning "bird" and "to kill." Choudrodeudron tomeutosum or
the curare vine is one of the main plants used by the Indians in the Amazon to
velvet leaf, ice vine,
grieswurzel, urari
prepare these arrow poisons.
Parts Used: leaf root
TRIBAL Many different plants are used to prepare curare arrow poisons and many dif-
AND HERBAL ferent recipes are used by different Indian tribes in the Amazon. Generally, the
MEDICINE USES Indians in Venezuela and the Guianas use Stnjchnos plants as the main ingre-
dient, and tribes in Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil use curare vine {Chondrodendron
tomentosiim) as the main ingredient in their poisons. In both cases, it usually is
and even snake and frog venom is

a combination of several different plants,
sometimes added. The Sionas of Colombia, the Lamistas of Peru, and the Ketch-
was of Ecuador use curare vine in the preparation of their poisons; they crush
and cook the stems and roots of the vine, adding other plants and venomous
animals. It is boiled down (sometimes for as long as two days) until it becomes
a dark-colored syrup or paste. The resulting substance is then used to coat the
darts of their blowguns and tips of hunting arrows. These poisons are not actu-
ally true toxins —rather they are potent muscle relaxants.
Curare is one of the main Death from curare poison is caused by asphyxia (respiratory arrest) because
plants that Amazonian the muscles become so relaxed that the muscles operating the diaphragm and
Indians use to prepare lungs stop functioning. Interestingly, it only works if the poison gets into the
arrow poisons. These bloodstream; ingesting curare poison (and even eating the meat of curare-
poisons are not actually poisoned animals) has no toxic effect since it is not absorbed in the stomach. It
true toxins — rather they works well for the Indians because often their prey is high up in the canopy
are potent muscle the muscle-relaxant effect of the poison prevents the animal from fleeing and
relaxants. releases their grip on branches in the trees so they fall to the ground. The mus-
cle-relaxing effect begins almost immediately upon hitting the bloodstream, but
death from respiratory arrest can take a few minutes for birds and small prey,
and up to twenty minutes or longer for larger mammals.
Curare vine also holds a place in herbal medicine systems. In Brazil and Peru
the root of the vine is used to increase urination, reduce fever, and promote
menstruation. It is also used to treat edema, kidney stones, and testicular
inflammation. Externally, it is used for bruises and contusions. In Brazil the
leaves are also crushed and applied externally for the treatment of poisonous
snakebites. In homeopathy, the plant is used for inflammation of the urinary
tract and enlarged prostate. Sir Walter Raleigh and several other early explor-
ers reported on the Indian's use of curare vine in the 1500s and the plant became
known in European herbal medicine systems. Maude Grieve, British author of
the book A Modern Herbal (first published in 1931), reported that the plant acts
as an antiseptic to the bladder for chronic inflammation of the urinary passages
and recommended it for stones, vaginal discharges, rheumatism, jaundice,
edema and water retention, and gonorrhea.
PLANT Curare vine is a rich source of alkaloids. The main alkaloid responsible for the
CHEMICALS muscle-relaxant actions (and why it works as an arrow poison) is called d-
tubocurarine. was first isolated in 1897 and obtained in drug form in 1935. The
It
alkaloid works by blocking the signals in the brain that tell the muscles to
—
move thereby rendering the whole body immobile to the point of becoming
virtually paralyzed. It is not a toxin, and the effects generally wear off in about
ninety minutes. In 1942, curare and d-tubocurarine were introduced into clini-
cal anesthesia, starting the modern era of surgery. Today it is still sold as a pre-
scription drug which is used as a general anesthetic and muscle relaxant in
various types of surgeries (during which breathing can be controlled with
machines).
The main chemical It is also used to treat paralysis caused by tetanus (which causes uncontrol-
responsible for curare’s lablemuscle contractions throughout the body). D-tubocurarine's chemical
muscle-relaxant actions pathways and actions are also being evaluated for their role in blocking sero-
(and why it works as an tonin,^ reducing vomiting,"^ alleviating drug withdrawal symptoms,^'^ and for
arrow poison) is an alkaloid their anti-anxiety effects.^ D-tubocurarine also stimulates the release of hista-
called d-tubocurarine. This mine. This release of histamine may cause lowered blood pressure due to relax-
chemical has been turned ation of blood vessels.® Intravenous administration of d-tubocurarine causes
into a prescription drug, rapid muscle relaxation, first affecting the toes, ears, and eyes, then the neck and
which is used as a general limbs and finally respiration.
anesthetic and muscle The main chemicals found in this rainforest vine include chondrocurarine,
relaxant during surgeries. chondrocurine, chondodine, chondrofoline, curine, cycleanine, D-tubocurarine,
isochondrodendrine, L-bebeerine, L-tubocurarine, N-benzyl-phthalimide, nor-
cycleanine, pelonine, tomentocurine, and tubocurarine.
BIOLOGICAL As is often the case in plant research —since scientists supposedly discovered
ACTIVITIES the "main active chemical" in the plant so many years ago and turned it into a
AND CLINICAL drug, further research on the natural plant was not forthcoming. Literally no
RESEARCH clinical research has been conducted on the use of extracts of this natural vine
as it is used in herbal medicine systems.
CURRENT Curare is yet another example of how knowledge of rainforest

the empirical
PRACTICAL USES Indian tribes has been utilized by western science and the pharmaceutical
industry. Since the strong muscle-relaxant chemicals in the plant are not
absorbed in the stomach, oral extracts of the vine and root are considered "safe"
in herbal medicine systems. Its uses today, however, are mainly limited to South
America. A root decoction is generally prepared for persistent urinary tract
infections, prostatitis, and testicular inflammation.
One U.S. manufacturer of herbal supplements does state that they use Chou-
drodendron tomcntosiim in a formula (for lowering blood sugar levels), howev-
er, they call it "abuta." Abuta and curare, are in fact, two different species of
vines with very different uses in herbal medicine and different plant chemicals
(and neither have been used for diabetes or blood sugar balancing). The real
''abuta" vine is featured in this book as Cissampelos pareira. Even more confus-
ing — the picture of the plant in their marketing materials is neither plant, but
looks suspiciously like yet another rainforest vine: Abiita grandifolia (which has
been used indigenously for diabetes). An experienced herbalist or botanist
would wonder if this company even knew which plant they were actually
using! As always, consumers should look for a reputable supplier of this plant
and all medicinal plants coming from South America.
Traditional Traditionally, 1 cup twice daily of a standard root decoction is taken, on an

Preparation empty stomach.
Contraindications Not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Curare may possibly
to
reduce blood pressure; it should not be used in those with low blood pressure
or those on medication to lower their blood pressure without careful attention
to these possible effects.

Region Uses
Amazonia for arrow poisons, fever, and as an antiseptic, diuretic, mild laxative
Brazil for arrow poisons, bruises, contusions, earaches, edema, fever, kidney stones, mental disorders, snakebite,
and to promote menstruation and increase urination
Germany as a diuretic and tonic
Peru for arrow poisons, earaches, edema, fever, kidney stones, urinary insufficiency, and to promote menstruation
Venezuela for arrow poisons

DAMIANA
• increases libido • reduces spasms Leaves
• relieves depression • dries secretions Infusion: I cup two to three
• reduces blood sugar • stimulates digestion times daily
• calms nerves • increases urination Fluid Extract: 2-^ ml twice

daily
• mildly laxative
Tablets/Capsules: 3^ g
Family: Turneraceae
twice daily
Genus: Turnera
Species: aphrodisiaca,
Damiana is a small shrub that grows 1-2 m high and bears aromatic, serrate
diffusa
leaves that are 10-25 cm long. Small yellow flowers bloom in early to late sum-
Common Names: mer, which are followed by small fruits with a sweet smell and fig-like flavor.
damiana, damiane,
The medicinal part of the plant is its leaves, which are harvested during the
oreganillo, the bourrique,
flowering season. Damiana is found throughout Mexico, Central America, and
Mexican damiana,
the West Indies, as well as in parts of South America. Turnera diffusa and T.
Mexican holly, damiana
de Guerrero aphrodisiaca are generally regarded as the same plant in herbal commerce. A
closely related species, T. ubnifolia, is similar in appearance, but it has different
Parts Used: aerial parts,
leaves
traditional medicinal uses. The botanical Latin name of the plant, Turnera aphro-
disiaca, describes its ancient use as an aphrodisiac.
TRIBAL Damiana was recorded to be used as an aphrodisiac in the ancient Mayan civ-
AND HERBAL ilization, as well as for "giddiness and loss of balance." A Spanish missionary
MEDICINE USES first reported that the Mexican Indians made a drink from the damiana leaves,
added sugar, and drank it for its purported power to enhance lovemaking.
Damiana has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine throughout
the world. It is thought to act as an aphrodisiac, antidepressant, tonic, diuretic,
cough suppressant, and mild laxative. It has been used for such conditions as
depression, anxiety, sexual inadequacy, debilitation, bed-wetting, menstrual
Damiana first was irregularities, gastric ulcers, and constipation. In Mexico, the plant alsc^ is used
recorded with aphrodisiac for asthma, bronchitis, neurosis, diabetes, dysentery, dyspepsia, headaches,
effects in scientific literature paralysis, nephrosis, spermatorrhea, stomachache, and syphilis. Damiana first
over 1
00 years ago, and was recorded with aphrodisiac effects in scientific literature over 100 years ago.’
for more than a century From 1888 to 1947, damiana leaf and damiana elixirs were listed in the
its use has been associated National Formulary in the United States. For more than a century, damiana's
with improving sexual use has been associated with improving sexual function in both males and
function in both males females. The leaves are used in Germany to relieve excess mental activity and
and females. nervous debility, and as a tonic for the hormonal and central nervous systems.
E. F. Steinmetz states that in Holland, damiana is renowned for its sexual-
enhancing qualities and its positive effects on the reproductive organs.^ The
British Herbal Pharmacopoeia cites indications for the use of damiana for "anxi-
ety neurosis with a predominant sexual factor, depression, nervous dyspepsia,
atonic constipation, and coital inaciequacy."
PLANT Damiana's chemical composition is complex and its components have not been
CHEMICALS identified completely. The leaves contain up to 1 percent volatile oil that is com-
prised of at least twenty constituents (including 1,8-ciheole, p-cymene, alpha-
and beta-pinene, thymol, alpha-copaene, and calamene). Damiana leaves also
contain tannins, flavonoids, beta-sitosterol, damianin (a brown, bitter sub-
stance), and the glycosides gonzalitosin, arbutin, and tetraphyllin Dami-
ana has been reported to be non-toxic in humans and animals.^
The main constituents of damiana include: albuminoids, alpha-copaene,
alpha-pinene, arbutin, barterin, beta-pinene, beta-sitosterol, calamenene,
caoutchouc, chlorophyll, 1,8-cineole, cymene, cymol, damianin, essential oil,
gamma-cadinene, gonzalitosin-i, hexacosanol-1, luteolin, quinovopyranosides,
tannins, tetraphyllin b, thymol, triacontane, and trimethoxyflavones.
BIOLOGICAL Only one clinical study has been conducted to validate the traditional use of the
ACTIVITIES plant for sexual dysfunction and impotence. In 1999, a group of researchers in
AND CLINICAL Italy administered damiana to both sexually potent and sexually sluggish (or
RESEARCH impotent) rats. The extract had no effect on sexually potent rats but, in the oth-
ers, it increased the percentage of rats achieving ejaculation and made them
more sexually active.^ A U.S. patent was awarded in 2002 for a combination of
herbs, including damiana, to "overcome natural inhibitors of human sexual
response and allow for improved response and psychological effects."^ Anoth-
er U.S. patentwas awarded for an herbal combination for females, with inven-
Several research studies
tors reporting that damiana could "relieve anxiety, depression, headaches
and patents report that
during menstruation, and exhaustion. Damiana also helps to balance female
damiana may benefit
hormone levels and control hot flashes."^ A 1998 in vitro clinical study report-
women during meno-
ed that components in damiana bound to progesterone receptors in cultured
pause by relieving hot
human breast cancer cells, leading researchers to surmise that it had a neutral
flashes, depression, and
or anti-estrogenic activity.^
preventing weight gain.
Central nervous system depressant activity has been attributed to damiana
and verified by research.^^ Damiana also has been used in combination with
other plants for its thermogenic activity.^^ Two U.S. patents have been filed on
oral appetite suppressants containing damiana, citing its inclusion as an anti-
anxiety and thermogenic substance.^^'^^

Damiana's traditional use for diabetes has been studied by scientists as well.
In 1984, Mexican researchers reported the hypoglycemic activity of the plant

when a leaf infusion was given to diabetic miced'^ This effect was re-verified in
Mexico when the plant was prepared in the traditional manner (as an infusion)
and given orally to hyperglycemic rats. This study reported that damiana
reduced blood glucose levels as well.^^ A 2002 study, however, reported that an
ethanol extract of damiana evidenced no hypoglycemic activity.^^ These con-
flicting studies suggest that the active ''hypoglycemic" chemicals in damiana
may be extracted in the traditional (hot water) process, and lost or not extract-
ed in alcohol.
CURRENT With such an ancient history of traditional uses, it's not unusual that the plant
PRACTICAL USES appears in many books on herbal remedies published worldwide. Damiana is
also widely available in most health food and natural product stores in a vari-
ety of forms —from tea blends, capsules, and tablets to liquid tinctures and
extracts. Most herbalists prefer to use damiana in combination with other
medicinal plants; therefore, it can be found in quite a few herbal combination
formulas for sexual potency, weight loss, depression, hormonal balancing, and
Most of the damiana sold in herbal commerce today
in overall tonics. originates
from Mexican and Latin American cultivation projects.
Traditional The traditional remedy 2-4 g of dried leaves infused in a cup of boil-
calls for
Preparation ing water; 2-3 cups are taken daily. Alternatively, 2-4 ml of a liquid extract or
3-4 g of powdered leaf in tablets or capsules taken twice daily can be substi-
tuted, if desired.
Contraindications Damiana has demonstrated mild hypoglycemic effects in animals. Persons with
diabetes and hypoglycemia should use this plant with caution, as blood sugar
levels should be monitored accordingly for this possible effect.
Damiana has a traditional use as an abortive and is contraindicated during

0
pregnancy.
Drug Interactions It may potentiate antidiabetic medications.

Region Uses
Bahamas for childbirth, headache, menstrual irregularities, urinary insufficiency
Brazil for albuminuria, alcoholism, anorexia, asthenia, bronchitis, constipation, convalescence, debilitation, diabetes,
diarrhea, digestive problems, dyspepsia, fertility problems, gallbladder disorders, impotence, indigestion,
kidney problems, malaria, nervousness, nocturia, paralysis, respiratory ailments, rheumatism, syphilis, ulcers,
urinary incontinence, vaginal discharge, weakness: and as an aphrodisiac, diuretic, and expectorant
262
Cuba as an aphrodisiac, diuretic, and menstrual stimulant
for anxiety, constipation, depression, dyspepsia, hypochondria, neurosis, sexual

debility, thymus problems,
England
water retention
Germany for depression, nervous debility, and as an aphrodisiac
Haiti for colds, intestinal problems, sexually transmitted diseases, and as an aphrodisiac
for asthma, bronchitis, colds, constipation, cough, diabetes, dysentery, dyspepsia,

earaches, eye disorders,
Mexico
exhaustion, headache, impotence, infections, infertility, inflammation, intestinal problems, malaria,
flu,
menstrual disorders, nephritis, nervous disorders, neurosis, panacea, paralysis, stomachache, syphilis,
urinary problems, vaginal dryness, weakness; and as an aphrodisiac, astringent, central nervous
system
depressant, diuretic, and expectorant
South for asthma, asthenia, bronchitis, cystitis, depression, impotence, urethritis:
America and as an antiseptic, aphrodisiac, expectorant, laxative, and stimulant
for anxiety, constipation, cystitis, depression, frigidity, headaches, hypochondria,

impotence, menstrual
United
energizer,
States disorders, nervous disorders, sexual disorders; and as an adaptogen, aphrodisiac, diuretic,
expectorant, stimulant, and tonic
depression,
Elsewhere for anxiety, bladder problems, childbirth, colds, constipation, cough, cystitis, debilitation,
infections, malaria,
diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, fever, headache, hot flashes, impotence,
menopause, menstruation, nephritis, nervousness, neurasthenia, paralysis, renitis, sexual inadequacies,
expectorant,
sexually transmitted diseases, stomachache, syphilis, ulcers: and as an aphrodisiac, diuretic,
stimulant, and tonic
EMBAUBA
• relieves asthma • dries secretions Leaves
• reduces spasms • increases urination Infusion: I cup two to three

• stimulates menstruation times daily
• mildly laxative
Tablets/Capsules: 2-3 g
• kills bacteria
twice daily
• kills fungi • depresses central nervous
system
• relieves pain
Family: Cecropiaceae
• strengthens heart
Genus: Cecropia • lowers blood pressure
Species: palmata, peltata, • reduces blood sugar
obtusifolia
Common Names:
Embauba is native to Central and South America and the West Indies. It is a
embauba, trumpet tree,
fast-growing, short-lived tree that springs up along riverbanks (where its seeds
imbauba, umbauba, bois
are deposited after annual flocxiing). It has large leaves (a foot wide) with a hoi-
canon, bois trompette.
grayumbe, grayumbo, low stem, and bears a cylindrical fruit with soft, sweet flesh around many small
trompette. trompettier,
seeds. The tree, growing 5-10 m tall, often is inhabited by stinging ants that are
yagruma, yagrumo,
attracted to the honey-like sap produced by the leaves. The symbiotic relation-
akowa, chancarpo,
ship with the ants is thought to protect the tree from leaf-eating insects. There
chancarro, guarumbo.
guarumo, hormigo, are many closely related Cecropia species (including C. peltata, C. pabmta, and
hormiguillo, snakewood C. obtusifolia) that may have different geographical locations yet are all very
tree, pop-a-gun, tree-of- similar in appearance, chemical makeup, and traditional medicinal uses.
laziness, trompetenbaum, Cecropna trees (nearly 100 tropical species in South and Latin America) are prop-
yaluma, certico, ambiabo,
agated by the many small fruit seeds they produce; bats, monkeys, and birds
ambai, tree-of-sandpaper,
eat the succulent fruit and disperse the seeds in their droppings. Often, dense
palo lija
stands of trees can form that choke the growth of other plants anywhere that
Part Used; leaves
the canopy is disturbed.
TRIBAL Indian tribes in the Amazon use embauba for its anti-inflammatory proper-
AND HERBAL ties — typically for rheumatic, kidney, and lung inflammations. The leaf is made
MEDICINE USES into a tea and used widely for asthma and other upper respiratory complaints,
as well as for diabetes. It also has been used for sores on the mouth and tongue.
The Palikur indigenous people of Guyana wrap the large leaves around bone
fractures, bruises and wounds, and use embauba to disinfect the genitalia and
alleviate pain after childbirth.

Embauba is a popular and In herbal medicine systems, embauba is used widely throughout Central
effective herbal remedy and South America. In Brazil it is used for all types of respiratory complaints
for asthma throughout (such as asthma, bronchitis, coughs, whooping cough, and pneumonia). It is
South and Latin America. also used for diabetes, Parkinson's disease, kidney disorders, high blood pres-
sure, and to increase the contraction strength of the heart muscle. It is consid-
ered effective against Parkinson's disease in Colombia, where it also is used as
a substitute for digitalis-containing plants (digitalis is an active chemical found
in plants and turned into a heart drug for various heart conditions), and to
facilitate childbirth and menstruation. The leaf is used in Guatemalan herbal

medicine systems for asthma, edema, rheumatism, diabetes, fever, atheroscle-
rosis, and gonorrhea. The plant is popular in Mexico, where it is used for dia-
betes, coughs, inflammation, diarrhea, bladder irritation, asthma, obesity, liver
disorders, high blood pressure, and warts.

In Cuba, virtually every part of the plantemployed in herbal medicine.
is
The latex is considered corrosive and astringent, and is used topically against
warts, calluses, herpes (and other sexually transmitted diseases), and skin
ulcers. The bark is used to reduce mucus; the roots for bile complaints; and the
fruit is considered emollient (soothing and softening the skin). The leaves are
considered to reduce pain, and are used for asthma, liver disorders, edema,
and to promote menstruation. In other parts of Latin America and the Amazon,
264
it is often touted as a "cure" for asthma, after only a few weeks of taking a tea
brewed from its leaves. (This has not been confirmed with any clinical research,
however.)
PLANT Little research has been done to determine individual phytochemicals in

CHEMICALS embauba. In general, it is known to contain glycosides, lipids, alkaloids,
flavonoids, tannins, cardenolids, triterpenes, polyphenols, steroids, and resins.

A 2002 U.S. patent named ambain (a glycoside) and cecropin (an alkaloid) as
the active plant chemicals in embauba that have cardiotonic and diuretic prop-
The flavonoids and proanthocyanidins in embauba recently were
erties.^
reported to inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in vitro? (ACE-

inhibitors represent a class of pharmaceutical drugs used for hypertension
Chemicals in embauba
which promote vasodilation and act as a diuretic.) The traditional use of
have been reported to these chemicals can be
embauba for high blood pressure might be explained if
strengthen and tone

demonstrated to inhibit ACE inhumans and animals.
the heart.
Main plant chemicals in embauba include ambain, arachidic acid, behenic
acid, cecropin, cerotic acid, chlorogenic acid, isoorientin, leucocyanidin, ligno-

ceric acid, polysaccharides, proanthocyanidins, stearic acid, and ursolinic acid.
BIOLOGICAL Preliminary research is beginning to explain and verify some of embauba s

just
ACTIVITIES many uses in traditional medicine. Animal studies (with mice, rats, and guinea
AND CLINICAL pigs) have shown have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and

that leaf extracts
RESEARCH —
antispasmodic activities which may explain, in part, its widespread tradi-
tional use in respiratory disorders. Cuban researchers, however, reported that
leaf infusions did not evidence any bronchodilator activity (in guinea pigs).^
Other animal research has indicated that the plant can increase urination and
lower blood pressure. One study reported that it increased urine flow in rats
by 20 percent —without affecting the excretion of sodium and potassium.^ Two
different research groups (in Costa Rica and Mexico) reported that leaf extracts
reduced blood pressure in rats.^'^
Animal studies confirm Another of embauba's traditional uses has been for diabetes. This use also
the anti-inflammatory, has been studied in animals and verified by researchers. Water extracts of the
pain-relieving, and leaf given to mice and rats were shown to lower blood sugar levels in two stud-
antispasmodic properties ies;*^'^^ a hot water extract given to rabbits and dogs elicited the same blood-
of embauba. sugar-lowering effect. One of these research groups attributed the
hypoglycemic effect of the leaf, in part, to two flavone chemicals in embauba

(isoorientin and chlorogenic acid) which, when tested individually, also demon-
strated hypoglycemic activity in rats.^
Embauba has been reported to have in vitro antibacterial activity against
various bacteria (such as Staphylococcus, E. coli, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, and

Shigella ). Water extracts seemed to have much more biological activity

against bacteria than methanol or ethanol extracts in vitro. An ethanol extract
of the leaf and stem was reported to have in vitro antifungal activity, but water
extracts were inactive^^ (which suggests that antibacterial actions are derived
from different chemicals than those providing antifungal actions). Embauba
has also shown antioxidant activity with potent free-radical scavenging
action.^^ In 2002 a U.S. patent was filed on various embauba extracts for use in
cosmetics and dermatology. The patent reported the extracts had "pronounced
action on lipolysis (fat-burning) which make them useful in slimming prepa-
rations, but also owing to their tightening effect, their smoothing properties
and the improvement of the radiance of the skin."^
CURRENT It is hoped that researchers will continue to study embauba and validate more
PRACTICAL USES of its traditional uses — in particular, its use in respiratory disorders such as
asthma and bronchitis. In the meantime, healthcare practitioners and herbalists
around the world are utilizing this plant for not only respiratory disorders, but
also for its cardiotonic and hypotensive properties, antidiabetic activity, and for
its (yet-to-be-studied) use in Parkinson's disease. Generally, for upper respira-
tory problems and asthma, a standard leaf infusion is prepared and taken in 1
cup dosages two to three times daily. To help balance blood sugar levels, a cup
of a leaf infusion is taken with each meal.
Traditional Traditionally, V2 to 1 cup of a standard leaf infusion is taken two to three times
Preparation daily. desired, 2-3 g of
If powdered leaf in tablets or capsules twice daily can
be substituted.
Contraindications Embauba has a traditional use of aiding childbirth and promoting menstrua-
tion. It should not be taken during pregnancy.
The plant has been reported in animal studies to have cardiotonic properties,
increasing the strength of cardiac muscle contraction. It should not be used by
anyone with a cardiac disorder unless monitored by a medical doctor. Embau-
ba also has demonstrated hypotensive activity in animal studies. Those with
low blood pressure or those on medication to lower their blood pressure should
seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional prior to using this plant.
Embauba has demonstrated a hypoglycemic effect in animals. It is con-
traindicated for persons with hypoglycemia. Diabetics should use this plant
with caution as blood sugar levels should be monitored closely.
Drug Interactions None reported in literature; however, embauba may potentiate cardiotonics
(such as digitalis) as well as antihypertensive and ACE-inhibitor drugs. It may
potentiate antidiabetic and insulin drugs.
266

Region Uses
kidney problems, respiratory difficulties,
Amazonia for asthma, bruises, childbirth, diabetes, fractures, inflammation,
rheumatic diseases, sores, wounds
cough, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery,
Brazil for asthma, bleeding, bronchitis, cancer, chagas disease, congestion,
edema, flu, gonorrhea, heart problems, hemorrhages,hemorrhoids, hypertension, liver support, malaria,
snakebite, ulcers, urinary insufficiency,
Parkinson’s disease, pneumonia, respiratory disorders, rheumatism,
expectorant
urinary tract disorders, vaginal discharge, warts, wounds, and as an
disease
Colombia for childbirth, heart problems, menstrual difficulties, Parkinson’s
Costa Rica for arterial hypertension, urinary insufficiency
digestive, diuretic, dysentery, edema, fever,

Cuba for abscesses, aches, asthma, bile diseases, calluses, coughs,
transmitted diseases,
gonorrhea, heart conditions, herpes, liver disorders, pains, skin problems, sexually
ulcers, warts
heart support, hypertension, rheumatism,
Guatemala for asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, edema, fever, gonorrhea,
urinary insufficiency, and to promote perspiration
calluses, childbirth, chorea, corns, coughs,
Mexico for asthma, bladder problems, bites (scorpion, ants), burns,
heart support, hepatitis, inflammation, liver support,
diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, edema, fever, fractures,
urinary insufficiency, warts, wounds
nerve disorders, obesity, pulmonary problems, renal disorders, ulcers,
fever, gastric, headache, intestinal disorders,
Nicaragua for abscesses, aches, coughs, diarrhea, digestive problems,
liver support, pain, skin problems
disease, water retention, wounds

Peru for bleeding, diarrhea, energy, fever, heart support, Parkinson’s
Trinidad for bronchitis, cough, fever, flu, scorpion bite, snakebite
menstrual irregularities, pain,

United for asthma, bronchitis, constipation, fungal infections, heart support,
States water retention
Venezuela for constipation, heart support, inflammation, wounds

corns, coughs, diabetes, diarrhea,
Elsewhere for abscesses, aches, asthma, bronchitis, calluses, cancer, childbirth,
digestive problems, dysentery, edema, fever, flu, fractures, gonorrhea, heart support, hematoma, hepatitis,
herpes, hypertension, support, menstrual disorders, nerves, obesity, pain, scorpion bite, sexually
liver
transmitted diseases, skin problems, snakebite, warts, water retention,

wounds, and as an antiseptic
EPAZOTE
• expels worms • increases perspiration Leaves
• kills parasites • increases urination Decoction: '6 cup once
• kills amebas • increases breast milk daily
• mildly laxative • promotes menstruation

• kills bacteria • stimulates digestion
• prevents ulcers • calms nerves

• repels insects • mildly sedative
• heals wounds
Family: Chenopodiaceae
Genus: Chenopodium
Species: ambrosioides
Epazote is an annual herb that grows to about 1 m in height. It has multi
Common Names: branched, reddish stems covered with small, sharply toothed leaves. Epazote
epazote, wormseed, bears numerous small yellow flowers in clusters along its stems. Following the
erva-de-santa maria,
flowers, produces thousands of tiny black seeds in small fruit clusters. It is
it
mastruco, apasote, paico,
easily spread and re-grown from the numerous seeds it produces, which is why
pazote, mexican tea,
american wormseed, some consider it an invasive weed. The whole plant gives off a strong and dis-
Jesuit’s tea, payco, paiku, tinctive odor.

amush, camatai, cashua, Epazote is native to Mexico and the tropical regions of Central and South
amasamas, anserina, America, where it is commonly used as a culinary herb, as well as a medicinal
mastruz, sie-sie, jerusalem
plant. It has been widely naturalized throughout the world and can be found
tea, Spanish tea,
growing in parts of the southern United States. In Brazil, the plant's name is
ambroisie du mexique,
wurmsamen, hierba
erva-de-santa-maria or mastriiqo; in Peru it is called paico. It is known throughout
hormiguera Mexico and Latin America as epazote. The Siona name of this plant means ivonn
Parts Used: leaf, plant,

remedy and here in America it is referred to as wormseed both referring to its —
long history of use^ against intestinal worms.
seed
TRIBAL In the Yucatan, indigenous Indian groups have long used epazote for intestin-
AND HERBAL al parasites, asthma, excessive mucus, chorea (a type of rheumatic fever that
MEDICINE LISES affects the brain), and other nervous afflictions. The Tikuna Indians in the Ama-
zon use it to expel intestinal worms and as a mild laxative. The Siona-Secoya
and Kofan Indian tribes in South America also use epazote for intestinal worms
(usually by taking cup of a leaf decoction each morning before eating for three
1
consecutive days). The Kofan Indians also use the plant as a perfume tying it —
to their arm for an aromatic bracelet. (However, most Americans consider the
smell of the plant quite strong and objectionable — calling it skiwk-zoeedl) Cre-
oles use it as a worm remedy for children and a cold medicine for adults, while
268
hemor-
the Wayapi use the plant decoction for stomach upsets and internal
expel intestinal gas,
rhages caused by falls. In Piura, a leaf decoction is used to
for cramps, gout,
as a mild laxative, as an insecticide, and as a natural remedy
hemorrhoids, intestinal worms and parasites, and nervous disorders.
Some
indigenous tribes bathe in a decoction of epazote to reduce fever and
will also
throw a couple of freshly uprooted green plants onto their fires to drive mos
quitoes and flies away.
In herbal medicine systems throughout Latin America,
epazote is a popular
Epazote is a common
remedy for intestinal household remedy used to rid children and adults of intestinal parasites,
worms and parasites worms, and amebas. The plant is also used in cooking it is said to prevent
intestinal gas if the leaves are cooked and/ or eaten with
beans and other com-
worldwide.
mon gas-forming foods. The leaves and seeds of epazote have long been used
and South American medicine as a vermifuge (to expel intestinal
in Central
worms). In Brazilian herbal medicine, it is considered an important

remedy for
worms (especially hookworms, round worms, and tape worms) and is also
complaints, for
used for coughs, asthma, bronchitis and other upper respiratory
general diges-
angina, to relieve intestinal gas, to promote sweating, and as a
tive aid. It is used for similar conditions in Peruvian
herbal medicine today.
Local people in the Amazon region in Peru also soak the plant in water for
several days and use it as a topical arthritis remedy. In other South American
herbal medicine systems, the plant is used for asthma, bronchitis, diarrhea,
dysentery, and menstrual disorders. Externally, it has been used as a wash for
hemorrhoids, bruises, wounds, contusions, and fractures.
to the essen-
The plant's ability to expel intestinal worms has been attributed
tial oil of the seed Chenopodium" has been used for several cen-
and "Oil of
Pharmacopoeia
turies worldwide as a worm remedy. The oil was once in the U.S.
as a drug used against amebas, roundworms, and hookworms.

The therapeu-
however, does have other toxic effects, therefore it
tic dose of the essential oil,
fell from favor as an internal remedy many years ago. Intake of 10 mg of the oil
has been known to cause cardiac disturbances, convulsions, respiratory distur-
bances, sleepiness, vomiting and weakness, and even death.
PLANT Epazote is rich in chemicals called monoterpenes. The seed and fruit contain a
amount of essential which has a main active chemical in it called
CHEMICALS large oil,
ascaridoleP This chemical was first isolated in 1895 by a German pharmacist

living in Brazil has been attributed with most of the vermifuge (worm-
and it
expelling) actions of the plant. Ascaridole has been also documented

with seda-
tive and pain-relieving properties,"^ as well as antifungal effects.^ Application

of the oil topically was reported to effectively treat ringworm within seven to
study with guinea pigs.^ In other hi vitro clinical stud-

twelve days in a clinical
ies, ascaridole was documented with activity against a tropical parasite called
^
Trypwwsoma cruzi as well as strong antimalarial^ and insecticidal actions.^
Epazote contains a The main chemicals found epazote include alpha-pinene, aritasone,
in
chemical called ascaridole, butyric-acid, d-camphor, essential oils, ferulic-acid, geraniol, 1-
ascahdole, discovered in pinocarvone, limonene, malic-acid, menthadiene, menthadiene hydroperox-
1 895, which helps to ides, methyl-salicylate, myrcene, p-cymene, p-cymol, safrole, saponins,
expel intestinal worms. spinasterol, tartaric-acid, terpinene, terpinyl-acetate, terpinyl-salicylate, tria-
contyl-alcohol, trimethylamine, urease, and vanillic-acid.
BIOLOGICAL A decoction and infusion of the plant was analyzed in vitro to determine if
ACTIVITIES they had toxic effects. At various concentrations, the extracts caused cellular
AND CLINICAL aberrations in the test tube, indicating possible toxic effects.^ However, in the
RESEARCH 1970s the World Health Organization reported that a decoction of 20

g of
leaves rapidly expelled parasites without any apparent side effects in
humans.^ In 1996, extracts from the leaves of epazote were given to seventy-
two children and adults with intestinal parasitic infections. A stool analysis
was performed and eight days after, treatment. On average, an
before,
antiparasitic efficacy was seen in 56 percent of cases. With respect to the
tested parasites, epazote leaf extract was 100 percent effective against the com-
mon intestinal parasites, Ancilostoma and Trichuris, and 50 percent effective
against Ascaris.^^
Human studies confirm In a study in 2001, thirty children (ages 3-14 years) with intestinal round-
epazote is an effective worms were treated with epazote. Doses given were 1 ml of extract per kg of
natural parasite remedy. body weight for younger children (weighing less than 25 pounds), and 2 ml of
extract per kg of body weight in older children. One dose was given daily on
an empty stomach for three days. Stool examinations were conducted before
and fifteen days after treatment. Disappearance of the Ascaris eggs occurred in
86.7 percent, while the parasitic burden decreased in 59.5 percent. In addition,
this study also reported that epazote was 100 percent effective in eliminating
the common human tapeworm {Hi/menolepsis )iana).

In other research, epazote has been documented with toxic effects against
snails^^ and was shown to have an in vitro toxic action against drug-resistant
strains ot Mi/cobactcriiini tuberculosis.^^ In 2002, a U.S. patent was filed on a Chi-
nese herbal combination containing epazote for the treatment of peptic ulcers.
This combination (containing Chcnopodiiun essential oil) was reported to inhibit
stress-induced, as well as various chemical- and bacteria-induced ulcer forma-

The most recent research has documented the anticancerous and antitu-
tion.^*^
morous properties of epazote. In one study, an extract of the entire plant of

epazote showed the ability to kill human liver cancer cells in the test tube.^^
Another study reported that the essential oil of epazote (as well as its main
270
chemical, ascaridole) showed strong antitumorous actions against numerous

different cancerous tumor cells (including several multi-drug resistant tumor
cell lines) in the test tubed^
CURRENT Due to the toxicity of the essential oil (usually distilled from the seeds), the oil
PRACTICAL USES of this plant no longer recommended for internal use. The leaves of the plant
is
(containing smaller amounts of essential oil) is the preferred natural treatment

for intestinal parasites in herbalmedicine systems today throughout the world.
It is best to find a source for only epazote leaves, as products sold as
"whole
herb" can contain a significant amount of seeds (and resulting essential oil)
depending on when it was harvested. For intestinal worms and parasites, most
herbalists and practitioners recommend V2 cup of a standard leaf decoction
taken in the morning on an empty stomach for three days in a row. On the
fourth day, a mild laxative is given to evacuate the bowel (and the deaci and
dying parasites and worms). This is repeated two weeks later to address any
worm eggs that may have survived and hatched.
Traditional For intestinal parasites, V2 cup of a leaf decoction is taken once daily on an empty
Preparation stomach for three days. A decoction of the leaves is employed (in V2 cup dosages)
for menstrual, respiratory, and digestive problems on an as-needed basis.
Contraindications The plant and essential oil should not be used during pregnancy and lactation.
Not only does the plant have toxic activity, it has also been traditionally used
to induce abortions.
While epazote has been used by indigenous tribes as a contraceptive, this use
is not verified by clinical research (nor should it be relieci on for such). How-
ever, the use of the plant is probably contraindicated for couples trying to get
pregnant.
The oil of epazote is considered extremely toxic and should not be taken
internally.
Dmg Interactions None known.

Region Uses
Belize for digestive problems, hangovers, intestinal gas, intestinal parasites, and as a sedative
Brazil for abortions, angina, bacterial infections, bronchitis, bruises, circulation problems, colds, coughs, contusions,
digestive sluggishness, dyspepsia, falls, flu, fractures, gastric disorders, hemorrhages, hemorrhoids, increasing
perspiration, insomnia, intestinal gas, intestinal parasites, laryngitis, menstrual difficulties, palpitations,
sinusitis, skin parasites, skin inflammation, skin ulceration, spasms, throat inflammation, tuberculosis,
worms, wounds, and as an insect repellent and sedative
Ecuador for indigestion, intestinal gas, intestinal worms, slow digestion
Haiti for parasites, skin sores, stomachache, worms, and as an antiseptic
Mexico for colic, increasing perspiration, menstrual disorders, nerves, parasites, toothache, tumors, water
retention, worms
Panama for asthma, dysentery, worms
Peru for abscesses, arthritis, birth control, blood cleansing, cholera, colic, contusions, cough, cramps, diabetes,
diarrhea, digestive problems, dysentery, edema, excessive mucus, fractures, gastritis, gout, hemorrhoids,
hysteria, increasing perspiration, indigestion, intestinal gas, liver support, lung problems, memory, menstrual
disorders, nervousness, numbness, pain, paralysis, parasites, pleurisy, rheumatism, skin disorders, spasms,
stomach pain, tumors, urinary tract inflammation, urinary infections, vaginal discharge, vomiting, water
retention, worms, wounds; and as an antacid, antiseptic, insect repellent, and sedative
Trinidad for amebic infections, asthma, childbirth, dysentery, dyspepsia, fatigue, fungal infections, lung problems,
palpitations, sores, worms
Turkey for asthma, digestive problems, menstrual difficulties, nervous disorders, worms
United for childbirth, increasing milk flow, menstrual disorders, nerves, pain, parasites, worms
States
Venezuela for aiding digestion, worms

Elsewhere for abortions, amebic infections, anemia, appendicitis, arthritis, asthma, breathing difficulty, bug bites,
childbirth, cholera, colds, colic, conjunctivitis, coughs, cramps, dyspepsia, dysentery, fatigue, fever, fungal
infections, hookworms, increasing perspiration, intestinal gas, intestinal parasites, intestinal ulceration,
malaria, measles, menstrual irregularities, nervousness, neurosis, pains, palpitations, paralysis, rheumatism,
roundworms, snakebite, stomach problems, spasms, tonic, tumor, water retention, worms; and as an
antiseptic, insecticide, lactation aid, and sedative
River tributary in the Brazilian Amazon.

272
ERVA TOSTAO
Main Actions
• detoxifies Leaves, Root
• protects liver
• expels worms Decoction: 1 cup one to

• supports liver
three times daily
Family: Nyctaginaceae • reduces inflammation • increases bile
Tincture: 2 ml one to three
relieves pain
• cleanses blood
Genus: Boerhaavia •
times daily
• reduces spasms • stops convulsions
Species: diffusa, hirsuta Capsules/Tablets: 500 mg-
• supports kidneys • kills bacteria
Common Names: 2 g one to three times
• kills amebas daily
erva tostao, erva toustao,
stops bleeding
• kills viruses
pega-pinto, hog weed, pig •
weed, atikamaamidi, • lowers blood pressure • detoxifies
biskhapra, djambo, etiponia, • mildly laxative

• stimulates milk flow
fowl’s lice, ganda’dar, ghetuli,
• kills parasites
katkatud, mahenshi, mamauri,
ndandalida, oulouni niabo,

paanbalibis, patal-jarh,
Erva tostao islow-growing, spreading vine with a long, tuberous
a vigorous,
pitasudu-pala, punar-nava,
taproot. It produces yellow and white flowers and is
sonaetimes considered an
punerva, punnarnava, purnoi,
invasive weed. It can be found in many tropical and
warm-climate countries.
samdelma, san, sant, santh,
Indigenous to Brazil, abundance along roadsides and in the
it is found in
santi, satadi thikedi, satodi,
Gerais. Erva tostao is
spreading hog weed, tellaaku, forests in and near Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas
in the warmer parts
thazhuthama, thikh, touri- also indigenous to India, where it is found in abundance
touri, tshrana
of the country. Erva tostao is called piinanuiva in India,
where it has a long his-
Parts Used: whole herb, tory of use by indigenous and tribal people and in Ayurvedic herbal medicine
roots
systems.
roots of erva tostao have held an important place in herbal

medicine in both
TRIBAL The
Brazil's leading medical
AND HERBAL Brazil and India for many years. G. L. Cruz, one of
herbalists, reports erva tostao is "a plant medicine of great importance, extraor-
MEDICINE USES employed in Brazil-
dinarily beneficial in the treatment of liver disorders." It is
gallbladder, as a diuretic,
ian herbal medicine to stimulate the emptying of the
and hepatitis), gallbladder
for all types of liver disorders (including jaundice
pain and stones, urinary tract disorders, renal disorders,

kidney stones, cysti-
tis, and nephritis. In Ayurvedic herbal

medicine systems in India, the roots are
as a ciiuretic, digestive aid, laxative, and menstrual
promoter and to
employed
treat gonorrhea, internal inflammation of all
kinds, eciema, jaundice, menstru-
al anemia, and liver, gallbladder, and kidney disorders. Throughout

problems,
the tropics, erva tostao is considered an excellent natural remedy for guinea
—
worms a bothersome tropical parasite that lays its eggs underneath the skin
of humans and livestock; the eggs later hatch into larvae or worms that eat the
underlying The roots of the plant are normally softened in boiling water
tissue.
and then mashed up and applied as a paste or poultice to the affected areas to
kill the worms and expel them from the skin.
PLANT Novel plant chemicals have been found in erva tostao, including flavonoids,
CHEMICALS steroids, and alkaloids, many of which drive its documented biological activi-
ties. The novel alkaloids found in erva tostao have been documented with
immune modulating effects. In one study, the alkaloid fraction of the root evi-
denced a dramatic effect in reducing an elevation of cortisol levels under stress-
ful conditions (cortisol is an inflammatory chemical produced in the body in an
immune response).^ Simultaneously, the alkaloids (and a whole root extract^)
also prevented a drop in immune system performance indicating an adapto-
genic immune modulation activity, which might suggest it could be helpful in
preventing adrenal exhaustion.
The main plant chemicals in erva tostao include alanine, arachidic acid,
aspartic acid, behenic acid, boeravinone A through F, boerhaavic acid, borha-
vine, borhavone, campesterol, daucosterol, ecdysone, flavones, galactose, glu-
tamic acid, glutamine, glycine, hentriacontane, heptadecyclic acid, histidine,
hypoxanthine, liriodendrin, oleaic acid, oxalic acid, palmitic acid, proline,
punarnavine, serine, sitosterols, stearic acid, stigmasterol, syringaresinol, thre-
onine, triacontan, ursolic acid, and valine.
BIOLOGICAL Erva tostao has long been used in traditional medicine systems as a diuretic (to
ACTIVITIES increase urination) for many types of kidney and urinary disorders. The diuret-
AND CLINICAL ic action of erva tostao has been studied and validated by scientists in several
RESEARCH studies. Researchers showed that low dosages (10-300 mg per kg of body
weight) produced strong diuretic effects, while higher dosages (more than 300
mg/ kg) produced the opposite effect — reducing urine output.^ Later research
verified these diuretic and antidiuretic properties, as well as the beneficial
kidney and renal effects of erva tostao in animals and humans."^^ Research indi-
cates that a root extract can increase urine output by as much as 100 percent in
a twenty-four-hour period at dosages as low as 10 mg per kg of body weight.'^
Many of erva tostao’s The worldwide use of erva tostao for various liver complaints and disorders
traditional uses are being was validated in three separate studies. These indicated that a root extract
confirmed by clinical provided beneficial effects in animals by protecting the liver from numerous
research. introduced toxins and even repairing chemical-induced liver and kidney dam-
age.^^^ In other clinical studies with animals, erva tostao extracts demonstrat-
274
frogs and guinea

ed smooth muscle and skeletal muscle stimulant activities in
in dogs as well
pigs2^ anti-inflammatory actions in rats;^^ hypotensive actions
as iu vitrohypotensive actions;^^ antispasmodic actions in frogs and guinea
pigs;U,i2 analgesic activities in mice;^^ and antiamebic actions in ratsd'^ In two
studies with monkeys, a root extract was reported to reduce bleeding and uter-
^
hemorrhaging commonly associated with wearing contraceptive lUDsd
'
ine
The traditional use of erva tostao for convulsions was verified by scientists
in
actions
two studies, demonstrating that a root extract provided anticonvulsant
properties
in miced^'^^ Iu vitro testing of erva tostao confirmed its antibacterial
Pseudouioucis,
against gonorrhea (another traditional use), as well as BnciUus,
antiviral actions
Salmonella, and Staplnjlococcusd^-^^ It was also shown to possess
against several viral plant pathogensd^
history of dif-
CURRENT Many of these animal studies help to explain erva tostao's long
ferent uses in natural medicine. Clearly, it has played an
important role in the
PRACTICAL USES
herbal practitioner's medicine chest of natural remedies for many
maladies m
an effective natural remedy, especially for
both South America and India. It is
the liver and kidneys, which is deserving of much more attention anci use here
in the United groups studying various biological activ-

States. Several research
ities of erva tostao have shown the safety of the

—
plant indicating no toxicity
of root and leaf extracts taken orally by mice at up to 5 g

per kg of body
weight.^'^^ Another group of scientists studied the effects of erva

tostao on preg-
nant rats and reported that it had no abortive effects and no embryotoxic or
ter-
atogenic (fetal death or birth defect) activity.
Traditional For a general liver tonic, 1 cup of a whole herb or root decoction or 2 ml of a
4:1 tincture is taken once daily. This same dosage is taken two to three times
Preparation
daily for various liver and kidney disorders. For a natural diuretic, 500 mg of
the root in capsules or tablets can be taken twice daily. As a

menstrual aid (to
reduce menstrual pain, cramping, and excessive bleeding) 1 cup of a

whole
herb or root decoction or 1-2 g in tablets or capsules can be taken two to
three
times daily as needed.
Contraindications Both in vivoand in vitro studies have demonstrated the hypotensive properties
those
of erva tostao. Those with heart problems such as low blood pressure, or
this plant
taking medications to lower their blood pressure, should not use
without the advice and supervision of a qualified health care practitioner as
blood pressure levels should be monitored closely.
This herb has also demonstrated myocardial depressant activity'^ and
should therefore not be taken by anyone with heart failure or those taking heart
depressant medications unless under the direction and care of a qualified health
care practitioner.
Drug Interactions Erva tostao may interfere with prescription diuretics and may potentiate car-
diac depressant medications. Erva tostao has been documented in one in vitro
study to have angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition action.^2 There-
fore, this plant may potentiate ACE inhibitor drugs for high blood pressure.
In one study, an oral dosage of 500 mg/kg (leaf extract) in mice inhibited bar-
biturates and decreased sleeping time.^^ Therefore, the use of this plant may
decrease the effect of barbiturates.

Region Uses
Brazil for albuminuria, beri-beri, bile insufficiency, cystitis, edema, gallbladder problems, gallstones, gonorrhea,
guinea worms, hepatitis, hypertension, jaundice, kidney disorders, kidney stones, liver disorders, liver
support, nephritis, renal disorders, sclerosis (liver), snakebite, spleen (enlarged), urinary disorders,
urinary retention
Guatemala for erysipelas, guinea worms

India for abdominal pain, anemia, ascites, asthma, blood purification, cancer, cataracts, childbirth, cholera,
constipation, cough, debility, digestive sluggishness, dyspepsia, edema, eye problems, fever, gonorrhea,
guinea worms, heart ailments, heart disease, hemorrhages (childbirth), hemorrhages (thoracic),
hemorrhoids, inflammation (internal), internal parasites, jaundice, kidney disorders, kidney stones, liver
disorders, liver support, menstrual disorders, renal insufficiency, rheumatism, snakebite, spleen (enlarged),
urinary disorders, weakness: as a diuretic, expectorant, and lactation aid
Iran for edema, gonorrhea, hives, intestinal gas, jaundice, joint pain, lumbago, nephritis; as an appetite stimulant,
diuretic, and expectorant
Nigeria for abscess, asthma, boils, convulsions, epilepsy, fever, guinea worms, and as an expectorant and laxative
West Africa for abortion, guinea worms, menstrual irregularities, and as an aphrodisiac
Elsewhere for childbirth, guinea worms, jaundice, sterility, yaws

276
ESPINHEIRA SANTA
Main Actions
• reduces acid • relieves pain Leaves
• kills germs Decoction; I cup two to

• prevents ulcers
three times daily
• aids digestion
• cleanses blood
Tablets/Capsules; 2-3 g
twice daily
• kills leukemia cells
• mildly laxative
• inhibits tumors • promotes menstruation

Family; Celastraceae • reduces fertility
• detoxifies
Genus; Maytenus
Species; ilicifolia
Espinheira santa is a small, shrubby evergreen tree growing to 5 m in height
Common Names; with leaves and berries that resemble holly. It is native to many parts of South
espinheira santa, America and southern Brazil and it is even found in city landscapes for its
cancerosa, cangorosa, Maytenus distributed
attractive, holly-like appearance. With over 200 species of
limaosinho, maiteno
in temperate and tropical regions throughout South
America and the West
Parts Used; leaves, bark,
Indies, there are many Maytenus species that are indigenous to the Amazon
roots
region, which have been used medicinally by indigenous tribes.
TRIBAL This particular Maytenus species has not been used as extensively by the
AND HERBAL indigenous peoples in the Amazon region as other Maytenus trees in the
area. It has been used by some native groups in Paraguay, where
women use
MEDICINE USES
the plant as a contraceptive and fertility regulator, and to induce menstrua-
tionand abortions. Espinheira santa has a much longer and better cdocu-
mented history of use in urban areas and South American herbal meciicine
practices than in tribal areas, probably because of the types of illnesses that
it treats. In Brazil, the leaves of the plant are
brewed into a tea for the treat-
ment and dyspepsia (with a record-
of ulcers, inciigestion, chronic gastritis,
ed history of use for these purposes dating back to the 1930s). The leaf tea
is also applied topically to wounds, rashes,
and skin cancer. In Brazilian
pharmacies today, a topical ointment is made with espinheira santa and sold
Espinheira santa is used
for skin cancer. In other herbal medicine systems in South America, espin-
for skin cancer, however used for anemia, stomach and gastric ulcers, cancer, con-
heira santa for is
its most popular use has stipation, gastritis, dyspepsia, liver disorders, and as a contraceptive. In
been for the treatment of
Argentinean herbal medicine, the entire plant or leaves are infused or
decocted for its antiseptic and wound healing properties and it is common-
ulcers, indigestion, chronic
and dyspepsia. infections, diar-

ly used internally for asthma, respiratory and urinary tract
gastritis,
rhea, and to induce menstruation.

PLANT Espinheira santa is group of well known chemicals (found in the

a source for a
CHEMICALS leaf, bark, and roots of the tree) called maytniisinoids. These chemicals represent
a class of substances that have been studied since the early 1970s for their anti-
tumorous and anticancerous activities and are today being developed into
chemotherapy drugs. A different class of chemicals found in espinheira santa
triterpene chemicals called cangorins —have also evidenced significant antitu-
morous, antileukemic, and anticancerous properties.
Espinheira santa contains The main plant chemicals include: atropcangorosin, cangoaronin, cangorins
many chemicals which A through J, cangorinine, cangorosin A and B, celastrol, dispermol, dispermone,
have documented friedelan, friedelin, friedelinol, friedoolean, friedooleanan, ilicifolin, ilicifoli-
anticancerous actions. noside A through C, kaempferol trisaccharides, kaempferol disaccharides, mait-

enine, maytanbutine, maytanprine, maytansine, maytenin, maytenoic acid,
maytenoquinone, pristimeriin, pristimerin, quercetin trisaccharides, quercitrin,
salaspermic acid, tingenol, and tingenone.
BIOLOGICAL Espinheira santa has been the subject of many clinical studies, fueled by its
ACTIVITIES effectiveness in treating ulcers and even cancer, with research beginning as
AND CLINICAL early as the mid-1960s. Toxicity studies in 1978 and 1991 showed no toxicity in
RESEARCH rats and mice in dosages up to 1 g per kg of body weight. Due to its report-
ed traditional use as an abortive aid and contraceptive, researchers studied
those aspects specifically but were unable to clinically validate these uses. In
one study, a water extract fed to pregnant mice daily did not induce abortion
and did not cause any fetus change.^ Another research group injecting pregnant
rats with leaf extracts (up to 100 mg/kg) reported that it did not cause abortive
effects or toxic effects to the fetus, but did interfere in fertilization and implan-
tation in non-pregnant rats.^ A study in 2002 confirmed these results, again stat-
ing that a leaf extract had estrogenic actions, which suggested the anti-fertility
effect may be the interference of uterine receptivity to the embryo, but did not
induce abortions or have any embyrotoxic effects."^ It was also reported in 1998
by the same scientist that it had no effect in male mice on sperm production.
In a 1976 plant screening Early research performed in Brazil in the 1970s revealed that espinheira
program by the National santa, as well as a few other species in the Maytcmis family, contains maytansi-
Cancer Institute, noid chemical compounds showed potent anti-tumor and antileukemic
that
espinheira santa was activities in vivo and in vitro at very low dosages.^^ Then in a 1976 plant screen-
reported to be toxic to ing program by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), an alcohol and water
cancer and leukemia cells extract of the leaves was documented with toxicity to cancer cells at very low
at very low dosages. dosages^^ and U.S. and European pharmaceutical companies began to show an
interest in it. Two of the chemicals, named maytansine and niayteine, were
extracted and tested in cancer patients in the United States and South America
in the 1970s, following the NCI resea rch.^^"^'^ Although there were some signif-
icant regressions in ovarian carcinoma and some lymphomas with maytan-
278
sineA'’ further researchwas not continued due to the toxicity at the dosages
used.^^ Research with the compound mayteine revealed little-to-no toxicity^d^/i2
and validated its uses in traditional medicine for various types of skin can-
cers.^^'^^ In the 1990s, Japanese researchers discovered a different set of com-
pounds which they named carigorins
(triterpene chemicals) in espinheira santa
(cangorin A through J). These new chemicals showed cytotoxic and/ or inhibi-
tory activity against various leukemia and cancer tumor cells, and the research-
ers have published more than eight studies on their discovery and results.^^-^^
Animal studies suggest Although espinheira santa is still used in South American traditional medi-
cine for various types of cancer, its most popular use has been for the treatment
espinheira santa is as
effective for ulcers as the of ulcers and digestive complaints. Its potent anti-ulcerous abilities were
two leading anti-ulcer demonstrated in a 1991 study, which showed that a simple hot water extract of
drugs sold today. espinheira santa leaves was as effective as two of the leading anti-ulcer drugs,
ranitidine (Zantac®) and cimetidine (Tagamet®). The same study showed that
espinheira santa caused an increase in volume and pH of gastric juice. In 1997,
a Japanese research group filed a patent on the biologically active anti-ulcer
compounds found in espinheira santa as a new anti-ulcer drug.^^
CURRENT Espinheira santa is still widely sold in Brazilian stores and pharmacies today
PRACTICAL USES for stomach ulcers and cancer. With its popularity and beneficial results in
South America, as well as its recent western research, espinheira santa is slowly
becoming more popular and well known in the United States. Leaf infusions
and/or leaf powder in capsules or tablets are currently being used for ulcers,
as an antacid, as a laxative, as a colic remedy, to eliminate toxins through the
kidneys and skin, to support kidneys, support adrenal glands, support diges-
tive functions, and as an adjunctive therapy for cancer.
Traditional One cup of a standard leaf decoction is taken two to three times daily (or with
Preparation meals as a digestive 2-3 g of leaf powder in tablets, capsules,

aid). If desired,
or stirred into juice or water once or twice daily can be substituted. A standard
leaf decoction can also be applied directly to the skin for topical use for wounds,
rashes, and skin cancer.
Contraindications Research suggests that water extracts of espinheira santa may have estrogenic
effects and reduce fertility in females. Women seeking treatment for infertility,
attempting to get pregnant, or those with estrogen-positive cancers should not

use this plant.
Drug Interactions One study involving mice injected with a water extract of leaves recorded bar-
biturate potentiation activity. However, the same study notes no potentiation
activity when administered to mice orally.^

Region Uses
Argentina for abortions, asthma, cancer, diarrhea, increasing saliva, menstrual difficulties, respiratory tract infections,
urinary tract infections, wounds, and as an antiseptic
Brazil for asthma, bile disorders, cancer, digestive problems, gallbladder support, increasing saliva, inflammation,
intestinal problems, pain, ulcers, wounds, and as an antiseptic and aphrodisiac
Paraguay for abortions, birth control, libido, menstrual regulation
Elsewhere for arthritis, asthma, cancer, contraceptive, digestive problems, rheumatism, spasms, tumors, water
retention, wounds, and as an antiseptic
FEDEGOSO
• protects liver • relieves pain Leaves
• detoxifies liver • reduces inflammation Infusion: I cup twice daily
• kills bacteria • kills cancer cells Tincture: 3^ ml twice daily
• kills fungi • reduces spasms Tablets/Capsules: l-2g

• kills parasites • reduces fever twice daily
• kills viruses • reduces blood pressure

• expels worms • kills insects
Family: Leguminosae • enhances immunity
Genus: Cassia • cleanses blood
• kills germs
Species: occidentalis
• detoxifies
Common Names:
• promotes perspiration
fedegoso, fedegosa, yerba
• mildly laxative
hedionda, brusca,
guanina, martinica,
manjerioba,
platanillo,
Fedegoso is grows 5-8 m high and is found in many tropical
a small tree that
peieriaba, retama, achupa
areas of South America, including the Amazon. Indigentûs to Brazil, it is also
poroto, heduibda, folha-
de paje, kasiah, khiyar
found in warmer climates and tropical areas of South, Central, and North
shember, pois piante, shih America. It is in the same genus as senna (C. seiuin) and is sometimes called
chueh ming, sinamekki, "coffee senna." It is botanically classified as both Scwui occidentalis and Cassia
tlalhoaxin, wang chiang occidentalis. Its seeds, found in long seed pods, are sometimes roasted and made
nan, senting, kachang The Cassia genus comprises some 600 species of
into a coffee-like beverage.
kota, menting
trees, shrubs, vines, and herbs, with numerous species growing in the South
Parts Used: roots, leaves, American rainforests and tropics. Many species have been used medicinally,
seeds, bark, flowers tropical plants have a rich history in natural medicine. Various Cas-
and these
280
sia plants have been known since the ninth or tenth centuries as purgatives and
laxatives, including Cassia august ifolia and Cassia senna.
TRIBAL Fedegoso has been used as natural medicine and other tropi-
in the rainforest
flowers, and seeds have been employed

AND HERBAL cal areas for centuries. Its roots, leaves,
MEDICINE USES in herbal medicine around the world. In Peru, the roots are considered a diuret-
ic, and a decoction is made for fevers. The seeds are brewed into a coffee-like
beverage for asthma, and a flower infusion is used for bronchitis in the Peru-
vian Amazon. In Brazil, the roots of fedegoso are considered a tonic, fever
reducer, and diuretic; they are used for fevers, menstrual problems, tuberculo-
anemia, liver complaints, and as a tonic for general weakness and illness.
sis,
The leaves are also used in Brazil for gonorrhea, fevers, urinary tract disorders,
Virtually all parts of the
edema, and menstrual problems. The Miskito Indians of Nicaragua use a fresh
fedegoso plant are used
plant decoction for general pain, menstrual and uterine pain, and constipation
in herbal medicine
in babies. In Panama, a leaf tea is used for stomach colic, the crushed leaves are
systems around the
used in a poultice as an anti-inflammatory, and the crushed fresh leaves are
world.
taken internally to expel intestinal worms and parasites. In many countries
around the world, the fresh and/or dried leaves of fedegoso are crushed or
brewed into a tea and applied externally for skin disorders, wounds, skin fun-
gus, parasitic skin diseases, abscesses, anci as a topical analgesic and anti-
inflammatory natural medicine.
PLANT The Cassia plants are well known

group of chemicals with strong laxative
for a
CHEMICALS actions called anthraqiiinones. The most widely used species of Cassia in herbal
medicine is known as senna {Cassia senna or C. acutifolia). The actions of the
anthraquinones chemicals are the basis of senna's widespread use as a purga-
tive and strong laxative. While fedegoso does contain a small amount of these
anthraquinones, it was shown in a rat study not to have the same strong purga-
tive and laxative effects as senna.*
The main plant chemicals in fedegoso include achrosine, aloe-emodin,
anthraquinones, anthrones, apigenin, aurantiobtusin, campesterol, cassiollin,
chryso-obtusin, chrysophanic acid, chrysarobin, chrysophanol, chrysoeriol,
emodin, essential oils, funiculosin, galactopyranosyl, helminthosporin,
islandicin, kaempferol, lignoceric acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, mannitol,
mannopyranosyl, matteucinol, obtusifolin, obtusin, oleic acid, physcion,
quercetin, rhamnosides, rhein, rubrofusarin, sitosterols, tannins, and xanthorin.
BIOLOGICAL Fedegoso has been the subject of recent clinical research for its beneficial effects
ACTIVITIES on the liver and immune system. In the late 1970s, two research groups pub-
lished three studies citing the beneficial effects of fedegoso in human patients
AND CLINICAL
with liver toxicity, hepatitis, and even acute liver failure. Other researchers
RESEARCH
followed up on those actions, publishing four different in vivo studies (mice and
rats) from 1994 to 2001. These studies report that fedegoso leaf extracts have the
ability to protect the liver from various introduced chemical toxins, normalize
liver enzymes and and repair liver damage.^"® Some of this research
processes,
has also demonstrated significant immunostimulant activity by increasing
humoral immunity and bone marrow immune cells in mice, and protecting
them from chemically-induced immunosuppression.® These researchers and
others also reported the antimutagenic actions of fedegoso.®'®'^ In this research,
fedegoso was able to prevent or reduce the mutation of healthy cells in the pres-
ence of laboratory chemicals which were known to mutate them.
Clinical studies in humans In other in vivo studies, fedegoso leaf extracts have demonstrated anti-inflam-
show fedegoso is matory, hypotensive, smooth-muscle relaxant, antispasmodic, weak uterine
benefical for liver and stimulant, vasoconstrictor, and antioxidant activities in laboratory animals.
immune functions. These documented actions certainly help to explain its uses in traditional med-
icine systems for menstrual cramps and other internal inflammatory conditions.
Fedegoso has also been used for many types of bacterial, fungal, and parasitic
infections for many years in the tropical countries where it grows. In vitro clin-
ical research on fedegoso leaves over the years has reported active antibacte-
rial, antifungal, antiparasitic, insecticidal, and antimalarial properties.^-'^^
CURRENT Although the seeds of fedegoso are used in herbal medicine in small amounts
PRACTICAL USES (and even roasted and brewed as a coffee substitute in some countries), sever-
al clinical studies have demonstrated the toxicity of the fresh and/or
dried /roasted seeds. Ingestion of large amounts of the seeds by grazing animals
has been reported to cause toxicity problems and even death in cows, horses,
and goats. Due well-known and well-documented toxicity of these seeds,
to the
they are best avoided altogether. Toxicity studies on the aerial parts, leaves, and
roots of fedegoso have been published by several research groups. These stud-
ies reported that various leaf and root extracts given to mice (administered oral-
ly and injected at up to 500 mg/ kg) did not demonstrate any toxic effect or
cause mortality.^'®'^‘^
Health practitioners today are employing fedegoso in their practices much

the same way it has been in traditional medicine for many years. It
is an excel-
lent natural remedy for bacterial and fungal infections and now is clinically
shown to bcx)st immune function simultaneously. As a liver tonic, science sup-
ports its beneficial action and use in various liver conditions including anemia,
hepatitis, and liver damage (drug- or alcohol-induced). New research suggests,

with antimutagenic actions, fedegoso could possibly help keep damaged
its
liver cells from turning into cancerous ones, as often happens

with chronic hep-
atitis B and C infections.

Traditional The therapeutic dosage is reported to be 1 cup of a standard leaf infusion twice
Preparation daily. If desired, 3-4 ml of a tincture twice daily or 1-2 g in tablets or capsules
twice daily can be substituted.
Contraindications Fedegoso leaf extracts have demonstrated weak uterine stimulant activity and
smooth-muscle relaxant actions in rats.^^ As such, the use of this plant is con-
traindicated during pregnancy.
Fedegoso has demonstrated hypotensive activity in dogs^^ and, as such, is
probably contraindicated in people with low blood pressure. Individuals tak-
ing medications to lower their blood pressure should check with their doctor
first before taking fedegoso (and monitor their blood pressure accordingly, as
medications may need to be adjusted).
Long-term ingestion of small amounts and single high dosages of fedegoso
seeds cause toxic reactions, including myodegeneration and death. Do not use
fedegoso seeds without the supervision of a qualified professional who is famil-
iar with the mechanisms, chemicals, actions, and toxicity of these seeds.
Drug Interactions It may potentiate the effects of antihypertensive drugs. Fedegoso has demon-
strated significant antihepatotoxic (liver protective), hepatotonic (liver tonic),
and hepatic detoxification (liver detoxifing) effects in animal and human stud-
ies. As such, the use of this plant might interfere with the metabolism of some
drugs in the liver by increasing the clearance of them and/or reducing their
half-life (which may reduce the effects of those drugs that require metaboliza-
tion in the liver).

Region Uses
Africa for abscesses, bile complaints, birth control, bronchitis, bruises, cataracts, childbirth, constipation, dysentery,
edema, erysipelas, eye infections, fainting, fever, gonorrhea, guinea worms, headache, hematuria, hemorrhages
(pregnancy), hernia, increasing perspiration, inflammation, itch, jaundice, kidney infections, leprosy, malaria,
menstrual disorders, pain (kidney), rheumatism, ringworms, scabies, skin diseases, skin parasites, sore
throat, stomach ulcers, stomachache, swelling, syphilis, tetanus, worms, water retention, wounds
Amazonia for abdominal pain, birth control, bile insufficiency, malaria
Brazil for anemia, constipation, edema, fatigue, fever, gonorrhea, liver disorders, malaria, menstrual disorders, skin
problems, tuberculosis, urinary disorders, water retention, weakness
Central for abortions, athlete’s foot, birth control, constipation, diarrhea, fungal infections, headache, menstrual
America disorders, menstrual pain, pain, respiratory infections, ringworm, spasms, urinary insufficiency, urinary tract
infections, uterine pain, worms
Haiti for acne, asthma, burns, colic, constipation, edema, eye infections, gonorrhea, headache, malaria, rheumatism,
skin rashes and infections, and to increase perspiration
India for abscesses, bites (scorpion), constipation, diabetes, edema, fever, inflammation, itch, liver diseases, liver
support, rheumatism, ringworm, scabies, skin diseases, snakebite, wounds
Mexico for chills, digestive sluggishness, dyspepsia, earache, eczema, edema, fatigue, fever, headache, inflammation
(skin), laxative, leprosy, nausea, pain, rash, rheumatism, ringworms, sexually transmitted diseases, skin
problems, sores, stomachache, swelling, tumors, ulcers, water retention, worms, yellow fever
Panama for colic, inflammation, spasms, stomach problems, worms, and as an antiseptic
Peru for asthma, bronchitis, fever, liver problems, urinary insufficiency
Trinidad for abortions, childbirth, colds, constipation, heart problems, inflammation, liver problems, palpitations
Venezuela for asthma, colds, fever, intestinal gas, malaria, menstrual difficulties, skin problems, water retention
Elsewhere for abdominal pain, abortions, bile insufficiency, birth control, bites (scorpion), childbirth, constipation,
dermatosis, digestive problems, eczema, edema, eye infections, fevers, gonorrhea, headache, hemoglobin
disorders, hemorrhage, hypertension, laxative, lice, liver disorders, malaria, menstrual disorders, pain,
parasites, rheumatism, ringworms, scabies, skin disorders, snakebite, spasms, urinary insufficiency, worms,
yellow fever
GERVAO
• reduces histamine • relieves pain Leaves
• suppresses coughs • increases urination Infusion: V2 cup twice daily
• relieves spasms • promotes menstruation Tincture: 2-3 ml twice daily
• reduces acid • reduces fever Tablets/Capsules: l-2g

• lowers blood pressure twice daily
• prevents ulcers
Family: Verbenaceae • stimulates digestion • increases milk flow
• protects gastric tract • mildly laxative

Genus; Stachytarpheto
• reduces inflammation • sedates
Species: jamaicensis,
• expels worms ' • promotes sweating
cayennensis
• protects liver • heals wounds
Common Names:
• dilates blood vessels
gervao, Brazilian tea,
• kills larva
verbena cimarrona,
bastard vervain, verbena
azul, wild verbena, blue
Gervao is a weedy annual (and sometimes perennial) herbaceous plant that
flower, rooster comb,
grows 60-120 cm tall. It bears small reddish-purple to deep blue flowers that
jarbao, rat tail,
grow along tall stems that are favored by butterflies. It is indigenous to most
porterweed, gewongan,
parts of tropical America and, although some consider it a semi-invasive weed,
rumput tahi babi, selaseh
it is sometimes cultivated as
an ornamental plant for its true-blue flowers and
dandi (spotted basil)
striking deeply serrated, dark green leaves. Gervao belongs to the large verbe-
Parts Used; plant, leaves
na family, which comprises about 100 genera and 2,600 species (including the
common vervain and verbena plants). It is often referred to as ''bastard ver-

vain" or "wild verbena." While very similar to verbena and vervain in appear-
ance and growth habits, gervao is a different species of plant. Two very similar
species of Stachytarpheta grow in the tropics and are used interchangeably (and
share the same common names) in many countries' herbal medicine systems
S. cayennensis and S. jamaicensis.
TRIBAL Gervao widely used by indigenous peoples throughout the Amazon. The
is
AND HERBAL Creoles use the leaf tea for dysentery, while the Kofans in northwest Amazo-
MEDICINE USES nia drink a decoction of the plant to relieve stomach pains. Indigenous peo-
ples of Peru use the plant for diabetes and the Wayapi and Palikur Indians in
Guyana use the plant in baths to relieve colds and headaches. Other tribes in
the Amazon prepare an infusion or decoction of the plant to take internally for
fevers (including yellow fever), allergies, stomach problems, and intestinal
parasites.
In Brazilian herbal medicine systems, the plant is considered to stimulate
and aid digestion, suppress coughs, reduce fever, expel worms, increase per-
spiration, and promote menstruation. The natural remedy there is usually an
infusion prepared with the leaves or entire aerial parts. It is employed today by
Brazilian herbalists and practitioners as a stomach tonic; to stimulate the func-
tion of the gastrointestinal tract; for dyspepsia, allergies, asthma, and fevers;
and for chronic liver problems. Gervao is also used in Brazil as a diuretic for
various urinary complaints and as a mild laxative for constipation. Externally

it is used to clean ulcers, cuts, and wounds. In Cuban herbal medicine (where
the plant is named verbena cimarrona) the plant is considered to be abortive, lax-
ative, diuretic, and sedative and is useci to reciuce spasms, depress the central
nervous system, promote menstruation, aid milk production, and reduce blood
pressure.
Throughout the tropics In the West Indies, gervao commonly is employed to expel intestinal worms
where gervao grows, it is and other parasites; several commercial preparations sold in Jamaica for para-
a common herbal remedy sites contain gervao. One popular preparation combines gervao with gra viola
for intestinal parasites, {Annona muricata) and epazote {Chenopodium ambrosioides) into a natural reme-
digestive complaints, and dy for this purpose (both plants are featured in this book). Besides its long his-
chronic liver disorders. tory of use as a parasite remedy (which was documented as early as 1898),
gervao also has been used by women in Jamaica and the West Indies for many
types of menstrual disorders and female complaints. In many parts of the West
Indies, a leaf tea is drunk after childbirth to restore health and to increase the
supply of mother's milk. In Belize, a tea brewed from the aerial parts of the
plant is taken for nervousness, heart conditions, stomachache, dyspepsia, neu-

ralgia, cough, colds, fever, flu, and liver complaints. There the mashed leaves
are also used in a poultice for boils and infected sores, and the leaf juice is taken
internally for intestinal parasites.
PLANT Gervao contains flavonoids, terpenes, phenols, and steroids. Several of these
CHEMICALS plant chemicals have been documented with biological activities that may help
explain the plant's indigenous uses (especially for liver ailments and respira-
tory problems). The first of these is an iridoid glycoside called verbascoside (also
called acetoside), found in several plants in the Verbenaceae genus. In clinical
research, this powerful antioxidant phytochemical has been documented with
neuroprotective,^ antiviral,^ antibacterial,^ liver protective,^^ cardioactive,^ and
antitumorous" effects. A flavonoid in gervao called scutellarein has been docu-
The biological activity of
mented with cardioprotective,® anti-inflammatory,^ and antivirab^ actions.
the chemicals found in
Another flavonoid found in gervao called hispidulin is also found in verbena
gervao help explain the
and vervain and is considered one of the main "active" chemicals in all three
traditional uses of the
plants. Hispidulin has been reported tohave anti-asthmatic, bronchodilator,
plant for liver problems
and antispasmodic properties'^ liver detoxifing actions^- and to normalize
and respiratory
sticky blood.
complaints.
The main plant chemicals in gervao include: apigenol-7-glucuronide, alpha-
spinasterol, gamma-amino butyric acid, chlorogenic acid, citral, dopamine,
friedelin, geraniol, hentriacontane, hispidulin, ipolamiide, luteolol-7-glu-
curonide, n-dotriacontane, n-nonacosane, n-pentriacontane, n-tetratriancon-

tane, n-triacontane, n-tritriacontane, salicylic-acid, scutellarein, stachytarphine,
stigmasterol, tarphetalin, ursolic acid, and verbascoside.
BIOLOGICAL The first biological activity studies were published on gervao in 1962 by
ACTIVITIES researchers in India who reported that the plant demonstrated antispasmodic
AND CLINICAL and vasodilator activities in several small animal studies. In 1990, two clini-
cal studies reported that leaf extracts evidenced larvicidal effects, which might
RESEARCH
help explain its long history of use for intestinal parasites.'®'^® In 1998, the anti-
inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of gervao were demonstrated in

rats.^^ In this study, researchers pre-treated rats with gervao and showed that
it inhibited significantly their ability to induce inflammation with chemical

agents. They two chemicals in the plant (vebascoside and another iri-
isolated
Animal studies suggest
doid chemical, ipolamiide) and tested them individually for these effects. These
gervao relieves pain;
chemicals demonstrated a marked anti-inflammatory effect in rats (adminis-
reduces spasms and
tered four hours after chemically inducing inflammation) of 94 percent and 70
inflammation: reduces
percent, respectively. They attributed this effect, in part, to the extract (and its
stomach acid and
phytochemicals), which inhibited a histamine reaction.
prevents ulcers; and
Another area of research has verified gervao's longstanding use for gas-
acts as a laxative.
tric and intestinal disorders. In a 1995 Brazilian study, a gervao extract
demonstrated anti-diarrhea effects in ratsd^ Another (1997) Brazilian study

demonstrated antacid, anti-ulcer, and laxative effects in miced^ In this study,
a water extract of the whole plant increased intestinal motility, protected
against ulcers from various chemical agents, and inhibited gastric secretion.
These researchers noted the same histamine-blocking properties in this ulcer
model that was observed in the anti-inflammatory model, along with anoth-
er possible pathways of action. They concluded that ''whatever the mecha-
nisms involved, the present data confirm the plant's effectiveness as
antacid /antiulcer and laxative." In the mouse and rat studies performed thus
far,no toxicity was noted when the plant was taken orally (at up to 2 g per
kg of body weight).
CURRENT In herbal medicine today, gervao is regarded as a safe, natural remedy when
PRACTICAL USES prepared in decoctions and infusions (taken orally or applied externally). A
researcher in Panama, however (who injected mice with varying dosages of
a leaf extract), reported toxic effects and even death at the highest dosages.^®
While gervao is a well known and popular remedy in South

natural herbal
America for digestion and liver problems, colds, flu, asthma, and as a natu-
ral antihistamine and anti-inflammatory, practitioners in North America are
just beginning to learn about its many uses. With its many applications,
gervao is sure to increase in popularity as more people learn of its many effec-
tive uses.
Traditional One-half cup of a whole herb infusion is taken one to two times daily or 1-3 ml
Preparation of a 4:1 tincture is desired, 1-2 g powdered herb in tablets,

taken twice daily. If
capsules, or stirred into juice or water daily may be substituted.
Contraindications Gervao has been used in herbal medicine as an abortive agent and, therefore,
is probably contraindicated during pregnancy.
Gervao has been documented with vasodilator properties in an animal study
and, therefore, may lower blood pressure. Those with low blood pressure or
those on antihypertensive medications should consult their doctor before using
gervao.
Stachxftarpheta cayennensis (but not S. jamaicensis) has been reported to con-
tain a small amount of naturally occurring salicylic acid. This phytochemical is
the natural precursor to aspirin. Those allergic to aspirin should probably avoid
using this plant product.
Drug Interactions None reported, however the plant might potentiate heart and blood pressure
medications.

Region Uses
Amazonia for asthma, fever, stomach pain
Bahamas for abortions, asthma, bronchitis, chest colds, childbirth, itch, skin problems, sores, worms
Belize for boils, colds, cough, fever, flu, heart problems, intestinal parasites, liver disorders, nervousness, neuralgia,
sores, stomachache
Brazil for acid reflux, allergies, amebic infections, arthritis, bile insufficiency, bronchitis, bronchial phlegm, chest
pains, colds, constipation, contusions, cough, cuts, debilitation, diarrhea, digestive problems, dysentery,
dyspepsia, eczema, edema, erysipelas, fever, flu, gastritis, gastrointestinal disorders, hemorrhoids, hepatitis,
high blood pressure, hoarseness, intestinal parasites, liver disorders, liver support, lung problems, menstrual
disorders, rheumatism, sexually transmitted diseases, skin problems, sores, stomachache, syphilis, tumors,
ulcers, urinary complaints, water retention, worms, wounds, yellow fever, and to increase perspiration
Cuba for abortions, constipation, depressing the central nervous system, diabetes, excessive mucus, fevers,
hypertension, lactation aid, menstrual problems, spasms, urinary insufficiency
Haiti for constipation, digestive complaints, edema, erysipelas, intestinal parasites, menstrual disorders, nerves,
sores, tumors, worms, and as a sedative
India for abortions, dysentery, fever, inflammation, rheumatism, skin ulcers
Mexico for gonorrhea, menstrual difficulties, nerves, pain, syphilis, yellow fever, promoting perspiration
South for birth control, intestinal parasites, menstrual difficulties, worms

America
Trinidad for blood cleansing, boils, chest colds, constipation, coughs, dysentery, eczema, eye disorders, eye wash,
fever, flu, intestinal parasites, lactation stimulation, rashes, rectitis, stomach, vitiligo, worms
West Indies for childbirth, intestinal parasites, lactation stimulation, menstrual disorders, skin parasites, worms
Elsewhere for abortions, bile insufficiency, birth control, boils, bruises, cataracts, constipation, diabetes, diarrhea,
dysentery, edema, erysipelas, fever, hair loss, headache, heart support, inflammation, intestinal parasites,
liver disease, malaria, menstrual irregularities, nausea, rheumatism, rhinitis, sexually transmitted diseases,
sores, sprains, stomach, tumors

^3lBfW»WpillPlllKW|P!W I jim# IJJ I
,J|
1 1 I
*
TbjSSS?

288
GRAVIOLA
• kills cancer cells • relieves depression Leaves
• slows tumor growth • reduces spasms Infusion: I cup three times

daily
• kills bacteria • kills viruses
Tincture: 2-4 ml three
• kills parasites • reduces fever
times daily
• reduces blood pressure • expels worms
Family: Annonaceae Tablets/Capsules: 2 g three
• lowers heart rate • stimulates digestion
times daily
Genus: Annona
• dilates blood vessels • stops convulsions
Species: muricata • sedates
Common Names:
graviola, soursop,
Graviola is a small, upright evergreen tree, 5-6 m high, with large, glossy, dark
guanabana, guanabano, 15-20 cm in
green leaves. It produces a large, heart-shaped, edible fruit that is
guanavana, guanaba,
diameter and green in with white flesh inside. Graviola is indigenous to
color,
corossol epineux,
huanaba, toge-banreisi, most of the warmest tropical areas in South and North America, including the
durian benggala, nangka Amazon. The fruit is sold in local markets in the tropics, where it is called gravi-
blanda, cachiman epineux guanabana in Spanish-speaking countries, and soursop in the Unit-
ola in Brazil,
Parts Used: leaves, fruit, ed States. The fruit pulp is excellent for making drinks and sherbets and,
seeds, bark, roots though slightly sour-acidic, can be eaten out of hand.
TRIBAL All parts of the graviola tree are used in natural medicine in the tropics, includ-
AND HERBAL ing the bark, leaves, roots, fruit, and fruit seeds. Different properties and uses
are attributed to the different parts of the tree. Generally, the fruit and fruit juice
MEDICINE USES
are taken for worms and parasites, to cool fevers, to increase mother's milk
after childbirth,and as an astringent (drying agent) for diarrhea and dysentery.

The crushed seeds are used against internal and external parasites, head lice,
and worms. The bark, leaves, and roots are considered antispasmodic, hypoten-
sive, and sedative, and a tea is made for various disorders toward those effects.
Over the last several Graviola has a long, rich history of use in herbal medicine as well as a
years, graviola has lengthy recorded indigenous use. In the Peruvian Andes, a leaf tea is used for
become a popular catarrh (inflammation of mucous membranes) and the crushed seed is used to
complementary kill parasites. In the Peruvian Amazon the bark, roots, and leaves are used for
supplement for cancer. diabetes and as a sedative and antispasmodic. Indigenous tribes in Guyana use
a leaf and/or bark tea as a sedative and heart tonic. In the Brazilian Amazon a
leaf tea is used for liver problems, and the oil of the leaves and unripe fruit is
mixed with and used externally for neuralgia, rheumatism, and arthri-
olive oil
tis pain. In Jamaica, Haiti, and the West Indies, the fruit and/or fruit juice is
used for fevers, parasites, and diarrhea; the bark or leaf is used as an antispas-
modic, sedative, and nervine for heart conditions, coughs, flu, difficult child-
birth, asthma, hypertension, and parasites.
Today, in the United States and Europe, graviola is sold as a popular adjunc-
tive natural therapy for cancer. This use has stemmed from published research
on graviola and its naturally occurring chemicals possessing anticancerous
actions, rather than its established traditional uses in South America.
PLANT Many active compounds and chemicals have been found in graviola, as scien-
CHEMICALS tists have been studying its properties since the 1940s. Most of the research on
graviola focuses on a novel set of chemicals called Annonaceous acetogeuins.
Graviola produces these natural compounds in its leaf and stem, bark, and fruit
seeds. Three separate research groups have confirmed that these chemicals have
significant antitumorous properties and selective toxicity against various types
of cancer cells (without harming healthy cells). These groups have published
eight clinical studies on their findings.^'® Many of the acetogenins have demon-
strated selective toxicity to tumor cells at very low dosages —as little as 1 part
per million. Four studies were published in 1998 which further specify the
chemicals and acetogenins in graviola that are demonstrating the strongest anti-
cancerous, antitumorous, and antiviral properties.^"^^
Plant chemicals Annonaceous acetogenins Annonaceae family (to
are only found in the
found in graviola have which graviola belongs). These chemicals in general have been documented
demonstrated the ability to with antitumorous, antiparasitic, insecticidal, and antimicrobial activities.
kill cancer cells without Mode of action studies in three separate laboratories have recently determined
harming healthy cells that these acetogenins are superb inhibitors of enzyme processes that are only
including cancer cells found in the membranes of cancerous tumor cells. This is why they are toxic to
which have developed a cancer cells but have no toxicity to healthy cells. Purdue University, in West
resistance to multiple Lafayette, Indiana, has conducted a great deal of the research on the aceto-
chemotherapy drugs. genins, much which has been funded by The National Cancer Institute
of
and/or the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Thus far, Purdue University
and/or its staff have filed at least nine U.S. and/or international patents on
their work around the antitumorous and insecticidal properties and uses of
these acetogenins.
In 1997, Purdue University published information with promising news that
several of the Annonaceous acetogenins "not only are effective in killing tumors
that have proven resistant to anti-cancer agents, but also seem to have a special
affinity for such resistant cells." In several interviews after this information
was publicized, the head pharmacologist in Purdue's research explained how
this worked. As he explains it, cancer cells that survive chemotherapy can
develop resistance to the agent originally used as well as to other, even unre-
lated, drugs. This phenomenon is called multi-drug resistance (MDR). One of the
290
main ways that cancer cells develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs is by cre-
ating an intercellular pump, which iscapable of pushing anticancer agents out

of the cell before they can kill it. On average, only about two percent of the can-
cer cells inany given person might develop this pump but they are the two—
percent that can eventually grow and expand to create multi-drug-resistant
tumors. Some of the latest research on acetogenins reported that they were
capable of shutting down these intercellular pumps, thereby killing multi-drug-
resistant tumors. Purdue researchers reported that the acetogenins preferen-
tially killed multi-drug-resistant cancer cells by blocking the transfer of

ATP— the chief source of cellular energy— into them.^^
A tumor cell needs energy to grow and reproduce, and a great deal more to
run pump and expel attacking agents. By inhibiting energy to the cell, it can
its
no longer run its pump. When acetogenins block ATP energy to the tumor cell
over time, the no longer has enough energy to operate sustaining process-
cell
es— and it dies. Normal cells seldom develop such a pump; therefore, they
don't require large amounts of energy to run a pump and, generally, are not
adversely affected by ATP inhibitors. Purdue researchers reported that fourteen
different acetogenins tested thus far demonstrate potent ATP-blocking proper-

ties They also reported that thir-
(including several found only in graviola).^'’
teen of these fourteen acetogenins tested were more potent against MDR breast
cancer cells than all three of the standard drugs (adriamycin, vincristine, and
vinblastine) they used as controls.
The Annonaceous acetogenins discovered in graviola thus far include: anno-
catalin,annohexocin, annomonicin, annomontacin, annomuricatin A and B,
annomuricin A through E, annomutacin, annonacin, annonacinone, annopen-
tocin A through C, cis-annonacin, cis-corossolone, cohibin A through D, core-
poxylone, coronin, corossolin, corossolone, donhexocin, epomuricenin A and B,
gigantetrocin, gigantetrocin A and B, gigantetrocinone, gigantetronenin, gonio-
thalamicin, iso-annonacin, javoricin, montanacin, montecristin, muracin A
through G, muricapentocin, muricatalicin, muricatalin, muri-catenol, muri-
catetrocin B muricatin D, muricatocin A through C muricin H, muricin
A and
1, muricoreacin, murihexocin 3,
murihexocin A through C, murihexol, muri-
solin, robustocin, rolliniastatin 1 & 2, saba-delin, solamin, uvariamicin 1 and
IV,
and xylomaticin.
BIOLOGICAL In a 1976 plant screening program by the National Cancer Institute, graviola
ACTIVITIES leaves and stemshowed active toxicity against cancer cells, and researchers
AND CLINICAL have been following up on these findings since.^^ Thus far, specific aceto-
RESEARCH genins in graviola and/or extracts of graviola have been reported to be selec-
tively toxic ill vitro to these types of tumor cells: lung carcinoma cell lines;^'3-6
human breast solid tumor linesd prostate adenocarcinoma;*^ pancreatic carci-

noma cell lines;^'^'^^ colon adenocarcinoma cell lines;^'^'^^ liver cancer cell
lines ;^^“20 human lymphoma cell lines;^! and multi-drug-resistant human
breast adenocarcinoma.^^ Researchers in Taiwan reported in 2003 that the
main graviola acetogenin, annonacin, was highly toxic to ovarian, cervical,
breast, bladder and skin cancer cell lines at very low dosages, saying
''annonacin is a promising anti-cancer agent and worthy of further animal
studies and, we would hope, clinical trials.
In test tube studies An interesting in vivo study was published in March of 2002 by researchers
graviola has shown to be in Japan, who were studying various acetogenins found in several species of
toxic to many types of plants. First they inoculated mice with lung cancer cells. Then, one third re-
cancer cells including lung, ceived nothing (the control group), one third received the chemotherapy drug
prostate, colon, breast, adriamycin, and one third received the main graviola acetogenin, annonacin (at
liver, pancreas, ovarian, a dosage of 10 mg/kg). At the end of two weeks, five of the six in the untreat-
skin, cervical, skin, and ed control group were still alive and lung tumor sizes were then measured. The
lymphoma cancer cells. adriamycin group showed a 54.6 percent reduction of tumor mass over the con-
trol group —
but 50 percent of the animals had died from toxicity (three of six).
The mice receiving annonacin were all still alive, and the tumors were inhibit-
— —
ed by 57.9 percent slightly better than adriamycin and without toxicity. This
led the researchers to summarize: 'This suggested that annonacin was less toxic
in mice. On considering the antitumor activity and toxicity, annonacin might
be used as a lead to develop a potential anticancer agent.
Other studies over the years have validated some of graviola's other uses
in herbal medicine. Several early studies demonstrated that the bark as well
as the leaves had hypotensive, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, vasodilator,

smooth-muscle relaxant, and cardiodepressant activities in animals.
Other research indicates
Researchers verified graviola leaf's hypotensive properties in rats again in
that graviola can lower
1991.2^ Several studies over the years have demonstrated that leaf, bark, root,
blood pressure, reduce
stem, and seed extracts of graviola are antibacterial in vitro against numer-
heart rate, dilate blood
ous pathogens,^®"^^ and that the bark has antifungal prc^perties.'^^^'^* Graviola
vessels, and reduce
seeds demonstrated active antiparasitic properties in a 1991 study, which val-
spasms and convulsions.
idated its long standing traditional use,^^ g showed to be
extract
active against malaria in two other studies (in 1990 and 1993).^^^''^‘* The leaves,
root, and seeds of graviola demonstrated insecticidal properties, with the
seeds demonstrating strong insecticidal activity in an early 1940 study. In a
1997 clinical study, novel alkaloids found in graviola fruit exhibited antide-
pressive effects in animals.
CURRENT Cancer research ongoing on these important Amwiin plants and plant
is
PRACTICAL LISES chemicals, as several pharmaceutical companies and universities continue to

292
and attempt to synthesize these chemicals into new

research, test, patent,
chemotherapeutic drugs. In fact,graviola seems to be following the same
path as another well-known —

cancer drug Taxol. From the time researchers
first discovered an antitumorous

bark of the pacific yew tree and
effect in the
a novel chemical called taxol was

discovered in its bark, it took thirty years
of research pharmaceutical companies, universities, and gov-

by numerous
drug was sold to a
ernment agencies before the first FDA-approved Taxol
chemical they found in
cancer patient '(which was based on the natural taxol
the tree bark).
successfully
With graviola, has taken researchers almost ten years to
it
antitumorous chemical,
synthesize (chemically reproduce) the main
center and other
annonadn. These acetogenin chemicals have a unique waxy
earlier attempts, and at
unique molecular energy properties, which thwarted
process. Now that
least one major pharmaceutical company gave up in the
scientists have the ability to recreate this
chemical and several other active
acetogenins in the laboratory, the next step is to

change the chemical just
in the process) to
enough (without losing any of the antitumorous actions
turned into a new
become a novel chemical, which can be patented and
(patented) cancer drug. (Naturally occurring
plant chemicals cannot be
again every time they
patented.) Thus far, scientists seem to be thwarted
change the chemical enough to be patentable, they lose
much of the antitu-
Like the development of taxol, it may well take
government
morous actions.
National Institutes of
agencies like the National Cancer Institute and the
cancer research on the
Health to step forward and launch full-scale human
will allow any phar-
synthesized unpatentable natural plant chemical (which
research, as hap-
maceutical company to develop a cancer drug utilizing the
available to
pened with taxol) to be able to make this promising therapy
cancer patients in a timely fashion.
In the meantime, many cancer patients and
health practitioners are not
(with over
waiting— they are adding the natural leaf and stem of graviola
forty documented naturally occurring
acetogenins, including annonacin) as a
graviola has had
complementary therapy to their cancer protocols. After all,
a long history of safe use as an herbal
remedy for other conditions for many
are selective-
years, research indicates that the antitumorous acetogenins
and
and not healthy cells and in miniscule amounts.
ly toxic to just cancer cells
While research confirms that these antitumorous acetogenins also occur m

high amounts in the seeds and roots of graviola, different alkaloid chem-
fruit
icals in the seeds and roots have shown

some preliminary in vitro neurotoxic
effects.35 Researchers have suggested that
these alkaloids might be linked to
Parkinson's disease in countries where the seeds are

employed as a
atypical
common herbal parasite remedy. Therefore, using the seeds and root of
graviola is not recommended at this time.
The therapeutic dosage of graviola leaf, (which offers just as high of an
amount of acetogenins as the root and almost as much as the seed) is reported
to be 2-3 g taken three or four times daily. Graviola products (capsules and tinc-
tures) are becoming more widely available in the U.S. market, and are now
offered under several different manufacturer's labels in health food stores. As
one of graviola's mechanisms of action is to deplete ATP energy to cancer cells,
combining it with other supplements and natural products that increase or
enhance cellular ATP may reduce the effect of graviola. The main supplement
that increases ATP is a common antioxidant called Coenzyme QIO and for this
reason, it should be avoided when taking graviola.
Graviola is certainly a promising natural remedy and one that again
emphasizes the importance of preserving our remaining rainforest ecosys-
—
tems. Perhaps if enough people believe that the possible cure for cancer
truly is locked away in a rainforest plant —we will take the steps needed to
protect our remaining rainforests from destruction. One researcher studying
graviola summarized this idea eloquently: "At the time of preparation of this
current review, over 350 Annonaceous acetogenins have been isolated from
37 species. Our preliminary efforts show that about 50%, of over 80 Annona-
ceous species screened, are significantly bioactive and are worthy of frac-
tionation; thus, this class of compounds can be expected to continue to grow
at an exponential rate provided that financial support for such
in the future,
research efforts can be found. With the demise of the world's tropical rain
forests, such workcompelling before the great chemical diversity, con-
is
tained within these endangered species, is lost."^'’
Traditional The therapeutic dosage is reported to be 2 g, three times daily, in capsules or

Preparation tablets. A standard infusion (1 cup three times daily) or a 4:1 standard tincture
(2-4 ml three times daily) can be substituted if desired.
Contraindications Graviola has demonstrated uterine stimulant activity in an animal study (rats)
and should therefore not be used during pregnancy.

Graviola has demonstrated hypotensive, vasodilator, and cardiodepressant
activities in animal studies and is contraindicated for people with low blood
pressure. People taking antihypertensive drugs should check with their doctors
before taking graviola and monitor their blood pressure accordingly (as med-
ications may need adjusting).
Graviola has demonstrated significant in vitro antimicrobial properties.
Chronic, long-term use of this plant may lead to the death of friendly bacteria
294
in the digestive tract due to its antimicrobial properties. Supplementing the diet
with probiotics is advisable if this plant is used chronically.

One study with rats given a stem-bark extract intragastrically (at 100 mg/kg)
reported an increase in dopamine, norepinephrine, and monomine
oxidase
activity, aswell as an inhibition of serotonin release in stress-induced rats.^^

Alcohol extracts of graviola leaf showed no toxicity or side effects in
mice at
100 mg /kg; however, at a dosage of 300 mg /kg, a reduction

in explorative
behavior and mild abdominal constrictions were observed.'ô If sedation or

sleepiness occurs, reduce the amount used.
Drug Interactions None have been reported; however, graviola may potentiate antihypertensive
and cardiac depressant drugs. See contraindications above.

Taking graviola in combination with Coenzyme Qio and other agents
that
increase cellular ATP energy may reduce the effects of graviola.

Region Uses
diarrhea, dysentery, edema, fever, intestinal colic,
Brazil for abscesses, bronchitis, chest problems, cough, diabetes,
parasites, liver problems, nervousness, neuralgia, pain, parasites,
rheumatism, spasms, worms
intestinal
and as a sedative
Caribbean for chills, fever, flu, indigestion, nervousness, palpitations, rash, spasms, skin disease,
sedative and tranquilizer

Curasao for childbirth, gallbladder problems, nervousness, and as a
heart conditions, lice, nerves, parasites, pain, pellagra,

Haiti for coughs, diarrhea, digestive sluggishness, fever, flu,
sores, spasms, weakness, wounds, and as a lactation aid and sedative
parasites, spasms, water retention,

Jamaica for asthma, fevers, heart conditions, hypertension, nervousness,
weakness, worms, and as a lactation aid and sedative
for boils, coughs, diarrhea, dermatosis, hypertension, rheumatism,

and to reduce bleeding
Malaysia
for chest colds, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, ringworm, scurvy, and

to reduce bleeding
Mexico
Panama for diarrhea, dyspepsia, kidney, stomach ulcers, worms
inflammation, lice, liver disorders,
Peru for diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, hypertension, indigestion,
parasites, spasms, tumors, ulcers (internal), and as a sedative
Trinidad for blood cleansing, fainting, flu, high blood pressure, insomnia, palpitations, ringworms, and as a
lactation aid
parasites, tumors
United for cancer, depression, fungal infections, hypertension, intestinal
States
West Indies for asthma, childbirth, diarrhea, hypertension, parasites, worms, and as a lactation aid
for arthritis, asthma, bile insufficiency, childbirth, cancer,

diarrhea, dysentery, fever, heart problems, kidney
Elsewhere
problems, and as a lactation aid
problems, lice, liver disorders, malaria, pain, ringworm, scurvy, stomach
and sedative
GUACATONGA
• protects stomach • blocks pain signals Leaves
• prevents ulcers • neutralizes venom Infusion: '/i
cup two to
• kills cancer cells • kills viruses three times daily
• slows tumor growth • cleanses blood Tablets/Capsules: l-2g

relieves pain
twice daily
• • stops bleeding
Family: Flacourtiaceae
• heals wounds
Genus; Casearia
Species: sylvestris
Guacatonga grows as a shrub or small tree usually 2 or 3 m tall, but some-
Common Names:
times grows up to 10 m in undisturbed areas of the Amazon. In the clay soils
guacatonga, guassatonga,
wild coffee, burro-kaa,
of the Amazon, the plant has adapted for nutrient absorption and support by
cafe bravo, cafeiillo, cafe forming extensive lateral roots that are white, stiff, and covered with a corky
silvestre, congonhas-de- bark. The tree produces small, white, cream, or greenish flowers (which smell
bugre, corta-lengua, crack- like amixture of honey and urine) crowded on short stalks on the leaf axils.
open, dondequiera, erva-
de-bugre, erva de pontada,
After flowering it produces small fruits, 3-4 in diameter, which split open mm
guayabillo, mahajo, papelite,
to reveal three brown seeds covered with a red-to-orange aril. Guacatonga
pau de lagarto, piraquina,
grows wild throughout the tropics, adapting to both forests and plains. It is
raton, sarnilla, ucho caspi native to Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Central
Parts Used: bark, leaves,

America, and South America (including Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, and
root Bolivia).
TRIBAL Guacatonga has a rich history in herbal medicine systems in nearly every trop-
AND HERBAL ical country where it grows. The Karaja Indians in Brazil prepare a bark mac-
MEDICINE USES eration to treat diarrhea; the Shipibo-Conibo Indians of Peru use a decoction of
the bark for diarrhea, chest colds, and flu. Other Indian tribes in Brazil mash
the roots or seeds of guacatonga to treat wounds and leprosy topically. Indige-
nous peoples throughout the Amazon rainforest have long used guacatonga as
a snakebite remedy. A leaf decoction is brewed that is applied topically and also
taken internally. The same jungle remedy is used topically for bee stings and
Indigenous peoples in the
other insect bites. This native use found its way out of the rainforest and into
Amazon have long used
current herbal medicine practices in cities and villages in South America. Its use
guacatonga for snakebites
has been validated by scientists in the last several years who documented the
and insect bites and stings.
leaf extract as capable of neutralizing several types of bee and snake venoms.
Scientists have reported
Guacatonga has a long history of use in Brazilian herbal medicine, docu-
that it is capable of
mented in early folk medicine books as an antiseptic and wound healer for skin
neutralizing several types
diseases (in 1939), as a topical pain-reliever (in 1941), and as an anti-ulcer drug
of bee and snake venoms.
(in 1958). It is currently used in Brazilian herbal medicine systems as a blood
296
and antiviral to treat rheumatism, syphilis, herpes,

purifier, anti-inflammatory,
edema, fevers of all kinds, diarrhea, and as a topical
stomach and skin ulcers,
pain-reliever. It isemployed topically for burns, wounds, rashes, and such

also
skin disorders as eczema. The natural herbal

remedy calls for 20 g of dried
are taken orally two to
leaves infused in 1 liter of water; quarter-cup amounts
three times daily.
Bolivian herbal med-
The plant is also a popular herbal remedy employed in
icine, where it is considered to relieve pain,
reduce inflammation, reduce stom-
wounds. There it is used
ach acid and prevent ulcers, stop bleeding, and heal
snakebite and bee stings, herpes,
to treat skin diseases, cancer, stomach ulcers,
and in dental antiseptic mouthwash products.
PLANT The chemical makeup quite complex. Scientists conducting the

of guacatonga is
of the plant contain a

CHEMICALS antivenin research discovered that the leaves and twigs
phytochemical called lapachol? This is the well known and
studied anticancer-
ous/antifungal compound from which another rainforest plant, pau d arco

gained much renown. (Pau d'arco is also featured in this
{Tabebiiia impetiginosa)
the anticancerous and anti-
book.) While other researchers have been studying
phytochemi-
tumorous properties of guacatonga, a completely different set of
cals has fueled their These compounds, called clewdane diterpenes, are
interest.
patented as antisarcom-
found abundantly in guacatonga and some have been
ic agents. Clerodane diterpenes have
been documented with a wide range of
to antitumorous, anti-
biological activities ranging from insect antifeedants,
Novel chemicals in cancerous, and antibiotic agents, to HIV replication inhibitors. Some of the
chemicals which sci-
guacatonga have been clerodane diterpenes documented in guacatonga are novel
patented as agents which entists have named casearins (A through S).
kill sarcoma cancer cells. Main plant chemicals guacatonga include: caprionic acid, casearin A
in
casearia clerodane 1 through VI, casearvestrin A through

C, hesper-
through S,
itin, lapachol, and vicenin.
1988 by Japan-
BIOLOGICAL The research on guacatonga's anticancerous properties began in
ese researchers from the Tokyo College of Pharmacy
and Pharmacognosy. They
ACTIVITIES
these novel clero-
AND CLINICAL published one preliminary trial in 1988 on their discovery of
activities. The study
RESEARCH dane diterpenes and their anticancerous and antitumorous
strong antitumorous activ-
indicated that an ethanol extract of the leaf showed
ity in laboratory mice with sarcomas.'^ As soon as they made this discovery, they
casearin chemicals discov-
rushed to patent it, filing a Japanese patent for the
follow-up study in 1990,
ered as new antitumorous agents.^ They published a
sarcomas with an ethanol
again reporting their results from injecting mice with
of body weight) and confirm-
extract of guacatonga leaves (100 mg per gram
ing their previous findings.^ They then tested individual casearins against var-
ious human cancer cell lines and published two more studies in 1991 and
1992.7,8 These studies reported newly isolated casearin chemicals and their anti-
tumorous and anticancerous actions against various cancer tumor cells. Oddly,
Animal studies on
the Japanese researchers have not published any further studies and, since they
guacatonga reported a
had already filed patents, other research groups have not been forthcoming in
strong anti-tumor effect
funding research dollars on these patented antitumorous plant chemicals.
against sarcoma tumors.
In 2002, however, a well-known research group North Carolina discovered
in
three new casearins in the leaves and stems of guacatonga that the Japanese had
not (and, obviously, hadn't patented). They named the new chemicals casear-
vestrin A, B and C, and published their first study in 2002, stating: "All three
compounds displayed promising bioactivity, both in cytotoxicity assays against
a panel of tumor cell lines and in antifungal assays."^ Their research tested the
new plant chemicals against human lung, colon, and ovarian tumor cells and
indicated all three compounds had toxicity to cancer cells in very small
amounts. This research was supported by from the National Cancer
a grant
Institute, National Institutes of Health (NCI) and performed by a non-profit
biotech company, a large pharmaceutical company, and a major university. The
NCI has performed research in-house on clerodane diterpenoids found in
also
another Casearia plant species documenting the anti-tumor properties of its
novel diterpenoids^° and another university research group has documented
the anticancerous properties of this class of chemicals in a Casearia plant from
the Madagascar rainforest as well.^^ It will be interesting to see if this diversi-
fied group will actually develop these chemicals into new effective chemother-
apeutic agents; their research is ongoing.

Other research reveals All other research on the chemicals and activities of guacatonga has been
that guacatonga provides performed by Brazilian research groups over the years. The first published tox-
equal effects as several icity study with rats indicated no toxicity with an ethanol extract of the leaves
anti-ulcer drugs and at 1,840 mg per kg. ^7 This research group, at the University of Sao Paulo, stud-
non-steroidal anti- ied the anti-ulcer properties of the plant (based on its long history of use as an
inflammatory drugs. effective herbal remedy for ulcers). They published two studies confirming
these benefits. The first study with rats (in 1990) showed that a crude leaf extract
reduced the volume of gastric secretion by 42 percent, but had little effect on
pH. The extract also prevented lab-induced acute gastric mucosal injury which
was equivalent to the anti-ulcer drug cimetidine (TagameP).'^ Ten years later
they published a second rat study, documenting that a crude leaf extract pro-
tected the stomach lining without changing gastric pH and sped healing of
acetic acid-induced chronic ulcers and H. pylori ulcers.
Another Brazilian researcher documented that a bark-and-leaf infusion
demonstrated pain relieving and mild anti-inflammatory properties in
298
miceP"^ A university researcher followed up on the anti-inflammatory

of the leaves was as
research, publishing in her dissertation that an extract
effective against inflammation in mice as the NSAID
drugs Prioxicam® and
groups to
Meloxicam®2'’ Leaf extracts have also been shown by two research
Bacillus cents and
be active against common food poisoning bacteria strains,
B. siibtilis, but inactive against such other common bacteria as Staphylococcus,
Streptoccoccus, and £.
CURRENT It will be interesting what happens with guacatonga's ongoing cancer

to see
PRACTICAL USES —
research especially with sarcomas. These types of tumors
typically grow very
quickly, are resistant to many of the approved cancer

drugs, and represent a
guacatonga is con-
bleak prognosis for most cancer patients. In the meantime,
ulcers, inflammation,
sidered a safe plant and a great natural herbal remedy for
and pain, and used as a snakebite remedy throughout the
will continue to be
Amazon jungles by the indigenous peoples. Although not widely available in

its beneficial uses, the
the U.S. market yet, hopefully as more people learn of
market demand for it will increase.
amounts
Traditional Twenty grams of dried leaves are infused in 1 liter of water and V4 -CUP
are taken two to three times daily with meals as a digestive
and anti-ulcer aid.
Preparation
leaves in tablets or
Since most of the chemicals are water soluble, powdered
capsules (1-2 twice daily) can be substituted if desired. The above infusion
g
can also be used topically for wounds, burns, skin rashes, and as a
mouthwash
after dental work or tooth extractions.

Region Uses
mouthwash, inflammation, insect bites, pain, skin diseases,
Bolivia for blood cleansing, cancer, dental antiseptic
snakebite, tumors, ulcers, wounds, and to stop bleeding
body eczema, fevers, flu, herpes, inflammation, leprosy,

Brazil for blood cleansing, diarrhea, chest and pains,
rheumatism, skin diseases, snakebite, syphilis, wounds, and as a male sexual stimulant
Colombia for skin diseases, snakebite, ulcers, wounds
India for snakebite
Peru for diarrhea
Elsev/here for leprosy, snakebite, wounds

GUACO
• suppresses coughs • reduces fever Leaves
• expels phlegm • cleanses blood Infusion: '/2 cup three to
• dilates bronchial tubes • heals wounds four times daily
• arrests asthma • promotes perspiration Tincture: 3^ ml three

times daily
• relieves pain • increases urination
• kills bacteria • kills protozoas

• kills yeast
• thins blood
Family; Asteraceae Mikania is the largest tropical genus of vines with over 300 species in the genus.
Genus: Mikonia The common name "guaco" is quite common; it is used for several species of
Mikania vines that look very similar and are used for similar purposes. These
Species: cordifolia,
glomerata, guaco include the South American species, M. guaco, found in Brazil, Peru, Venezuela,
Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador; M. cordifolia which is found throughout South
Common Names:
guaco, guace, bejuco de
America as well as Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama; M.
finca, cepu, liane Francois, glomerata which is mostly found in Paraguay and Venezuela; and Mikania lae-
matafinca, vedolin, cipo vigata which has only been cataloged in Brazil thus far. All of these guaco plants
caatinga, huaco, erva das are thornless shrubby vines reaching about 2 m in height and sprawling out 2
serpentes, coragao de
X 2.5 m wide. They produce wide bright green heart-shaped leaves and white
Jesus, erva-de-cobra,
to yellowish flowers. The leaves, when bruised or crushed, have a pleasant
guaco-de-cheiro
spicy scent reminiscent of pumpkin pie spice, and the flowers have a distinc-
Part Used: leaves
tive vanilla smell, especially after a rain.
TRIBAL Mikania cordifolia and M. glomerata are two plants in Brazil that are used inter-
AND HERBAL changeably and oftentimes with no distinction between the two species; they
MEDICINE USES are just referred to as guaco. Both have a long history of use by rainforest inhab-
itants. Brazilian Indians have an ancient tradition of using guaco for snakebites,
preparing a tea with the leaves and taking it orally as well as applying the
leaves or the stem juice (in a hurry) directly onto the snakebite. Other Ama-
zonian rainforest Indian tribes have employed the crushed leaf stem topically
on snakebites (as well as drinking the decoction of leaves and/or stem) and
have used a leaf infusion for fevers, stomach discomfort, and for rheumatism.
Indigenous people in the Amazon region in Guyana warm the leaves to put on
skin eruptions and itchy skin. Several Indian tribes also believe if you crush the
fresh aromatic leaves and leave them around your sleeping areas, the spicy
300
because of its long history as

scent will drive snakes away. For this reason and
medicine systems as snake-
a snakebite remedy, it earned names in herbal
vine" and "snake-herb."
current herbal medicine In 1870, a Brazilian herbal drug called Opodeldo de Guaco was made from the
In
bron-
systems in Brazil, guaco is leaf and stem guaco that was considered a "saint's remedy to treat
of
coughs, and rheumatism. This "drug" is still a

popular home remedy
well known and well chitis,
prepare themselves
today throughout Brazil for the same purposes, but locals
it
regarded as an effective
cough syrup. The recipe calls for put-
natural bronchodilator, by boiling guaco leaves into a tasty spicy
expectorant, and cough ting a handful of fresh leaves (or about 2 ounces
dried leaves) in 6 cups of water
suppressant employed for boiling until it is reduced to 2 cups. Then of a cup of sugar is added and
%
and
all types of upper it isboiled again for about twenty minutes into a syrup.
The mixture is strained
respiratory problems.
to remove the leaves, three soup-spoonfuls
of honey are added, and the syrup
is cooled, bottled, and stored in the

refrigerator. As a cough syrup, one soup-
(and it is amazingly
spoonful is taken three times daily to help quiet coughs
effective!).
In current herbal medicine systems in Brazil,

guaco is well known and well
and cough sup-
regarded as an effective natural bronchodilator, expectorant,
for all types of upper respiratory problems
including bron-
pressant employed
chitis, pleurisy, coughs, and asthma; as well as for sore throats,
colds and flu,
Brazil as an anti-mflammatory,
laryngitis, and fever. Guaco is also popular in
arthritis, intestinal inflam-
antispasmodic and pain-reliever for rheumatism,
mation, and ulcers. A decoction of the leaves is also employed externally for
neuralgia, rheumatic pain, eczema, pruritus, and wounds.
guaco include caffeolylquinic acids, cinnamic acid,

PLANT The main plant chemicals in
tannins,
CHEMICALS coumarin, glycosides, kaurenic acids, germacranolides, stigmasterol,
chemical, coumarin
and resins. Guaco is a significant source of the natural plant
percent in some guaco plants). Coumarin is used to produce
the
(ashigh as 11
coumadin.
most commonly used anticoagulant and blood-thinning drug called
It is such a large source of coumarin,
Brazilian research groups are studying the
the commercial cultivation and extraction of coumarin

from guaco
possibility of
contain fourteen novel
leaves for pharmaceutical industry use.^ Guaco also
This classification of
sesquiterpene chemicals that are called germacranolides
plant chemicals has yielded some very biologically active antibacterial, insecti-
Guaco contains a large cidal, anticancerous, and antitumorous agents obtained from plants, the actual
researched. At
amount of the blood- activities of these novel guaco germacranolides are still being
thinning chemical, in vitro anti-inflammatory activ-
least three caffeoylquinic acids ciemonstrating
coumarin. in vitro antibacterial
ities'ând two kaurenic acid chemicals with significant
activity*^ have been also been isolated in
guaco leaves.
BIOLOGICAL Many of guaco's long-time traditional uses have been validated by scientists.
ACTIVITIES Raul Coimbra wrote the first journal article validating the use of guaco as a
AND CLINICAL bronchodilator and expectorant herbal drug in 1942.^ In a 1984 Brazilian study,
RESEARCH human volunteers were given a guaco leaf tea (M. glomerata), and researchers
again reported the strong cough suppessant and bronchodilator effects.^ Other
researchers in Brazil published papers about the brochodilator and anti-inflam-
matory effects of guaco leaf extracts in 1992/"^ one scientist suggested that these
actions could be attributed at least by half to the natural coumarin in the plant.^
In 2002, a Brazilian research group reported that extracts of guaco leaves (M.
glomerata) significantly inhibited histamine contractions and evidenced a relax-
ing effect of the trachea (throat) in guinea pigs (as well as isolated human
bronchi They summarized their findings by saying: 'The results sup-
in vitro).
ported the indication of M. glomerata products for the treatment of respiratory

diseases where bronchoconstriction is present.
Clinical research validates They also validated yet another indigenous use for snakebites; reporting that
guaco’s long history guaco significantly reduced swelling, edema, and related vasoconstriction in
of use for respiratory mice injected with snake venom.^° Guaco's in vitro and in vivo anti-inflamma-
problems, snakebites, tory activity had already been reported by three other studies,^^"^^ the study in
and inflammation. 2002 reporting an 81 percent inhibition of inflammation in rats.^^ In other recent
research, a crude guaco leaf extract (M. cordifolia) demonstrated antiprotozoal
activity in one study^*^ and the same species evidenced one of the strongest
antiprotozoal activity tested out of seventy-nine plant extracts tested in 2002
(against two protozoa: Trichomonas vaginalis and Trypanosoma cruzi).^^ In other
research published in 2002, guaco was reported with in vitro antibacterial and
anti-yeast actions against Candida.^^
CURRENT Guaco has long been regarded as a safe herbal remedy in Brazil. Toxicity stud-
PRACTICAL USES ies with rats 2003) confirm that, even in high dosages (3.3 g per kg of body
(in
0
weight for fifty-two days), it does not have any toxic or anti-fertility effects.^^
While guaco is a widely popular and well-known Brazilian herbal remedy with
Brazilian research validating much of its traditional uses, it is virtually un-
known to North American consumers and health practitioners. It is deserving

of much more attention here, especially for stubborn upper respiratory condi-
tions, bronchitis, chronic coughs in general, and even the common cold or flu.
Traditional In addition to the cough syrup detailed above, the traditional remedy is to take
Preparation 2 cups of fresh leaves (or V2 cup dried leaves) and infuse them in a liter of water.
A half-cup of this infusion is taken four times daily for rheumatism, respirato-
ry problems, and coughs. A standard tincture is also sometimes employed for
the same purposes at dosages of 3-4 ml three times daily. The leaf infusion may
302
also be prepared as above and used as a topical wound healer and pain-reliev
er (although the fresh leaves are more effective for this purpose than using
dried leaves).
Contraindications In large dosages (two to three times the traditional remedy above) guaco has
been reported cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
to
Guaco contains a significant amount of coumarin, which is the plant chem-

ical from which coumadin drugs are derived.
Coumarin has an anticoagulant
and blood thinning effect and the use of guaco may demonstrate anticoagulant
effects due coumarin content. Consult with your physician before taking
to the
this plant if you are taking coumadin drugs or if coumadin

anticoagulant type
drugs are contraindicated for your condition.
Drug Interactions May potentiate Warfarin® and other coumadin drugs.

Region Use
cleansing, bronchial constriction, bronchitis,
Brazil for albuminuria, appetite stimulation, arthritis, asthma, blood
problems, laryngitis, neuralgia, pain,
cancer, cholera, colds, coughs, fever, gout, infections, influenza, intestinal
syphilis, tonsillitis, wounds, and
pleurisy,pruritus, respiratory problems, rheumatism, snakebite, sore throat,
as an expectorant
Dominican
Republic for cholera, fever, flu
Guyana for insect bite, itch, skin eruptions, snakebite
Haiti for fever, malaria, syphilis
for asthma, bites(dog), fever, malaria, menstrual irregularities,

rheumatism, scorpion stings, sores, snakebite,
Mexico
spasm, stomach problems, tetanus, worms
Venezuela for fever, snakebite, tumors
Elsewhere for cholera, snakebite

GUARANA
• stimulates • relieves pain Seeds
• increases energy • enhances memory Decoction: I cup one to
• dilates blood vessels • mildly laxative three times daily
• increases urination • increases libido Tincture: 1-3 ml two to

three times daily
• soothes nerves • kills bacteria
Family: Sapindaceae
• fights free radicals • thins blood
Tablets/Capsules: I
-2 gone
Genus; Paullinia to three times daily
• reduces weight
Species; cupano
Standardized Extracts:
Follow the label directions
Common Names:
guarana, guarana
kletterstrauch, Guarana is a creeping shrub native to the Amazon (and particularly the regions
guaranastruik, quarana, of Manaus and Parintins). In the lushness of the Brazilian Amazon where it
quarane, cupana, Brazilian
originates, it often grows to 12 m high. Its fruit is small, round, bright red in
cocoa, uabano,
and grows
color, in clusters. As it ripens, the fruit splits and a black seed
uaranzeiro
Parts Used: fruit, seed

emerges giving — it the appearance of an "eye," about which Indians tell
legends.
TRIBAL The uses of this plant by the Amerindians predates the discovery of Brazil.
AND HERBAL South American Indian tribes (especially the Guaranis, from which the plant's
MEDICINE USES name is derived) dry and roast the seeds and mix them into a paste with water.
They then use it much
same way as chocolate to prepare various foods,
the —
drinks, and medicines. The rainforest tribes have used guarana mainly as a
stimulant and as an astringent (drying agent) for treating chronic diarrhea. It is
often taken during periods of fasting to tolerate dietary restrictions. Botanist

James Duke cites past and present tribal uses in the rainforest: as a preventive
for arteriosclerosis; as an effective cardiovascular drug; as a pain-reliever, astrin-
gent, stimulant, and tonic used to treat diarrhea, hypertension, fever, migraine,
neuralgia, and dysentery.

Indians in the Amazon Over centuries, the many benefits of guarana have been passed on to explor-
have long used guarana ers and settlers. European researchers began studying guarana (in France and
as an energy tonic and Germany) in the 1940s, finding that Indians' uses to cure fevers, headaches,
for fevers, diarrhea, cramps, and as an energy tonic were well founded. Guarana is used and well
headaches, and cramps. known for its stimulant and thermogenic action. In the United States today,
guarana is reputed to increase mental alertness, fight fatigue, and increase stam-
ina and physical endurance. Presently, guarana is taken daily as a health tonic
by millions of Brazilians, who believe it helps overcome heat fatigue, combats
304
premature aging, detoxifies the blood, and is useful for intestinal gas, obesity,
dyspepsia, fatigue, and arteriosclerosis. The plant, considered an adaptogen, is

also used for heart problems, fever, headaches, migraine, neuralgia, and diar-
rhea. Guarana has been used in body care products for its toning and astrin-
gent properties, and to reduce cellulite. Guarana also has been used as an
ingredient in shampoos for oily hair and as an ingredient in hair-loss products.
In Peru the seed isused widely for neuralgia, diarrhea, dysentery, fatigue, obe-
sity, cellulite, heart problems, hypertension, migraine, and rheumatism.
Today the plant is known and used worldwide (and is the main ingredient
in the ''national beverage" of Brazil: Guarana Soda!). Eighty percent of the
world's commercial production of guarana paste is in the middle of the Ama-

zon rainforest in northern Brazil — still performed by the Guarani Indians, who
wild-harvest the seeds and process them into paste by hand. The Brazilian gov-
ernment has become aware of the importance of the local production of guarana
through traditional methods employed by indigenous inhabitants of the rain-
forest. Since 1980, FUNAI (the National Indian Foundation) has set up a
num-
ber of projects to improve the local production of guarana. Now, under the
direction of the FUNAI regional authority in Manaus, many cooperatives in the
rainforest support indigenous tribal economies through the harvesting and pro-
duction of guarana. •
PLANT The chemical examination of guarana seeds was performed by the German
first
CHEMICALS botanist Theodore von Martins in the 1700s. He isolated a bitter, white crys-
talline substance with a remarkable physiological action. Von Martins named
this substance guaranine, and it was later renamed caffeine. Many today still
believe guaranine to be a unique phytochemical in guarana. It is, however

(according to chemists), caffeine.^'^ As one group of researchers put it, guara-
nine is a product of crude laboratory processes and "should be considered non-

existent, being in reality impure caffeine."*^ Guaranine is probably just caffeine
bound to a tannin or phenol. In living plants, xanthines (such as caffeine) are
bound and tannins, and are set free or unbound during

to sugars, phenols,
the roasting process. See page 448 for a comparison of the caffeine content of
Despite what marketers guarana seed to other popular plant beverage products. Guarana seeds contain
might tout, the chemical up to 4-8 percent caffeine (25,000 to 75,000 ppm), as well as trace amounts of
guaranine is really caffeine; theophylline (500 to 750 ppm) and theobromine (300 to 500 ppm).'^'^ They also
guarana is a significant contain large quantities of alkaloids, terpenes, tannins, flavonoids, starch,
source of natural caffeine. saponins, and resinous substances. ^7
The xanthine alkaloids (caffeine, theophylline, theobromine) are believed to
contribute significantly to guarana's therapeutic activity. In clinical studies,

theophylline stimulates the hearU and central nervous system,*^ enhances alert-
ness, and alleviates fatigue. It also has strong diuretic activity‘s and reduces con-
striction of the bronchials, making it useful in asthma.^ Theobromine has sim-
ilar effects. Certainly, many traditional uses of guarana may be explained by its
caffeine content. Among its many documented effects, caffeine has been shown
to facilitate fat loss^^'^^ and reduce fatigue.^
The main chemicals found in guarana are adenine, allantoin, alpha-copaene,

anethole, caffeine, carvacrol, caryophyllene, catechins, catechutannic acid,
choline, dimethylbenzene, dimethylpropylphenol, estragole, glucose, guanine,
hypoxanthine, limonene, mucilage, nicotinic acid, proanthocyanidins, protein,
resin, salicylic acid, starch, sucrose, tannic acid, tannins, theobromine, theo-
phylline, timbonine, and xanthine.
BIOLOGICAL Toxicity studies with animals (in 1998) have shown that guarana is non-toxic,
ACTIVITIES even high dosages (up to 2 g/kg of body weight). Toxicity has been report-
at
AND CLINICAL ed in only one human: a female who had an existing heart condition (mitrial
valve prolapse).
RESEARCH
While the Indians have been using guarana for centuries, western science has
been slowly, but surely, validating that the indigenous uses are well-grounded.
In 1989, a U.S. patent was filed on a guarana seed extract, which was capable
The patent described
of inhibiting platelet aggregation (reducing sticky blood).
guarana's ability to prevent the formation of blood clots and to help in the
breakdown of already-formed clots. Clinical evidence was presented in con-
junction with the 1989 patent and again in 1991 by a Brazilian research group
that reported these anti-aggregation properties. Once again, scientific vali-
dation is given to a plant used for centuries by the Indians as a heart tonic and
to "thin the blood."
The use of guarana as an The use of guarana as an effective energy tonic, for mental acuity, and to
effective energy tonic, for enhance long-term memory has been validated by scientists. In a 1997 hi vivo
mental acuity, and to study, guarana increased physical activity of rats, increased physical endurance
enhance long-term under and increased memory with single doses as well as with chronic
stress,
memory has been doses. Interestingly, the study revealed that a whole-seed extract performed
validated by scientists. more effectively than did a comparable dosage of caffeine or ginseng extract.
Another Brazilian research group has been studying guarana's apparent effect
of increasing memory,'^'^*^ thought to be linked to essential oils found in the
seed. The plant also enhance memory retention and to have
was found to
anti-amnesic activity in mice and rats.’^ A U.S. patent has been filed on a com-
bination of plants (including guarana) for promoting sustained energy and
mental alertness "without nervousness or tension."-^ Guarana (often in combi-
nation with other plants) also has been found to facilitate weight loss, by cre-
ating a feeling of fullness^^ and having a mild thermogenic effect.
Guarana has traditionally been used for headaches and migraines. A 1997
study found the plant to have pain-relieving activity, which may explain its
use for not only headaches but neuralgia, lumbago, and rheumatism. In 2001,
a U.S. patent was combination of plants, including guarana, to
filed on a
''relieve pain and other symptoms associated with migraines and headaches.
Guarana's antibacterial properties against E. coli and Salmonella have been

documented Guarana has also demonstrated antioxidant properties;
as well.^^
researchers concluded, "Guarana showed an antioxidant effect because, even
at low concentrations (1.2 meg/ ml), it inhibited the process of lipid peroxida-
tion." 1998, scientists demonstrated that a guarana extract significantly

increased the blood glucose levels and suppressed exercise-induced hypo-
glycemia in mice.^^
CURRENT Guarana's good health benefits and its standing as a natural stimulant has
PRACTICAL USES caused its popularity to grow steadily worldwide. It can be found under many
labels and as an ingredientmany herbal formulas, energy drinks, and pro-
in
tein bars. Unfortunately, too many (unethical) manufacturers are simply adding
the guarana name to their labels to capitalize on its popularity — and adding
chemical caffeine to their products instead. New standardized extracts of
guarana are available these days that "guarantee" and "standardize" the extract
to the caffeine content. Unfortunately, many of these comprise a seed powder
or extract to which caffeine has been added —rather than concentrating the caf-
feine through an extraction process of the natural seeds.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration published results of their test-
ing of twenty-four commercial guarana products sold over the counter. They
determined that "results and chromatographic profiles for 14 commercial prod-
ucts in solid dosage form indicate that a number of these products may not con-
tain authentic guarana as an active ingredient or contain less than the declared
quantity of guarana. Consumers and manufacturers need to be aware of
these inconsistencies to deal with reputable suppliers in purchasing guarana
products and supplements. Manufacturers buying guarana extracts and stan-
dardized extracts should demand assays that show not only the caffeine con-
tent —but and theophylline content as well. This will
the theobromine
determine if the actual seed was concentrated into an extract. A good hint is to
compare the prices of a supplement and a kilo of guarana extract if the extract —
is less than three to four times the cost of natural seed powder, it is likely a nat-
ural seed powder with some added caffeine.
Traditional One-half to one cup seed decoction is taken one to three times daily or 1-3 ml
Preparation of a 4:1 tincture twice daily; 1-2 g of powdered seed in tablets or capsules (or
stirred into water or juice) one to three times daily can be substituted, if desired.
Therapeutic dosages are reported to be 4-5 g daily. Relatively new to the U.S.
market are guarana extracts that are concentrated and standardized to the caf-
feine content (between 5 percent and 15 percent). Follow the labeled instruc-
tions and dosages for these products.
Contraindications Not to be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Guarana contains

caffeine and should not be used by those who are sensitive or allergic to caf-
feine or xanthines. Excessive consumption of caffeine is contraindicated for per-
sons with high blood pressure, cardiac disorders, diabetes, ulcers, epilepsy, and
other disorders.
Drug Interactions May potentiate anticoagulant and blood-thinning medications such as War-
farin®. May have adverse effects if used with MAO-inhibitor medications.

Region Uses
Amazonia for arteriosclerosis, blood cleansing, cramps, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, fasting, fatigue, fever, headache,
heart support, intestinal gas, malaria, obesity; and as an aphrodisiac, astringent, and stimulant
Brazil for constipation, convalescence, central nervous system stimulation, depression, diarrhea, digestive
problems, dysentery, exhaustion, fasting, fatigue, fever, gastrointestinal problems, headache, heart support,
heat stress, intellect, intestinal gas, jet lag, lumbago, malaria, memory enhancement, menstrual problems,
migraine, nervous asthenia, nervousness, neuralgia, rheumatism, skin disorders, stress, water retention,
weakness: and as an adaptogen, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, appetite suppressant, and stimulant
Canada for fever, libido enhancement, nervous disorders, and as a stimulant and tonic
Europe for depression, diarrhea, exhaustion, fatigue, headache, heart support, migraine, nervous disorders,
neuralgia, vaginal discharge, water retention, and as a stimulant and tonic
Latin for diarrhea, fatigue, hangovers, headaches, and as a stimulant
America
Mexico for diarrhea and as a stimulant
Peru for cellulite, convalescence, diarrhea, dysentery, fatigue, fever, heart support, hypertension, migraine, nerve
support, neuralgia, obesity, paralysis, rheumatism; and as an aphrodisiac, astringent, stimulant, and tonic
South for arteriosclerosis, bowel problems, diarrhea, fever, heart support, nerve
America support, pain; and as an aphrodisiac, stimulant, and tonic
United for appetite suppression, athleticenhancement, concentration, diarrhea, endurance, exhaustion, fatigue,
States headaches, mental depression or irritation, migraine, nerve support, obesity, premenstrual syndrome,
vaginal discharge, water retention; and as an aphrodisiac, stimulant,
and tonic
Elsewhere for convalescence, debility, diarrhea, dysentery,

headache, lumbago, migraine, nerves, neuralgia, pain,
rheumatism, water retention; and as an aphrodisiac, astringent, stimulant, and tonic

GUAVA
• stops diarrhea • depresses central nervous Leaves
• suppresses coughs system Decoction: 1 cup one to

• lowers blood pressure three times daily
• kills bacteria
• kills fungi
• reduces blood sugar
• constricts blood vessels
• kills yeast
• kills amebas • promotes menstruation
• relieves pain
• reduces spasms
• supports heart
Family: Myrtaceae Called guayaba in Spanish-speaking countries and goiaba in Brazil, guava is a
Genus: Psidium common shade home gardens in the tropics. It provides shade
tree or shrub in
while the guava fruits are eaten fresh and made into drinks, ice cream, and pre-
Species: guajava
serves. In the richness of the grow well beyond the
Amazon, guava fruits often
Common size of tennis balls on well-branched trees or shrubs reaching up to 20 m high.
Names:
Cultivated varieties average about 10 m in height and produce lemon-sized

guava, goiaba, guayaba,
djamboe, djambu, goavier,
fruits. The tree is easily identified by its distinctive thin, smooth, copper-colored
gouyave, goyave, goyavier,
perala, bayawas, dipajaya
bark that flakes off, showing a greenish layer beneath.
jambu, petokal, tokal, Guava fruit today is considered minor in terms of commercial world trade
guave, guavenbaum, but is widely grown in the tropics, enriching the diet of millions of people in
guayave, banjiro, goiabeiro, such parts of the world. Guava has spread widely throughout the tropics
guayabo, guyaba, goeajaaba,
because it thrives in a variety of soils, propagates easily, and bears fruit rela-
guave, goejaba, kuawa,
tively quickly. The fruits contain numerous seeds that can produce a mature
abas, jambu batu, bayabas,
pichi, posh, enandi

fruit-bearing plant within four years. In the Amazon rainforest, guava fruits
are enjoyed by birds and monkeys, which disperse guava seeds in their
much
Parts Used: fruit, leaf, bark
droppings and cause spontaneous clumps of guava trees to grow throughout
the rainforest.
TRIBAL Guava may have been domesticated in Peru several thousand years ago; Peru-
AND HERBAL vian archaeological sites have revealed guava seeds found stored with beans,
MEDICINE USES corn, squash, and other cultivated plants. Guava fruit is still enjoyed as a sweet
treat by indigenous peoples throughout the rainforest, and the leaves and bark
of the guava tree have a long history of medicinal uses that are still used today.
The Tikuna Indians decoct the leaves or bark of guava as a cure for diarrhea.
In fact, an infusion or decoction made from the leaves and/or bark has been
used by many and dysentery throughout the Amazon, and

tribes for diarrhea
Indians also employ it for sore throats, vomiting, stomach upsets, vertigo, and
to regulate menstrual periods. Tender leaves are chewed for bleeding gums and
In herbal medicine bad breath, and it is chewed before drinking).
said to prevent hangovers (if
systems, guava is used for Indians throughout the Amazon gargle a leaf decoction for mouth sores, bleed-
diarrhea, gastroenteritis, ing gums, or use it as a douche for vaginal discharge and to tighten and tone
intestinal v/orms, gastric vaginal walls after childbirth. A decoction of the bark and/or leaves or a flower
disorders, coughs, infusion is used topically for wounds, ulcers, and skin sores. Flowers are also
menstrual pain and mashed and applied to painful eye conditions such as sun strain, conjunctivi-
hemorrhages, and edema. tis, or eye injuries.

Centuries ago, European adventurers, traders, and missionaries in the Ama-
zon Basin took the much enjoyed and tasty fruits to Africa, Asia, India, and the
Pacific tropical regions, so that it is now cultivated throughout the tropical
regions of the world. Commercially the fruit consumed fresh or used
is in the
making of jams, jellies, paste or hardened jam, and juice. Guava leaves are in
the Dutch Pharmacopoeia for the treatment of diarrhea, and the leaves are still
used for diarrhea in Latin America, Central and West Africa, and Southeast
Asia. In Peruvian herbal medicine systems today, the plant is employed for
worms, gastric disorders, vomiting, coughs,

diarrhea, gastroenteritis, intestinal
vaginal discharges, menstrual pain and hemorrhages, and edema. In Brazil,
guava is considered an astringent drying agent and diuretic and is used for the
same conditions as in Peru. A decoction is also recommended as a gargle for
sore throats, laryngitis, and swelling of the mouth, and used externally for skin
ulcers and vaginal irritation and discharges.
PLANT Guava is rich in tannins, phenols, triterpenes, flavonoids, essential oils,
CHEMICALS saponins, carotenoids, lectins, vitamins, fiber, and fatty acids. Guava fruit is
higher in vitamin C mg of vitamin C in 100 g of fruit) and con-

than citrus (80
tains appreciable amounts of vitamin A as well.^"^ Guava fruits are also a good
source of pectin —a dietary fiber‘s The leaves of guava are rich in flavonoids,
in particular, quercetin. Much of guava's therapeutic activity is attributed to

Guava leaves are a rich
these flavonoids. The flavonoids have demonstrated antibacterial activity.^
source of quercetin,
Quercetin is thought to contribute to the anti-diarrhea effect of guava; it is able
a chemical which can
to relax intestinalsmooth muscle and inhibit bowel contractions.^ In addition,
relax intestinal smooth
other flavonoids and triterpenes in guava leaves show antispasmodic activi-
muscles, inhibit bowel
ty.^^^ Guava also has antioxidant properties
which is attributed to the polyphe-
constrictions, and be
nols found in the leaves."^
beneficial for diarrhea.
Guava's main plant chemicals include alanine, alpha-humulene, alpha-
hydroxyursolic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, alpha-selinene, amritoside, araban, ara-
binose, arabopyranosides, arjunolic acid, aromadendrene, ascorbic acid.
ascorbigen, asiatic acid, aspartic acid, avicularin, benzaldehyde, butanal,

carotenoids, caryophyllene, catechol-tannins, crataegolic acid, D-galactose, D-
galacturonic acid, ellagic acid, ethyl octanoate, essential oils, flavonoids, gallic
acid, glutamic acid, goreishic acid, guafine, guavacoumaric acid, guaijavarin,
guajiverine, guajivolic acid, guajavolide, guavenoic acid, guajavanoic acid, histi-

dine, hyperin, ilelatifol D, isoneriucoumaric acid, isoquercetin, jacoumaric acid,
lectins, leucocyanidins, limonene, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, lysine, mecocyanin,
myricetin, myristic acid, nerolidiol, obtusinin, octanol, qleanolic acid, oleic acici,
oxalic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, pectin, polyphenols, psidiolic acid,
quercetin, quercitrin, serine, sesquiguavene, tannins, terpenes, and ursolic acid.
BIOLOGICAL The long modern-day researchers to study guava

history of guava's use has led
ACTIVITIES extracts. Its traditional use for diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and other digestive
AND CLINICAL complaints has been validated in numerous clinical studies. A plant drug has
even been developed from guava leaves (standardized to its quercetin content)
RESEARCH
for the treatment of acute diarrhea. Human clinical trials with the drug indicate
its effectiveness in treating diarrhea in adults.^® Guava leaf extracts and fruit
juice have also been clinically studied for infantile diarrhea. In a clinical study
with sixty-two infants with infantile rotaviral enteritis, the recovery rate was
three days (87.1 percent) in those treated with guava, and diarrhea ceased in a
shorter time period than controls. It was concluded in the study that guava has
"good curative effect on infantile rotaviral enteritis.""^
In a clinical study Guava has many different properties that contribute to its antidiarrheal
with sixty-two infants, effect: it has been documented with pronounced antibacterial, antiamebic, and
researchers reported that antispasmodic activity.^-'^^ It has also been shown to have a tranquilizing effect
guava has a good curative on intestinal smooth muscle, inhibit chemical processes found in diarrhea, and
effect on infantile rotaviral aid in the re-absorption of water in the intestines. In other research, an alco-
enteritis. Human clinical holic leaf extract was reported to have a morphine-like by inhibiting the
effect
trials also indicate it is gastrointestinal release of chemicals in acute diarrheal disease.^^ This morphine-
effective in treating like effect was thought to be related to the chemical quercetin. In addition, lectin
diarrhea in adults. chemicals in guava were shown to bind to E. coli (a common diarrhea-causing
organism), preventing its adhesion to the intestinal wall and thus preventing
infection (and resulting diarrhea).
The effective use of guava in diarrhea, dysentery, and gastroenteritis can also
be related to guava's documented antibacterial properties. Bark and leaf
extracts have shown to have in vitro toxic action against numerous bacteria.
In several studies, guava showed significant antibacterial activity against such
common diarrhea-causing bacteria as Staphylococcus, Shigella, Salmonella, Bacil-

lus, E. coli, Clostridium, and Pseudomonas It has also demonstrated anti-
fungal,^^^ anti-yeast (Candida),'^^ antiamebic,^^^'^** and antimalariaF^ actions.
Medicinal Plants of the Amazon 31 I
In a 2003 study with guinea pigs, Brazilian researchers reported that guava
leaf extracts have numerous effects on the cardiovascular system which might
be beneficial in treating irregular heat beat (arrhythmia)^ Previous research
indicated guava leaf provided antioxidant effects beneficial to the heart, heart
protective properties, and improved myocardial function.^^ In two randomized
human studies, the consumption of guava fruit for twelve weeks was shown to
reduce blood pressure by an average eight points, decrease total cholesterol
levels by 9 percent, decrease triglycerides by almost 8 percent, and increase
''good" HDL cholesterol by 8 percent.2^'28 The effects were attributed to the high
potassium and soluble fiber content of the fruit (however, 1-2 lbs. of fruit was
consumed by the study subjects to obtain these results!). In other animal
daily
studies, guava leaf extracts have evidenced analgesic, sedative, and central
nervous system (CNS) depressant activity,^^'^® as well as cough suppressant
actions. The fruit or fruit juice has been documented to lower blood sugar lev-
els in normal and diabetic animals and humans. Most of these studies con-
firm the plant's many uses in tropical herbal medicine systems.
CURRENT Guava, known as the poor man's apple of the tropics, has a long history of tra-
PRACTICAL USES ditional use, much of which is being validated by scientific research. It is a won-
derful natural remedy for diarrhea —
safe enough even for young children. For
infants and children under the age of 2, just a cup daily of guava fruit juice is
helpful for diarrhea. For older children and adults, a cup once or twice daily of
a leaf decoction is the tropical herbal medicine standard. Though not widely
available in the U.S. market, tea-cutand powdered leaves can be obtained from
larger health food stores or suppliers of bulk botanicals. Newer to the market
are guava leaf extracts that are used in various herbal formulas for a myriad of
purposes; from herbal antibiotic and diarrhea formulas to bowel health and
weight loss formulas. Toxicity studies with rats and mice, as well as controlled
human studies, show both the leaf and fruit to be safe and without side effects.
Traditional The fruit and juice is freely consumed for its great taste, nutritional benefit and
Preparation nutrient content, and as an effective children's diarrhea remedy. The leavês are
prepared in a standard decoction and dosages are generally 1 cup one to three
times daily.
Guava has recently demonstrated cardiac depressant activity and should be

Contraindicalions
used with caution by those on heart medications. Guava fruit has shown to
lower blood sugar levels and should be avoided by people with hypoglycemia.
None reported, however excessive or chronic consumption of guava may

Drug Interactions
potentiate some heart medications.

Region Uses
Amazonia for diarrhea, dysentery, menstrual disorders, stomachache, vertigo
Brazil for anorexia, cholera, diarrhea, digestive problems, dysentery, gastric insufficiency, inflamed mucous
membranes, laryngitis, mouth (swelling), skin problems, sore throat, ulcers, vaginal discharge
Cuba for colds, dysentery, dyspepsia
Ghana for coughs, diarrhea, dysentery, toothache
Haiti for diarrhea, dysentery, epilepsy, itch, piles, scabies, skin sores, sore throat, stomachache, wounds, and as an
antiseptic and astringent
India for anorexia, cerebral ailments, childbirth, chorea, convulsions, epilepsy, nephritis
Malaysia for dermatosis, diarrhea, epilepsy, hysteria, menstrual disorders
Mexico for deafness, diarrhea, itch, scabies, stomachache, swelling, ulcer, worms, wounds
Peru for conjunctivitis, cough, diarrhea, digestive problems, dysentery, edema, gastritis, gastroenteritis, gout, hem-
orrhages, lung problems, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), shock, vaginal discharge, vertigo, vomiting, worms
Philippines for sores, wounds, and as an astringent
Trinidad for bacterial infections, blood cleansing, diarrhea, dysentery
Elsewhere for aches, anorexia, bacterial infections, boils, bowel disorders, bronchitis, catarrh, cholera, chorea, colds,
colic, convulsions, coughs, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, edema, epilepsy, fever, gingivitis, hemorrhoids, itch,
jaundice, menstrual problems, nausea, nephritis, respiratory problems, rheumatism, scabies, sore throat,
spasms, sprains, stomach problems, swelling, toothache, ulcers, worms, wounds: and as an antiseptic,
astringent, and tonic
View from a villager’s garden in the Peruvian high jungle.

IPORURU
• relieves pain • kills fungi Leaves
• reduces inflammation • kills viruses Infusion: I cup two to three

prevents tumors times daily
• increases libido •
Maceration: '/j cup two to

Family; Euphorbiaceae
three times daily
Genus: Alchornea
Species: castaneifolia
Iporuru is a shrubby tree that reaches 8-10 m in height with light brown bark
Common Names;
and grows extensively in the lower elevations and flood plains
violet flowers. It
ipomru. iporoni, iporuro,
of the Amazon River system in Peru, and is indigenous to the moist, tropical
ipururo, ipurosa,
areas in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and Venezuela. Iporu-
macochihua, niando, pajaro
ru can be harvested only in the Amazon's dry season; it spends the rainy sea-
Parts Used: leaves, bark,
son underwater. The locals believe that the active medicinal properties found
roots
in the bark are present only during the dry season.
TRIBAL For centuries, the indigenous peoples of the Amazon have used the bark and
many in various ways.
AND HERBAL leaves of iporuru for different purposes and prepared it
MEDICINE USES The plant commonly is used with other plants during shamanistic training and,
sometimes, is an ingredient in ayahuasca (a hallucinogenic, multi-herb decoc-
tion used by South American shamans). Throughout the Amazon, the bark or
leaves are tinctured (generally with the local rum, called agiicirdieute) as a local
remedy for rheumatism, arthritis, colds, and muscle pains. It is well known to
the indigenous peoples of Peru for relieving the symptoms of osteoarthritis, and
in aiding flexibility and range of motion. The Candochi-Shapra and the Shipi-
bo Indian use both the bark and roots for treating rheumatism. To pre-
tribes
vent diarrhea, members of the Tikuna tribe take 1 tablespoon of bark decoction
before meals. The pain-relieving properties of iporuru appear in topical treat-
ments; crushed leaves are rubbed on painful joints and are beaten into a paste
to apply wounds.
to painful stingray
Iporuru is a v\/ell-knov^n Today, iporuru remedies and products are sold in local markets and
and highly regarded herbal pharmacies in Peru, where it is recommended highly for arthritis
herbal remedy in the and rheumatism. In addition, locals prepare the leaves into a decoction for
Amazon for arthritic pain coughs. The leaves of iporuru are used in some parts of Peru to increase
and inflammation. female fertility (mostly in cases where the male is relatively impotent).
Richard Rutter, noted Peruvian ethnobotanist, insists that iporuru is wide-
lyused as an effective aphrodisiac and geriatric tonic for males. Through-

out Peru it is regarded as a remedy for impotency as well as for balancing
blood sugar levels in diabetics. Iporuru has been gaining popularity among
North American athletes and health practitioners recently; reports state that
iporuru provides nutritional support to muscle and joint structures. Here
in the U.S., its reported analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties have
begun to make it popular also to those suffering from arthritis and other
joint problems.
PLANT Little research has been done to catalog completely the phytochemicals in
CHEMICALS iporuru. Initial screening has revealed it to contain steroids, saponins, phenols,
flavonols, flavones, tannins, xanthones, and alkaloicis. The anti-inflammatory

properties of iporuru are attributed to a group of alkaloids, including one called
alchortieine, which are found in the bark of iporuru as well as several other
species of Alchornea}
BIOLOGICAL Likewise, there has been little clinical research on iporuru —despite its long his-
ACTIVITIES tory of use in South American herbal medicine. That which has been done,
AND CLINICAL however, does help explain some of its traditional uses. Pharmacognosy stu-
dents in Sweden documented that an ethanol extract of the stembark was capa-
RESEARCH
ble of reducing lab-induced swelling and inflammation in rats when applied
topically.^ These researchers also reported that the extract was able to inhibit
COX-1 prostaglandin synthesis.^ Prostaglandins, produced by the activity of the

enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), are linked to inflammatory processes and dis-
eases. (COX inhibitors are a class of anti-inflammatory and arthritis pharma-
ceutical drugs on the market.) This prostaglandin inhibition activity may, in
part, explain the traditional use of iporuru for inflammatory joint and muscle
disorders such as osteoarthritis, arthritis, and rheumatism. Other researchers in
the U.S. confirmed these effects by injecting mice with an ethanol extract of
iporuru and observing an anti-inflammatory effect against other chemical-
induced inflammation.^^
Scientists are just learning Other preliminary in vitro research (performed in Canada) has reported
how iporuru reduces iporuru's antifungal, antiviral, and anti-tumor activities."^ In their "crown
inflammation in research galltumor inhibition" assay (a preliminary laboratory test to predict anti-
with animals: a mechanism tumor activity), ethanol extracts and water extracts of the dried bark tested
similar to several leading active in very small quantities. In another test to predict anti-tumor activity
arthritis drugs. (an anticrustacean assay with Artemia salina), the ethanol extract tested active
but the water extract was not active. Antimicrobial testing revealed that the
ethanol extract demonstrated good antifungal activity against several fungal
strains, but the water extract was inactive. Likewise, ethanol extracts evi-
denced better antiviral actions than those water-based. Neither the ethanol
nor water extracts showed any antibacterial or anti-yeast actions against the
strains they tested.
CURRENT While iporuru will probably long remain in the South American herbalist's and
PRACTICAL USES shaman's medicine chest of natural remedies for impotency, arthritis, pain, and
inflammation, its use by the rest of the world will be limited until more people
and practitioners learn more about the plant and/or additional research is per-
formed. Very few iporuru products are sold here in the U.S., and it is only avail-
able through a handful of companies (which mostly include it in multi-herb
combination formulas).
Traditional The traditional impotency remedy in Peru calls for 1 cup of dried leaves to be
Preparation macerated in 2 cups of water for one day, and two to three doses (of Vz cup) are
drunk daily. For diabetes, V2 cup of dried leaves is infused in 4 cups of water,
and 1 cup is drunk after each meal. As the leaves are prepared in standard infu-
sions or cold macerations (indicating the beneficial chemicals providing the
effects are water soluble), powdered leaves in capsules, tablets, or stirred into
liquids can be substituted (1-2 g, two or three times daily).

Region Uses
Amazonia for aches (muscle), arthritis, colds, cough, diabetes, diarrhea, fertility, impotence, inflammation, pain,
rheumatism
Canada for arthritis, inflammation, muscle pains, rheumatism
Peru for arthritis, bacterial infections, colds, cough, diabetes, diarrhea, flexibility, impotence, inflammation, muscle
pains, osteoarthritis, pain, rheumatism, sterility
United for allergies, arthritis, athletic support, bacterial infections, constipation, inflammation, pain
States
Venezuela for wounds

JABORANDI
• reduces glaucoma • reduces inflammation Leaves
• promotes perspiration • increases milk flow Not recommended.

• increases saliva
• increases heart rate

Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Pilocarpus
Jaborandi refers to a 3-7 m high shrubby tree with smooth grey bark, large
Species: Jaborandi, leathery leaves and thick, small, reddish-purple flowers. The leaves contain an
microphyllus, pennatifolius essential oil, which gives off an aromatic balsam smell when crushed. Jaboran-
Common Names: di is native to South and Central America and to the West Indies. Several Pilo-
jaborandi, Indian hemp, carpus species are called jaborandi and used interchangeably in commerce and
jaborandi-do-norte, catai- herbal medicine, including the main Brazilian species of commerce: P. jaboran-
guacu, ibiratai, pimenta-
di, and P. microphyllus, and the Paraguay species P. p>ennatifoliiis. All three tree
de-cachorro, arruda do
species are very similar in appearance, chemical constituents, and traditional
mato, arruda brava,
jamguarandi, juarandi herbal medicine uses. The word jaborandi comes from the Tupi Indians and
means "what causes slobbering" describing its ancient use in their rainforest
Part Used: leaf
herbal pharmacopeia.
TRIBAL In 1570, Gabriel Soares de Souza, a European observer, first recorded that the
AND HERBAL Guarani Indians of Brazil were using jaborandi mouth ulcers. In the
to treat
MEDICINE USES 1630s two Dutch West Indian Company scientists documented other Brazilian
Indians using it as a tonic or panacea for colds and flu, a remedy against gon-
orrhea and kidney stones, and found that it was often used as an antidote to
various poisons or toxins due to its ability to promote sweating, urination, and
salivation. The indigenous tribes prized the pronounced sweat-inducing prop-
erties of the plant, particularly since they viewed sweating as a treatment in
many diseases. The Indians also knew of the plant's ability to induce salivation;
several tribes named the plant "slobber-mouth" in their own languages.
In folk medicine systems in the tropics where it grows, jaborandi has been
used as a natural remedy for epilepsy, convulsions, gonorrhea, fever, influen-
za, pneumonia, gastrointestinal inflammations, kidney disease, psoriasis, neu-
rosis, and as an agent to promote sweating. In Brazil, jaborandi has been used
by herbalists for bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, diphtheria, colds and flu,
laryngitis, renal insufficiency, hepatitis, diabetes, kidney diseases, edema, and
fever. An infusion or cold maceration of the leaves induces sweating within ten
minutes —as much as 9 to 15 ounces of sweat can be excreted from a single
dose! Externally it is used as a hair tonic, which is believed to open pores and
clean hair follicles, prevent hair loss, and generally aid in the manageability
of hair.
The Indians of the The introduction of jaborandi leaves to western medicine was in 1873, when
Amazon have used Symphronio Coutinho, a Brazilian doctor, went to Paris for a European doctoral
jaborandi for centuries degree, taking with him samples of the leaves. The copious sweating and sali-
for its ability to increase vation brought about by the leaves attracted the attention of Erench physicians
perspiration, salivation, who began clinical research, publishing their first studies just one year later. The
and urination. studies showed that jaborandi leaves ''increases enormously the perspiration
and saliva, and, in a much less degree, the secretion from the mucous mem-
branes of the nose, the bronchial tubes, and the stomach and intestines."^ By
1876, Jaborandi leaves were being employed in Europe in the treatment of many
diseases including fever, stomatitis, colitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, influenza,
pneumonia, and psoriasis.
PLANT Jaborandi is a perfect example of a plant that made the transition from Ama-
CHEMICALS zonian indigenous tribal use, to folklore use, and then into modern medicine
based upon natural chemicals found in the plant. In 1875, two researchers inde-
pendently discovered an alkaloid in jaborandi leaves, which was named pilo-
carpine. Tests revealed that pilocarpine was responsible for much of the
biological activity of the plant —especially its ability to induce sweating and
salivation, as well as to lower intraocular pressure in the eyes (making it an
effective treatment in certain types of glaucoma).^ In 1876, the isolated pilocar-
pine alkaloid was introduced to conventional ophthalmology for the treatment
of glaucoma. The mixture of pilocarpine and another natural product, physo-
stigmine, remains to this day one of the mainstay drugs in ophthalmology.
A chemical extracted Interestingly, scientists have never been able to fully synthesize the pilo-
from jaborandi in 1 875 carpine alkaloid in the laboratory; the majority of all pilocarpine drugs sold
was turned into a drug today are derived from the natural alkaloid extracted from jaborandi leaves
for glaucoma and it is still produced in Brazil. Pilocarpine eye drops are still sold as a prescription drug
used in mainstream worldwide glaucoma and as an agent to cause constriction
for the treatment of
medicine today. of the pupil of the eye (useful in some eye surgeries and procedures).^ In the
treatment of glaucoma, pilocarpine causes the iris of the eye to contract, which
leads to the opening of the space between the iris and the cornea and, in effect,
relieves narrow-angle glaucoma.'^ It is even being used as a tool for the diag-
nosis of Alzheimer's disease in early stages; the eye constriction response to

pilocarpine was found to be greater in Alzheimer's patients than in controls.'’
Tablets of pilocarpine are also manufactured and prescribed to cancer
patients to treat dryness of the mouth and throat caused by radiation therapy,
as well as to patients with Sjogren's syndrome (an autoimmune disease in
which immune cells attack the moisture-producing glands causing dry mouth
and eyes)?’^^ So as history shows, the Indians' "slobber-mouth" plant made it
out of the jungles of the Amazon and into mainstream medicine and pharma-
ceutical use (for the identical uses the Indians employed it for). As usual, how-
ever, the Indians never realized any profits from the resulting manufacture and
sales of several drugs over the last fifty years that have made use of their plant
knowledge.
In addition \o pilocarpine, jaborandi leaves contain terpenes, tannic acids,
and other alkaloids.The natural leaf contains an average of 0.5 percent pilo-
carpine, plus similar amounts of other alkaloids such as isopilocarpine,
jaborine, jaboridine, and pilocarpidine. The alkaloids in jaborandi (including
pilocarpine) are a rather rare and unique type of alkaloid that are derived from
histidine (an amino acid) and classified as imidazole alkaloids. The main chem-
icals found in jaborandi include 2-undecanone, alpha-pinene, isopilocarpidine,
isopilocarpine, isopilosine, jaborine, jaborandine, jaboric, limonene, myrcene,
pilocarbic acid, pilocarpidine, pilocarpine, pilosine, sandaracopimaradiene, and
vinyl-dodecanoate.
BIOLOGICAL There are well over a thousand clinical studies published on pilocarpine. As
ACTIVITIES with most plant-based drugs, however, the use of the whole natural plant fell
AND CLINICAL out of use as a natural remedy (and failed to attract further research efforts) in
favor of the single isolated active ingredient that was turned into a prescription
RESEARCH
drug. The PDR for Herbal Medicines indicates that the effects of jaborandi leaves
are as follows: increases the secretion of saliva, sweat, gastric juices and tears;
and stimulates the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract, bronchi, bile
duct, and bladder.^ Herbalists and natural health practitioners attribute the
same biological activities for the plant as the main activities clinically validat-
ed for pilocarpine, but there is no actual clinical research on leaf extracts to sup-
port them or qualify them.
Another problem is trying to determine effective dosages of leaf extracts (in
the absence of clinical research). The pilocarpine content of the leaf can vary
between different "jaborandi" tree species, as well as when using different har-
vesting methods, growth habitats, and even storage, handling, and drying
methods of the harvested leaves. The pilocarpine chemical is fragile; dried jab-
orandi leaves have shown to lose as much as 50 percent of their pilocarpine con-
tent in as little as a year of storage. Another alkaloid in the leaf, jaborine, has
shown to counteract or decrease the effects of pilocarpine, which means that
one cannot simply relate the effective dosage of a leaf extract based solely upon
the pilocarpine content of the extract. Finally, one must consider that the long-
standing documented use of pilocarpine is not with side effects, toxicity, or con-
traindications. Knowing at least an approximate amount of such an active

chemical in a leaf extract is certainly necessary to help determine the extract's
efficacy and safety
The lethal dose of pilocarpine is reportedly 60 mg, which could correspond
5-10 g of the leaves.^^ Individuals with cardiac and circulatory
to as little as
problems may even have a lower lethal dosage. Reported side effects for non-
lethal dosages of pilocarpine include vomiting, nausea, sweating, convulsions,
increased heart rate, difficulty in breathing, and bronchial spasms.^'^ Interest-
ingly, a positive side effect of reported use of the pilocarpine eye solution drug
was an improvement in sleep apnea and snoring in glaucoma patients.
CU RRENT The use of jaborandi is best left in the hands of experienced herbalists and health
PRACTICAL USES practitioners, since pilocarpine has such pronounced biological activities and it
occurs in significant amounts in the natural leaf. (The oral pilocarpine prescrip-
tion drug, Salagen® is only 5 mg of pilocarpine, so very little is required for a
pharmacological effect.) In recent years, demand by U.S. consumers for the nat-
ural leaf has been increasing, mainly fueled by the high cost of pilocarpine drugs
and the rather new uses of it in cancer therapy (as a saliva enhancement agent).
However, it still is not recommended to be used by the average layperson. The
natural leaf is not widely available in the U.S. and importation of it as a natural
product is a bit of a grey area since pilocarpine is sold as a regulated prescrip-
tion drug. In fact, Brazil is the largest producer today of jaborandi leaves. How-
ever, 100 percent of Brazil's jaborandi leaf production goes into drug
manufacture, including Merck Pharmaceuticals, who located a manufacturing
plant in Brazil specifically for the processing and manufacture of their pilo-
carpine prescription drugs. Current laws in Brazil prohibit the export of jabo-
randi leaves as a natural product, as they regulate even the leaves as a drug.
Traditional Not recommended.

Preparation
Contraindications Pilocarpine has shown to increase the rate of birth defects in animal studies. Jab-
orandi should not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Both jaborandi and pilocarpine may cause headaches and can irritate the
stomach and cause vomiting and nausea. An overdose may cause such symp-
toms as flushing, profuse sweating and salivation, urinary frequency, nausea,
rapid pulse, contracted pupils, diarrhea, or fatal pulmonary edema.
The plant may induce bradycardia. Those with cardiac or circulatory condi-
tions should not take jaborandi.

jaborandi may induce dehydration due to excessive perspiration and urina-
tion. If using jaborandi, electrolyte and fluid status must be monitored and
maintained.
Drug Interactions Jaborandi may potentiate cardiac medications, diuretic medications, and cho-
linergic medications.

Region Uses
Brazil for asthma, bronchitis, colds, diabetes, diphtheria, dry mouth, edema, eye disorders, fever, flu, glaucoma, hair
loss, hepatitis, laryngitis, nephritis, pleurisy, pneumonia, rheumatism, urinary insufficiency, and as an
expectorant and to promote perspiration and salivation
England for dry mouth, edema, hair loss, rheumatism, and to promote perspiration
Germany for eye disorders, glaucoma, and to promote perspiration and salivation
Mexico for edema, nephritis, pleurisy, rheumatism
Peru to promote milk flow, perspiration, salivation, and urination
Elsewhere for asthma, baldness, catarrh, deafness, diabetes, edema, glaucoma, intestinal problems, jaundice, lactation,
nausea, nephritis, pleurisy, prurigo, psoriasis, renitis, rheumatism, syphilis, tonsillitis, and as an antidote
(atropine and belladonna) and to promote perspiration and salivation
JATOBA
• kills fungi • reduces spasms Bark
• kills Candida • decongests bronchials Decoction: ^2“! cup one
dries secretions to three times daily

•
kills mold •
• increases urination Tincture: 1-3 ml twice

• increases energy
daily
• kills bacteria • protects liver
• stimulates digestion • expels worms

Family: Fabaceae
• mildly laxative
Genus: Hymenaea
Species: courbaril
Common Names:
huge canopy tree, growing to 30 m in height, and is indigenous to
Jatoba is a
jatobT stinking toe,
the Amazon rainforest and parts of tropical Central America. It produces bright
algarrobo, azucar huayo,
jatai, copal, Brazilian
green leaves in matched pairs, white, fragrant flowers that are pollinated by
copal, courbaril, bats, and an oblong, brown, pod-like fruit with large seeds inside. The fruit is
nazareno, Cayenne copal, considered edible although hardly tasty; one of its common names, ''stinking
demarara copal, gomme toe," is used to describe the smell and taste of the fruit! In the Peruvian Ama-
animee, pois confiture, zon the tree is called aziicar hiiayo and, in Brazil, jatoba. The Hymenaea genus
guapinol, guapinole, loksi,
comprises two dozen species of tall trees distributed in tropical parts of South
South American locust
America, Mexico, and Cuba.
Parts Used: bark, leaves, Several species of Hymenaea, including jatoba, produce usable copal resins. At
fruit, resin
the base of the jatoba tree an orange, sticky, resinous gum collects, usually under-
ground (however, the bark also produces smaller amounts of resin when
wounded). The resin of Hymenaea trees converts to amber through a remarkable
chemical process requiring millions of years. During this process, volatile plant
chemicals leach out of the resin and other non-volatile chemicals bond togeth-
er. This forms a hard polymer that is resistant to natural decay processes and the
ravages of time. As portrayed in the Jurassic Park movies, amber of million-year-
old Hymenaea trees have provided scientists with many clues to its prehistoric
presence on earth as well as to the insects and other plants encased in it.
TRIBAL In the Amazon, jatoba's aromatic copal resin is dug up from the base of the tree
AND HERBAL and burned as incense, used in the manufacture of varnishes, used as a glaze
MEDICINE USES for pottery, employed medicinally. Indians in the Amazon have long
and is
used the resin in magic rituals, love potions, and in wedding ceremonies.
Although the name Hymenaea is derived from Hymen, the Greek god of mar-
riage, it refers to the green leaflets that always occur in matching pairs, rather
than the Indian's use of it in marriage ceremonies.

jatoba's bark and leaves also have an ancient history of use with the indige-
nous tribes of the rainforest. The bark of the tree is macerated by the Karaja
Indians in Peru and Creole people in Guyana to treat diarrhea. In Ka'apor eth-
nobotany, jatoba bark is taken orally to stop excessive menstrual discharge,
applied to wounded or sore eyes, and used to expel intestinal worms and par-
asites. The bark is used in the Peruvian Amazon for cystitis, hepatitis, prosta-
titis, and coughs. In the Brazilian Amazon, the resin is used for coughs and
bronchitis, and a bark tea is used for stomach problems as well as foot and
nail fungus.
Jatoba bark tea is quite With its long history of indigenous use, it would follow that jatoba has a long
a popular drink among history of use in herbal medicine systems throughout South America. It was
lumberjacks working in firstrecorded in Brazilian herbal medicine in 1930. The bark was described by
the forests in Brazil: it is a Dr. j. Monteiro Silva who recommended it for diarrhea, dysentery, general
natural energy tonic that fatigue, intestinal gas, dyspepsia, hematuria, bladder problems, and hemopty-
helps them to work long sis (coughing blood from the lungs). The resin was recommended for all types
hours without fatigue. of upper respiratory and cardiopulmonary problems. In the mid-1960s an alco-
hol bark extract called Vinho de jatoba was widely sold throughout Brazil as a
tonic and fortificant, for energy, and for numerous other disorders.
In Brazilian herbal medicine today, jatoba bark and resin is still recom-
mended for the same indications and problems as it has since 1930 —and is doc-
umented to be a tonic, a digestive stimulant, astringent, antifungal, vermifuge
(to expel intestinal worms), cough suppressant, and a wound healer. It is
employed for diarrhea, prostatitis, cystitis, dysentery, intestinal colic, coughs,

bronchitis, catarrh, asthma,and pulmonary weakness. Jatoba bark tea is still
quite a popular drink among lumberjacks working in the forests in Brazil: it is
a natural energy tonic that helps them to work long hours without fatigue.
According to Dr. Silva, whomever drinks jatoba bark tea feels "strong and vig-
orous, with a good appetite, always ready to work."
In traditional medicine in Panama, the fruit is used to treat mouth ulcers, and
the leaves and wood are used for diabetes. In the United States, jatoba is used
as a natural energy tonic; for such respiratory ailments as asthma, laryngitis,
and bronchitis; as a douche for yeast infections; and it is taken internally as a
ciecongestant and for systemic Cnmiida in the stomach and intestines. It is also
used in the treatment of hemorrhages, bursitis, bladder infections, arthritis, pro-
statitis, yeast and fungal infections, cystitis, and is applied topically for skin and
nail fungus. At present, none of the research has indicated that jatoba has any
One study highlighted
toxicity. the mild allergic effect that jatoba resin may
have when used externally.^
PLANT Chemical analysis of jatoba shows that it is rich in biologically active com-
CHEMICALS pounds including diterpenes, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, and oligosaccharides.
The phytochemical makeup of jatoba is very similar to another resin-producing
rainforest tree, copaiba, which is also featured in this book. Some of these same
chemicals occurring in both plants (such as copalic acid, delta-cadinene, cary-
ophyllene, and alpha-humulene) have shown to exhibit significant anti-inflam-
matory, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-tumor activities in clinical studies.^“^
Jatoba contains chemicals In other research, another of jatoba's phytochemicals, astilbin, was shown in a
that are responsible for 1997 clinical study to provide antioxidant and liver protective properties.^'®
protecting the tree from Jatoba also contains terpene and phenolic chemicals which are responsible
fungi in the rainforest. In

for protecting the tree from fungi in the rainforest.‘^'^‘^ In fact, the jatoba tree is
fact, the jatoba tree is one one of the few trees in the rainforest that sports a completely clean trunk bark,
of the few in the rainforest without any of the usual mold and fungus found on many other trees in this
that sports a completely wet and humid environment. These antifungal terpenes and phenolics have
clean trunk bark, without been documented in several studies over the years, and the antifungal activity
any of the usual mold and of jatoba is attributed to these chemicals.
fungus found on many The main chemicals found in jatoba include alpha-copaene, alpha-cubebene,
other trees in this wet alpha-himachalene, alpha-humulene, alpha-muurolene, alpha-selinene, astilib-
and humid environment. in, beta-bisabolene, beta-bourbonene, beta-copaene, betacubebene, beta-gur-

junene, beta-humulene, beta-selinene, beta-sitosterol, calarene, carboxylic acids.
caryophyllene, catechins, clerodane diterpenes, communic acids, copacam-

phene, copalic acid, cubebene, cyclosativene, cyperene, delta-cadinene, gamma-
muurolene, gamma-cadinene, halimadienoic acids, heptasaccharides, kovalenic
acid, labdadiene acids, octasaccharides, oligosaccharides, ozic acids, polysac-
charides, selinenes, and taxifolin.
BIOLOGICAL In addition to its antifungal properties, jatoba also has been documented to
ACTIVITIES have anti-yeast activity against a wide range of organisms including Candi-
AND CLINICAL ^^14,15 Other clinical studies have been performed on jatoba since the early
RESEARCH 1970s which have shown that it has antimicrobial, molluscicidal (kills/controls
snails and slugs), and antibacterial activities,^^"^^ including in vitro actions
against such organisms as E. coli, Psuedomonas, Staphylococcus, and Bacillusd^ In
addition, a water extract of jatoba leaves has demonstrated hypoglycemic activ-
ity, producing a significant reduction in blood sugar levels (which validates
another traditional use)2^
CURRENT Practitioners have long reported that jatoba bark has shown dramatic results
PRACTICAL USES with acute and chronic cystitis and prostatitis. Many practitioners today are dis-
covering that these chronic conditions often can be fungal in nature rather than
bacterial. The widespread use of antibiotics to treat these conditions can actu-
ally kill off friendly bacteria, which live off fungi —
and increase the chances of
a fungal problem or encourage fungal growth —
even to the point of making the
condition chronic. When these types of chronic prostatitis and cystitis cases react
so quickly and dramatically to jatoba supplements, it is probably from jatoba's
antifungal and anti-yeast properties at work, not its antibacterial properties.
Natural health practitioners in the United States are learning of jatoba's

many uses and employing it as a natural remedy for prostatitis and cystitis, as
added energy (without any caffeine or harmful stimulants),

a healthful tonic for
and for many fungal and yeast problems such as Candida, athlete's foot, yeast
infections, and stuBborn nail fungus. It is a wonderful, helpful natural remedy
from an important and ancient rainforest resource.
Traditional One-half to 1 cup bark decoction is taken one to three times daily or 1-3 ml of
Preparation a 4:1 tincture twice daily. A strong bark decoction or standard tincture diluted
with water and a small amount of cider vinegar is used topically for skin or nail
fungi or employed as a douche for yeast infections.
Contraindications Jatoba leaves have been documented to have a hypoglycemic effect and, as
such, should be used under practitioner supervision by diabetics.


Region Uses
Amazonia for eye problems, fatigue, fungal infections, menstrual discharge, worms
Brazil for aches, anemia, arthritis, asthma, athlete’s foot, bladder problems, bronchitis, bursitis, Candida, catarrh,
colic, cough, cystitis, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, energy, fever, fungal infections, gastric sluggishness,
hematuria, hemoptysis, hemorrhages, hepatitis, intestinal gas, laryngitis, lung problems, pains, prostatitis, skin
disorders, stomachache, tuberculosis, urethritis, urinary insufficiency, urine retention, worms, wounds, yeast
infections: and as an astringent, decongestant, digestive stimulant, and expectorant
Guatemala for fever, mouth ulcers, rheumatism, and to promote sweating and urination
Haiti for arthritis, asthma, bruises, catarrh, constipation, diarrhea, emphysema, headache, intestinal problems,
kidney problems, respiratory problems, rheumatism, sores, spasms, stomachaches, and as an antiseptic
Mexico for asthma, catarrh, rheumatism, sexually transmitted diseases, sores, and as a bowel stimulant
Panama for asthma, diabetes, diarrhea, hypoglycemia, mouth ulcers, stomach problems
Peru for coughs, cystitis, diarrhea, hepatitis, prostatitis
Venezuela for fractures, lung problems, worms

Elsewhere for asthma, beri-beri, bronchitis, cystitis, dyspepsia, indigestion, inflammation, laryngitis, malaria, pain
(testicles/prostate), prostatitis, rheumatism, and as a digestion stimulant and expectorant
JERGON SACHA
• kills viruses • calms coughs Rhizome

• neutralizes venonn • expels worms Tablets/Capsules: 2-3 g two
Family: Araceae Jergon sacha is a rainforest plant that consists of a single, giant, deeply-divid-
Genus: Dracontium
ed borne from an underground tuber on a long, thick stem, which resem-
leaf
bles the trunk of a sapling. When fertile, the flower stem emerges from the
Species: longipes,
ground near the base of the plant and rises up to 2 m in height. At the end is a
loretense, peruviuanum,
asperum large, maroon spathe (a single, petal-like sheath) with bright red-orange, berry-
like seeds crowded on a fleshy stalk inside. This bloom resembles that of a cal-
Common Names:
jergon sacha, fer-de-lance,
adiiim or dieffenbachin plant —only much larger. While it is considered an
sacha jergon, hierba del

herbaceous perennial, it's c]uite large for an herb —2-4 m tall! Thirteen species
jergon, erva-jararaca, of Dracontium grow in the South and Latin American tropics. Four of these
jararaca, jararaca-taia. Amazonian species look almost identical and are used interchangeably in trop-
milho-de-cobra, ical herbal medicine systems: Draconthim longipes, D. loretense, D. penwiuanum,

taja-de-cobra and D. asperum. While all four species are indigenous to the Amazon, D. aspe-
Parts Used: tuber, rum is more prevalent in the rainforests of Brazil, Suriname, and Guyana;
rhizome longipes, loretense, and pieruviuanum are more prevalent in Peruvian and Ecua-
dorian rainforests.
TRIBAL Ethnobotanically, jergon sacha is considered a signature plant: the plant's in-
AND HERBAL digenous uses are directly related to its appearance. In this particular case, the
MEDICINE USES trunk-like stem and its mottled coloring closely resembles a poisonous snake
indigenous to the areas in which it grows. In Peru and Ecuador, the name of
both snake and plant is jergon sacha and/or fer-de-lance. In Brazil, the snake is
named jararaca; the plant, erva-jararaca (jararaca herb). These common names
refer to the highly poisonous Bothropis genus of snakes, several species of which
are indigenous to the Amazon (including the common Bothrops jararaca, for
which the plant is named).
Throughout the rainforest, Local villagers as well as Indian tribes throughout the Amazon rainforest use
jergon sacha is used to the large tuber or rhizome of the jergon sacha plant as an antidote for the bite
treat snakebites, including chopped up quickly, immersed in
of these snakes. In such a case, the tuber is
a particular species of cold water, and drunk. More tuber is chopped finely and placed in a large
snake that resembles banana leaf, which is then wrapped around the bite area. This poultice is
the plant. changed every hour or two; more of the tuber is eaten every three to four hours.
The efficacy of this remedy is reputed to be quite high if employed immediately
(up to an hour) after being bitten. In remote areas of the Amazon where no
means exist to preserve snake antivenin that requires refrigeration (its exorbi-
tant cost notwithstanding), this generations-old remedy has been developed
out of necessity. Indian tribes in Guyana also employ it as an antidote for
stingray wounds, spider bites, and for poison dart and arrow wounds (where
the poison, called curare, is prepared with poisonous plant and animal parts,
including snake and/or frog venom). Other Indian cultures believe that beat-
ing the legs and feet with the leaves and/or stems of jergon sacha will prevent
snakes from biting them.
Jergon sacha made its way out of the jungle and into herbal medicine
systems of South America for other purposes. In addition to snakebite, the
powdered tuberous rhizome is taken internally for asthma, menstrual disor-

ders, chlorosis, and whooping cough in Brazilian herbal medicine. The root
powder is used topically for scabies and the juice of the fresh rhizome is
applied externally to treat sores caused by blowflies (and put directly on the
site of a snakebite). The whole plant is also decocted and put in baths for
gout. Jergon sacha is also well known in current Peruvian herbal medicine
systems; tablets, capsules, and tinctures of the rhizome can be found in many
326
natural pharmacies and stores. touted there as a natural remedy for

It is
HIV/ AIDS, cancerous tumors, gastrointestinal problems, hernias (as a decoc-

tion applied topically), hand tremors, heart palpitations, and to enhance
immune function.
The use of jergon sacha for AIDS and HIV in Peru was fueled by several
newspaper published in Peruvian newspapers and magazines begin-
articles
ning in the early 1990s. The subject of the articles was a Peruvian physician. Dr.
Roberto Inchuastegui Gonzales, who was president of the Committee of AIDS
and Transmissible Diseases at the Peruvian Institute oh Social Security in Iqui-
tos, Peru. The media reported that, in experiments with AIDS patients con-
ducted from 1989 to 1993, the doctor administered two plant extracts with
remarkable results. One was a rhizome extract of jergon sacha (D. peruviuciniun)
as an antiviral, and the other was an extract of two cat's claw vines {llnccirici
tomentosa and U. guianensis, which are also featured in this book) as immunos-
timulants. Dr. Inchuastegui reported that a majority of HIV patients treated had
tested negative for the HIV virus and returned to normal lives after taking these
two plant extracts for an average of six months. He has yet to publish any clin-
ical trials. His work in Iquitos with AIDS patients has surfaced periodically in
news and media reports over the last decade, which continues to purport the
use of jergon sacha for HIV and other viruses. This has fueled the market in
Peru for the sale of jergon sacha and, in the late 1990s, news of his work was
disseminated in Eastern Europe.
Thousands of kilos of jergon sacha rhizome have since been exported annu-
ally to Poland, Russia, and other countries. This type of large-scale sales neces-
sitated cultivation methods be developed for the plant. Since the entire
to
rhizome is harvested (which destroys the plant), it isn't sustainable for wild har-
vesting in the rainforest. In the last five years, two Peruvian universities have
developed sound cultivation methods for replanting jergon sacha into the rain-
forest as it is harvested. New venues —
old coca plantations and previously
deforested lands —were developed for its new market as a cash crop for local
farmers in organic cultivation programs.
PLANT Initial phytochemical screening indicates that the rhizome contains alkaloids,
CH EMI CALS flavonoids, phenols, saponins, sterols, triterpenes, and starch; yet, none of these
have been quantified or identified.
BIOLOGICAL Despite the large and growing market for jergon sacha, not a single clinical
ACTIVITIES study has been published on its actions. If jergon sacha's longstanding use as
AND CLINICAL an effective snakebite remedy was clinically validated, it may explain its more
recent use as an antiviral for HIV as well. The most recent class of drugs devel-
RESEARCH
oped for HIV are called protease inhibitors. Protease inhibitors work by block-
ing an activecomponent in HIV— its protease enzyme. With the protease
enzyme blocked, HIV makes copies of its virus that are defective and can't
infect new cells. In current (mainstream) HIV therapy, protease inhibitor
drugs are usually combined with other antiviral drugs (which kill the virus
directly) after the protease inhibitors have disabled its replication. Proteases
are ubiquitously present in every cell of every living organism: they are
enzymes that digest proteins.
It is well known that proteases are also main ingredients in snake venom.
Typically the snakebite site is a necrotic area —the skin sloughs off due to action
by proteases in the venom, which first turn the area bruised and swollen before
digesting skin and tissue. The stronger the protease in the venom and its quan-
tity relate directly to how much skin and tissue damage results at the site of the
bite. For this reason, many herbal remedies that have been validated as
snakebite remedies (especially those employed at the site of the bite) have been
shown to be natural protease inhibitors many pharmaceutical com-
also. In fact,
pany researchers bioprospecting for new chemicals and drugs in the Amazon
are very interested in those plants the Indians employ as snakebite remedies for
just this reason. It may be possible that Dr. Inchuastegui stumbled across one
of these natural protease inhibitors in his work with HIV patients and jergon
sacha. Clinical research is still required, however, to verify the mechanisms of
action in jergon sacha against viruses and against snakebite and, particularly,
if they are one and the same.
CURRENT jergon sacha is one of the more unusual and interesting rainforest remedies
PRACTICAL USES coming from the Amazon today. Its signature plant status as a snakebite rem-
edy is well known in South America and highly regarded. Without proper
research to validate its traditional ethnomedical uses, however, it may take time
for it to be a popular herbal remedy in North America. It is hoped that, with
increasing sales in Peru and Eastern Europe for jergon sacha, someone will
answer the call to perform this much-needed research —especially if it has

applications for treating such deadly viruses as HIV.
Traditional in Peruvian herbal medicine, 2-3 g of the dry powdered rhizome is taken two to
Preparation three times daily, or 3-5 ml of a rhizome tincture twice daily is recommended.

328

Region Uses
Brazil for asthma, bites (snake, insect), chlorosis, gout, menstrual disorders, scabies, skin sores, whooping cough,
worms, and as an antidote for poison arrow wounds
Ecuador for snakebite
Guyana as an antidote (poison arrow, stingray, spider, snake)
Mexico for snakebite and urinary insufficiency
Panama for snakebite
Peru for AIDS, cancer, diarrhea, gastrointestinal problems, hernia, herpes zoster (shingles), HIV, immune
enhancement, palpitations (heart), snakebite, tremors (hand), tumors, viral infections
Elsewhere for snakebite
JUAZEIRO
• reduces fever • heals wounds Bark
• kills bacteria • dries secretions Decoction: ^2 cup two to

• increases urination three times daily
• prevents cavities
supports heart Tincture; Applied topically
• suppresses coughs •
• supports liver
Family: Rhamnaceae Juazeiro is a shrubby tree indigenous to the dry scrub-lanci areas called caatin-
Genus: Ziziphus gas in the northeast of Brazil. It grows 5-10 m in height with a trunk that is
30-50 produces waxy leaves, small yellow flowers, and small,

cm in diameter. It
Species: joazeiro
yellow, round, edible fruits (about 3-4 cm in size) that are favored by birds
Common Names; (especially parrots). Juazeiro is highly resistant to the seasonal droughts of the
juazeiro, joazeiro, raspa-
northeast, grows very slowly and is very long lived; 100-year-old specimens
de-jua, \oa, jua, injuT
have been recorded. The tree is also native to the caatingas of Argentina,
laranjinha-de-vaqueiro
Bolivia, and Paraguay. In South America, the genus is referred to as Zizyphiis;
Parts Used: bark, leaves
in North America it is classified as Ziziphus. It is a genus of about 100 species
of deciduous or evergreen trees and shrubs distributed in the tropical and sub-
tropical regions of the world. Interestingly, no matter where they are found,
most all Ziziphus species on every continent are used in traditional medicine
systems where they grow. The genus in general is recognized with potential
pharmacological actions by scientists worldwide.
TRIBAL Juazeiro one of the most respected trees

is in Brazil due to its numerous uses.
AND HERBAL The leaves and young branches are used as a high protein animal fodder (espe-
MEDICINE USES cially during severe droughts when not much else is available); the fruit is edi-
ble and sometimes turned into wine; the bark and leaves are used medicinally;
and the wood is very durable and used for making furniture, farm implements,
artistic wood carvings, and charcoal.
In Brazilian herbal medicine, the bark is decocted and used for liver com-
Juazeiro bark in used in plaints, headaches, dry coughs, bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, sore
South America to treat throats, urogenital disorders, and as a heart tonic. A bark decoction is also wide-
and prevent cavities and lyknown and used by rural people in Brazil for fevers of all kinds. The inner
dental plaque. It is also bark is made into a paste (or prepared as a standard infusion) to treat and pre-
used as a hair tonic and vent cavities and dental plaque. The bark is infused or macerated and used as
cleanser, which a hair tonic and cleanser, which reportedly treats and prevents dandruff and
reportedly treats and seborrhea. The bark is also prepared as a tincture and used externally for skin
prevents dandruff and ulcers and other skin complaints. The leaves are prepared in an infusion and
seborrhea. employed as a digestive aid for various complaints including dyspepsia, indi-
gestion, and gastric ulcers. The fruit juice (which is rich in vitamin C) is used
topically on the skin and face to treat acne and to soften the skin.
PLANT A large variety of triterpene, saponin, and alkaloid chemicals have been iden-
CHEMICALS tified in juazeiro. The bark contains a large amount of saponins with natural
foaming properties that are responsible for the formation of lather
and its high
cleansing power. For this reason, bark preparations have been used locally in
shampoos and soaps. Juazeiro is a good source of a chemical called betulinic
acid, as well as three novel ester derivatives of this acid which have only been
found in juazeiro thus far.^
Betulinic acid has long been documented with moderate antibiotic activity,
however, scientists discovered that the three ester derivatives demonstrated
remarkable activity against gram-positive bacteria. Betulinic acid has also
demonstrated anticancerous activity in various clinical studies. Currently,
betulinic acid is undergoing preclinical development for the treatment and pre-
vention of malignant melanoma.^ In one in vivo clinical study, mice grafted with
human melanomas were administered betulinic acid, and tumor growth was
completely inhibited without toxicity.^ In other in vitro research, betulinic acid
inhibited cultured carcinoma of the mouth and human melanoma cell lines.*^
Main plant chemicals include: alkaloids, amfibine D, betulinic acid, betulin-

ic acid derivatives, jujubogenine, saponins, and triterpenes.
BIOLOGICAL Although its mechanism is still unknown, scientists have verified juazeiro's
ACTIVITIES main traditional use for fevers. In an in vivo study with rabbits, the oral admin-
AND CLINICAL istration of a bark infusion reduced fevers that had been induced by bacterial
In Brazilian research, scientists have begun to validate its use for den-
RESEARCH toxins.'^
330
Researchers have tal cavities; a bark decoction demonstrated strong activity against the common
validated juazeiro’s bacteria that forms dental plaque and cavities.^ In addition, a juazeiro leaf
traditional use for fevers extract was shown to reduce inflammation, provide pain relief, promote heal-
and cavities. ing, and reduce secondary bacterial infections caused by guinea worms.
Guinea worms are the largest of the tissue parasites (which live under the skin)
that afflict humans in tropical countries.
CURRENT In Brazil, juaz'eiro is a popular natural remedy to bring down fevers rapidly,
where fevers are related to colds, flu, and upper respiratory infec-
PRACTICAL USES especially
tions. Natural health practitioners there administer it as a standard bark
decoction. It is also a common ingredient in many natural body care prod-
ucts —in healing soaps for skin disorders, mouthwashes and toothpastes, skin
care creams and and dandruff shampoos. In the U.S.,
lotions, hair tonics,
juazeiro and its uses are virtually unknown. As more major U.S.
body and hair
care manufacturers are launching more natural formulas
and herbal formu-
las in their product should only be a matter of time before juazeiro is
lines, it
natural
discovered here and a market is created for it. Not only is it a great
for the
foaming agent, it provides natural antibiotic and healing properties
skin and hair.
Traditional In Brazil, juazeiro is prepared in different ways depending on what it is
Preparation employed for. For fevers: 20 g of dried bark is decocted in 1 liter of water and
is also used
V2 cup amounts are taken two to three times daily. This decoction
of bark is left
to prevent cavities by using it as a mouth gargle. In adciition, 30 g
to soak in 1 liter of cold water for a day or two; this cold

maceration is used as
agent. The bark is
a hair tonic, a dandruff shampoo, and as a natural cleaning
prepared as a standard alcohol tincture to apply externally to wounds, ulcers,
and skin rashes.

Region Uses
fQp bacterial infections, blood diseases, bronchitis, cavities,

coughs, dandruff, debilitation, dental plaque,
fevers, headache, heart support, intermittent
diabetes, digestive disorders, dysentery, dyspepsia, epilepsy,
fevers, jaundice, liver problems, seborrhea, skin disorders,
soap, sore throat, stomach ulcers, urogenital
infections, water retention, weakness, and as an expectorant an d ha i r shampo o

Medicinal Plants of the Annazon
331
JURUBEBA
• reduces acid • reduces inflammation Leaves
• prevents ulcers • decongests Infusion: I cup two to three
• stimulates bile • increases urination times daily
Family: Solanaceae
• expels gas • reduces fever Fluid Extract: 3-4 ml two
Genus: Solanum • supports heart to three times daily
• clears obstructions
• supports liver
Tablets/Capsules: 1-2 g two
Species: paniculatum,
insidiosum • lowers blood pressure
Common Names:
jurubeba, jubeba,
juribeba, jupela, juripeba,
Jurubeba is a small tree that grows up to 3 m high, with heart-shaped leaves
that are smooth on top and fuzzy underneath. It produces a small, yellow fruit
juuna, juvena,
jurubebinha, jurubeba-
and lilac or white flowers. Both male and female jurubeba trees exist; the female
branca, jurubeba- grows slightly taller, has larger leaves, and bears fruit. The leaves and roots of
verdadeira both female and male specimens (as well as the fruit) are used interchangeably
for medicinal purposes with equal effectiveness. Jurubeba is indigenous to
Parts Used: leaves,
roots, fruit Brazil as well as Paraguay and Argentina.
TRIBAL The indigenous uses of jurubeba are very poorly documented, but its uses in
AND HERBAL Brazilian herbal medicine have been described quite well. Jurubeba is listed as
MEDICINE USES an official drug in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia as a specific
remedy for anemia
and liver disorders. Jurubeba has long been used for liver and digestive disor-
ders. In 1965, Dr. G. L. Cruz wrote that "the roc^ts, leaves, and fruit are used as
Jurubeba leaf tea is a
a tonic and decongestive. It stimulates the digestive functions and reduces the
very common household
swelling of the liver and spleen. It is a good remedy against chronic hepatitis,
remedy throughout Brazil
intermittent fever, uterine tumors, and hydropsy." The leaves and roots are
for hangovers. Brazilians
love to eat ... a Brazilian

used in Brazilian medicine today as a tonic and for fevers, anemia, erysipelas,
hangover usually means hepatitis, liver and spleen disorders, uterine tumors, irritable bowel syndrome,
relief is needed as much chronic gastritis, and other such digestive problems as sluggish digestion, bloat-
from indigestion and ing, and flatulence.
bloating from overeating as Jurubeba leaf tea is a very common household remedy throughout Brazil
from too much alcohol. It for hangovers. Brazilians love to eat ... a Brazilian hangover usually means
is relied on there to speed relief is needed as much from indigestion and bloating from overeating as
the digestive process and from too much alcohol. It is relied on there to speed the digestive process and
promote gastric emptying promote gastric emptying for just that reason. It is also sometimes employed
for just that reason. externally in poultices to heal wounds and ulcers.
332
the 1960s, when Ger-

PLANT Jurubeba's active constituents were first documented in
and
CHEMICALS man researchers discovered novel plant steroids, saponins, glycosides,
alkaloids in the root, stem, and leaves. The alkaloids were found more
although also present in the stem and leaves.^'"^ Solani-
abundantly in the root,
fruit of jurubeba,
dine and solasodine were discovered in the leaves and
which probably accounts for its liver-protective properties.^"^ The
compound
in clinical research to
solanin, also found in the plant, has been documented
to block pain
possess pain-relieving activity (possibly through its ability
impulses in the nervous system).^ The steroids and Sciponins
were found in
higher quantities in the root, while the leaves had the greatest
amount of gly*
proportion of bit-
cosides.2'T8 The plant also has been found to contain a large
ter properties, which were thought to contribute to its ability to stimulate

digestion.^'*^
The main plant chemicals in jurubeba include isojurubidin, isopaniculidin,
jurubin, jurubidin, jurubilin, paniculin, paniculidin,

paniculonin A, paniculonin
B, painculogenin, solanin, solanidin, solasodine, and neochlorogenin.
on jurubeba has been done in Brazil as the plant

BIOLOGICAL All of the clinical research
medicinal uses are not well known outside of Brazil. A 2002
study
ACTIVITIES and its
aid. The root,
AND CLINICAL sought to validate the traditional use of the plant as a digestive
stem, flower, leaf, and plant were found to have anti-ulcer activity.^^
fruit of the
RESEARCH
A water extract of the root, given orally to mice, inhibited gastric acid secretion
induced by stress and various chemical agents, as well as prevented
gastric
from developing. Other extracts were found to inhibit gastric acid

lesions
secretion in mice with the ulcer-causing bacteria H. pylori. In
another study, rats
jurubeba.^
with acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers were given a water extract of
healing.^ Re-
The extract also enabled acceleration of chronic gastric lesion
searchers summarized, "Collectively, the results validate folk use
of Solciniun
paniculahim plant to treat gastric disorders."^°
Laboratory research Animal studies with cats have indicated that water extracts and alcohol
extracts of jurubeba lowered blood pressure, while only
the water extract
reports that jurubeba can
prevent ulcers, as well increased respiration. The plant also has been documented to have car
heart in frogs.
as help heal existing diotonic activity, as evidenced by a stimulant action to the
solanidine, which
stomach ulcers. This positive effect on the heart may be due to the alkaloid
has been documented to have this activity.^^
While jurubeba is a very popular natural remedy, its use has been mostly
con-
CURRENT
little toxicity: a recent
PRACTICAL USES fined to South America. The plant has demonstrated
or root (given
study showed that a water extract of the flower, fruit, leaf, stem,
orally to mice at g/kg) had no toxicity.^^ It is a great liver tonic and a won-
2
derful remedy for many types of digestive disorders (especially for sluggish
digestion), working quickly and efficiently, and is deserving of much more
attention in the United States.
Traditional One cup of a standard leaf infusion, or 3-4 ml of a fluid extract is taken one
Preparation to three times daily (with or just after meals). If desired, 1-2
g of powdered
leaves in tablets or capsules (or stirred into water or juice) with meals can be
substituted.
Contraindications The phytochemical solasodine has been documented to reduce sperm count
and have an anti-fertility effect in male animals. While jurubeba itself has not
been documented to have this action, males undergoing fertility treatment
should probably avoid using this plant.
This plant has been documented to have mild hypotensive activity as well
as a stimulating action on the heart. Those with cardiovascular disorders, low
blood pressure, or those on blood-pressure-lowering medications should use
this plant with caution and monitor these possible effects.
Herbalists in Brazil report that prolonged or chronic use of this plant may
irritate the stomach lining in some individuals. Do not use chronically (daily)
for longer than thirty days.
Drug Inlcraclions None known, but it may potentiate antihypertensive medications.

Region Uses
Amazonia for alcohol excess, digestive problems, inflammation, liver disorders, spleen inflammation, uterine tumors,
vâter retention, and as a liver tonic
Brazil for abscesses (internal), anemia, anorexia, bile insufficiency, bladder problems, bloating, blood cleansing, boils,
catarrh, congestion, constipation, contusions, convalescence, cystitis, debility, diabetes, digestive sluggishness,
dyspepsia, edema, erysipelas, fever, flatulence, gallbladder inflammation, gastric disorders, hangover, headache,
heartburn, hepatitis, hives, irritable bovêl syndrome, itch, jaundice, liver problems, malaria, menstrual
disorders, nausea, skin disorders, spleen inflammation, tumors (uterine/abdominal), ulcers (stomach/skin),
vâter retention, wounds, and as a liver tonic
United for alcohol excess, digestive sluggishness, gastric disorders, inflammation, spleen inflammation, stomach
States ulcers, water retention, and as a liver tonic
334

• kills bacteria • prevents ulcers Leaves
• kills viruses • increases urination Infusion; 1 cup twice daily
• kills fungi • lowers cholesterol Juice: Applied topically two
• constricts blood vessels

‘
• reduces fever
• heals wounds • mildly sedative
Family: Crassulaceae
• suppresses coughs
Genus: Kalanchoe
• blocks histamine
Species; brasiliensis. pinnata
• relieves pain
Common Names: • relaxes muscles
air plant, balangban. bruja,
clapper bush, coirama.
coirama-branca. coirama-
brava. curtain plant, Kalanchoe is a succulent perennial plant that grows 3-5 feet tall. Commonly
dipartenga. farine chaude, hollow stems, fleshy dark green leaves that are
has
knc>wn as ''air plant," it tall
fel pavo, floppers, folha-da
distinctively scalloped and trimmed in red, and bell-like pendulous flowers.
costa, green love, hoja de
Kalanchoe is botanicallv classified with two main Latin names which refer to
j
aire, life leaf live forever,
mexican loveplant. miracle the same plant: Bryophylliini pinnatum and Kalanchoe pinnatum (as well as vari-
leaf motta patti, ous synonyms of both). This is the only Kalanchoe species found in South Amer-
paichecara. pashipadeh. ica, however, 200 other species of Kalanchoe are found in Africa, Madagascar,
paochecara. pirarucu. China, and Java. A number of species are cultivated as ornamentals in the U.S.
potagoja. sayao, saiao,
and they are becoming popular tropical houseplants. In Brazil the plant goes
siempre viva
by the common names of saiao or coirama and in Peru it is called hoja del aire (air
Parts Used: leaves, leaf
plant) or kalanchoe.
juice
TRIBAL Kalanchoe somewhat of a panacea to the indigenous peoples of the Ama-

is
AND HERBAL zon; they employ it for many different purposes. The Creoles use the lightly
MEDICINE USES roasted leaves for cancer and inflammations, and a leaf infusion is a popular
remedy for fevers. The Palikur mix the leaf juice with coconut oil or andiro-
ba oil and then rub it on the forehead for migraines and headaches. To the
Siona indigenous peoples, kalanchoe is known
and they as "boil medicine"
heat the leaves and apply them topically to boils and skin ulcers. Along the
Rio Pastaza in Ecuador, natives use a leaf infusion for broken bones and inter-
nal bruises. In Peru, indigenous tribes mix the leaf with aguardiente (sugar-
cane rum) and apply the mixture to the temples for headaches; they soak the
leaves and stems overnight in cold water and then drink it for heartburn, ure-
thritis, and fevers. The root is also prepared as an infusion and used for epilep-
sy. Other tribes in the Amazon squeeze the juice from fresh leaves and mix it
with mother's milk for earaches.

Kalanchoe is called Throughout South America, kalanchoe has had a long history of use. It is
“miracle leaf” and “life commonly called the "miracle leaf" and "life leaf" for its remarkable healing
leaf” throughout South properties. In Brazil, the plant is considered a sedative, wound healer, diuretic,
America for its anti-inflammatory, and cough suppressant. It is used for all sorts of respiratory
remarkable healing conditions— from asthma and coughs to bronchitis. It is also employed for kid-
properties both internally ney stones, gastric ulcers, skin disorders, and edema of the legs. Externally, a
and externally. leaf infusion or the leaf juice is used for headaches, toothaches, earaches, eye
infections, wounds, ulcers, boils, burns, and insect bites. In Peru, the plant is
employed for the same uses. In Mexico and Nicaragua, kalanchoe is used for
similar purposes and also to promote menstruation and assist in childbirth.
PLANT Kalanchoe is rich in alkaloids, triterpenes, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, and

CHEMICALS lipids.The leaves contain a group of chemicals called bufadienolides, which are
very active and have sparked the interest of scientists. They are very similar in
structure and activity to two other cardiac glycosides, digoxin and digitoxin
(drugs used for the clinical treatment of congestive heart failure and related
conditions). Kalanchoe's bufadienolides have demonstrated in clinical re-
search to possess antibacterial, antitumorous, cancer preventative, and insecti-
cidal actions.
The main plant chemicals found in kalanchoe include: arachidic acid, astra-
galin, behenic acid, beta amyrin, benzenoids, beta-sitosterol, bryophollenone,
bryophollone, bryophyllin, bryophyllin A-C, bryophyllol, bryophynol, bry-
otoxin C, bufadienolides, caffeic acid, campesterol, cardenolides, cinnamic acid,
clerosterol, clionasterol, codisterol, coumaric acid, epigallocatechin, ferulic acid,
flavonoids, friedelin, glutinol, hentriacontane, isofucosterol, kaempferol, oxal-
ic acid, oxaloacetate, palmitic acid, patuletin, peposterol, phosphoenolpyruvate,
protocatechuic acid,' pseudotaraxasterol, pyruvate, quercetin, steroids, stig-
masterol, succinic acid, syringic acid, taraxerol, and triacontane.
BIOLOCICAL Many of kalanchoe's traditional uses can be explained by the clinical research
ACTIVITIES conducted thus far on the plant. The traditional use for infectious conditions
AND CLINICAL (both internally and externally) is supported by research indicating kalanchoe
RESEARCH leaves have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity. The leaf and leaf
juice have demonstrated significant in vitro antibacterial activity towards

Staphylococcus, E. coli, Shigella, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas,'^-'^ including several
strains of multi-drug resistant bacteria.^ A

water extract of kalanchoe leaves
(administered topically and internally) has been shown to prevent and treat
leishmaniasis (a common parasitic disease in tropical countries which is trans-
336
mitted by the bite of sand flies) in both humans and animals. In addition to
its antibacterial properties, kalanchoe's traditional uses for upper respiratory

conditions and coughs might be explained by research demonstrating that the
leaf juice has potent antihistamine and anti-allergic activity. In an in vivo study
(with rats and guinea pigs) the leaf juice was able to protect against chemically
induced anaphylactic reactions and death by selectively blocking histamine

receptors in the lungs.^^
Laboratory research In another in vivo study, scientists validated kalanchoe's use for gastric
is beginning to validate ulcers; a leaf extract protected mice from such ulcer-inducers as stress, aspirin,
kalanchoe’s long history ethanol, and histamine.^^ Other in vivo research confirms that kalanchoe can
of use for infections, reduce fevers,^'^'^^ and provides anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and mus-
cle relaxant effects.^*^^® Its anti-inflammatory effects have been partially
attrib-
fever, ulcers, and
respiratory distress. uted to the immunomodulatory and immune suppressant effect documented
by scientists in several studies. In several in vivo and in vitro studies,
researchers reported that extracts of the leaf and/or juice suppressed various
immune which trigger an inflammatory response
reactions, including those
as well as a histamine response. Kalanchoe has also shown sedative and
central nervous system depressant actions in animal studies. These effects
were attributed partially to the leaf extract demonstrating the ability to
increase the levels of a neurotransmitter in the brain called GABA (gamma
aminobutyric acid).^^
CURRENT With many of kalanchoe's traditional uses verified by animal research, it is not
PRACTICAL USES unusual that it continues to be a popular natural remedy throughout the trop-
ics where the plant grows. From upper respiratory infections and coughs
to
stomach ulcers and infections of the skin, eyes, and ears it is widely known and
used as ''miracle leaf." The clinical research performed to date with animals
indicate that the leaves are not toxic at dosages up to 5 g per kg of body weight
(in rats).^^ However, there are a few reports of toxicity and even death when
grazing animals (cows and goats) consumed excessive quantities of the leaves
and flowers (estimated at 20 g per kg of body weight).
Kalanchoe is not well known or widely available in the United States.
While various hybrid species may be in plant stores and nurseries, these
types of plants have been genetically modified for their qualities and appear-
ance as ornamental plants and they shouldn't be used internally as a natural
remedy.
Traditional In the Amazon, 1 cup of a leaf infusion twice daily is generally used for upper
Preparation respiratory infections, coughs, and The leaf is rather juicy and succulent;
fever.
the leaf is mashed up to obtain the juice, which is placed directly on cuts.
scrapes, boils, and other infected skin conditions and dropped into the ears or
eyes for earaches and eye infections.
Conlraindicalions The plant should not be used in pregnancy. Though not supported by clinical
research, it has traditionally been used during childbirth and may stimulate
the uterus.
Kalanchoe has documented immune modulating actions and should not be
used chronically for long periods of time, or by those with a lowered immune
system.
Drug Interactions Kalanchoe may potentiate barbiturates, cardiac glycosides such as digoxin and
digitoxin, and central nervous system depressant medications.

Region Uses
Brazil for abscesses, adenoids(infected), arthritis, athlete’s foot, boils, bronchitis, bubos, burns, calluses,
conjunctivitis, corns, coughs, dermatitis, dermatosis, earaches, eczema, edema, erysipelas, fever, glaucoma,
headache, infections, inflammation, insect stings, intestinal problems, itch, kidney stones, lymphatic
disorders, mouth sores, nervousness, respiratory infections, rheumatism, scurvy, skin problems, toothache,
tuberculosis, tumor, ulcers, urinary insufficiency, warts, whooping cough, wounds, and as a sedative
Ecuador for broken bones, bruises
Guatemala for aches, diarrhea, pain, skin problems
India for abdominal discomfort, boils, bruises, cholera, cuts, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, flatulence, headaches,
kidney stones, indigestion, insect bites, scabies, sores, urinary insufficiency, wounds
Mexico for eye infections, headaches, inflammation, menstrual disorders, pimples, wounds
Nicaragua for aches, burns, childbirth, colds, coughs, fever, headache, pain, respiratory infections
Nigeria for coughs, earaches, eczema, inflammation, pimples
Peru for bacterial infections, boils, broken bones, bronchitis, cancer (lymphoma), conjunctivitis, coughs, earaches,
eye infections, epilepsy, erysipelas, fever, gas, headache, heartburn, inflammation, intestinal problems,
migraine, nausea, skin problems, sores, ulcers, urethritis
South for asthma, chest colds, earaches, headaches, sores, strains, tumors
America
United for chicken pox, fevers, stomachache
States
West Indies for menstrual disorders, ulcers
Elsewhere for arthritis, asthma, bruises, burns, constipation, diabetes, earaches, headaches, malnutrition, migraines,
nephritis, paralysis, respiratory infections, rheumatism, sprains, swelling, ulcers, wounds
MACA
• is nutritious • increases fertility Root

• increases energy Powder: 1 tablespoon
• balances body systems Capsules/Tablets: 5 g twice

daily
Family: Brassicaceae Maca is a hardy perennial plant cultivated high in the Andes Mountains, at alti-
tudes from 8,000 to 14,500 feet. It has one of the highest frost tolerances among
Genus: Lepidium
native cultivated species. Maca has a low-growing, mat-like stem system, which
Species: meyenii
can go unnoticed in a farmer's field. Its ground
scalloped leaves lie close to the
Common Names: and it produces small, self-fertile, off-white flowers typical of the mustard
maca, Peruvian ginseng,
family, to which it belongs. The part used is the tuberous root, which looks
maka, maca-maca, mace,
likes a large radish (up to 8 cm in diameter) and is usually off-white to yellow
peppergrass, maino, ayak
in color. Unlike many other tuberous plants, maca is propagated by seed.
chichira. ayuk wiliku
Although it is a perennial, it is grown as an annual; seven to nine months is
Part Used: root
required to produce the harvested roots.
The species L. was described by Gerhard Walpers in 1843. It has been
meyenii
suggested that the cultivated maca of today is not L. meyenii but a newer species
L. peruvianum Chacon, based on various specimens collected since 1960 in the
district of San Juan de la Jarpa, in Huancayo province of Peru. While most maca
sold in commerce today still name, economic botanists
refers to the L. meyenii
believe most is L. peruvianum. In 1994, less than 50 hectares were devoted to the
commercial cultivation of maca; by 1999, over 1,200 hectares were under pro-
duction due to rising demand in the U.S. and abroad.
The area in which maca is found, high in the Andes, is an inhospitable region
of intense sunlight, violent winds, and below-freezing weather. With its extreme
temperatures and poor, rocky soil, the area rates among the world's worst farm-
land; yet, over the centuries, maca has evolved to flourish under these condi-
tions.Maca was domesticated about 2,000 years ago by the Incas, and primitive
cultivars of maca have been found in archaeological sites dating as far back as
1600 B.C.
TRIBAL To the Andean Indians and indigenous peoples, maca is a valuable commodity.
AND HERBAL Because so little else grows in the region, maca is often traded with communi-
MEDICINE USES ties at lower elevations for such other staples as rice, corn, green vegetables, and
beans. The dried roots can be stored for up to seven years. Native Peruvians
traditionally have utilized maca since pre-Incan times for both nutritional and
medicinal purposes. It is an important staple in the diets of these people, as it
has the highest nutritional value of any food crop grown there. It is rich in sug-
ars, protein, starches, and essential nutrients (especially iodine and iron). The
tuber or root is consumed fresh or dried. The fresh roots are considered a treat
and are baked or roasted in ashes (in the same manner as sweet potatoes). The
dried roots are stored and, later, boiled in water or milk to make a porridge.
They also are made into a popular sweet, fragrant, fermented drink called maca
chicha. InPeru even maca jam, pudding, and sodas are popular. The tuberous
roots have a tangy, sweet taste and an aroma similar to that of butterscotch.
Maca is a high mountain This energizing plant is also referred to as Peruvian ginseng (although maca
root vegetable that is a is not in the same family as ginseng). Maca has been used for centuries in the
staple crop: it is eaten Andes to enhance fertility in humans and animals. Soon after the Spanish con-
daily by the Andean quest in South America, the Spanish found that their livestock was reproduc-
people, much like beans, ing poorly in the highlands. The local Indians recommended feeding the
rice, and potatoes. animals maca; so remarkable were the results that Spanish chroniclers gave in-
depth reports. Even colonial records of some 200 years ago indicate that pay-
ment of (roughly) nine tons of maca was demanded from one Andean area
alone for this purpose.
In Peruvian herbal medicine today, maca is reported to be used as an
immunostimulant; for anemia, tuberculosis, menstrual disorders, menopause
symptoms, stomach cancer, sterility (and other reproductive and sexual disor-
ders); and to enhance memory. Maca has been growing in world popularity
over the last several years due to several large U.S. marketing campaigns tout-
ing its energizing, fertility enhancement, hormonal balancing, aphrodisiac, and,
especially, enhanced sexual performance properties. Other (anecdotal) herbal
medicine uses in the U.S. and abroad include increasing energy, stamina, and
endurance in athletes; promoting mental clarity; treating male impotence;
and helping with menstrual irregularities, female hormonal imbalances, meno-
pause, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
0
PLANT The nutritional value of dried maca root is high, resembling those of cereal
CHEMICALS grains such as maize, rice, and wheat. It contains 60-75 percent carbohydrates,
10-14 percent protein, 8.5 percent fiber, and The protein
2.2 percent lipids.*'^
content of maca exists mainly in the form of polypeptides and amino acids
(including significant amounts of arginine, serine, histidine, aspartic acid, glu-
tamic acid, glycine, valine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and threonine). It also has
about 250 mg of calcium, 2 g of potassium, and 15 mg of iron in 100 g of dried

root —and important amounts of fatty acids (including linolenic, palmitic, and
oleic acids). Maca contains sterols (about 0.05 percent to 0.1 percent) and other
vitamins and minerals.' In addition to its rich supply of essential nutrients,
maca contains alkaloids, tannins, and saponins.^ See the table on page 340 for
a specific nutritional profile of dried maca root.

A chen'iical analysis conducted in 1981 showed the presence of biologically
active aromatic isothiocyanates (a common chemical found in the mustard fam-

ily of plants and shown to be a wood preservative and insecticide)^ Chemical
research shows maca root contains a chemical called p-methoxyhenzyl isothio-
cyanate, which has reputed aphrodisiac properties^ At least four alkaloids are
also present but have not yet been quantified. Fresh maca root contains about
1 percent glucosinolates —plant chemicals found in many plants in the family
Brassicaceae (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and other cruciferous vegetables).^

While no novel glucosinolates have been reported in maca yet, several of the
chemicals found in this group of known plant chemicals are documented to be

cancer-preventive.^
Maca's main plant chemicals include alkaloids, amino acids, beta-ecdysone,
calcium, carbohydrates, fatty acids, glucosinolates, iron, magnesium, p-
methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, phosphorus, potassium, protein, saponins,
sitosterols, stigmasterol, tannins, vitamin B^, vitamin B 2 vitamin B| 2 vitamin
, ,
C, vitamin E, and zinc.
Nutritional Profile of Dried Maca Root

(per 10 g serving: approximately I tablespoon)
Component Amino Acids Minerals Vitamins Fats/Lipids
Protein 1-1.4 g Alanine 63.1 mg Calcium 25 mg B 2 39 meg Linoleic 72 meg
Carbohydrates 6-7.5 g Arginine 99.4 mg Copper 0.6 mg B6 1 14 meg Palmitic 52 meg

Fats (lipids) 220 mg Aspartic acid 91.7 mg Iron 1.5 mg C 28.6 mg Oleic 24.5 meg
Fiber 850 mg Glutamic acid 156.5 mg Iodine 52 meg Niacin 565 meg
Ash 490 mg Glycine 68.3 mg Manganese 80 meg
Sterols 5-10 mg Histidine 41.9 mg Potassium 205 mg

Calories 32.5 HO-Proline 26 mg Sodium 1.9 mg
Isoleucine 47.4 mg Zinc 380 meg
Leucine 91 mg
Lysine 54.5 mg
Methionine 28 mg
Phenylalanine 55.3 mg
Proline 0.5 mg
Sarcosine 0.7 mg
Serine 50.4 mg
Threonine 33.1 mg
Tryptophan 4.9 mg
Tyrosine 30.6 mg
Valine 79.3 mg
BIOLOGICAL Maca's fertility-enhancing properties were reported as early as 1961, when

ACTIVITIES researchers discovered that it increased fertility in rats.^ Marketing and result-
AND CLINICAL ing sales of maca for sexual function has been fueled by clinical research since.
RESEARCH The majority of this research, however, has been performed or funded by two
main marketers of maca products in the U.S. and abroad! Also suspect to the
independent scientific community are studies that "measure libido enhance-
—
ment" these are known to be highly subjective. Study protocols can also be
easily orchestrated to provide desired outcomes and results; therefore, many
trained industry and medical professionals note this brand of (product-spon-
sored) research with mild interest at best.
The first study reporting maca's on sexual function was published in
effect
2000 (and performed by a marketer of maca) and described the beneficial effects
of using maca in impotent mice and rats.^ Another, published a year later, indi-
cated similar effects in male rats.® Studies in 2001 reported a beneficial effect on
male sperm production in rats^ sperm count and motility
and improvement of
in nine healthy adult men.^° In 2002, a study reported improved sexual per-
formance in inexperienced male rats;^^ another "self-perception on sexual

desire" test in healthy men reported aphrodisiac or libido enhancement
effects. In several of the rat and mice studies, the animals were administered
up to 4 g per kg of body weight of a "concentrated maca extract" to achieve the
reported results. This would (approximately) equate to a 300 g (10 oz.) dose for
an average (170 lb.) man! None of these studies, however, indicated a possible
—
mechanism of action or related these observed effects to constituents or chem-
icals contained in maca root.
While maca is heavily It may well be that maca's beneficial effects for sexual function and fertility
marketed today as an can be explained simply by its high concentration of proteins and vital nutri-
alternative to estrogen ents. Dried maca root contains about 10 percent protein — mostly derived from
replacement therapy, it amino acids. Amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) are required in the
simply W\W not perform as diet to drive many'cellular functions in the body —including sexual and fertil-
marketed. Independent ity functions. Amino acids are required to manufacture neurotransmitters such
research reports that as dopamine and noradrenaline. These substances transmit signals in the nerv-
maca has no hormonal ous system and play a major role in the process of sexual arousal and physical
effect in animal and performance during The main amino acids that these neurotransmitters
sex.
human studies. require include phenylalanine, tyrosine, and histidine (all three of which are
found in good supply in maca). The amino acid arginine, of which maca is a
significant source, is thought to assist in the generation of nitric oxide which —
is thought to counteract male impotence (although this is not clinically vali-
dated). Many libido- and sexual-enhancement health supplements on the mar-

ket today contain arginine for this reason. Arginine has also clinically proven
to play a role in male fertility through its action of increasing sperm production
and motilityd^ It is highly likely that some of the sexual and fertility effects
reported were due to maca's high arginine content.

The amino acid histidine also is found in maca root in high amounts. This
amino acid plays an often-overlooked but important role in sexual function:
during ejaculation and orgasm. The body utilizes histidine to produce hista-
mine, and histamine in the corpus cavernosum (penile erectile tissue) ulti-
mately is responsible for the way ejaculations happen. Men suffering from
premature ejaculation often show increased histamine activity; they may be

helped by a simple antihistamine, or the amino acid methionine (which coun-
teracts the formation of histamine from histidine). This is the same mechanism
that explains a side effect of prescription antihistamines —aorgasmia (or the
inability /difficulty to achieve an orgasm). Conversely, men and women having

difficulties achieving orgasms may be helped by histidine supplementation
this may increase histamine levels in the sexual tract, which in turn makes
orgasms and ejaculations easier.
An additional pro-sexual effect of histidine (as well as arginine) may lie in
its vasodilating effect, increasing blood flow to the sex organs. Again, the sig-
nificant, natural histidine content of maca may have played a role in the rat
studies reporting a greater number of copulations. But it does make one won-
der — is the benefit of adtiitional copulations at the expense of shorter duration
and/or premature ejaculation? Surely this subject is best suited for truly inde-
pendent (and not product-sponsored) research.

Other benefits and anecdotal reports touting maca for hormonal balanc-
ing, endocrine and thyroid function enhancement, and even immune system
enhancement, are likely related to maca's amino acid and nutrient content as
well. The endocrine system drives many functions in the body, including the
production of many types of hormones (which, in turn, regulate many other
bodily processes). Although hormones are chemically diverse, they are con-
structed simply from amino acids and cholesterol. If given sufficient levels
of starting materials (natural amino acids), the body may use them as need-
ed to construct hormones, which keep the body in balance. Where diet and
nutrition are poor (a common problem in the Andes, home to so few green,
leafy vegetables), —
maca is a vital part of the diet providing the necessary
nutrients to keep the body healthy and functioning efficiently. The market-
ing claim made that maca actually increases testosterone or sex hormones has
been clinically disproved. In a 2003 double-blind placebo human trial, men
taking amaca root extract (1.5-3 g daily) evidenced no changes in any repro-
ductive hormonal level tested, including testosterone (which actually
showed a slight decrease!).
CURRENT Today, dried maca root is ground to powder and sold in capsules as a food sup-
PRACTICAL USES plement, and marketed to increase stamina (sexual and athletic) and fertility.
Consumers bombarded with these marketing claims of hormonal balancing,

thyroid stimulation (and resulting weight loss), sexual and athletic perform-
ance, and others need note: the indigenous uses to which marketers refer are in
dosages by the ounce and pound daily —not just a few grams. No race of super-
humans (with incredible sexual or athletic prowess) exists in the Andes, despite
the fact that they eat, on average, five maca per week! When maca
pounds of
first made its debut in the press, in the late 1990s, it was touted to be the new
—
"natural Viagra™" for men sure to increase testosterone and sexual per-
formance. After brisk sales, the market decreased because it simply didn't work
as it claimed.
Several years later, and soon after the national media had a field day with
the reported negative effects of conventional estrogen replacement therapy,
marketers of maca shifted strategies and are today marketing maca as the "new
HRT alternative" for women —sure to increase estrogen and treat menopause
symptoms. Once again, maca sales are strong. Unfortunately, maca will not live
up to this new marketing claim either.

There is no doubt — maca is a wonderful source of natural vital nutrients. The
synergy of so many amino acids, vitamins, and minerals in their natural states
may increase the assimilation, uptake, and them in the body. Con-
utilization of
sumers however, shouldn't expect "miracle cures" with maca it's rather like —
taking a multi-vitamin supplement. Keep in mind that it is, in fact, a root veg-
etable and a main staple in the Andean indigenous diet (as beans, potatoes, and
rice are elsewhere). Taking a few 500 mg capsules or tablets likely will not be
of much benefit —or live up to wild marketing claims bandied about in the
natural product market today.
The new standardized or concentrated extracts of maca available today are
concentrating the extracts to the chemicals found only by the companies sell-
ing these products and funding the research. These chemicals and their bio-
logical effects have yet to be confirmed by independent studies. In the absence
of true,independent science and research, consumers will be judging the effi-
cacy and benefits of these extracts with the money spent for them.
The cultivation of maca is increasing in the highlands of the Andes to meet
the growing demand worldwide; it is hoped that this demand will be sus-
tained and not just another passing fad. In this severely economically
depressed region, the market created for maca will offer new and important
sources of income for the indigenous peoples of the Andes. About ten culti-
vars there produce maca with different-colored roots; most are the same.
phytochemically. The cultivar Lepvdium pieniviarmm Chacon has been identi-

fied in the major growing regions of the highlands and is the main variety of
choice for expanded cultivation today. It will likely supply much of this new
demand.
One of the main U.S. maca marketers (which funded much of the clinical
research) has come under quite a bit of negative press recently in Peru (the
world's exporter of maca), as well as in Europe and the U.S. The marketing
company was'granted plant-use patents in the U.S. (also pending in Europe
and Australia) on the use of maca and aphrodisiac purposes. If
for fertility
these patents are enforced, it could prevent maca extracts of Peruvian ori-
gin from being imported into the United States and abroad. In 2002, a coali-
tion of maca farmers and international activists was formed; its members
purport that patenting indigenous knowledge is morally wrong and unac-
ceptable. The wants the Peruvian government and the World Intel-
coalition
lectual Property Organization to condemn claims and patents such as these
that steal traditional knowledge from farming communities and indigenous
peoples. —
After all maca has been used by the indigenous people of the
Peruvian Andes for centuries, and this marketing company learned of its
uses through them.
Traditional In the Andes, as much as a pound of fresh and/or dried maca root is eaten as
Preparation ^ food in a single day. In herbal medicine in the United States, dried maca root
tablets, capsules, and powders are generally recommended at dosages of 5-20
g daily. The dried root powder (a more economical choice than tablets or cap-
sules) can be stirred into juice, water, or smoothies (2 tsp. of root powder are
about 5.5 g). For standardized and concentrated extract products, follow the
labeled instructions.

Region Uses
Peru for anemia, energy, fertility, food, impotence, memory, menopause, menstrual disorders, tuberculosis
MACELA
• enhances immunity • protects liver Whole herb

• kills viruses • prevents tumors Infusion: I cup two to three
• expels worms times daily
• kills bacteria
Family: Asteraceae • supports heart Capsules/Tablets: 1-2 g two
• relieves pain
Genus: Achyrodine • reduces inflammation • kills insects
• fights free radicals • promotes perspiration
Species: satureoides
• reduces spasms • regulates menstruation
Common Names:
• stimulates bile
macela, marcela, birabira,
• relaxes muscles
marcela-da-mata, hembra
marcela, Juan bianco,
macela-do-campo, • stimulates digestion
marcela hembra, • mildly sedative

camomila-nacional,
marcelita, mirabira,
Macela is a medium-sized aromatic annual herb that grows up to 1-1 V2 na high.
perpetua do mato suso,
viravira, wira wira, yatey It produces small white flowers with yellow centers and serrated green leaves.
is indigenous to much of tropical South America including Argentina,
caa, yerba de chivo It
Bolivia,
Parts Used: aerial parts, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
leaves, flovêrs It often springs up on disturbed soils and some consider it a weed.
TRIBAL In Brazil, the plant is called macela or marcela and it has been used in herbal med-
many Using the entire plant or just its flowers, a tea is prepared
AND HERBAL icine for years.
MEDICINE USES with 5 g of dried herb to 1 liter of boiling water. This infusion is used as a natu-
ral remedy for nervous colic, epilepsy, nausea, and gastric
problems. It is also
employed as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, menstrual promoter, seda-

tive,and pain-reliever for gastric disturbances, liver problems, diarrhea, and
dysentery. This same infusion (or a slightly stronger one) is used
herbal
externally for
In Brazilian
medicine, macela is rheumatism, neuralgia, sore muscles, and even menstrual pain. The flowers art
prepared into a tea and crushed and added to pillc^ws as a natural sleeping aid (much in the
same man
fresh flowers are infused
used as a natural remedy ner as the American hops flower). In Argentina, 20 g of
in 1 liter of hot water and taken to help
regulate menstruation and for asthma;
for nervous colic, epilepsy,
nausea, inflammation, liver the aerial parts or entire plant is decocted as an aid for digestion and diabetes.
and gastric problems, and In Uruguay, it is used in much the same way— for stomach, digestion, and gas-
and trointestinal disorders; as a menstrual regulator; and as a sedative and anti-

as a mild sedative
pain-reliever. spasmodic. In Venezuela, the entire plant is infused or decocted and taken
internally to treat diabetes, as a menstrual promoter, and to help overcome impo-

tency In Peru, the leaves are made into a tea for a cough suppressant to treat
bronchitis; an infusion of the entire plant is used to treat diabetes (Type II).
PLANT Phytochemical analysis of macela, which began in the mid-1980s, shows that it
CHEMICALS is a rich source of flavonoids —including novel ones never seen before. Many
of its active properties are attributed to these flavonoids as well as to other
chemicals (called terpenes) isolated in the plant.
The main plant chemicals found in macela include achyrocline polysaccha-
rides, achyrofuran, auricepyrone, cadinene, caffeic acid, callerianin, calleryanin,
caryatin, caryophyllene, chlorogenic acid, cineol, flavones, galangin, germa-

crene D, gnaphaliin, italidipyrone, lauricepyrone, luteolin, ocimene, pinene,
pyrone, quercetagetin, quercetin, scoparol, scoparone, and tamarixetin.
BIOLOGICAL Macela has been the subject of western research, and many of its long-time uses
ACTIVITIES in herbal medicine have been validated by scientists. In animal studies with
AND CLINICAL mice and rats, macela demonstrated pain relieving, anti-inflammatory, and
smooth-muscle (gastrointestinal) relaxant properties internally without toxici-
RESEARCH
ty, in addition to anti-inflammatory and pain relief actions externally.^'"^ This
may explain why macela has long been used effectively for many types of pain,
gastrointestinal difficulties, menstrual cramps, and asthma.
In vitro studies have demonstrated that macela is molluscicidal (in a test used
to ascertain its effectiveness against the tropical disease schistosomiasis), and
active against Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus.^'^ This could explain its
long history of use for dysentery, diarrhea, and infections. It also has shown
to be a strong antioxidant, to increases the flow of bile from the gallbladder, to
help protect against liver damage, and to lower liver enzymes levels. Again,
this certainly supports its traditional uses for liver and gallbladder problems of
various kinds.
In laboratory research Some of the in vitro antioxidant testing performed suggested that macela
with animals, macela interfered in the degenerative processes of arteriosclerosis (it reduced blood
has demonstrated the stickiness, blood fats, and blood oxidation).^- Macela has been used tradition-
ability to reduce pain ally for diabetes throughout the tropics where it grows. Not until 2002 did
and inflammation as researchers validate this use: a water extract of the entire plant exhibited blood-
well as reduce spasms sugar-lowering activity in a mouse model of Type II diabetes. This hypo-
without toxicity. glycemic action was attributed to a novel plant chemical found in macela called
achyrofuran.^^
Other research on macela has concentrated on its antitumorous, antiviral, and
immuno-stimulant properties. It passed the initial screening test used to pre-
dict anti-tumor activity in the mid-1990s by two separate research groups.
In subsequent research, macela was reported to inhibit cancer cell growth in
vitro ,and another research group showed that an extract of macela flowers
inhibited the growth of cancer cells by 67 percent in vitro}'^ In 2002, researchers
in Argentina studying macela reported a toxic effect against a human liver can-
cer cell lined^ In the mid-1980s, German researchers extracted the whole dried
plant and demonstrated that, in both humans and mice, it showed strong
immunostimulant activity (by increasing phagocytosis and immune cell activ-
ity) 19,20 1996^ researchers in Texas demonstrated its in vitro antiviral proper-
ties against HIV,^^ and Argentinean researchers found it to be active against

Pseudorabies (a type of animal herpes virus) 7^
Toxicity studies indicate no toxicity in animals given macela orally, or even
when water or ethanol extracts of the plant were injected into mice.T'^ They did
report, however, that a hot water extract potentiated the effects of barbiturates
when injected (at a dose of 200 mg/kg)7
CURRENT With so many active biological properties documented thus far, macela should
PRACTICAL USES continue to be the subject of further research. Regardless, a simple macela tea
(standard infusion) is still a highly effective natural remedy for many types of
gastrointestinal complaints —especially where inflammation and spasms occur.
Many practitioners in South and North America use macela for spastic colon,
Crohn's disease, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and as a general digestive
aid. In South America, it is still widely used to help regulate menstrual cycles.
Although this has been done for many years with reported good results, this
effect has not been studied by scientists.
Traditional The therapeutic dosage is reported to be 1-2 g two or three times daily of dried
Preparation whole herb and/or flowers. One cup of a whole herb infusion two to three
times daily or 2-3 ml of a 4:1 tincture twice daily can be used.

0
Contraindications This plant has been documented with hypoglycemic effects; people with hypo-
glycemia and/or diabetes should only use this plant under the care and direc-
tion of a qualified health care practitioner who can monitor blood glucose levels.
This plant has a long history of use as a menstrual promoter and regulator
and its biological effects during pregnancy have not been studied or reported.
While these traditional uses have not been clinically validated, pregnant
women should still refrain from using this plant.
One study demonstrated barbiturate potentiation activity when a hot water
extract of macela was injected in mice; it remains unclear if this effect is evident
when taken orally. In herbal medicine systems, the plant is used as a sedative.
Natural herb capsules, teas or tinctures might potentiate the effects of other
sedatives and barbiturates. Use with caution when taking other prescription
sedatives and pain killers.
Drug Interactions Macela may potentiate insulin, diabetic medications, and also barbiturate drugs.

Region Uses
Argentina for asthma, diabetes, digestive disorders, menstrual regulation
Bolivia for intestinal gas
Brazil for appetite, bacterial infections, colds, colic, diabetes, diarrhea, digestive disorders, dysentery, epilepsy, flu,
gallstones, gastritis, gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, inflammation, intestinal disorders, liver disorders,
menstrual disorders, menstrual pain, nausea, neuralgia, pain, rheumatism, spasms: and as a sedative and to
Colombia for gallbladder disorders, tumors
Paraguay for bacterial infections, worms

Peru for bronchitis, coughs, diabetes
Uruguay for bacterial infections, digestive disorders, impotence, inflammation, menstrual disorders, spasms, and as a
sedative
Venezuela for diabetes, impotence, menstrual disorders
MANACA
• relieves pain • prevents cellular Root
• reduces fever mutations Decoction: '/2 cup twice
• kills insects daily
• reduces inflannmation
• detoxifies blood • promotes perspiration Capsules/Tablets: I
g twice
• lowers body temperature daily
• depresses central nervous
system Tincture: 1-2 ml twice daily
Family: Solanaceae
• moderately sedative
Genus: Brunfelsia
Species: uniflora • mildly laxative
Common Names: • moves lymphatic fluid
manaca, manacan, chiric • promotes menstruation

sanango, chuchuwasha,
manaka, vegetable Manaca is a medium-sized, shrubby tree that grows to 8 m in height. It is often
mercury, managa caa, cultivated as an ornamental tree in the tropics, as it produces highly fragrant,
gamba, jeratacaca, bloom white and purple flowers (which are sometimes employed in perfumes).
pretty,
of the lent, camgaba,
It can be found in the Amazon regions of Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colom-
Christmas bloom,
bia, and Venezuela. In Brazil, manaca is known by several botanical names,
chuchuwasha, gerataca.
geratacaca, good night, including Bnmfelsia luiiflora, B. hopeana, and Franciscea iiniflora. In Europe, the
jerataca, moka pari, plant is known and sold in herbal commerce as Brunfelsia hopeana. All refer to
Paraguay jasmine, santa the same plant. Other plant relatives from Colombia and Ecuador include Brun-
maria, umburapuama, felsia chiricaspi (from its local name, chiricaspi, which means "tree of chills"), and
white tree
Brunfelsia grandiflora, both of which are used by rainforest Indians as hallu-
Parts Used: root, bark, leaf cinogens. However, due to the toxicity and unpleasant side effects, use of these
plants appears to be on the wane. They are different plants than manaca but —
sometimes are confused with manaca for their similar look, growth, and habit.
TRIBAL Manaca has a long history of indigenous use for both medicine and magic. Its
AND HERBAL Brazilian common name, manaca, originated with the Tupi Indians in Brazil;
MEDICINE USES they named it after the most beautiful girl in their tribe, Manacan, for its love-
ly flowers. It is a sacred and spiritual plant used by shamans and curanderos in
the potion ayahiiasca (a sacred hallucinogen), in special initiation ceremonies,

and for bad luck (the chiricaspi and grandiflora species are preferred for ayahuas-
ca brews).
In the Amazon, manaca root is prepared into a tincture with aguardiente
(rum) for rheumatism and sexually transmitted diseases. In Peru (where the
Based on its long history
local name of the plant is chiricsanango) indigenous peoples apply a decoction
of use in the Amazon,
of leaves externally for arthritis and rheumatism; they also employ a root decoc-
practitioners and
tion for chills. One Amazonian curandero (near Pucallpa, Peru) uses a root tea
herbalists in the United
for adult fevers, arthritis and rheumatism, back pain, common colds, bronchi-
States now use manaca
tis, lung disease and tuberculosis, snakebite, and as an enema for kidney dis-
as a diuretic, laxative,
orders and ulcers. Indigenous tribes in the northwest Amazon utilize manaca
and anti-inflammatory to
to increase urination and perspiration in detoxification rituals. They also use it
treat arthritis and

for fever, rheumatism, snakebite, syphilis, and yellow fever. Curafideros and
rheumatism, to treat
herbal healers along the Amazon River in Ecuador use a root decoction to treat
sexually transmitted
arthritis, rheumatism, colds and flu, uterine pain and cramps, sexually trans-
diseases, and to stimulate
mitted diseases, and to purify the blood — while using a poultice of the leaves
the lymphatic system
as a topical pain-reliever.
and disperse uric acid.
South American herbal medicine, the root of manaca is said to stimulate
In
the lymphatic system. It has long been used for syphilis, earning the name veg-
etable mercury (mercury was once used to treat syphilis many years ago). In
South American medicine systems today, manaca is considered to be an

abortive, a lymph and blood cleanser, a topical anesthetic, diuretic, menstrual
promoter, laxative, sweat promoter, and narcotic. It is employed for arthritis,

rheumatism, scrofula, and syphilis. In Brazil, herbalists use the root as a laxa-
tive and blood cleanser, for syphilis, rheumatism, scrofula, skin diseases, and
to promote menstrual flow. Practitioners and herbalists in the United States use
manaca as a diuretic, laxative, and anti-inflammatory to treat arthritis and
rheumatism, sexually transmitted diseases, and to stimulate the lymphatic sys-
tem and disperse uric acid. In Europe, the plant is used for arthritis, rheuma-
tism, bronchitis, fevers, and snakebite.
PLANT A 1996 phytochemical study on the aerial parts of manaca revealed it contained
CHEMICALS such active compounds as benzenoids, terpenes, alkaloids, lactones, and
lipids.^ It is the root, though, that has been used primarily by indigenous peo-
ples throughout the Amazon and by herbalists throughout the world. The root
of manaca contains coumarins, alkaloids, lignans and sapogenins.^^ Active
constituents include two alkaloids, manaceine and manacine, as well as scopo-
letin and aesculetin (types of coumarin chemicals). Manaceine and manacine
are thought to be responsible for stimulating the lymphatic system, while aes-
culetin has demonstrated pain-relieving, liver detoxification, and anti-inflam-
matory activities in laboratory tests.^ Scopoletin is a well-known phytochemical
that has demonstrated analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-tumor,
cancer preventive, antifungal, and antispasmodic activity in many different
laboratory experiments.^^^ It occurs in significant amounts in manaca.^ A U.S.
patent was awarded in 2002 for scopoletin's ability to inhibit nitric oxide pro-
duction.^^ Nitric oxide is a reactive radical produced body and involved
in the
in inflammatory processes and in diseases such as asthma, heart disease, and
erectile dysfunction. These chemicals and their reported biological activi-
ties could help to explain many of manaca's uses in traditional herbal medi-
cine systems.
Manaca contains a Manaca's main plant chemicals include aesculetin, alpha-ionone, alpha-
significant amount of terpineol, benzylbenzoate, benzylsalicylate, beta-bisabolene, beta-cyclocitral-
scopoletin — a natural plant brunfelsene, beta-damascenone, beta-eudesmol, beta-safranal, brunfelsene,
chemical documented with brunfelsamidine, elemol, 2-ethylfuran, farnesol, farnesyl, geraniol, geranyl
pain-relieving, anti- hopeanine, ionones, isobutylsalicylate, lavandulal, limonene, linalool, linoleic
inflammatory, antibacterial, acid, linolenic acid, manaceine, manacine, mandragorine, methylfurans,
anti-tumor, cancer methylanisoles, myrcene, myristic acid, n-decane, n-heneicosane, n-heptade-
preventive, antifungal, and cane, n-heptane, n-hexadecane, nerolidol, n-nonadecane, nonanes, n-octane,
antispasmodic activity n-pentacosane, n-pentadecane, neophytadiene, n-tricosane, ocimene, pentade-
in many different canoic acid, palmitic acid, pinoresinols, salicylic acid esters, scopoletin,
laboratory experiments. scopolin, and terpinolene.
BIOLOGICAL Much more research is published on various chemicals found in manaca, rather
ACTIVITIES than the plant itself. However, several animal studies do confirm some of its
AND CLINICAL traditional uses —especially for pain and inflammation. In a 1991 clinical study
RESEARCH with mice, manaca demonstrated pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.^'^
An earlier (1977) study reported that manaca root extracts evidenced marked
anti-inflammatory actions in rats —as well as central nervous system depressant
Several animal studies and fever-reducing actions. Other root extracts administered to rats showed
confirm manaca’s anti-inflammatory actions. Leaf and root extracts of manaca also showed
traditional uses for pain insecticidal actions (which may be attributed to naturally-occurring insecticidal
and inflammation. chemicals nerolidol and farnesol).^^ Extracts of the twigs also have been docu-
mented to prevent cellular mutations.
CURRENT In South America, manaca is respected as an important sacred and medicinal

PRACTICAL USES plant —mainly employed by shamans, healers, ciiranderos, herbal practition-
ers, and professionals. Due to its sedative effects and toxicity in large dosages,
inexperienced non-professionals should refrain from self-treating or freely con-

suming this plant as a natural remedy; there are some contraindications and
drug interactions that should be considered. This plant is best left in the hands
of trained professionals (who can obtain the right species from reliable
sources), and should be taken only in very small amounts and/or in proper
combination with other plants.
Traditional One-half cup root decoction one to two times daily, or 1-2 ml of a 4:1 tincture
Preparation twice daily.
Contraindications Manaca has a traditional use as an abortive. No clinical studies have been per-
formed to indicate its safety during pregnancy; therefore, it is contraindicated
for pregnant women.
Manaca root is re'ported to have toxicity in large doses —causing excessive
salivation, vertigo, general anesthesia, partial paralysis of the face, swollen
tongue, and disturbed vision.^ Avoid dosages higher than the traditional rem-
edy indicates.
Those allergic to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) should avoid using manaca.

Manaca contains salicylate and several of its derivatives. Salicylate occurs nat-
urally in plants; for some people, too much salicylate causes problems (known
as "salicylate sensitivity" or "salicylate intolerance") without being allergic to
aspirin. Do not use manaca if sensitive to salicylate.
Manaca root contains coumarins — plant chemicals known to thin the blood.
Those taking blood-thinning medications such as coumadin should use man-
aca only under the direction and supervision of a qualified healthcare practi-
tioner to monitor these effects.
The plant chemical scopoletin has been documented to inhibit monoamine
oxidase.^^ Those taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors* should consult
their healthcare practitioner before taking manaca.
Drug Interactions None reported; however, manaca may potentiate blood-thinning medications
such as Warfarin® and heparin. It may potentiate monoamine oxidase inhibitor
drugs also.

Region Uses
Amazonia for arthritis, colds, detoxification, fever, flu, lymphatic disorders, rheumatism, sexually transmitted diseases,
snakebite, syphilis, urinary insufficiency, uterine cramps, uterine disorders, yellow fever, and to increase
perspiration
Brazil for abortions, blood cleansing, constipation, fever, menstrual disorders, nausea, rheumatism, scrofula,
sexually transmitted diseases, skin diseases, snakebite, syphilis, urinary disorders, urinary insufficiency,
yellow fever, and to increase perspiration
Ecuador for abortions, arthritis, cold, flu, lymph glands (swollen), malaria, pain, rheumatism, sexually transmitted
diseases, snakebite, uterine problems, yellow fever
Europe for arthritis, blood cleansing, bronchitis, fever, rheumatism, scrofula, snakebite, urinary insufficiency
Peru for arthritis, back pain, bronchitis, chills, colds, fever, impotence, inflammation, kidney, lung disease, malaria,
pain, rheumatism, sexually transmitted diseases, snakebite, syphilis, tuberculosis, ulcers, uterine cramps,
yellow fever; as a diuretic, hallucinogen, and sedative and to increase perspiration
South for abortions, colds, fever, impotence, malaria, rheumatism, snakebite,

America yellow fever
United for menstrual disorders, pain, rheumatism, and to increase perspiration
States
Elsewhere for abortions, arthritis, back pain, blood cleansing, bronchitis, cold, constipation, eczema, fever, gout, heat
stroke, hypertension, inflammation, kidney problems, lung, lymphatic disorders, menstrual cramps, pain,
rheumatism, scrofula, skin problems, snakebite, syphilis, tuberculosis, ulcers, urinary insufficiency, yellow
fever and as a laxative
MUIRA PUAMA
• increases libido • IS a male tonic Root, bark
• promotes sexual function • relieves pain Tincture; 2^ ml twice daily
• calms nerves • reduces fatigue Decoction: I cup daily
• relieves depression • lowers blood pressure

• enhances memory • prevents ulcers
• protects brain cells
Family: Olacaceae Muira puama, also called "'potency wood," is a small tree that grows to 5 m high
Genus: Ptychopetalum and is native to the Brazilian Amazon and other parts of the Amazon rainfor-
est. The small, white flowers have a pungent fragrance similar
The to jasmine.
Species: olacoides,
uncinatum —
Ptychopetalum genus is a small one only two species of small trees grow in
tropical South America, and five in tropical Africa. The two South American
Common Names:
varieties, P. olacoides (found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname)
muira puama, potency
wood, marapuama, and P. uncinatum (found mainly in Brazil), are used interchangeably in South
marapama, muirat, American herbal medicine systems. The olacoides variety is usually preferred,
muiratam, pau-homen, as it has a higher content of lupeol (one of the plant's active phytochemicals).
potenzholz A completely different species of Brazilian tree, Liriosma ovata, also goes by the
Parts Used: bark, roots common name of muira puama (and is often sold in commerce as such); how-
ever, it is a completely different tree with a different phytochemical makeup.^
TRIBAL Historically, all parts of muira puama have been used medicinally, but the bark
AND HERBAL and roots are the most utilized parts of the plant. It has long been used in the
MEDICINE USES Amazon by indigenous peoples for a number of purposes. Native peoples
along the Brazilian Amazon's Rio Negro river use the stems and roots from
young plants as a tonic to treat neuromuscular problems; a root decoction is
used in baths and massages for treating paralysis and beri-beri; and a root-and-
bark tea is taken to treat sexual debility, rheumatism, grippe, and cardiac and
gastrointestinal weakness. It's also valued there as a preventive for baldness. In
Muira puama is called
Brazilian herbal medicine, muira puama still is a highly regarded sexual stim-
“potency wood" because
ulant with a reputation as a powerful aphrodisiac. It has been in the Brazilian
it is a highly regarded
Pharmacopoeia since the 1950s.^ It is used as a neuromuscular tonic for weakness
male sexual stimulant with
and rheumatism (applied
paralysis, dyspepsia, menstrual disturbances, chronic
a reputation as a powerful
topically), sexual impotency, grippe, and central nervous system disorders.
aphrodisiac in Brazil.
Muira puama is employed around the world today in herbal medicine. Early
European explorers noted the indigenous uses and the aphrodisiac qualities of
muira puama and brought it back to Europe, where it has become part of herbal
354
medicine in England. It is still listed in the British Herbcil Phcivincicopoeici (a noted

herbal medicine source from the British Herbal Medicine Association); it is rec-
ommended there for the treatment of dysentery and impotence.^ It is also used
elsewhere in Europe to treat impotence, infertility, nerve pain,- menstrual dis-

turbances, and dysentery. In Germany, muira puama
employed as a central is
nervous system tonic, for hookworms, menstrual disturbances, and rheuma-

tism. Muira puama has been gaining in popularity in the United States, where
herbalists and'health care practitioners are using it for impotence, depression,
menstrual cramps and PMS, nerve pain, and central nervous system disorders.
PLANT Scientists began searching for the source of muira puama's efficacy in the
1920s.^^ Early researchers discovered that the root and bark were rich in fatty
CHEMICALS
acids and fatty acid esters (the main one being behenic acid), essential oils
(including beta-caryophyllene and alpha-humulene), plant sterols, triterpenes
—
(including lupeol), and a new alkaloid which they named muirapmamine7 Sci-
entists resumed researching the plant's constituents and pharmacological prop-
erties in the late 1960s and continued into the late 1980s.^"^'^ These studies
indicated that the active constituents also included free long-chain fatty acids,
sesquiterpenes, monoterpenes, and novel alkaloids.
The main plant chemicals found muira puama include alpha-copaene,
in
alpha-elemene, alpha-guaiene, alpha-humulene, alpha-muurolene, alpha-

pinene, alpha-resinic acid, alpha-terpinene, arachidic acid, allo-aromadendren,
behenic acid, beta-bisabolene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-pinene, beta-resinic acid,
beta-sitosterol, beta-transfarnesene, borneol, campesterols, camphene, cam-
phor, car-3-ene, caryophyllene, cerotic acid, chromium, coumarin, cubebene,
delta-cadinene, dotriacontanoic acid, elixene, ergosterols, eugenol, essential
oils, gamma-muurolene, hentriacontanoic acid, heptacosanoic acid, lignoceric
acid, limonene, linalool, lupeol, melissic acid, montanic acid, muirapuamine,

myrcene, nonacosanoic acid, para-cymene, pentacosanoic acid, phlobaphene,
stigmasterols, trichosanic acid, and uncosanic acid.
BIOLOGICAL In one of the early studies, researchers indicated that muira puama was effec-
ACTIVITIES tive in treating disorders of the nervous system and sexual impotence, and that
"permanent produced in locomotor ataxia, neuralgias of long standing,

AND CLINICAL effect is
chronic rheumatism, and partial paralysis." ^ In 1930, Meira Penna wrote about
RESEARCH
muira puama book Notas Sobre Plantas Brasileiras. He cited physiological
in his
and therapeutic experiments conducted in Erance by Dr. Rebourgeon that

confirmed the efficacy of the plant for "gastrointestinal and circulatory asthe-
nia and impotency of the genital organs."
The benefits of treating impotence with muira puama have been studied in
two human trials in France, which reported that muira puama was effective in
improving libido and treating erectile dysfunction. In one French study among
262 male patients who experienced lack of sexual desire and the inability to
The benefits of treating attain or maintain an erection, 62 percent of the patients with loss of libido
impotence with muira reported that the extract of muira puama "had a dynamic effect," and 51 per-
puama have been studied cent of patients with erectile dysfunction felt that muira puama was benefi-
in two human trials in The second study evaluated positive psychological benefits of muira
cial.^^
France, which reported puama in 100 men with male sexual weakness. The therapeutic dosage was
that muira puama was 1.5g of a muira puama extract daily. In their final report, researchers indicated
effective in improving muira puama could "enhance libido [in 85% of test groupl, increase the fre-
libido and treating quency of intercourse [in 100 %] and improve the ability to maintain an erec-
erectile dysfunction. tion [in 90%1."
muira puama extracts have been report-

In other recent clinical research,
ed to have adaptogenic, anti-fatigue, anti-stress, and beneficial effects on the
central nervous system. specially prepared extract from the root of
muira puama has been patented for its ability to "relieve physical and men-
tal fatigue" and for "ameliorating a weakened constitution." Researchers
in Brazil documented a definite central nervous system effect of the bark in
studies with mice.^^'^^ The bark
muira puama also has demonstrated a
of
mild, short-lived, hypotensive effect.^^ The root was found to inhibit stress-
induced ulcers,^^ while the leaf demonstrated an analgesic effect.^^ Another
U.S. patent has been filed on muira puama, citing that it can "reduce body
fat percentage, increase lean muscle mass and lower cholesterol" in humans
and animals with long-term use (and with no toxicity noted).2“^ The newest
research confirms muira puama's traditional use for memory and nervous
disorders. Brazilian researchers reported in 2003 that an alcohol extract of
muira puama facilitated memory retrieval in both young and aged mice and
noted it may be beneficial for Alzheimer's patients.^^ Their next study, pub-
lished in 2004, reported that an alcohol extract of muira puama protected
and increased the viability of brain cells in mice (partly through an antioxi-
dant effect), which may be beneficial for stroke victims. Toxicity studies
with mice, published in 1983, indicate no toxic effects.^^
CURRENT While so-called aphrodisiacs have come and gone in history, muira puama
PRACTICAL USES has retained its stature and may well provide one of the more effective nat-
ural therapeutic approaches for erectile function and libido enhancement.
Before trying to self-treat, however, men should always seek the advice of a
health practitioner if suffering from erectile dysfunction or impotency; this
often can be an early warning sign of vascular insufficiency and/or under-
lying heart problems.
356
To achieve the libido and potency effects of this particular plant, proper
preparation methods must be employed. The active constituents thought to be
responsible for muira puama's potency and libido effect are not soluble in
—
water taking bark or root powder in capsules or tablets will not be effective
because these chemical cannot be digested or absorbed. High heat for at least
twenty minutes with alcohol is necessary to free the volatile and essential oils,
terpenes, gums, and resins found in the bark and root that have been linked to
muira puama's beneficial effects.
Traditional Since many of the most active principals are not water soluble it is best to pre-
Prcparation pared this plant as a tincture, using 2-4 ml of a 4:1 tincture twice daily. Boiling
the tincture for twenty minutes will help facilitate extraction of the non-water-
soluble chemicals. For its one of the traditional remedies is to gen-
tonic effect,
tlysimmer 1 teaspoon of root and/ or bark in 1 cup of water for fifteen minutes
and take V2 to ^ cup daily.

Region Uses
Amazonia as an aphrodisiac and for baldness, beri-beri, cardiac weakness, central nervous system problems, diarrhea,
flu, gastrointestinal problems, impotence, low libido, neuromuscular problems, paralysis, rheumatism,
sexual debility, weakness
Brazil as an aphrodisiac and appetite stimulant and for ataxia, baldness, beri-beri, central nervous system
disorders, debility, depression, digestive problems, dysentery, dyspepsia, frigidity, gastrointestinal disorders,
heart problems, hookworm, impotence, low libido, menopause, menstrual cramps, nerve problems,
nervous exhaustion, neuralgia, neuromuscular problems, ovarian function, paralysis, poliomyelitis,
premenstrual syndrome (PMS), rheumatism, stress, trauma, weakness (muscle)
Germany as a central nervous system tonic and for hookworms, menstrual disturbances, rheumatism
Guyana as an aphrodisiac, stimulant, and tonic, and for impotency
Europe as an aphrodisiac and nerve tonic and for dysentery, impotence, infertility, menstrual disturbances,
neurasthenia
United as an aphrodisiac and tonic and for central nervous system disorders, depression, impotence, menstrual
States problems, nerve pain, premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Elsewhere as an aphrodisiac and central nervous system stimulant and for baldness, dyspepsia, exhaustion,
gastrointestinal weakness, impotency, infertility, low libido, menstrual irregularities, muscle paralysis,
nerve pain, neuromuscular problems, paralysis, reproductive disorders, rheumatism, stress, trauma
MULATEIRO
• kills bacteria • stops bleeding Bark
• kills fungi Decoction: '/2~i cup two to
• heals wounds three times daily
• fights free radicals Decoction: Applied topically

• kills parasites
• kills insects
• repels insects
• soothes skin
Family: Rubiaceae Mulateiro is a fascinating multi-purpose grows canopy tree in the Amazon. It
tall and straight up to a height of about 30 m, and has been long used as a
Genus: Calycophyllum
source of good, high density lumber. It produces an abundance of small, white,
Species: spruceanum
aromatic flowers (from June to July), which are followed by elongated seedpods
Common Names: with three to five seeds inside. The tree propagates easily from the many seeds
pau mulato, capirona.
it produces. It can often be found near water, as it can survive common peri-
capirona negra, corusicao,
odic flooding in the region.
palo mulato. uhuachaunin,
ashi, capirona de bajo, Mulateiro is noted for its ability to completely shed and regenerate its bark
haxo, asho, huiso asho on a yearly basis, making harvesting the bark a totally renewable and sustain-
nahua able enterprise. The bark is smooth (as if polished) and changes colors through-
Part Used: bark out the year as it matures — going from a green tone to a brownish tone.
Calycopihyllum is a small genus with only about six species spread through trop-
ical America; all are medium-sized to large trees. This particular species is
indigenous to the Amazon basin in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. It is
called mulateiro or p)au-muhito in Brazil, and capnrona in Peru.
TRIBAL Mulateiro bark is deeply ingrained in the native culture — from being used as an
AND HERBAL admixture in the ayahuasca rituals, to its many different uses in folkloric medi-
MEDICINE USES cine. In the Amazon, a poultice made from the bark is used topically in treating
cuts, wounds, and burns and believed to have antifungal and wound-healing
qualities.The Indians also use a tea made from the bark on their bodies after
bathing, and then sun-dry themselves. This forms a thin film covering their bod-
ies believed to help fight the effects of aging, parasites, and fungal infections.
Indigenous people of the Amazon also use a bark decoction to treat diabetes.
They boil 1 kg of bark in 10 liters of water until 4 liters remain. It is believed that
if this decoction is drunk every day (about 5 ounces daily) for three consecutive
months that it is a "cure" for diabetes. Peruvian tribes also apply the powdered
358
bark to fungal infections of the skin. They also prepare a bark decoction
to treat
skin parasites —especially ''sarna negra'" —a nasty little bug that lives under the
skin, which is commonly found in the Amazon basin area.
Mulateiro is widely used In Peruvian herbal medicine today, mulateiro is used many purposes. A
for
in the Amazon for all bark decoction is used topically for eye infections and infected wounds as well
as for skin spots, skin depigmentation, wrinkles, and scars. It stops bleeding
types of skin conditions
quickly and is often applied to bleeding cuts. It's also thought to soothe insect
from skin parasites and
fungi to healing cuts, bites and reduce bruising and swelling. The bark is decocted and used inter-
nally for diabetes and disorders of the ovaries. The reSin is used for
abscesses
wounds, and burns.
and skin tumors. Due to its beneficial effects to the skin, it is appearing as an
ingredient in natural cosmetic products in Peru and Brazil.
PLANT Mulateiro bark contains a great deal of tannin chemicals, which give it an astrin-
gent or drying effect. Recently, the plant has been documented to contain a
high
CHEMICALS
content of phenols and organic acids, which have demonstrated antibacterial,
antifungal, and insecticidal activity.^ The isolated phenols have demonstrated
strong antioxidant activity, which may explain its traditional use to stop the
aging process of the skin.^
BIOLOGICAL Only one study has been published thus far on mulateiro; in 2001
clinical
ACTIVITIES researchers reported that it demonstrated strong antifungal activity hi vitro
AND CLINICAL against eleven common skin fungi and yeasts.^ With this study, as well as the
two groups of chemicals demonstrating antibacterial, antifungal, and insectici-
RESEARCH
dal properties, scientists are just beginning to validate its traditional uses for
various bacterial and fungal infections of the skin and as an insect repellent.
CURRENT Mulateiro is known today as a rainforest hardwood tree which is

better
PRACTICAL USES logged in the Amazon and exported around the worlci for high density,
durable lumber and building materials, than as a medicinal plant. It has
recently sparked the interest of scientists and formulators body care

of natural
products in South America for its beneficial effect to the skin. Even a branch
of the Brazilian government is currently working with researchers and man-

ufacturers about these new possible uses and markets for mulateiro bark in
the body care products industry. With the tree shedding its bark annually, this
resource would be highly sustainable. If a sufficient market were established

for this renewable resource, then landowners would not cut the trees down
for the value of the lumber, and would protect them for the income realized
by annual harvesting of the bark.
Traditional For internal use, the standard remedy is V2-I cup of standard decoction two to
Preparation three times daily. This decoction is also a common topical remedy for skin prob-
lems, wounds, skin fungus, and overall skin health. It is applied directly to the
affected area several times daily and allowed to dry before covering.

Region Uses
Amazonia for burns, cuts, diabetes, fungal infections, skin parasites, wounds
Brazil for skin problems and wounds, and as an antioxidant and cosmetic
Paraguay for diabetes
Peru for abscesses, anti-aging, bites (insect), bleeding, bruises, diabetes, eye infections, fungal
infections,
infections (skin), ovarian disorders, scabies, scars, skin parasites, skin problems, swelling,
tumors,
wounds, wrinkles, and as a contraceptive
MULLACA
• kills mycobacteria • relieves pain Whole plant
• kills bacteria • reduces inflammation Infusion: '/
2 “l cup one to
• kills cancer cells • reduces spasms three times daily
• kills leukemia cells • increases urination Capsules/Tablets: l-2g

Family: Solanaceae twice daily
• kills viruses • reduces fever
Genus: Physalis Tincture: 1-3 ml twice daily
• kills germs • expels phlegm
Species: angulota • enhances immunity
Common Names: • thins blood

mullaca, camapu, bolsa
mullaca, cape gooseberry,
wild tomato, winter cherry,
Mullaca is an annual herb indigenous to many parts of the tropics, including
jua-de-capote, capuli the Amazon. It can be found on most continents in the tropics, including
Cimarron, battre autour, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. It grows up to 1 m high, bears small, cream-
k’u chih, ‘urmoa batoto colored flowers, and produces small, light yellowish-orange, edible fruit some-
bita, cecendet, dumadu times referred to as cape gooseberry. The fruit is about the size of a cherry
harachan, hog weed,
tomato, and like tomatoes, it contains many tiny edible seeds inside. Mullaca
nvovo, polopa, saca buche,
thongtheng, tino-tino,
propagates easily from the seeds the fruit contains; spontaneous clumps of
topatop, wapotok plants can be found along river banks and just about anywhere the soil is dis-
turbed and the canopy is broken (allowing enough sunlight to promote its
Parts Used: whole plant,
leaves, roots rapid growth).

360
TRIBAL Mullaca has long held a place in natural medicine in the tropical countries
AND HERBAL where it grows. Its use by rainforest Indians in the Amazon is well document-
MEDICINE USES ed, and its edible sweet-tart fruits are enjoyed by many rainforest inhabitants,
animal and human alike. Indigenous tribes in the Amazon use a leaf infusion
as a diuretic. Some Colombian tribes believe the fruits and leaves have narcot-
ic properties and also decoct them as an anti-inflammatory and disinfectant for
skin diseases; others use a leaf tea for asthma. Indigenous peoples in the Peru-
vian Amazon use the leaf juice internally and externally for worms and the
leaves and/or roots for earache, liver problems, malaria, hepatitis, and rheuma-
tism. Indigenous tribes in the Brazilian Amazon use the sap of the plant for ear-
aches and the roots for jaundice. Mullaca has also been used by indigenous
peoples for female disorders. In the Solomon Islands, the fruit of mullaca is
decocted and taken internally to promote fertility. A tea is made of the entire
plant and/or the leaves in the West Indies and Jamaica to prevent miscarriages.
In Peru, the leaf is infused and used to treat postpartum infections.
In Brazilian herbal Mullaca is employed in herbal medicine systems today in both Peru and
medicine, mullaca is Brazil. In Peruvian herbal medicine, the plant is called mullaca or bolsa mullaca.
employed for chronic To treat diabetes, the roots of three mullaca plants are sliced and macerated in
rheumatism: for skin V4 liter of rum for seven days. Honey is added, and V2 glass of this medicine
diseases and dermatitis: is taken twice daily for sixty days. In addition, an infusion of the leaves is
as a sedative and diuretic: recommended good diuretic, and an infusion of the roots is used to treat
as a
for fever and vomiting: hepatitis. For asthma and malaria, the dosage is 1 cup of tea made from the
and for many types of aerial parts of the plant. In Brazilian herbal medicine, the plant is employed
kidney, liver, and for chronic rheumatism; for skin diseases and dermatitis; as a sedative and
gallbladder problems. diuretic; for fever and vomiting; and for many types of kidney, liver, and gall-
bladder problems.
PLANT Phytochemical studies on mullaca reveal that it contains many types of bio-
CHEMICALS logically active, naturally occurring chemicals including flavonoids, alka-
loids, and many different types of plant steroids, some of which have never
before been seen in science. Mullaca has been the subject of recent clinical
research (which is ongoing), based on the preliminary studies showing that

it is an effective immune stimulant,numerous types of cancer and
is toxic to
leukemia cells, and that it has antimicrobial properties. The new steroids
found in mullaca have received the most attention, and many of the docu-
mented anticancerous, antitumorous and antileukemic actions are attributed
to these steroids.
Various extracts of mullaca, as well as these extracted plant steroids called
physalins, have shown strong in vitro and in vivo (mice) activity against numer-
ous types of human and animal cancer cells including lung, colon, nasophar-
Medicinal Plants of the Annazon
361
Chemicals in mullaca have ynx, liver, cervix, melanoma and glioma (brain) cancer cells.^'^^ yj^jg cancer
been the subject of research began in the early 1980s with researchers in Thailand and the U.S.^'^
ongoing clinical research, and was verified with research performed at the University of Taiwan in 1992
based on preliminary (where they demonstrated a significant effect against five human cancer cell
studies showing that they lines and three animal cancer cell lines).^ Then in 2001, researchers at the
are effective immune University of Houston isolated yet another new chemical in mullaca which
stimulants, are toxic demonstrated remarkable toxicity against nasopharynx cancer cells, lung
to numerous types of (adenocarcinoma) cancer cells, as well as leukemia in mice.^^ The same Tai-
cancer and leukemia wanese researchers had already published a separate study on mullaca's other
cells and that they have antileukemic phytochemicals in 1992, reporting that two physalin chemicals
antimicrobial properties. inhibited the growth of five types of acute leukemia, including lymphoid (T &
B), promyelocytic, myeloid, and monocytic.^^
Other research in China and Russia independently demonstrated significant
immunomodulatory effects against blastogenesis (a process triggered in
leukemia), while boosting other immune which might account for
functions,
the antileukemic effects in mice seen by other researchers. With tumor cells,
research suggests that several of the steroidal chemicals in mullaca act on an
enzyme level to arrest the normal cell cycle in cancer cells^^'^^ as well as cause
DNA damage inside of cancer cells (making them unable to replicate).
The main plant chemicals isolated in mullaca thus far include ayanin, chloro-
genic acid, choline, ixocarpanolide, myricetin, phygrine, physagulin A through
G, physalin A through K, physangulide, sitosterol, vamonolide, withaminimin,
withangulatin A, withanolide D, withanolide T, and withaphysanolide.
BIOLOGICAL In addition to mullaca's anticancerous and antileukemic actions, several

ACTIVITIES research groups have confirmed mullaca's antibacterial and antiviral activity.
AND CLINICAL In 2002 and 2000, mullaca was shown to be active iu vitro against several strains
RESEARCH of mycobacteriums and mycoplasmas (both very stubborn types of bacteria

which are not widely susceptible to standard antibiotics).^®'-^ In addition to
these actions, mullaca has demonstrated effective antibacterial properties iu
vitro against numerous types of gram positive and gram negative bacteria,
including Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcusr^’^^ Other research
groups in Japan have been focusing on mullaca's antiviral actions and prelim-
inary studies show that it is active in vitro against Polio virus 1, Herpes simplex
Mullaca has virus I, the measles virus, and HIV-1 —demonstrating reverse transcriptase
demonstrated in the
inhibitory effects.^*^^^
laboratory to kill not only

Mullaca has also been reported to reduce spasms in guinea pigs,^^ lower
cancer cells —but also

blood pressure in cats, and to contract isotonic muscles in toads.^‘^ In the test
bacteria and viruses.

tube, mullaca was shown to have an anticoagulant effect.^® Western scientists
did somewhat validate the indigenous use for diabetes when they reported a
mild hypoglycemic effect in mice fed a water extract of the root.^^ One must
wonder what the results would have been if they had followed native customs
and employed an alcohol extract instead.
CURRENT Interestingly enough, much of the clinical research has ignored the local and
PRACTICAL USES indigenous uses of the plant; thus, many of its effective uses in herbal medicine
remain unexplained. Its tested antibacterial properties could validate its use as
an antiseptic and disinfectant for skin diseases, and its use to treat gonorrhea.
Its antiviral properties could well explain its long history of use for hepatitis,
although scientists have not tested it specifically against hepatitis. Possibly the
antispasmodic and muscle contractive properties documented for mullaca

might explain its use for asthma and female disorders, as well. Yet, its wide-
spread use throughout the rainforests for malaria and fevers remains unex-
plained by science.
Herbal practitioners in both South and North America today rely on mulla-
ca for various bacterial and viral infections, and as a complementary therapy
for cancer and leukemia. Although not widely available here in the U.S., it is
found as an ingredient in various herbal formulas and in bulk supplies. The ani-
mal studies conducted to date indicate no toxicity at any of the dosages used,
indicating that it is a safe natural remedy.
Traditional Depending on what it is employed for, generally V2-I cup of a whole herb infu-
Preparation sion one to three times daily or 1-2 ml of a 4:1 tincture twice daily is used. If
desired, 2-4 g of powdered whole herb (depending on body weight) in tablets
or capsules or stirred into water or juice twice daily can be substituted (since
the active sterol chemicals are completely water soluble).
Contraindications One animal study indicates this plant may lower blood pressure-^ and one test
tube study demonstrates a bloc')d anticoagulant activity. People with blood

disorders such as hemophilia, those taking heart medications or blood thin-
ners, or those with other heart problems such as low blood pressure should use
this plant with the advice of a qualified health care practitioner.
Drug Interactions None reported; however, see above contraindications.

Region Uses
Brazil for asthma, blood cleansing, dermatitis, earaches, fever, gallbladder problems, jaundice, kidney problems,
liver disorders, malaria, nausea, rheumatism, skin diseases, urinary insufficiency
Central for fever, gonorrhea, malaria, skin diseases, and to prevent miscarriages
America
Colombia for asthma, bacterial infections, inflammation, skin diseases
Japan for colds, fever, strep throat, swelling, urinary insufficiency
Peru for asthma, bacterial infections, diabetes, earaches, hepatitis, infection (postpartum), inflammation, itch,
jaundice, liver problems, malaria, rheumatism, skin diseases, urinary insufficiency, worms
Taiwan for cancer, fever, hepatitis, liver disease, tumors, urinary insufficiency
Trinidad for bacterial infections, fever, indigestion, nephritis, rectitis
Suriname for gonorrhea, jaundice, malaria, nephritis, urinary insufficiency
Elsewhere for asthma, bacterial infections, boils, cancer, childbirth, diabetes, diarrhea, diuretic, edema, eye infections,
fainting, fevers, hemorrhage (postpartum), infertility, inflammation, leukemia, malaria, nausea, pain, skin
diseases, sleeping sickness, stomach problems, tumor (testicle); and as an antiseptic, expectorant, hemostatic
MULUNGU
• relieves pain • kills bacteria Bark, root
• reduces anxiety Decoction: '6 cup one to

• calms nerves two times daily
• moderately sedative Tincture: 1-2 ml one to
• supports liver
two times daily

• regulates heartbeat
Family: Fabaceae Mulungu is a medium-sized, well-branched tree that grows 10-14 m high. It
Genus: Erythrina
produces a profusion of pretty, reddish-orange flowers (pollinated by hum-
mingbirds) at the ends of the tree's many branches. The tree is sometimes called
Species: mulungu, crista-galli
"coral flower," as the flowers resemble the color of orange coral. It produces
Common Names: black seedpods containing large, red-and-black seeds, which are sometimes
mulungu, corticeira,
used by indigenous peoples to make necklaces and jewelry. Mulungu is indige-
murungu, muchocho,
nous to Brazil, parts of Peru, and tropical areas in Latin America and, typical-
murungo, totocero, flor- de-
coral, arvore de-coral.

ly, is found in marshes and along riverbanks. The Eri/thrhin genus comprises
amerikadeigo, ceibo, more than 100 species of trees and shrubs (mostly all heavily armed with spines
chilichi, chopo, hosoba or thorns) in the tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres. The
deiko, pau-imortal, mulungu tree (first recorded in 1829) is known by two botanical names, Eryth-
mulungu-coral. capa- Another closely related species, £. crista-galli,
rina mulungu and Erythrina verna.
homem, suina-suina
is used interchangeably in South American herbal medicine systems and is
Part Used: bark found farther south on the South American continent. The flower of £. crista-
galli is the national flower of Argentina.

364
TRIBAL Several Erythrina tree species are used by indigenous peoples in the
Amazon as
AND HERBAL medicines, insecticides, and fish poisons. Mulungu has long been used in Brazil
MEDICINE USES by indigenous peoples as a natural sedative: it has been used to calm an overex-
cited nervous system and promote a restful sleep.
In both North and South American herbal medicine systems, mulungu
is
In both North and South
American herbal considered to be an excellent sedative to calm agitation and nervous coughs
medicine systems, and to treat other nervous system problems including insomnia and anxiety.
also is widely used for asthma, bronchitis, gingivitis, hepatitis, inflammation
mulungu is considered to It
of the liver and spleen, intermittent fevers, and to clear obstructions in the
be an excellent sedative
liver. In both Brazil and Peru, mulungu is used for epilepsy. Herbalists and
to calm agitation and
practitioners in the United States use mulungu to quiet hysteria from trauma
nervous coughs and to
or shock, as a mild, hypnotic sedative to calm the nervous system, to
treat
treat other nervous
system problems insomnia and promote healthy sleeping patterns (by sedating overactive neu-
rotransmitters), to regulate heart palpitations, and to treat hepatitis and liver
including insomnia and
anxiety. disorders. Positive regulatory effects on heart palpitations and decreased

blood pressure have been reported. Dr. Donna Schwontkowski, a chiropractor
who has used Amazonian plants in her practice, recommends mulungu for
hernias, stomachaches, and epilepsy— and to help augment milk flow as
well.
PLANT The chemicals in mulungu have been studied extensively; they have been
CHEMICALS found comprise large amounts of novel flavonoids, triterpenes, and alka-
to
loids. Much research has been performed on Erythrina alkaloids in the

last
decade, as they represent a group of very active chemicals with various prop-
ertiesand are almost always present in Erythrina species.^ Thus far, alkaloids
have been found in 78 of 107 species in the genus Erythrina; mulungu is docu-
Research on the mented with twenty isoquinoline alkaloids. Many of these have demonstrated
chemicals found in
anti-inflammatory, cardioactive, narcotic, and sedative activities. One novel
mulungu reveal they are alkaloid discovered in mulungu is called cristamidine. Its positive effect on the
anti-inflammatory, liver was demonstrated in a 1995 clinical study with rats.^ Mulungu's hypoten-
sedative, and regulate sive and heart-regulatory activities were studied and attributed to its alkaloids.^
the heart. Another alkaloid in mulungu (and other Erythrina plants), erysodine, has been
documented with neuromuscular effects characteristic of curare arrow poisons.
Two studies also indicate that might be useful as an anti-nicotine drug, as it
it
demonstrated actions as a competitive antagonist and to block nicotine recep-

tors.5'^ Interestingly, both of these studies were published by
major (and com-
peting) pharmaceutical companies!
The main plant chemicals in mulungu include alanine, arginine, aspartic acid,
cristacarpin, cristadine, crystamidine, dimethylmedicarpin, erybidine, erycrista-
gallin, erycristanol, erycristin, erydotrine, erysodienone, erysodine, erysonine,
erysopine, erysotrine, erysovine, erystagallin A-C, erythrabyssin II, erythralines.
erythramine, erythratine, eryvariestyrene, gamma-amino butyric acid, glutamic

acid, hypaphorine lectins, n-nor-orientaline, oleanolic acid, oleanonic acid,
phaseollidins, proteinases, sandwicensis, ursolic acid, and vitexin.
BIOLOGICAL The traditional use of mulungu for anxiety and stress has been validated by
ACTIVITIES researchers in a 2002 study, where it was shown to alter anxiety-related respons-
AND CLINICAL es.^ An animal model (correlating to human generalized anxiety disorder, as
RESEARCH well as panic disorder) was undertaken on a water-alcohol extract of mulungu.
The researchers reported that the mulungu extract had an effect similar to the
commonly-prescribed anti-anxiety drug diazepam.^ It was suggested in this
Research with animals
study that the alkaloids in Erythrina ''may alter GABAergic neurotransmission."
suggests mulungu has a
GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain;
similar effect as a leading
abnormalities with its function are implicated in diseases including epilepsy,
anti-anxiety drug.
anxiety,and depression.® Further research has validated the traditional use of
mulungu as an antimicrobial agent for throat and urinary infections; mulungu
has demonstrated antibacterial activity in two studies against Staphylococcus
aureus, and antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium fortuitum and
Mycobacterium smegmatis."^'^^
CURRENT Mulungu is not very widely known or used in North America; it mostly
PRACTICAL USES appears as an ingredient in only a few herbal formulas for anxiety or depres-
sion. It is a wonderful rainforest medicinal plant that is deserving of much more
attention in herbal medicine systems outside of South America. The main
herbal remedy sold in America today for stress, anxiety, and as a general seda-
tive is kava-kava. This plant, however, has had some negative press in recent
years concerning possible negative effects to the liver. Since mulungu provides
the same calming and stress-relieving effects (if not better), and actually has a
positive effect on the liver, it is poised as the new replacement for this highly
popular (and profitable) herbal supplement.
Traditional One-half cup of a standard bark or root decoction or 1-2 ml of a 4:1 tincture
Preparation once or twice daily.
Contraindications This plant is a sedative and may cause drowsiness. In traditional medicine, the
plant is used to lower blood pressure. Clinical research with animals has doc-
umented hypotensive actions. It is recommended that those on medications to
lower blood pressure (and those with low blood pressure) use mulungu with
caution and monitor their blood pressure accordingly.
Drug Interactions None documented; however, mulungu may potentiate some anti-anxiety drugs
(such as diazepam) and antihypertensive drugs.

Region Uses
Argentina for diarrhea, hemorrhoids, respiratory infections, urinary infections, and as an antiseptic and sedative
Brazil for agitation, anxiety, asthma, bacterial infections, bronchitis, central nervous system disorders, convulsions,
cough, cuts, epilepsy, fever, gingivitis, hepatitis, hysteria, inflammation, insomnia, liver problems, menopause,
muscle pain, nervous tension, neuralgia, rheumatism, spleen disorders, stress, throat (sore), whooping
cough, and as an antiseptic and sedative
Colombia as a diuretic and sedative
Peru for cystitis, epilepsy, eye irritations, hysteria, insomnia
United for central nervous system disorders, epilepsy, heart problems, hepatitis, hernia, high blood pressure,
States hysteria, insomnia, liver problems, stomachache, and as a lactation aid
Elsewhere for edema, epilepsy, eye problems, headaches, heart problems, hepatitis, hernia, hypertension, hysteria,
insomnia, liver problems, palpitations, rheumatism, spasms, stomach cancer, stomachache, urinary
insufficiency, and as a sedative
When boats no longer float, they become houses. Nothing is discarded.

MUTAMBA
• kills bacteria • reduces inflammation Bark
• kills fungi • prevents ulcers Infusion: I cup one to three
• kills viruses • supports heart times daily
Family: Sterculiaceae • kills cancer cells • stimulates digestion Capsules/Tablets: 2 g twice

daily
Genus: Guazuma • cleanses blood • protects liver
• suppresses coughs • reduces fever
Species: ulmifolia
• fights free radicals • promotes perspiration
Common Names:
mutamba. mutambo,
embira, embiru. West Indian
• relaxes muscles
elm, guazima, guacima, • stops bleeding

guacimo, guasima de caballo, • heals wounds
aquiche, ajya, guasima,
cimarrona, guazuma,
bolaina, atadijo, ibixuma, Mutamba is a medium-sized tree that grows up to 20 m high, with a trunk 30
camba-aca, bay cedar, bois to 60 cm in diameter. Its oblong leaves are 6 to 12 cm long, and the tree pro-
d’homme, bois d’orme, bois
duces small white-to-light-yellow flowers. It produces an edible fruit that is
de hetre, orme d’Amerique
covered with rough barbs and has a strong honey scent. Mutamba is indige-
Parts Used: bark, leaves,
nous to tropical America on both continents and found throughout the Ama-
root
zon rainforest.
TRIBAL Mutamba is called guasima or guacima in Mexico, where it has a very long his-
AND HERBAL tory of indigenous use. The Mixe Indians in the lowlands of Mexico use a decoc-
MEDICINE USES tion of dried bark and fruit to treat diarrhea, hemorrhages, and uterine pain.
The Huastec Mayans of northeastern Mexico employ the fresh bark boiled in
water to aid in childbirth, for gastrointestinal pain, asthma, diarrhea and dysen-
tery, wounds, and fevers. Mayan healers in Guatemala boil the bark into a
decoction to treat stomach inflammation and regular stomachaches. Mutamba
was a magical plant to the ancient Mayans, who also used it against "magical
illnesses" and evil spells. In the Amazon, indigenous people have long used
mutamba for asthma, bronchitis, diarrhea, kidney problems, and syphilis. They
use a bark decoction topically for baldness, leprosy, and various skin diseases.
Mutamba holds a place in herbal medicine systems in many tropical coun-
tries; and leaves are used. In Belizean herbal medicine practices,
chiefly the bark
a small handful of chopped bark is boiled for ten minutes in 3 cups of water
and drunk for dysentery and diarrhea, for prostate problems, and as a uterine
In the Amazon, stimulant to aid in childbirth. A slightly stronger decoction is used externally
indigenous people for skin sores, infections, and rashes. In Brazilian herbal medicine practices, a
have long used mutamba bark decoction is used to promote perspiration, cleanse and detoxify the blood,
for asthma, bronchitis, and suppress coughs. There it is used for fevers, coughs, bronchitis, asthma,
diarrhea, kidney problems, pneumonia, syphilis, and liver problems. A bark decoction is also prepared and
and syphilis. They use a is used topically to promote hair growth, to combat parasites of the scalp, and
bark decoction topically to treat various skin conditions. In Peru, the dried bark and/or dried leaves are
for baldness, leprosy, made into tea' (standard infusion) and used for kidney disease, liver disease,
dermatitis, and other and dysentery. The bark is also used topically for hair loss. In Guatemala, the
skin conditions. dried leaves of the tree are brewed into a tea and drunk for fevers, kidney dis-
ease, and skin diseases, as well as used externally for wounds, sores, bruises,
dermatitis, skin eruptions and irritations, and erysipelas.
PLANT Mutamba bark is and antioxidant chemicals called

a rich source of tannins
CHEMICALS proanthocyanidins. One in particular, procyanidin B-2, helps validate mutamba's
long standing use in several countries for hair loss and baldness. In 1999,
researchers in Japan reported that procyanidin B-2 was a safe topical hair-
growing agent. From 2000 ^ to 2002, they published three in vitro and in vivo (in
balding men) studies showing that procyanidin B-2 promoted hair cell growth
and increased the total number of hairs on a designated scalp area.^“"^
A chemical found in
Researchers have determined that mutamba bark is a rich source of this natu-
mutamba helps validate its
ral chemical compound.^ Other independent research indicates that procyani-
long standing use in several
din B-2 also has antitumorous and anticancerous effects (even against
countries for hair loss and
melanoma) as well as lowers blood pressure and protects the kidneys.^'^ The
baldness: researchers in
bark also contains a chemical called kaiirenoic acid, which has been document-
Japan reported that
ed with antibacterial and antifungal properties in many studies over the years.
this particular chemical
The leaves of mutamba contain caffeine, however none has been found in the
was a safe topical
bark of the tree.
hair-growing agent.
Mutamba's main plant chemicals include caryophyllene, catechins, farnesol,
friedelin, kaurenoic acid, precocene 1, procyanidin B-2, procyanidin B-5, pro-
cyanidin C-1, and sitosterol.
BIOLOGICAL Mutamba's long history of effective uses in herbal medicine propelled

ACTIVITIES researchers to begin studying its properties and activities in the laboratory
AND CLINICAL (beginning in 1968). It has been the subject of numerous studies since. The
RESEARCH first study published, which used various animals (rats, rabbits, guinea pigs,
cats, and insects), reported that mutamba lowered heart rate and blood pres-
sure, relaxed smooth muscles, and stimulated the uterus.® Two years later,
another researcher reconfirmed the uterine stimulant effects in rats, validat-
ing its historical uses as a uterine stimulant and childbirth aid.^ In eight dif-
ferent studies from 1987 to 2003, various leaf and bark extracts have clinical-
ly demonstrated remarkable antibacterial activity iu vitro against several dis-
ease-causing pathogens, including Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, E.
coli, and Neisseria gonorrhea. One 2003 study also confirmed its antioxi-
dant effects. In a 1995 in vitro study, mutamba also demonstrated antiviral
activity against Herpes simplex type 1.^^
Research over the These studies could certainly explain why mutamba has been used so effec-
years has indicated that tively in herbal medicine systems for many types of gastrointestinal problems,
mutamba possesses broad such sexually transmitted diseases as gonorrhea and syphilis, and upper res-
spectrum antibacterial piratory conditions (pneumonia and bronchitis). Subsequent research focusing
and antiviral actions on particular chemicals found in mutamba documented their ability to inter-
validating its traditional fere with an enzyme process by which bacteria and pathogens replicate.^'^^'^®
uses for upper respiratory Scientists showed that these chemicals interacted with a cholera toxin
—pre-
infections and sexually venting its toxicity and the resultant diarrhea.^'^^
transmitted diseases. Traditionally, a decoction of mutamba leaves has been used in Mexico for
diabetes. It has only been since 1998 that researchers in Mexico validated this
indigenous use, publishing a study showing that a leaf extract significantly
decreased hyperglycemia in rabbits.^^ Of particular note (in 1990), a Brazil-
ian research group demonstrated that a crude extract of mutamba was toxic
to cancer cells in vitro, exhibiting a 97.3 percent inhibition rate.^^ In another
study Belgium researchers reported the possible mechanism by
in 2002,
which mutamba bark reduces hypertension it inhibits an enzyme called —
angiotensin 11.^^ Angiotensin inhibitors represent a classification of heart
drugs (newer than the ACE inhibitors), which are now being prescribed to
lower blood pressure.
CURRENT Research continues to document the unique properties and actions of this plant
PRACTICAL USES while validating its traditional uses. Mutamba is a favorite natural remedy
among Central and South American health practitioners and the indigenous
peoples of the Amazon. It is often turned to first for upper respiratory infec-
tions as it can quiet coughs, reduce fever, as well as provide antiviral and anti-
bacterial actions. It will anyone in North or South
be interesting to see if
America follows up on the research concerning hair loss, and utilizes mutam-
ba as a natural product for baldness and hair loss prevention. There certainly
is a ready (and very profitable) market for products such as these —especially
if they are effective!
Traditional The remedy for upper respiratory infections, asthma, and other res-
traditional
Preparation piratory problems is 1 cup of a standard bark decoction two to three times daily.
For gastrointestinal problems and other conditions, the same bark decoction is
used, or 2-3 ml of a twice daily, or 1-2 g of powdered bark daily in

4:1 tincture
tablets or capsules (or stirred into water or juice) can be substituted, if desired.
The same bark decoction is rinsed through the hair several times weekly as a
natural remedy for hair loss.
Contraindications Mutamba bark has been documented, in several animal studies, to have uter-
ine stimulant activity, and it should not be taken during pregnancy.
Mutamba bark has been documented in animal studies to lower blood pres-
sure. In vitro studies indicate that it can inhibit angiotensin II. People with a his-
tory of heart problems, those taking heart medications, or those with low blood
pressure should not use this plant without the supervision and advice of a qual-
ified health care practitioner.
Drug Interactions None published; however, mutamba bark may potentiate the action of certain
antihypertensive drugs.

Region Uses
Belize for childbirth, diarrhea, dysentery, infections, prostate problems, rashes, skin problems, sores, uterine
problems
Brazil for asthma, blood cleansing, bronchitis, coughs, dysentery, excessive mucus, fever, hair loss, hepatitis, liver
problems, parasites (head), pneumonia, skin diseases, syphilis, ulcers, and to increase perspiration
Colombia as a uterine stimulant
Cuba for bruises, burns, colds, flu, hemorrhoids, urinary insufficiency, wounds
Dominican for dysentery, fertility (veterinary), lung problems, and to increase perspiration
Republic
Guatemala for bruises, dermatitis, erysipelas, fevers, gonorrhea, kidney diseases, skin disorders (irritation, eruptions,
inflammation, sores, ulcers), stomach inflammation, stomachache, wounds, and to increase perspiration
Haiti for blood cleansing, cough, diabetes, diarrhea, digestive sluggishness, fever, flu, fractures, scurvy, skin
problems, wounds
Jamaica for diarrhea, elephantiasis, leprosy, malaria
Mexico for asthma, chest problems, childbirth, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, elephantiasis, fever, gastrointestinal
problems, hemorrhages, infectious diseases, kidney problems, leprosy, malaria, rashes, skin problems,
syphilis, uterine pain, wounds
Peru for asthma, bronchitis, dermatitis, diarrhea, dysentery, elephantiasis, fever, hair loss, hepatitis, kidney disease,
leprosy, liver disease, lung problems, malaria, syphilis
Venezuela for syphilis, wounds, and to increase perspiration and lower body temperature
Elsewhere for asthma, bleeding, bronchitis, chest problems, elephantiasis, hair loss, hypertension, kidney disorders,
liver problems, obesity, skin problems, stomachaches, and to increase perspiration
NETTLE
• reduces allergies • stimulates digestion Leaves, Root
• cleanses blood • aids lactation Infusion: I cup two to three
• reduces inflammation • promotes menstruation times daily
• relieves pain • kills germs Tablets/Capsules: 2-3 g two

• stops hair loss • lowers body temperature
Tincture (root): 2-3 ml two
• increases urination • expels worms
Family: Urticaceae to three times daily
• stops bleeding
Genus: Urtica • dilates blood vessels
Species: dioica • lowers blood pressure
Common Names:
• heals wounds
nettle, big string nettle,
common nettle, stinging

Nettle, or stinging nettle, is a perennial plant growing in temperate and tropi-
nettle, gerrais, isirgan,
cal wasteland areas around the world. The plant has been naturalized in Brazil
kazink, nabat al nar,
ortiga, grande ortie, ortie,

and other parts of South America. It grows 2-4 m high and produces pointed
urtiga, chichicaste, leaves and white-to-yellowish flowers. Nettle has a well-known reputation for
brennessel, gross d’ortie, giving a savage sting when the skin touches the hairs and bristles on the leaves
racine d’ortie and stems. The genus name Urtica comes from the Latin verb iirere, meaning
Parts Used: root, leaves "to burn," because of these stinging hairs. The species name dioica means "two
houses" because the plant usually contains either male or female flowers.
TRIBAL In folk medicine nettle plants have been used as a diuretic, to build the blood,
AND HERBAL for arthritis, and for rheumatism. Externally, it has been used to improve the
MEDICINE USES appearance of the hair, and is said to be a remedy against both oily hair and
dandruff.
The plant has been widely used by herbalists around the world for centuries.
In the first century, Greek physicians Dioscorides and Galen reported the leaf
of nettle had diuretic and laxative properties and was useful for asthma,
pleurisy, and spleen illnesses. Bandages soaked in a leaf and stem infusion were
used in early American medicine to stop the bleeding of wounds; an account
of this use was recorded by Dr. Francis P. Procher, a surgeon and physician in
the Southern Confederacy during the Civil War. Nettle leaves were also rec-
ommended as a nutritious food and as a weight loss aid by the famous Amer-
ican plant forager and naturalist, Euell Gibbons.
In Brazilian herbal medicine, the entire plant is used for excessive menstru-
al bleeding, diarrhea, diabetes, urinary disorders, and respiratory problems
including allergies. Externally, an infusion is used for skin problems. In Peru,
In Germany today, nettle is used against a variety of complaints such as muscular and arthritis
stinging nettle is sold as an pain, eczema, ulcers, asthma, diabetes, intestinal inflammation, nosebleeds, and
herbal drug for prostate rheumatism. Externally, it is used for inflammations, sciatica, wounds, and
diseases and as a diuretic. head lice. In Germany today, stinging nettle is sold as an herbal drug for
It is a common ingredient prostate diseases and as a diuretic. It is a common ingredient in other herbal
in other herbal drugs drugs produced in Germany for rheumatic complaints and inflammatory con-
produced in Germany for ditions (especially for the lower urinary tract and prostate). In the United States,
rheumatic complaints and many remarkable healing properties are attributed to nettle and the leaf is uti-
inflammatory conditions lized for different problems than the root. The leaf is used here as a diuretic, for
(especially for the lower arthritis, prostatitis, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, and
urinary tract and prostate). allergic rhinitis. The root is recommended as a diuretic, for relief of benign pro-
static hyperplasia (BPH) and other prostate problems, and as a natural remedy
to treat or prevent baldness.
PLANT The stinging sensation of the leaf hairs is caused by several plant chemicals in-
CHEMICALS cluding formic acid, histamine, serotonin, and choline. In addition to these chem-
icals, nettle leaf is rich in minerals, chlorophyll, amino acids, lecithin, carotenoids,
flavonoids, sterols, tannins, and vitamins. The root of the plant has other chem-
icals such as scopoletin, sterols, fatty acids, polysaccharides, and isolectins. Sev-
eral of nettle's lectin chemicals have demonstrated marked antiviral actions
(against HIV and several common upper respiratory viruses). Other chemicals
(flavonoids in the leaves and a lectin in the root) have been documented with in-
teresting immune stimulant actions in preliminary research, which led research-
ers to suggest that the lectin might be useful in the treatment of systemic lupus.^^
Nettle's main plant chemicals include acetophenone, acetylcholine, agglu-

tinins, alkaloids, astragalin, butyric acid, caffeic acids, carbonic acid, chloro-
genic acid, chlorophyll, choline, coumaric acid, folacin, formic acid, friedelins,
histamine, kaempherols, koproporphyrin, lectins, lecithin, lignans, linoleic acid,
linolenic acid, neoolivil, palmitic acid, pantothenic acid, quercetin, quinic acid,
scopoletin, secoisolariciresinol, serotonin, sitosterols, stigmasterol, succinic
acid, terpenes, violaxanthin, and xanthophylls.
BIOLOGICAL Nettle's long-standing use as an anti-inflammatory aid for rheumatism and

ACTIVITIES arthritis has been confirmed with clinical research. In several clinical studies
AND CLINICAL (including a randomized double-blind placebo trial), nettle leaf extracts were
RESEARCH documented with anti-inflammatory actions as well as being beneficial (and
better than placebo) at relieving arthritis pain and inflammation in humans.^^®
Research suggests that nettle's anti-inflammatory actions are attributed to its
ability to interrupt the production and actions of inflammation-producing

immune cells in the body (cytokines, prostaglandins, and leukotreines).^°“^^
Another randomized double-blind study was performed on nettle in 1990

which confirmed its traditional uses for allergies and rhinitis (a common
inflammatory disorder causing sneezing, nasal congestion and discharge, and
Clinical research with

itchy skin and often triggered by allergies). In this study with sixty-nine
humans validates nettle’s
patients, nettle extract again rated higher than placebo: 58 percent reported it
time-honored uses to relieved most symptoms and 48 percent stated it was more effective
all their
naturally treat arthritis,

than other over-the-counter medications.^^ It was still being confirmed as a
allergies, prostatitis, and beneficial treatment for rhinitis ten years later when researchers then sug-
benign prostatic gested the same sort of inflammatory immune cell suppression was responsi-
hyperplasia.
ble for the documented effects.
Other animal studies with rats (in 2000 and 2002) reported that water extracts
of nettle lowered blood pressure, reduced heart rate, and had notable diuretic
actions.^^^^ One of the studies reported that a nettle root extract performed bet-
ter than the control drug used (furosemide) at reducing blood pressure, increas-
ing urine output, and increasing sodium excretion. Earlier studies reported
nettle had no effect on blood pressure in rats^^ but demonstrated a notable
hypotensive effect in cats.^^ It was also shown to have a pain-relieving effect in
mice,^^ a sedative effect in rats and mice,^^'^^ as well as to inhibit drug-induced

convulsions and lower the body temperature of rats.^°
The last area of research on nettle focuses on its usefulness for prostate
inflammation (prostatitis) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In more than
twenty clinical studies thus far, combined with other
nettle root (and nettle
herbs) has demonstrated an improvement of clinical symptoms in BPH and
prostatitis. (Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland and surround-
ing tissues usually caused by bacteria. BPH is an age-related non-malignant

enlargement of the prostate gland due to increased numbers of cells triggered
to grow in the prostate.) While nettle's benefit for prostatitis is most probably
related to documented anti-inflammatory properties demonstrated in the

its
arthritis and rhinitis research, its effect on BPH is quite different it works on —
a hormonal level.
BPH, the most common disease of the prostate that generally affects men
starting from the age of 40, actually occurs on a hormonal level. Androgens like
testosterone as well as estrogens (such as estradiol and estrone) have been
shown to cause BPH in animal studies.^^ While testosterone plays a role in BPH,
it is rather the conversion of testosterone to the extremely potent dihy-
drotestosterone that is the problem (and this conversion naturally increases as
men age for some unexplained reason). In excess, dihydrotestosterone causes

pathological prostate growth. ^2 Estrogens, which also increase as men age,
influences prostate tissue by stimulating prostate cell growth. These main
hormones travel around the body in a free state, as well as bound to proteins.
One such protein is called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG); its role is
to maintain a dynamic hormonal balance in the body. SHBG binds or attaches

to hormones and them to different receptor sites on cell membranes
carries
throughout the body, where they can be utilized in different ways. The effect
it has depends on which hormone it binds to, and which receptor site it is car-
ried to. For instance, in men, estrogen and dihydrotestosterone bound to SHBG
are usually carried to the receptor sites on the prostate gland, and once there
in excessive amounts, can stimulate prostate tissue cells to divide and grow
rapidly —resulting in BPH.

Some of the more recent research on BPH and nettle indicates that nettle can
interfere with or block a number of these hormone-related chemical processes
in the body that are implicated in the development of BPH. In clinical research,
nettle has demonstrated the ability to stop the conversion of testosterone to

dihydrotestosterone (by inhibiting an enzyme required for the conversion), as
well as to directly bind to SHBG itself — thereby preventing SHBG from bind-
ing to other hormones.^‘^'^'’ Other research also reveals that nettle can prevent
SHBG that has already bound to a hormone from attaching to the receptor sites
on the prostate,^^ as well as decrease the production of estrogens (estradiol and

estrone) by inhibiting an enzyme required for their production.
It all sounds a bit complicated, but basically, most of the complex intercellu-
lar processes required to trigger the prostate to grow new

and enlarge cells
seem to be inhibited by nettle. This is great news for men suffering from BPH
(and there are millions)! Human and animal studies have confirmed these
effects and benefits. In one study, a nettle root extract was shown to inhibit the
growth of prostate cells by 30 percent in five days;-^ another reported it inhib-

ited BPH
mice by 51.4 percent (which suggested it could be used as a pre-
in
ventative as well as a treatment).^‘^ In a study with 134 men with BPH, 300 mg
of nettle root (with 25 mg of another plant called Pygeuni) reduced retained
urine (blocked by enlarged prostates) and reduced frequent urination at night
(a bothersome symptom of BPH) in twenty-eight days.^° A randomized dou-
ble-blind clinical was conducted with 543 BPH patients who were given a
trial
combination of saw palmetto and nettle root or a drug called finasteride?^ The
average urine flow increased in both groups, while urinary urgency and fre-
quency decreased in both groups. Other BPH symptoms also decreased in both
groups, and, as usual, fewer side effects were reported by those taking the
herbal combination than those taking the drug.
It same androgen hormones have profound
also should be noted that these
effects on scalp and body hair in both males and females. Hair loss in both men
and women has been linked to excessive dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels.^^

While no clinical studies have been conducteci yet on the use of nettle in treat-
ing DHT-related hair loss and male pattern balding, research does indicate that
nettle root can prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Interestingly, a
U.S. patent has recently been filed on an herbal combination containing nettle
root for the treatment of male pattern baldness7^ More research is sure to fol-
low, as this is a highly popular and profitable area of research.
CURRENT Over the last several years, more consumers and practitioners have been learn-
PRACTICAL USES irig of nettle's many uses for prostate problems, arthritis and inflammation in
general, allergies, and hair loss, and it follows that more nettle products are
showing up on the shelves in stores. Nettle root, nettle leaf, and whole herb
(leaf, stem, and root) products in tablets, capsules, and tinctures are now wide-
ly available at most health food stores at very reasonable prices. Consumers just
need to remember that the root is much better for BPH and hair loss, while the
leaf is better for inflammation (including prostatitis), allergies, and as a natural
diuretic for people with hypertension.
Unfortunately, consumers (and even natural product manufacturers) over-
look these important distinctions between the root and leaf when searching for
natural remedies and products. Nettle is now an ingredient in many herbal for-
mulas for prostate health, which are sold in the U.S. market. Pay close attention
to the ingredients stated on the labels however; the root is needed for BPH, and
the leaves will provide much better results for prostatitis. As a general preven-
tative to prostate problems, and for maintaining healthy prostate functions as
well as male hormonal levels, clinical research suggests the root will work bet-
ter than the leaf as well.
Traditional Both the root and the leaves are traditionally prepared as infusions. Dosages
Preparation depend on what one is taking it for. In herbal medicine systems, as a healthy
prevention to prostate difficulties or to maintain prostate health, V2 cup of a root
infusion two to three times weekly is recommended (2-3 ml of a root tincture
or 2-3 g of powdered root in capsules or tablets can be substituted if desired).
The natural remedy for BPH is V2 cup of a root infusion two to three times
daily for thirty to ninety days (2-3 ml of a root tincture or 2-3 g in capsules or
tablets two to three times daily can be substituted if desired). For allergies,
inflammation, and hypertension: 1 cup of a leaf infusion is taken twice daily
in traditional medicine systems. This also can be substituted by taking 3^ g of

leaf tablets/capsules twice daily.
Contraindications Nettle has been documented in animal studies to lower blood pressure and
heart rate. Those with heart conditions should seek the advice and supervision
of a health practitioner to determine if nettle is suitable for their condition and
to monitor its effects.
Nettle has been documented to have diuretic effects. Chronic use of this
plant may be contraindicated in various medical conditions where diuretics are

not advised. Chronic long-term use of any diuretic can cause electrolyte and
mineral imbalances. Consult your doctor if you choose to use this plant chron-
ically for longer than thirty days concerning possible side effects of long-term
diuretic use.
Drug Interactions Nettle may potentiate heart medications as well as diuretic drugs.

Region Uses
Belize for childbirth, diarrhea, dysentery, prostate problems, rashes, skin problems, sores
Brazil for asthma, bleeding, bronchitis, cough, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, liver support, lung problems,
menstrual disorders, pneumonia, skin disorders, ulcers, urinary problems, and to increase perspiration
Cuba for bruises, burns, flu, hemorrhoids, urinary insufficiency, wounds

Dominican for dysentery, fertility (veterinary), lung problems, and to increase perspiration
Republic
Germany for arthritis, inflammation, prostate diseases, rheumatism, urinary insufficiency, urinary tract disorders
Greece for asthma, inflammation, pleurisy, spleen disorders, urinary insufficiency, and as a laxative
Guatemala for bruises, dermatitis, erysipelas, fever, gonorrhea, kidney disease, skin disease, skin irritation/eruptions,
sores, ulcers, wounds, and to increase perspiration
Haiti for blood purification, coughs, diarrhea, digestive problems, fever, flu, fractures, scurvy, skin problems,
wounds
India for eczema, nosebleeds, skin eruptions, uterine hemorrhages
Mexico for asthma, chest problems, childbirth, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, elephantiasis, fever, gastrointestinal
disorders, hemorrhages, kidney problems, leprosy, malaria, rashes, skin problems, syphilis, uterine disorders,
wounds
Peru for arthritis, asthma, bleeding, diabetes, dysentery, hair, head lice, hemorrhoids, inflammation, intestinal
inflammation, kidney stones, liver disease, muscle pain, nasal ulcers, pain, respiratory problems, rheumatism,
sciatica, swelling, urinary insufficiency, wounds, as a diuretic and expectorant, and to increase perspiration
United for allergies, arthritis, BPH, bleeding, hair loss, hypertension, inflammation, prostatitis, rhinitis, sinusitis,
States urinary insufficiency, wounds

Venezuela for syphilis and wounds, to lower body temperature, and increase perspiration
Elsewhere for aches, allergic rhinitis, asthma, bacterial infections, baldness, bleeding, bronchitis, bruises, burns, cancer,
catarrh, chest problems, childbirth, cholecystitis, constipation, cough, dandruff, diarrhea, dyspnea, edema,
elephantiasis, epilepsy, fever, gout, hair loss, hemorrhages, hypertension, insanity, iron-deficiency anemia,
kidney stones, leprosy, liver diseases, lung problems, menstrual disorders, neuralgia, obesity, osteoarthritis,
pain, paralysis, prostate disorders, rheumatism, skin diseases, sprains, stomach problems, swelling, tumors,
urinary insufficiency, urinary problems, uterine disorders, worms, wounds, and to promote perspiration
PASSIONFLOWER
• relieves pain • kills germs Leaves
• reduces anxiety • enhances libido Infusion: I cup two to three

• increases urination times daily
• relieves depression
• lowers blood pressure Tablets/Capsules: 1-3 g two

• stops convulsions • expels worms
Family: Passifloraceae • reduces spasms
Genus: Passiflora • calms nerves

• mildly sedative
Species: incarnata, edulis
• tranquilizes
Common Names:
maracuja, passionflower,
carkifelek, charkhi felek. Passionflower is a hardy woody vine that grows up to 10 m long and puts off
maypop, maypop tendrils, enabling it to climb up and over other plants in the rainforest canopy
passionflower, saa’t gulu.
Itbears striking, large white flowers with pink or purple centers. The flowers
ward assa’ah, zahril
gave it the name passionflower {or flozver of passion) because Spanish missionar-
aalaam. granadilla,
ies thought they represented some of the objects associated with the Crucifixion
passionvine. maracoc.
apricot-vine, saa’t gulu. of Christ. The vine produces a delicious fruit which is about the size of a large
ward assa’ah. zahril lemon, wrinkling slightly when ripe. Passionflower, called maracujd in the Ama-
aalaam zon, is indigenous to many tropical and semi-tropical areas from South Amer- —
Parts Used: vine, leaves. ica toNorth America. There are over 200 species of passionflower vines; the
stem, fruit most prevalent species in the Amazon are Passiflora edulis and P. incarnata.
TRIBAL Passion fruit is enjoyed by all rainforest inhabitants — humans and animals
have been domesticated for the production
AND HERBAL alike. Several species of Passiflora
MEDICINE USES of their edible fruit. The yellow, gelatinous pulp inside the fruit is eaten out of
hand, as well as mixed with water and sugar to make drinks, sherbet, jams and
jellies, and even salad dressings. Indigenous tribes throughout the Amazon
have long used passionfk^wer leaves for its sedative and pain-relieving prop-
erties; the fruit is used as a heart tonic and to calm coughs.
In many countries Passionflower was first "discovered" in Peru by a Spanish doctor named
around the world, the Monardes in 1569 who documented the indigenous uses and took it back to the
use of passionflower Old World where it quickly became a favorite calming and sedative herb tea.
leaves to tranquilize and Spanish conquerors of Mexico and South America also learned its use from the
settle edgy nerves has Aztec Indians, and it eventually became widely cultivated in Europe. Since its
been documented for introduction into European herbal medicine systems, passionflower has been
over 200 years. extensively used as a sedative, antispasmodic, and nerve tonic. The leaf infu-
sion was introduced in North American medicine in the mid 1800s as a seda-
five through native and slave use in the South. It was also used for headaches,
bruises, and general pain by applying the bruised leaves topically to the affect-
ed area. In many countries in Europe, the U.S., and Canada, the use of pas-
sionflower leaves to tranquilize and settle edgy nerves has been documented
for over 200 years. It also has been employed for colic, diarrhea, dysentery,
menstrual difficulties, insomnia, neuralgia, eye disorders, epilepsy and con-

vulsions, and muscle spasms and pain.
PLANT Chemical analysis of passionflower indicates it contains three main groups of

CHEMICALS active chemicals: alkaloids, glycosides, and flavonoids. Interestingly, when
the glycosides and flavonoids are isolated and tested individually, they have
demonstrated the opposite effects for which the plant is commonly used. Only
when the two groups of chemicals are combined as a whole herb, do researchers
observe the plant's sedative effect. Passionflower also contains naturally
occurring serotonin, as well as a chemical called maltol, which has documented
sedative effects (and which might explain the natural calming properties of pas-
sionflower)."^ A group of harmane alkaloids in passionflower have demonstrat-
ed antispasmodic activity and the ability to lower blood pressure."^ In addition,
a flavonoid named chrysin has demonstrated significant anti-anxiety activity.
Main plant chemicals include alkaloids, alpha-alanine, apigenin, aribine,
chrysin, citric acid, coumarin, cyclopassifloic acids A-D, cyclopassiflosides I-VI,
diethyl malonate, edulan I, edulan II, flavonoids, glutamine, gynocardin, har-
mane, harmaline, harmalol, harmine, harmol, homoorientin, isoorientin,
isoschaftoside, isovitexin, kaempferol, loturine, lucenin-2, lutenin-2, luteolin,
n-nonacosane, orientin, passicol, passiflorine, passifloric acid, pectin, phenolic
acids, phenylalanine, proline, prunasin, quercetin, raffinose, sambunigrin,
saponarin, saponaretin, saponarine, schaftoside, scopoletin, serotonin, sitos-
terol, and stigmasterol.
BIOLOGICAL Passionflower (as well as its harmane have been the subject of much
alkaloids)
ACTIVITIES scientific research. After almost 100 years of study the sedative, antispasmod-
AND CLINICAL ic,and analgesic effects of this tropical vine have been firmly established in sci-
ence. The analgesic effects of passionflower were first clinically documented in
RESEARCH
1897, while the sedative effects were first recorded in 1904.^'® Antispasmodic,
After almost 100 years of anti-anxiety,and hypotensive actions of passionflower leaves were clinically
study, the sedative, anti- validated in the early I980s.^ An extract of the fruit demonstrated anti-inflam-
spasmodic, and analgesic matory^^ and tranquilizing effects^’ in animal studies. Also, a leaf extract has
effects of this tropical shown to have diuretic activity in rats.^^
vine have been firmly Passionflower has traditionally been used as an aphrodisiac, and recent clin-
established in science. ical studies with mice have verified this use as well. In a 2003 study, a leaf
extract was reported improve overall sexual function, and increase sperm
to
count, fertilization potential, and litter sized^ Its traditional use for coughs has
been confirmed as well. In a 2002 study with mice, a passionflower leaf extract
was shown to be comparable to the cough suppressant action of codeine.
CURRENT Passionflower is widely employed by herbalists and natural health practition-

PRACTICAL USES ers around the world today for its sedative, nervine, anti-spasmodic, and anal-
gesic effects. In the United States, P. incarnata is the species most used to treat
insomnia, muscle cramps, hysteria, neuralgia, menstrual cramps, and PMS, and
as a pain-reliever in various conditions. In Europe, it is employed for nervous
disorders, insomnia, spasms, neuralgia, alcoholism, hyperactivity in children,
rapid heartbeat, headaches, and as a pain-reliever and antispasmodic. In South
America, P. edulis is the species most used as a sedative, diuretic, and antispas-
modic, and for convulsions, alcoholism, headaches, insomnia, colic in infants,
diarrhea, hysteria, neuralgia, menopausal symptoms, and hypertension. In
South America, the fruit juice is also used as a natural remedy to calm hyper-
active children, as well as for asthma, whopping cough, bronchitis, and other
tough coughs. In Peruvian traditional medicine today, passionfruit juice is used
for urinary infections and as a mild diuretic.
Passionflower leaves are classified as "'Generally Regarded as Safe" by the
FDA. They are the subject of various European monographs for medicinal
plants and are generally regarded as safe even for children and infants.
Traditional The leaves are typically prepared in standard infusions. Dosages are 1 cup taken
Preparation two to three times daily, or 2-3 g in tablets or capsules two to three times daily
can be substituted, if desired.

Region Uses
delirium, depression,
Brazil for alcoholism, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, constipation, convulsions, cough,
infantile convulsions,
diarrhea, flu, gout, headache, hemorrhoids, hyperactivity, hypertension, hysteria,
insomnia, irritability, menopause, menstrual disorders, nerve pain,
nervous disorders, rheumatism, stress,
ulcers, urinary insufficiency, whopping cough, worms (intestinal); and as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic,
heart tonic, pain-reliever, and sedative
hysteria, insomnia, muscle problems, nerve pain, nerve

England for anxiety, eye problems, headaches, hypertension,
weakness, pain, restlessness, spasms, and as a relaxant and tranquilizer
Europe for agitation, anxiety, asthma, insomnia, irritability, menopause, menstrual disorders, nervousness, pain,
palpitations, restlessness, stress
Peru for epilepsy, heart problems, hypertension, insomnia, muscular spasms, nervousness, tetanus,
and as an
aphrodisiac and sedative
South for burns, colic, depression, diarrhea, dysentery, epilepsy, eruptions, eye
America disorders, headache, hemorrhoids, hyperactivity, hypertension, hysteria, inflammation, insomnia,
menopause,
menstrual disorders, nerve pain, nervousness, neurosis, pain, seizures, skin problems, spasms, worms; and
as an aphrodisiac, diuretic, and sedative
Turkey for epilepsy, insomnia, menstrual disorders, neuralgia, neurosis, spasms, and as
a sedative
United for agitation, anxiety, asthma, burns, depression, diarrhea, epilepsy, headache, hypertension,
hysteria,
States inflammation, insomnia, menstrual disorders, mood disorders, nervous complaints, neuralgia, seizures,
shingles, spasms; and as an aphrodisiac, pain-reliever, sedative, and tranquilizer
Elsewhere for anxiety, asthma, epilepsy, heart problems (palpitation, tachycardia), hypertension, hysteria,
insomnia,
menstrual disorders, mood disorders, neuralgia, nicotine addiction, pain, sexual dysfunction, shingles,
spasms
PATA DE VACA
• lowers blood sugar • expels worms Leaves
• improves diabetes • kills snails Infusion: 1 cup two to three
• cleanses blood • tones body systems times daily
• increases urination Capsules/Tablets: 2 g two
• lowers cholesterol to three times daily
• lowers triglycerides
Family: Leguminosae
Pata de vaca is a small tree that grows 5-9 m tall. Its leaves are 7-10 cm long
Genus: Bauhinia
and shaped like a cow's hoof, which is distinctive to the Bauhinia genus. Its
Species: forficata Brazilian name, pata dc vaca, translates to cozv s foot. It produces large, drooping
Common Names: white flowers and a brown seedpod resembling that of mimosa. It can be found
pata de vaca, casco de in the rainforests and tropical parts of Peru and Brazil, as well as in tropical
vaca, mororo, pata de zones of Asia, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina. It is quite preva-
boi, unha de boi, unha de lent in Rio de Janeiro and Brazil's Atlantic rainforest to the south. The
Bauhinia
vaca, unha-de-anta
genus comprises about 500 species of shrubs, small trees, and lianas in the trop-
Parts Used: Leaves —
ics most of which bears the distinctive cow's hoof shaped leaves.
TRIBAL The indigenous uses de vaca are not well documented, but it has long
of pata
AND HERBAL held a place in Brazilian herbal medicine. It has been described as hypo-
MEDICINE USES glycemic, a blood purifier, and a diuretic, and has been used for over sixty years
Pata de vaca is a to balance blood sugar levels in diabetics. It is considered a good blood cleanser,
popular remedy in and a leaf decoction is used internally and externally for elephantiasis and
Brazil for diabetes and snakebite, as well as other skin problems (including those of a syphilitic nature).
has been named It is a highly regarded treatment for diabetes, even being called 'Vegetable
“vegetable insulin.” insulin." As such, it is used in South America to help balance blood sugar lev-
els and to alleviate other symptoms of diabetes (such as polyuria, kidney dis-
orders, and other urinary problems). Pata de vaca leaves and tea bags are
common items on pharmacy shelves in South America; traditionally, a leaf tea
(standard infusion) is drunk after each meal to help balance sugar levels.
PLANT Scientistshave studied the constituents of pata de vaca and quantified them,
CHEMICALS however; little research has been done to determine which novel chemicals
have biological activity. The leaves do contain a well-known antibacterial chem-
ical called astragalin as well as flavonoids, alkaloids, and glycosides. The leaves
are also a good source of a flavonoid called kaempferitrin. This chemical has
been reported to help repair kidney cell damage,^ and to have a diuretic effect.^
The main plant chemicals in pata de vaca include astragalin, bauhinoside, beta-
sitosterol, flavonols, flavonoids, glycosides, guanidine, heteroglycosides,

kaempferitrin, organic acids, quercitrosides, rhamnose, and saponins.
BIOLOGICAL Pata de vaca's ability to lower blood sugar was first reported by a Brazilian
ACTIVITIES researcher in an in vivo 1929 clinical study, which was followed by another in
AND CLINICAL vivo (dog) study in 1931. The same Brazilian researcher published another
study in 1941, reporting the blood sugar-lowering effects of pata de vaca in

RESEARCH
humans, dogs, and rabbits.^ A study was funded in 1945 to determine the active
constituents responsible for its activity.^ Since a simple leaf tea was shown to
help balance sugar levels, became a popular natural remedy, however, no

it
subsequent studies were done for many years due to a lack of funding for non-
proprietary remedies and drugs.
however (when herbal remedies again were popular), pata
In the mid-1980s,
de vaca's continued use as a natural insulin substitute was reiterated in two

Brazilian studies. Both studies reported in vivo hypoglycemic actions in various
animal and human models.^'^ Chilean research in 1999 reported the actions of
pata de vaca in diabetic rats. Their study determined that pata de vaca was
found to "elicit remarkable hypoglycemic and brought about a
effects,"
39%."*^ In 2002, two in vivo
"decrease of glycemia in alloxan diabetic rats by
studies on the blood sugar-lowering effects of pata de vaca were conducted by
two separate research groups The first study reported "a significant
in Brazil.
blood glucose-lowering effect in normal and diabetic rats."^^ In the second

study, 150 g of the leaf (per liter of water) was given to diabetic rats as their
drinking water. Researchers reported that, after one month, those receiving pata
de vaca had a "'significant reduction in serum and urinary glucose and urinary
urea" as compared to the control group.
Clinical studies from 1929 In 2004, a research group reported that pata de vaca again lowered blood
up to the present verify sugar in rats and also reduced triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HDL-choles-
and validate pata de vaca’s terol levels in diabetic rats, stating, "These results suggest the validity of the
benefits for diabetes. clinical use of B. forficata in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 11." Other
The most recent studies Brazilian researchers reported in 2004 that pata de vata, as well as a single
suggest it lowers not chemical extracted from the leaves called kaempferitrin, significantly lowered
only blood sugar, but blood sugar in diabetic rats at all dosages but lowered blood sugar in normal
cholesterol as well. rats only at the highest dosages.^^ They also documented an antioxidant effect.
Toxicity studies published in 2004 indicate there were no toxic effects in either
normal or diabetic rats,^"^ including pregnant diabetic rats.^^
CURRENT Pata de vaca continues to be a popular natural medicine in South America for
PRACTICAL USES diabetes, and clinical research there supports its use. A standard infusion is
brewed and drunk after each meal, and pata de vaca is often combined with
pedra hume caa (another South American plant featured in this book) for this
after-meal tea. North American and herbalists are now using
practitioners it in
their practices for diabetes, hyperglycemia, and polyuria.
Traditional In South America, 1 cup of a standard leaf infusion is taken three times daily
Preparation with or after meals for diabetes. If desired, 2 g in tablets or capsules three times
daily can be substituted.
Contraindications Pata de vaca lowers blood sugar levels. It is contraindicated in those with hypo-
glycemia. Diabetics who wish to use this plant should seek the advice and
supervision of a qualified health care practitioner as blood sugar levels will
need to be monitored carefully, and medications may need adjustments.
Drug Interactions Pata de vaca will potentiate antidiabetic and insulin medications.

Region Uses
Amazonia for diabetes, diarrhea, and as a tonic
Brazil for blood cleansing, central nervous system disorders, cystitis, diabetes, diarrhea, elephantiasis,
hyperglycemia, intestinal worms, kidney problems, kidney stones, leprosy, obesity, polyuria, skin
disorders, snakebite, syphilis, urinary diseases, and as an astringent and diuretic
Chile for diabetes
Peru for diabetes and as a tonic
Elsewhere for diabetes and as a uterine relaxant

PAU D'ARCO
• kills bacteria • thins blood Bark, Heartwood
• kills fungi • enhances immunity Decoction: '/j - 1 cup two
• kills cancer cells • mildly laxative to four times daily
• kills leukemia cells • relieves rheumatism Tincture: 2-3 ml two to

three times daily
• kills viruses • dries secretions
Capsules/Tablets: not
• relieves pain
recommended
• kills parasites
• reduces tumors
Family: Bignoniaceae Pau d'arco huge canopy tree native to the Amazon rainforest and other
is a
Genus; Tabebuia tropical parts of South and Latin America. It grows to 30 m high and the base
of the tree can be 6-10 feet in diameter. The Tabebuia genus includes about 100
Species: impetiginosa
species of large, flowering trees that are common to South American cities'
Common Names: landscapes and are known for their beauty. The tree also is popular with tim-
pau d’arco, ipe, ipe roxo,
lapacho, tahuari, taheebo.
ber loggers — wood is some of the heaviest, most durable wood
its high-c]uality
in the tropics. Pau d'arco wood is widely used in the construction of everything
trumpet tree, ipe-contra-
sarna, tabebuia ipe, tajy

from houses and boats to farm tools. The common name pan d'arco (as well as
its other main names of commerce, /pc roxo and lapacho) is used for several dif-
Parts Used: bark,
ferent species of Tabebuia trees that are used interchangeably in herbal medicine
heartwood
systems. T. impetiginosa is known for its attractive purple flowers and often is
called "purple lapacho." It has been the preferred species employed in herbal
medicine. It is often referred to by its other botanical name, Tabebuia avellauedae;

both refer to the same tree. Other pau d'arco species produce pink (T. hepda-
phylla), yellow T chrysantha) or white (7. bahamensis) flowers.

(T. serratifolia and
Though many of these species may have a similar phytochemical makeup, they
are different species of trees.
TRIBAL Pau d'arco has a long and well-documented history of use by the indigenous
AND HERBAL peoples of the rainforest. Indications imply that its use may actually predate the
MEDICINE USES Incas. Throughout South America, tribes living thousands of miles apart have
employed it for the same medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. Several
Indian tribes of the rainforest have used pau d'arco wood for centuries to make
their hunting bows; their common names for the tree mean "bow stick" and
"bow stem." The Guarani and Tupi Indians call the tree tajy, which means "to
have strength and vigor." They use the bark to treat many different conditions
and as a tonic for the same strength and vigor it puts into their bows. Pau d'ar-
co is recorded to be used by forest inhabitants throughout the Amazon for
malaria, anemia, colitis, respiratory problems, colds, cough, flu, fungal infec-
tions, fever, arthritis and rheumatism, snakebite, poor circulation, boils,
syphilis, and cancer.
In North American herbal Pau d'arco also has a long history in herbal medicine around the world. In
medicine, pau d’arco is South American herbal medicine, it is considered to be astringent, anti-inflam-
considered to be anti- matory, antibacterial, antifungal, and laxative; it is used to treat ulcers, syphilis,
oxidant, antiparasitic, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal problems, Candida and yeast infections,
antimicrobial, antifungal, cancer, diabetes, prostatitis, constipation, and allergies. It is used in Brazilian
antiviral, antibacterial, herbal medicine for many conditions including cancer, leukemia, ulcers, dia-
anti-inflammatory, and betes, candidiasis, rheumatism, arthritis, prostatitis, dysentery, stomatitis, and
laxative, as well as to boils. In North American herbal medicine, pau d'arco is considered to be anal-
have anticancerous and gesic, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antibacter-
pain-relieving properties. ial, anti-inflammatory, and laxative, as well as to have anticancerous properties.
It is used for fevers, infections, colds, flu, syphilis, urinary tract infections, can-
cer, respiratory problems, skin ulcerations, boils, dysentery, gastrointestinal

problems of all kinds, arthritis, prostatitis, and circulation disturbances. Pau
d'arco also is employed in herbal medicine systems in the United States for
lupus, diabetes, ulcers, leukemia, allergies, liver disease, Hodgkin's disease,

osteomyelitis, Parkinson's disease, and psoriasis, and is a popular natural rem-
edy for Candida and yeast infections. The recorded uses in European herbal
medicine systems reveal that it is used in much the same way as in the United
States, and for the same conditions.
PLANT The chemical constituents and active ingredients of pau d'arco have been well
CHEMICALS documented. Its use with (and reported cures for) various types of cancers
fueled much of the early research in the early 1960s. The plant contains a large
amount of chemicals known as qiiinoids, and a small quantity of benzenoids
and flavonoids. These quinoids (and, chiefly, anthraquinones, furanonaphtho-
quinones, lapachones, and naphthoquinones) have shown the most document-
ed biological activity and are seen to be the center of the plant's efficacy as an
herbal remedy. In the 1960s, plant extracts of the heartwood and bark demon-
strated marked antitumorous which drew the interest of the
effects in animals,
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Researchers decided that the most potent sin-
gle chemical for this activity was a naphthoquinone chemical named lapachol
and they concentrated solely on this single chemical in their subsequent cancer
research. In a 1968 study, lapachol demonstrated highly significant activity
against cancerous tumors in rats.^
Cancer research By 1970,NCI-backed research already was testing lapachol in human cancer
on several powerful patients. The institute reported, however, that their first Phase I study failed to
chemicals in pau d’arco produce a therapeutic effect without side effects —and they discontinued fur-
has been ongoing since ther cancer research shortly thereafter.^ These side effects were nausea and
the 1960s. vomiting (very common with chemotherapy drugs) and anti-vitamin K activi-
ty (the main concerns being this causes anemia and an anticoagulation effect).
Interestingly, other chemicals in the whole plant extract (which, initially,
showed positive anti-tumor effects and very low toxicity) demonstrated posi-
tive effects on vitamin K and, conceivably, compensated for lapachol's negative
effect. Once again, instead of pursuing research on a complex combination of
at least twenty active chemicals in a whole plant extract (several of which had
anti-tumor effects and other positive biological activities), research focused on
a single, patentable chemical —and it didn't work as well.
Despite NCTs abandonment of the research, another group developed a
lapachol analog (which was patentable) in 1975. One study reported that this
lapachol analog increased the life span of mice inoculated with leukemic cells
by over 80 percent.^ In a small, uncontrolled, 1980 study of nine human patients
with various cancers (liver, kidney, breast, prostate, and cervix), pure lapachol
was reported to shrink tumors and reduce pain caused by them —and three of
the patients realized complete remissions."^
The phytochemical database housed at the U.S. Department of Agriculture
has documented lapachol as being anti-abscess, anticarcinomic, antiedemic,
anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antiseptic, antitumorous, antiviral, bacteri-
cidal, fungicidal, insectifugal, pesticidal, protisticidal, respiratory depressant,
schistosomicidal, termiticidal, and viricidal.^ It's not surprising that pau d'ar-
co's beneficial effects were seen to stem from its lapachol content. But anoth-
er chemical in pau d'arco, beta-lapachone, has been studied closely of
late —and a number of recent patents have been filed on it. It has demon-
strated in laboratory studies to have activities similar to lapachol (antimi-
crobial,^ antifungal,^ antiviral,^ antitumorous,'^ antileukemic,*^ and
anti-inflammatory^^), with few side effects. In one of these studies on beta-
lapachone and other quinones pau d'arco, researchers reported: "Because
in
of their potent activity against the growth of human keratinocytes, some

lapachol-derived compounds appear to be promising as effective antipsori-
atic agents." In a 2002 U.S. patent, beta-lapachone was cited to have signif-
icant anticancerous activity against human cancer cell lines including:
promyelocytic leukemia, prostate, malignant glioma, colon, hepatoma,
breast, ovarian, pancreatic, multiple myeloma cell lines and drug-resistant
cell lines. In yet another U.S. patent, beta-lapachone was cited with the in
vivo ability to inhibit the growth of prostate tumors.*^
The main plant chemicals in pau d'arco include: acetaldehydes, alpha-lapa-

chone, ajugols, anisic acid, anthraquinones, benzoic acids, benzenes, beta-lapa-
chone, carboxaldehydes, chromium, chrysanthemin, dehydro-alpha-lapachone,
dehydroisolapachone, deoxylapachol, flavonoids,furanonaphthoquinones,
hydrochlorolapachol, 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-quinone, 6-hydroxy-mellein, iso-8-
hydroxy-lariciresinol, kigelinone, lapachenol, lapachenole, lapachol, lapa-
chones, menaquinones, 4-methoxyphenol, naphthoquinones, paeonidin-3-
cinnamyl-soplioroside, phthiolol, quercetin, tabebuin, tectoquinone, vanillic
acid, vanillin, veratric acid, veratric aldehyde, and xyloidone.
BIOLOGICAL In addition to its reported anti-tumor and antileukemic activities, pau d'arco
ACTIVITIES clearly has demonstrated broad spectrum actions against a number of disease-
causing microorganisms, which supports wide array of uses in herbal med-
AND CLINICAL its
RESEARCH icine. Antimicrobial properties of many of pau d'arco's active phytochemicals
were demonstrated in several clinical studies, in which they exhibited strong in
vitro activity against bacteria, fungi, and yeast (including Candida, Aspergillus,
Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Helicobacter pylori. Brucella, tuberculosis, pneumo-

nia, and dysentery
Laboratory studies over In addition to its isolated chemicals, a hot water extract of pau d'arco
the years reveal that demonstrated antibacterial actions against Stapihylococcus aureus,^^ Helicobacter
pau d’arco has a broad- pylord^ (the bacteria that commonly causes stomach ulcers), and Brucella.^^ A
spectrum action against water extract of pau d'arco was reported (in other in vitro clinical research) to
various bacteria, viruses, have strong activity against eleven fungus and yeast strains.^^ Pau d'arco and
yeast, and fungi, which its chemicals also have demonstrated in vitro antiviral properties against vari-
supports its traditional ous viruses, including herpes I and II, influenza, polio virus, and vesicular
uses against so many stomatitis virus.^^”^^^ Its antiparasitic actions against various parasites (includ-
types of diseases. ing malaria, schistosoma, and trypanosoma) have been confirmed as well.^^'^^'^^
Finally, bark extracts of pau d'arco have ciemonstrated anti-inflammatory activ-

ity and have shown success against a wide range of induced inflammation in
mice anci rats.^^
CURRENT Pau d'arco is an important resource from the rainforest with many applications
PRACTICAL USES in herbal medicine. Unfortunately, its popularity and use have been controver-
sial due to varying results obtained from its use. For the most part, these seem
to have been caused by a lack of quality control —
and confusion as to which
part of the plant to use and how to prepare it. Many species of Tabebuia, as well
as other completely unrelated tree species exported today from South America
as "pau d'arco," have few to none of the active constituents of the true medic-
inal species.
Pau d'arco lumber is in high demand in South America. The inner bark shav-
ings commonly exported and Europe are actually by-products of the

to the U.S.
South American timber and lumber industries. At least ten species of Tabebiiia
are logged commercially in South America for lumber purposes alone. When
these logs arrive at lumber mills, the identifying leaves and flowers (which dis-
tinguish the tree species) are long gone— it's all just "pau d'arco." This may
explain varying species of pau d'arco bark being sold as herbal products— and
their resulting (diminished) quality. Even mahogany shavings from the same
sawmill floors in Brazil are swept up and sold around the world as "pau d'ar-
co" (due to the similarity in color and odor of the two woods).^^ In 1987, a
chemical analysis of twelve commercially available pau d'arco products
revealed only one product containing lapachol —and only in trace amounts.^^
As lapachol concentration typically is 2-7 percent in true pau d'arco, the study
surmised that the products were not truly pau d'arco, or that processing and
transportation had damaged them. Additionally, most pau d'arco research has
centered on the heartwood of the tree.
Most of the commercially available products, though, contain just the inner
bark of the tree —which is stripped off at sawmills when the heartwood is
milled into lumber for construction materials. Laboratory analysis has always
confirmed that the lapachol content is in higher concentration in the heartwood
than the bark. Einally, many consumers and practitioners are unaware that, for
the best results when extracting these particular active chemicals (even after
obtaining the correct species), the bark and/or wood must be boiled at least
ten to fifteen minutes —rather than brewed as a simple tea or infusion (lapachol
and the other quinoids are not very water soluble).
It is consumers and practitioners are experi-
therefore not surprising that
encing spotty results with commercially available pau d'arco products. With its
many effective applications, however, it would behoove consumers to take the
time to learn about the available products and suppliers, and find a reliable
source for this important medicinal plant from the rainforest. Relatively new in
the marketplace are standardized extracts of pau d'arco (that guarantee the
amount of lapachol and/or naphthoquinones). In such a product, it would be
unclear if other active quinones and phytochemicals have been extracted (and
towhat extent) in these chemically altered products. Although the natural
wood and bark are quite effective when the correct species is used and prepared
properly, the new standardized extracts may be the safer (yet more expensive)
purchase for most laypersons and general consumers concerned about quality
but who don't have the time to research each product.
There have been no reports of human toxicity when a whole-bark decoction
or tincture of pau d'arco is used. The oral 50 percent lethal dosage (LD'^^b for
lapachol is reported to be 1.2-2. 4 g/kg (body weight) in rats and 487-621
388
mg/kg in mice. Signs of toxicity in humans (vomiting/ diarrhea) were report-
ed at oral dosages of 1,500 mg daily (and higher) of pure lapachol. However,

even at these dosages, no bone marrow, liver, or kidney toxicity was noted.
Good quality pau d'arco {Tabebiiia Unpet igirwsa) contains an average of 4 percent
lapachol (or 40 mg of lapachol per gram of pau d'arco bark/ wood).
Trclditionsl From V2— 1 cup bark and/or heartwood decoction is taken orally two to four
Preparation times daily. (Do not prepare an infusion/tea for this plant — it will not be as
effective.) This decoction also is employed traditionally as a douche for yeast
infections (use once daily for three consecutive days) and is used topically on
the skin for skin fungi (such as nail fungus and athlete's foot).
Contraindications There have been no reports in the literature of contraindications when a whole-
bark decoction or tincture is used. However, at least one isolated phytochemi-
cal in pau d'arco, lapachol, has demonstrated abortive properties and retarded
fetal growth in animal studies. As there are no studies confirming the safety of
traditional bark decoctions used by pregnant women (nor is there documenta-

tion in traditional medicine systems of women using this plant during preg-
nancy), the use of pau d'arco during pregnancy is not recommended.
Large single dosages of pau d'arco decoctions (more than 1 cup) may cause
gastrointestinal upset and/or nausea. Do not use in high doses unless under
the advice of a qualified health practitioner; reduce dosage if nausea occurs.

Region Uses
Amazonia for colds, cough, fever, flu, leishmaniasis, sores, urinary tract infections
Argentina for diarrhea, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections
Bahamas for backaches, gonorrhea, incontinence, toothache, urinary disorders
Brazil for allergies, arthritis, asthma, athlete’s foot, bacterial infections, bed-wetting, boils, bursitis, cancer, cancer
pain, Candida, circulation (poor), colds, colitis, constipation, cystitis, diabetes, dysentery, eczema, fever, flu,
fungal infections, gastritis, gingivitis, gonorrhea, hemorrhages, hemorrhoids, hernia, herpes, Hodgkin’s
disease, immune disorders, impetigo, inflammation, itch, leishmaniasis, leukemia, liver disorders, malaria,
parasites, prostatitis, psoriasis, respiratory problems, rheumatism, ringworm, scabies, skin problems,
snakebite, sore throat, stomach problems, stomatitis, syphilis, tendonitis, ulcers, urinary tract infections,
uterine disorders, vaginal discharge, varicose veins, warts, wounds: and as an astringent, blood builder,
diuretic, pain-reliever, and tonic
Costa Rica for cancer, colds, fever, headaches, snakebites
Mexico for anemia, fever

South for allergies, anemia, arthritis, bacterial infections, boils, cancer, Candida, circulation problems, colds, colitis,
America constipation, cough, cystitis, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, flu, fungal infections, gastritis, gastrointestinal
problems, inflammation, malaria, pharyngitis, prostatitis, respiratory diseases, snakebites, syphilis, ulcers,
urinary disorders
United for allergies, arthritis, bacterial infections, boils, cancer, Candida, circulation disturbances, colds, constipation,
States diabetes, dysentery, fevers, flu, fungal infections, gastrointestinal problems, Hodgkin’s disease, inflammation,
leukemia, liver disease, lupus, osteomyelitis, parasites, Parkinson’s disease, prostatitis, psoriasis, respiratory
problems, skin ulcerations, syphilis, ulcers, urinary tract infections, viral infections, warts; and as an anti-
inflammatory, antioxidant, and pain-reliever
PEDRA HUME CAA

• lowers blood sugar • fights free radicals Leaves
• improves diabetes • dries secretions Infusion: 1 cup two to
• increases urination three times daily with
meals
• protects nerves
Tablets/Capsules: l-2g
Family: Myrtaceae two to three times da
with meals
Genus: A/lyrc/o
Species: salicifolia,
unifJorus, sphaerocarpa
Pedra hume caa is a medium-sized shrub that grows in drier regions of the
Amazon and other parts of Brazil. It has small, green leaves and large, orange-
Common Names:
red flowers. A member of the myrtle family, it is one of more than 150 species
pedra hume caa, pedra
ume-caa, vegetable insulin
of Myrcia indigenous to tropical South America and the West Indies. In Brazil,
the common name pedra hume cad refers to three species of Myrcia plants that
Parts Used: aerial parts,
leaves
are used interchangeably Myrcia salicifolia, M. uuiflorus, and M. sphaerocarpa.
TRIBAL Pedra hume caa has been used by indigenous tribes in the rainforest for dia-
AND HERBAL betes, diarrhea, and dysentery. The Taiwanos tribe (in northwest Amazonia)
MEDICINE USES considers the leaves to be astringent (dries secretions) and uses it for persistent
diarrhea. It has had a place in Brazilian traditional medicine for many years.
Dr. G. L. Cruz, a leading Brazilian practitioner and herbalist, nicknamed it "veg-
etable insulin" in 1965. Dr. Cruz noted in his book Livro Verde das Plantas Med-
icinais e Indiistriais do Brasil that "one uses all parts of the plant in infusions,
Pedra hume caa is decoctions or extracts to combat diabetes. Specialists that have made careful
another important study of medicinal plants affirm that the regular use of this plant produces
rainforest remedy surprising results in the treatment of this ailment, as in a short space of time
for diabetes. the sugar disappears from the urine. Hence the name Vegetable insulin.'
Pedra hume has long been Even decades Cruz and other Brazilian researchers and practition-
later. Dr.
used by people in remote ers are recording the actions and uses of pedra hume caa for diabetes in much
areas where insulin and the same manner. It remains a very popular natural remedy for diabetes
diabetes medications throughout South America; traditional use is a simple leaf tea with a pleasant,
simply aren’t available. slightly sweet taste taken with meals. It is also used for diarrhea, hypertension,
enteritis, hemorrhages, and mouth ulcers.
PLANT Phytochemical analysis of pedra hume caa reveals a high content of flavon-
CHEMICALS oids, flavonols, and flavanones. In 1998, Japanese researchers reported the
discovery of several novel and biologically active phytochemicals. These new
flavanone glucosides were named myrciacitrins I and II; the new acetophenone
glucosides were named myrciaphenones A and Bd Their published study report-
ed that a methanol extract of pedra hume caa (as well as these novel chemicals)
demonstrated potent inhibitory activities on aldose reductase and alpha-
glucosidase.
Research reveals that Aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) are substances that act on nerve endings
pedra hume caa is indeed exposed to high blood sugar concentration to prevent some of the chemical
beneficial for diabetes. It imbalances that occur, and thus protect the nerves. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
not only balances blood delay the digestion and subsequent absorption of sugar in the gastrointestinal
sugar levels —chemicals tract. For this reason, the novel compounds in pedra hume caa that act upon
in the plant also interfere aldose and glucosidase were seen to be (at least partially) responsible for pedra
with various processes hume caa's blood sugar-balancing properties.^ Various ARIs (both synthetic
that can cause diabetic and natural) are being studied by researchers; it is believed that these com-
complications like pounds may be helpful in reducing or preventing some side effects of dia-
neuropathy and macular —
betes including diabetic neuropathy and macular degeneration.
degeneration. Other flavonoids found in pedra hume caa (notably quercitrin, myricitrin,
guaijaverin, and desmanthin) also have shown in numerous studies to inhibit
aldose reductase and xanthine oxidase (xanthine oxidase inhibitors block the
production of uric acid).^~^ The main plant chemicals documented in pedra
hume caa include; beta-amyrin, catechin, desmanthin, gallic acid, ginkgoic acid,
guaijaverin, mearnsitrin, myrciacitrin I-V, myrciaphenone A, myrciaphenone B,
myricitrin, and quercitrin.
BIOLOGICAL Brazilian scientists have documented leaf extracts of pedra hume caa with
ACTIVITIES hypoglycemic activity since 1929.^^^ Two clinical studies published in the 1990s
AND CLINICAL again demonstrated its hypoglycemic activity and confirmed its traditional
RESEARCH use for diabetes. In a 1990 double-blind placebo clinical study with normal
and Type II diabetic patients, pedra hume caa (3 g powdered leaf daily) demon-
strated the ability to lower plasma insulin levels in the diabetic group. In a
1993 study, 250 mg/kg of a leaf extract demonstrated the ability to reduce
appetite and thirst and to reduce urine volume, urinary excretion of glucose,
and urea in diabetic rats. The extract also inhibited the intestinal absorption of
glucose. This study concluded that "aqueous extracts of Myrcia have a benefi-
cial effect on the diabetic state, mainly by improving metabolic
parameters of
glucose homeostasis."
Pedra hume caa continues to be one of the

more popular natural remedies for
PRACTICAL USES diabetes throughout South America, where it is widely known. The studies
with animals and humans have confirmed its safety, and no toxic effects or side
effects were noted. It is hoped that, with the growing diabetes epidemic in
North America, health practitioners here will look for natural alternatives and
incorporate this wonderful rainforest remedy into their natural health prac-
tices. These tropical shrubs grow very quickly and growth is encouraged by
pruning. A single shrub can be harvested of its leaves by hard pruning four
times a year or more, producing approximately 50-60 kg of leaves annually. It
is truly a wonderful and sustainable resource the rainforest offers!
Traditional One cup of leaf infusion two to three times daily is taken with meals. If desired.
Preparation 1-2 g of leaf powder in tablets or capsules with meals can be substituted.
Contraindications Pedra hume caa has been documented to lower blood sugar levels in animal
and human studies. It is contraindicated in those with hypoglycemia. Diabet-
ics who wish to use this plant should seek the advice and supervision of a qual-
ified health care practitioner, as blood sugar levels will need to be monitored
carefully and medications may need adjustments.
Pedra hume caa
has been used in South American herbal medicine for hyper-
tension. This use has not been substantiated or confirmed by clinical research.
Those with low blood pressure and/or those on medications to lower their
blood pressure should use this plant with caution and closely monitor these
possible effects.
Drug Interactions Pedra hume caa will potentiate antidiabetic medications and insulin drugs, and
may potentiate high blood pressure medications.

Region Uses
Amazonia for diabetes, diarrhea, and as an astringent
Brazil for diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, enteritis, heart problems, hemorrhages, hypertension, mouth ulcers, and as
an astringent and diuretic
392
PICAO PRETO
• kills bacteria • dries secretions Whole herb
• kills viruses • increases urination Decoction: ^lj-\ cup twice

daily
• kills germs • inhibits tumors
Tablets/Capsules: 2 g twice
• kills leukemia cells • lowers blood sugar
daily
• kills yeast • promotes menstruation
Family: Asteraceae • reduces inflammation • expels worms
Genus: Bidens • protects liver • stimulates digestion
• prevents ulcers
Species: pilosa
• inhibits stomach acid
Common Names:
• helps diabetes
picao preto, carrapicho,
• reduces spasms
amor seco, pirca, aceitilla,
cadillo, chilca, pacunga. • fights free radicals
cuambu, erva-picao,
de monte,
alfiler, clavelito
Picao preto is a small, erect annual herb that grows to 1 m high. It has bright
romehllo, saltillo, yema de
huevo, z’aiguille, jarongan, green leaves with serrated, prickly edges and produces small, yellow flowers
ketul, pau-pau pasir, and black fruit. Its root has a distinctive aroma similar to that of a carrot. It is
Spanish needles, bident indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of South Ameri-
herisse, herbe d’aiguille,
ca, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Philippines. It is often considered a weed in
zweizahn, mozote, European bur
many places. It is a southern cousin to Bidens tripartita, the
beggar’s tick
marigold, which has an ancient history in European herbal medicine. In Brazil,
Parts Used: whole herb the plant is most commonly known as picao preto or carrapicho; in Peru it is
known as amor seco or pirca.
TRIBAL Picao preto has a long history of use among the indigenous people of the Ama-
AND HERBAL zon, and virtually all parts of the plant are used. Generally, the whole plant is
uprooted and prepared decoctions or infusions for internal use, and/or
MEDICINE USES in
crushed into a paste or poultice for external use. In the Peruvian Amazon, picao
preto is used for aftosa (foot-and-mouth disease), angina, diabetes, menstrual
disorders, hepatitis, laryngitis, intestinal worms, and for internal and external
inflammations. In Piura region of Peru, a decoction of the roots is used for alco-
holic hepatitis and worms. The Cuna tribe mixes the crushed leaves with water
to treat headaches. Near Pucallpa, Peru, the leaf is balled up and applied to a
toothache; the leaves also are used for headaches. In other parts of the Amazon,
a decoction of the plant mixed with lemon juice and used to treat angina, hep-
is
atitis, sore throat, and water retention. The Exuma tribe grinds the sun-dried
leaves with olive oil to make poultices for sores and lacerations and, in Tonga,
an infusion of the flowers is used to treat upset stomach in food poisoning.

In Peruvian herbal In Peruvian herbal medicine picao preto is employed to reduce inflamma-
medicine picao preto tion, increase urination, and to support and protect the
is
liver. It is commonly
employed to reduce used there for hepatitis, conjunctivitis, abscesses, fungal infections, urinary
inflammation, increase infections, as a weight loss aid, and to stimulate childbirth. In Brazilian herbal
urination, and to support medicine it is used for fevers, malaria, hepatitis, diabetes, sore throat, tonsilli-
and protect the liver. tis,obstructions in the liver and other liver disorders, urinary infections, and
vaginal discharge and infections. An infusion or decoction of the entire plant is
often gargled for tonsilitis and pharyngitis. Externally it is used for wounds,
fungal infections, ulcers, diaper rash, insect bites, and hemorrhoids. Brazilian
herbalists also report using picao preto to normalize insulin and bilirubin lev-
els in the pancreas, liver, and blood. In Mexico, the entire plant or leaf is used
to treat diabetes, stomach disorders, hemorrhoids, hepatitis, nervous problems,
and fever. It is used as a gargle for mouth blisters, and the juice of the plant is
used in an external poultice for kidney and liver inflammation.
PLANT Picao preto is rich in flavonoids, terpenes, phenylpropanoids, lipids, and ben-
CHEMICALS zenoids. Even as early as 1979 and 1980, scientists demonstrated that specific
chemicals found in the herb were toxic to bacteria and fungi. Many of the
flavonoids in picao preto have been documented with antimalarial activity.^ In
1991, Swiss scientists isolated several known phytochemicals with antimicro-
bial and anti-inflammatory properties, which led them to infer that the presence
of these compounds
''may rationalize the use of this plant in traditional medi-
cine in the treatment of wounds, against inflammation and against bacterial
infection of the gastrointestinal tract.""^ New bioactive phytochemicals, discov-
ered in 1996, showed activity against transformed human cell lines.^
The plant chemicals in picao preto include aesculetin, behenic acid, beta-
sitosterol, borneol, butanedioic acid, butoxylinoleates, cadinols, caffeine, caf-
feoylic acids, capric acid, daucosterol, elaidic acid, erythronic acids, friedelans,
friedelins, germacrene D, glucopyranoses, glucopyranosides, inositol, iso-
quercitrin, lauric acid, limonene, linoleic acids, lupeol, luteolin, muurolol,
myristic acid, okanin-glucosides, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, paracoumaric
acids, phenylheptatriynes, phytenoic acid, phytol, pilosola A, polyacetylenes,
precocene I, pyranoses, quercetin, sandaracopimaradiols, squalene, stigmas-
terols, tannic acid, tetrahydroxyaurones, tocopherolquinones, tridecapen-
taynenes, tridecatetrayndienes, and vanillic acid.
BIOLOGICAL Picao preto has been the subject of recent clinical research that has supported
ACTIVITIES many of its uses in herbal medicine. A research group in Taiwan reported that
AND CLINICAL a picao preto extract was capable of protecting the liver of rats from various
RESEARCH introduced toxins known to cause liver injury.^ This research group had previ-
1

394
OLisly demonstrated picao preto's anti-inflammatory actions in animals a year

earlier (in 1995).^ In 1999, a Brazilian research group confirmed the anti-inflam-
matory mice and attributed them to an immune modulation effect

activities in
(noting the extract reduced the amount of pro-inflammatory immune cells in

human blood in a previous study).^ In addition, other research demonstrated
that a picao preto extract inhibited prostaglandin-synthesis and cyclooxyge-
nase (COX) activities.^ Both are chemical processes in the body that are linked
to inflammatory diseases (and provide the focus for COX inhibitor classes of
anti-inflammatory and arthritis pharmaceutical drugs).
Picao preto was shown Other areas of research have validated picao preto's traditional use for ulcers
to be better than two and diabetes. Extracts of the leaf (as well as the entire plant) have clinically shown
prescription anti-ulcer to protect rats against chemical- and bacteria-induced gastric lesions and ulcers
drugs in animal studies. and, also, to reduce gastric acid secretion. activity noted in these studies
was higher than that shown by two prescription anti-ulcer drugs. Other in vivo
studies with rats and mice have demonstrated that picao preto has hypoglycemic
activity and is able to improve insulin sensitivity, which validates its long histo-
ry in herbal medicine for diabetes. Researchers (in 2000) attributed the plant's
hypoglycemic properties to a group of glucoside chemicals found in the aerial
parts of the plant.^^ Picao preto was also documented to prevent hypertension in
rats fed a high-fructose diet, and to lower the resulting (elevated) blood pressure
and triglyceride levels. In hypertensive rats (including high dietary salt-
induced hypertension), extracts of the plant significantly lowered blood pres-

sure —without having an effect on heart rate and urine volume.^^ A leaf extract
was also shown have smooth-muscle relaxant activity on the heart.^^
to
Picao preto has long been used in traditional medicine systems for infections
of all kinds: from such upper respiratory tract infections as colds and flu to uri-
nary and sexually transmitted diseases and even infected

tract infections —
wounds on the skin. Research has begun to confirm these uses in several in vitro
microbial studies. In 1991, scientists in Egypt first documented picao preto's
antimicrobial activity against various pathogens.*^ Other in vitro studies have
demonstrated its antibacterial activity against a wide range of bacteria includ-
ing Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus, Neisseria gonorrhea. Pseudomonas, Staphylococ-

cus, and Salmonella.
Extracts of the leaf also have been documented to have antimycobacterial
activity towards Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. smegmatis?^''^'^ A water extract
of the leaf has shown significant anti-yeast activity towards Candida albicans.^^
Much of picao preto's antimicrobial actions have been attributed to a group of

chemicals called polyacetylenes, which includes a chemical called pdienylheptatriyne.
Phenylheptatriyne has shown strong in vitro activity against numerous human
and animal vimses, bacteria, fungi, and molds in very small amounts.^'^'^s-ao
In the tropics, picao preto is also used for snakebite and malaria; research
has confirmed these uses as well. Several studies have confirmed the plant's
antimalarial activity; it reduced malaria in animals by 43-66 percent, and
by 90 percent.3^32 With regard to its status as a traditional snakebite
in vitro
remedy, one research group confirmed that a picao preto extract could protect
mice from lethal injections of neurotoxic snake venom.33
The last area of research has focused on picao preto's anticancerous possi-
bilities. Early research, in various in vitro assay systems designed to predict
anti-tumor activity, indicated positive results in the early 1990s.34^35 p[cqq preto
first was reported to have antileukemic actions in 1995.3^ Then researchers from
Taiwan reported (in 2001) that a simple hot water extract of picao preto could
inhibit the growth of five strains of human and mouse leukemia at less than
200 meg per ml in vitro?’^ They summarized their research by saying that
picao preto "may prove to be a useful medicinal plant for treating leukemia."
CURRENT Picao preto, one of South America's well-known medicinal plants, is widely
PRACTICAL USES used for numerous conditions. Many of its indigenous uses for inflammation,
hypertension, ulcers, diabetes, and infections of all kinds are being validated
and verified by modern research. Unfortunately, little is known of it in herbal
medicine practices in the U.S. —and it is not widely available here. In South
America, it is considered a safe plant to use; in the various animals studies per-
formed to date, no toxic effects have been reported. Specific toxicology studies
have shown no toxicity when dosages of (up to) 1 g per kg of body weight were
injected into mice.33
Traditional In the tropics, generally 1 cup of a standard decoction is taken one to three
Preparation times daily, depending on the condition that is being treated. If desired, 2-3 ml
of a 4:1 tincture twice daily, or 2-3
g of powdered herb in tablets, capsules, or
stirred into water (or juice) twice daily can be substituted.
Contraindications Picao preto has evidenced weak uterine stimulant activity in guinea pigs.33 As
such, it should probably be avoided during pregnancy.
This plant contains several coumarin derivatives. Coumarins are a group of
chemicals that thin the blood. Those on blood thinning medications such as
Warfarin® should use picao preto with caution and monitor these possible effects.
The plant has been documented to lower blood sugar levels in several ani-
mal studies. Those with hypoglycemia or diabetes should monitor their blood
sugar levels closely if they use picao preto.
Picao preto has been documented with hypotensive activity in several ani-
mal studies. People with heart conditions and those taking antihypertensive
396
drugs should consult their doctors prior to using this plant to monitor these
possible effects (as medications may need adjustment).
Drug Interactions None clinically documented humans; however, the use of this plant may
in
potentiate antidiabetic, anticoagulant, and antihypertensive drugs (based on

animal studies).

Region Uses
for bleeding, blood clots, burns, cataracts, colitis, conjunctivitis,

constipation, diarrhea, earache, eye disorders,
Africa
hemorrhage, respiratory
food poisoning, hemorrhages, inflammation, malaria, pneumonia, postpartum
rheumatism, sores, stomach pains, tuberculosis, worms, wounds, yaws, and as an
antiseptic
infections,
Amazonia for angina, chills, diabetes, dysentery, edema, eye disorders, headache, hepatitis, jaundice, laryngitis, malaria,
menstrual disorders, parasites, sore mouth, sore throat, stomachache, toothache, urinary insufficiency,
worms, wounds
for cancer, fever, heat rash, intestinal gas, itch, lacerations, skin sores,
water retention, wounds
Bahamas
infections, gonorrhea,
Brazil for breast engorgement, cough, diabetes, diaper rash, dysentery, fever, fungal
hepatitis, inflammation, insect bites, jaundice, lactation aid, liver
obstructions, lung disorders,
hemorrhoids,
throat, tonsillitis, toothache,
malaria, parasites, pharyngitis, rheumatism, sclerosis (glands), scurvy, sore
ulcers, urinary infections, urinary insufficiency, vaginal discharge,

vaginal infections, wounds, and as an
antiseptic, astringent, and liver tonic
Dominican for chest problems and toothaches, and to promote menstruation, milk production, salivation,
Republic urination
Ghana for allergies, bleeding, earaches, eye infections, hives
production, nervous shock,

Haiti for angina, catarrh, diabetes, foot-and-mouth disease, mental disorders, milk
stomatitis, tonsillitis, vomiting
inflammation, jaundice, kidney,

Mexico for blood clots, chest problems, diabetes, fever, gastroenteritis, hemorrhoids,
antiseptic and
disorders, mouth blisters, nervous problems, snakebite, stomach problems, and as an
liver
diuretic
Panama for colds, headache, intestinal disorders, prostate tumors, rheumatism
chills, conjunctivitis, cystitis, diabetes,

Peru for abscesses, angina, anuria, baldness, bile stimulation, childbirth,
dysentery, edema, fever, foot-and-mouth disease, fungal infections, headache,
hemorrhage, hepatitis,
disorders, mouth
inflammation, jaundice, lacerations, laryngitis, liver problems, liver support, menstrual
sexually transmitted
sores, nephritis, nervous system disorders, obesity, pain, parasites, rheumatism,
diseases, sores, sore throat, tonsillitis, toothache, urinary infections,
urinary insufficiency, worms, wounds
Condido, colds, colic, colitis,

Elsewhere for abortions, bleeding, blood cleansing, boils, bronchitis, burns, cancer,
coughs, cuts, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, eye problems, fever, flatulence, flu, food
poisoning,
conjunctivitis,
infections, liver diseases,
gout, hair loss, hepatitis, hyperglycemia, hypertension, inflammation, intestinal
menstrual promotion, parasites, respiratory infections, rheumatism, skin problems, snakebite, stomach
colitis, ulcers, urinary infections, urinary
disorders, styptic, sweat promotion, thrush, toothache, ulcerative
problems, worms, wounds; and as an antiseptic, astringent, diuretic
QUININE
• treats malaria • relieves pain Bark
• kills parasites • kills bacteria Decoction: '/2 cup one to
• reduces fever • kills fungi three times daily
• regulates heartbeat • dries secretions Tablets/Capsules: 2 g twice

daily
• stimulates digestion • calms nerves
Family: Rubiaceae Tincture: 1-2 ml two to
• kills germs
three times daily
Genus: Cinchona • reduces spasms
Species: officinalis, ledger- • kills insects
iana, succirubra, calisaya
Common Names: The Cinchona genus contains about forty species of trees. They grow 15-20 m
quinine bark, quina,
in height and produce white, pink, or yellow flowers. All cinchonas are indige-
quinine, kinakina, China
bark, cinchona bark,
nous to the eastern slopes of the Amazonian area of the Andes, where they
yellow cinchona, red grow from 1,500-3,000 m in elevation on either side of the equator (from Colom-
cinchona. Peruvian bark, bia to Bolivia). They can also be found in the northern part of the Andes (on the
Jesuit’s bark, quina-quina, eastern slopes of the central and western ranges). They are now widely culti-
calisaya bark, fever tree
vated in many tropical countries for their commercial value, although they are
Parts Used: bark, wood not indigenous to those areas.
TRIBAL Cinchona, or quinine bark, is one of the rainforest's most famous plants and most
AND HERBAL important discoveries. Legend has it that the name cinchona came from the count-
MEDICINE USES ess of Chinchon, the wife of a Peruvian viceroy, who was cured of a malarial type
of feverby using the bark of the cinchona tree in 1638. It was supposedly intro-
duced to European medicine in 1640 by the countess of Chinchon, even before
botanists had identified and named the species of tree. Quinine bark was first
advertised for sale in'England in 1658, and was made official in the British Phar-
macopoeia in 1677. Physicians gave credit to the drug and, because of its effec-
tiveness with malaria, was recognized officially even while the identity of the
it
tree species remained unknown. Several years after the "Countess's powder"
arrived in England, it was used by the
arrived in Spain. There, quinine bark
Jesuits very early in the group's history and due to the influence of the Compa-
ny of Jesus, the newly named "Jesuit's powder" became known all over Europe.
When the plant was finally botanically classified almost one hundred years later
in 1737, botanists still named it after the countess for her contribution.
Throughout the mid-1600s to mid-1800s, quinine bark was the primary treat-
ment for malaria and it evidenced remarkable results. It was also used for fever,
indigestion, mouth and throat diseases, and cancer.
398
Natural cjuinine bark is still employed in herbal medicine systems around

Throughout the mid-
the world today. In Brazilian herbal medicine, quinine bark is considered a
1600 s to mid-l 800 s,
tonic, a digestive stimulant, and fever reducer. It is used for anemia, indiges-
quinine bark was the
and as an
primary treatment for tion, gastrointestinal disorders, general fatigue, fevers, malaria,
malaria and it evidenced appetite stimulant. Other folk remedies in South America cite quinine bark as
a natural remedy for cancer (breast, glands, liver, mesentery, spleen), amebic
remarkable results. It
infections, heart problems, colds, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, fevers,

flu,
was also used for fever,
indigestion, mouth and hangover, lumbago, malaria, neuralgia, pneumonia, sciatica, typhoid, and vari-
throat diseases, and cancer. cose veins. In European herbal medicine, the bark is considered antiprotozoal,
antispasmodic, antimalarial, a bitter tonic, and a fever reducer. There it is used
as an appetite stimulant; for hair loss; alcoholism; liver, spleen, and gallbladder
disorders; and to treat irregular heartbeat, anemia, leg cramps, and fevers of all
kinds. In the U.S., quinine bark is used as a tonic and digestive aid; to reduce
heart palpitations and normalize heart functions; to stimulate digestion and
flu, and
appetite; for hemorrhoids, varicose veins, headaches, leg cramps, colds,
indigestion; and for its astringent, bactericidal, and anesthetic actions in
vari-
ous other conditions.
PLANT In 1820 two scientists, Pelletier and Caventou, isolated an alkaloid chemical in
CHEMICALS the bark that provided the highest antimalarial effect, and named it quinine.
Once discovered, methods were developed to extract only the quinine alkaloid
from the natural bark an antimalarial drug.
to sell as
The South American rainforests benefited from the income generated by

harvesting cinchona bark for the extraction of this alkaloid from the bark for
the manufacture of quinine drugs. In the middle of the nineteenth century,
though, seeds of Cinchona calisai/a and Cinchona pubescens were smuggled out
In addition to the quinine
of South America by the British and the Dutch. The calisaya species was plant-
alkaloid, another alkaloid
ed and cultivated in Java by the Dutch and the pubescens species was cultivat-
chemical called quinidine
ed in India and Ceylon by the British. However, the quinine content of these
was discovered to have
species was too low for high-grade, cost effective, commercial production of
beneficial effects for
quinine. The Dutch then smuggled seeds of Cinchona ledgeriana out of Bolivia,
the heart. Quinidine,
paying $20 for a pound of seeds, and soon established extensive plantations of
a compound produced
quinine-rich cinchona trees in Java. They quickly dominated the world pro-
from quinine, is still used
duction of quinine and, by 1918, the majority of the world's supply of quinine
in cardiology today, sold
was under the total control of the Dutch "kina burea" in Amsterdam. Huge
as a prescription drug
profits were reaped—but Bolivia and Peru, from which the resource originat-
for arrhythmia.
ed, saw none of it.
The upheavals of the Second World War led to changes in the market, which
still remain in effect today. When Java was occupied by the Japanese in 1942,
the Allies' supply of quinine was cut off. South American sources of cinchona
treesand quinine bark were once again in demand, but new plantations were
planted by the Allies in Africa as well. This dire shortage of quinine fueled
research for developing and producing a synthetic version of the quinine alka-
loid, ratherthan relying on the natural bark. In 1944, scientists were able to syn-
thesize the quinine alkaloid in the laboratory. This led to various synthesized
and patented quinine drugs which were manufactured by several pharmaceu-
tical companies and were of course, highly profitable.
Today, Indonesia and India still cultivate cinchona trees; however Africa,
with the expansions of the old WWII plantations, has emerged as the lead-
ing supplier of quinine bark. Much lower on the list of producers are the
South American countries of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, still struggling to
compete. Although all cinchona species are good sources of quinine, C. siic-
cirubra and C. ledgeriana are the species containing the highest amount of
quinine alkaloids —which is why they are the species of choice for cultiva-
tion today.
The cardiac effects of cinchona bark were noted in academic medicine at the
end of the seventeenth century. Quinine was used sporadically through the
first half of the eighteenth century for cardiac problems and arrhythmia and it
became a standard of cardiac therapy in the second half of the nineteenth cen-
tury. Another alkaloid chemical called quinidine was discovered to be respon-
sible for this beneficial cardiac effect. Quinidine, a compound produced from
quinine, is still used in cardiology today, sold as a prescription drug for
arrhythmia. The sales demand for this drug still generates the need for har-
vesting natural quinine bark today, because scientists have been unsuccessful
in synthesizing this chemical without utilizing the natural quinine found in
cinchona bark.
The main plant chemicals found in quinine include aricine, caffeic acid,
cinchofulvic acid, cincholic acid, cinchonain, cinchonidine, cinchonine, cin-
chophyllamine, cinchotannic acid, cinchotine, conquinamine, cuscamidine,
cuscamine, cusconidine, cusconine, epicatechin, javanine, paricine, proantho-
cyanidins, quinacimine, quinamine, quinic acid, quinicine, quinine, quinini-
dine, quinovic acid, quinovin, and sucirubine.
BIOLOGICAL Interestingly enough, natural quinine extracted from quinine barkand the
ACTIVITIES use of natural bark tea and/or bark extracts are making a comeback in the
AND CLINICAL management and treatment of malaria. Malaria strains have evolved that
RESEARCH have developed a resistance to the synthesized quinine drugs. It was shown in
early studies that an effective dose of natural quinine bark extract elicited the
same antimalarial activity as an effective dose of the synthesized quinine drug.^
Scientists are now finding that these new strains of drug-resistant malaria can
400
be treated effectively with natural quinine and/or quinine bark extracts. As

evolving pathogens develop widespread resistance to our standard antibiotics,
antivirals, and antimalarial drugs, it is of little wonder that the use of the
nat-
ural medicine in quinine bark is being revisited, even by such giants as the
World Health Organization.
A recent use for quinine drugs has been for the treatment of muscle spasms
and leg cramps. A 1998 study documented the beneficial effects of quinine for
leg cramps, with tinnitus being the onlydocumented side effect.^ In 2002, a
double-blind placebo study was undertaken in which ninety-eight people with
nocturnal leg cramps were given 400 mg of quinine daily for two weeks. ^ The
results stated that quinine administered at this dose effectively reduced the fre-
quency, intensity, and pain of leg cramps without relevant side effects. This use
has fueled the natural product market and more people are looking for natural
quinine bark as an alternative to the synthesized prescription drugs.
CURRENT Quinine bark is harvested today much as it has been for hundreds of years. The
PRACTICAL USES tree trunks are beaten and the peeling bark removed. The bark partially regen-
is
erates on the tree and, after a few years and several cycles of bark removal, the
trees are uprooted and new ones are planted. The commercial quinine
market
today is difficult to calculate. It is thought that 300-500 metric tons of quinine
alkaloids are extracted annually from 5,000-10,000 metric tons of harvested bark.
Nearly half of the harvest is directed to the food industry for the production of
quinine water, tonic water, and as an FDA-approved bitter food additive. The
remainder is utilized in the manufacture of the quinidine prescription drug. Qui-
nine very bitter tasting and commercially sold tonic waters often use quinine
is
as their bitter ingredient/component. Commercially produced tonic water usu-

ally contains around 100-300 parts per million quinine and up to a maximum
allowable concentration of 70 mg of quinine per liter.

The history of the cinchona The long-standing natural remedy for quinine bark usually calls for 1 cup of
tree provides a perfect boiling water to be poured over approximately 1-2 g of ground or chopped nat-
example of how a natural ural bark and allowed to steep for ten minutes. A cupful of this infusion is
product can go from drunk half an hour before meals to stimulate the appetite, or after meals to treat
folklore and indigenous
digestive disorders. The use of pure quinine at large dosages can be toxic. The
use into world trade — and reported therapeutic oral dose for quinine alkaloids in adults is between
then into the drug market.
167-333 mg three times per day.^ Reportedly, a single dose of 2-8 g of pure qui-
It is also indicative of
nine alkaloids taken orally may be an adult.^ Natural bark teas pre-
fatal to
how indigenous peoples
pared in the traditional manner, however, have a long history of use without
and countries with
toxic effects. A cup of traditional quinine bark tea would provide approximately
important natural
100 mg of total alkaloids, including quinine (based upon an average of 5 per-
resources are pirated.
cent total alkaloid content in the raw bark).
The history of the cinchona tree provides a perfect example of how a natu-
ralproduct can go from folklore and indigenous use into world trade and —
then into the drug market. It's also indicative of how indigenous peoples
and countries with important natural resources are too often pirated and left
out of the profit loop by industrialized nations and rich, multinational, profit-
driven organizations. Despite the fact that quinine and quinidine drugs were
—
patented and sold, Peru and Bolivia from which the discovery was made and
the resources extracted —did not share in the patents or resulting profits. Their
natural resources were smuggled out, and profitable world markets were cre-
ated from them. These were poor, developing nations without multinational
backing or investment capital —and ended up at the bottom of the heap while
competing in a global market for resources indigenous to their countries.
While governments are making inroads and there are new laws concerning
biodiversity and intellectual property rights to correct this situation, business
still has a long way to go to "do the right thing." Ideally, if natural quinine bark
makes a comeback in the growing natural products industry or new drugs are
developed for these drug-resistant strains of malaria, these new laws will pro-
tect the natural resources of these developing nations.
Traditional One-half cup bark decoction is taken one to three times daily, or 1-2 ml of a 4:1
Preparation tincture twice daily. desired, 1-2 g daily of

If powdered bark in tablets or cap-
sules can be substituted.
Contraindications Quinine bark contains naturally occurring quinine alkaloids. These quinine
alkaloids are sold as prescription drugs with numerous side effects and warn-
documented in the literature. Do not exceed the quinine bark natural rem-
ings
edy amounts shown above unless you are under the care and advice of a
qualified health care practitioner who is familiar with the warnings, side effects,
and contraindications of higher therapeutic levels of quinine alkaloids.
Drug Interactions May potentiate blood-thinning medications such as Warfarin.®

Region Uses
Brazil for anemia, anorexia, debility, digestive sluggishness, dyspepsia, fatigue, fevers, gastrointestinal disorders,
indigestion, malaria
Europe for alcoholism, anemia, cramps, debility, diarrhea, enlarged spleen, fevers, flatulence, gallbladder disorders,
hair loss, irregular heartbeat, leg cramps, liver disorders, malaria, muscle pain, protozoal infections, and as an
antiseptic and appetite stimulant
Mexico for malaria and as an antiseptic, astringent, and tonic
United for bacterial infections, colds, digestive disorders, dyspepsia, fevers, flu, headaches, heart palpitations,
States hemorrhoids, leg cramps, malaria, pain, varicose veins, viral infections; and as an appetite stimulant,
astringent, and cardiotonic
Venezuela for cancer and malaria
Elsewhere for amebic infections, bacterial infections, carditis, colds, cough, dandruff, diarrhea, digestive sluggishness,
dysentery, dyspepsia, fever, flu, glandular disorders, hangovers, hemorrhoids, lumbago, malaria, neuralgia,
pain, pinworms, pneumonia, sciatica, septic infections, sore throat, stomatitis, tumor (glands), typhoid,
varicose veins; and as a contraceptive, insecticide, insect repellent, stimulant, and uterine tonic
SAMAMBAIA
• protects brain cells • cleanses blood Leaves, Rhizome

• protects skin cells • increases urination Infusion: '/
2 -I cup one to
• reduces inflammation • lowers blood pressure three times daily
• relieves psoriasis • promotes perspiration Tablets/Capsules: l-2g

twice daily
• modulates immune
function
Tincture: 2-3 mi twice daily
• suppresses coughs
• reduces phlegm
• is natural sunscreen
Family: Polypodiaceae Samambaia is a fern that grows in the rainforests of South America, as well as
in drier tropical forests in Latin America. The Polypody family contains three-
Genus: Polypodium
Species: decumanum,
quarters of all ferns —over 6,000 species of plants, mostly native to the tropics
of both hemispheres. There are seventy-five species of plants in the Poli/pwdiurn

leucotomos, aureum
genus, manywhich have been used medicinally for centuries. The name is
of
Common Names: derived from po/i/, meaning "many," and pmius, meaning "foot," for the many
samambaia, calaguala,
foot-like divisions of the root or rhizomes of polypody ferns. Polypodiiim leiico-
anapsos, huayhuashi-
tomos (also classified as Poli/pwdiiim aureum) and Polypodiiim decumanum are
shupa, cotochupa,
mirane, temakaje indigenous to the Honduran rainforests but also can be found throughout the
South American tropics and in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. In
Parts Used: rhizome.
aerial parts
Brazil, the common name is samambaia; in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking
tropical countries, the plant is known as calaguala.
TRIBAL Samambaia, like most ferns, has an intricate, creeping root system; it is this rhi-
AND HERBAL zome, as well as the fronds or leaves, that is used most medicinally. The plant
MEDICINE USES been used by the indigenous peoples of Honduras for malignant
historically has
tumors, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. In the Amazon rainforest, a macer-
ation of the rhizome is used for fever; grated fresh, it is made into a tea for
whooping cough and kidney problems. The Boras Indians (in the Peruvian Ama-
zon) prepare the leaves in a drink for coughs. The Witotos Indians (in the north-
west Amazon) use the rhizome for treating coughs. Other Peruvian indigenous
tribes use the rhizome for problems of the pancreas. Indigenous groups in Latin
America use the rhizome and leaves for many different maladies including can-
cer, psoriasis, peptic ulcers, kidney problems, diarrhea, arthritis, and pains in
joints and tendons. It is generally considered throughout the Amazon to be a
general tonic, to detoxify the body, and to support the immune system.
Indigenous groups in Many types of ferns are used in traditional medicine around the world. Most,
Latin America use the including samambaia, are considered a tonic, blood cleanser, expectorant, and
rhizome and leaves of are used for numerous upper respiratory conditions. In Honduran traditional
samambaia for many medicine systems today, samambaia commonly is used for tumors, psoriasis,
different maladies atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, rheumatoid arthritis, and arthritis. In Brazilian tra-
including cancer, psoriasis, ditional medicine, samambaia is considered a blood cleanser, sweat promoter,
peptic ulcers, kidney tonic, and expectorant; it is widely used for coughs, bronchitis, colds and flu,
problems, diarrhea, —
and other upper respiratory problems as well as for rheumatism and skin
arthritis, and pains. problems (including psoriasis and dermatitis). In Peruvian herbal medicine, the
rhizome is used for coughs, fevers, and urinary infections, as well as skin prob-
lems such as psoriasis, boils, ulcers, and abscesses.
RIANT Samambaia contains flavonoids, alkaloids, and lipids. It is a rich source of lipids
CHEMICALS and fatty acids, and its therapeutic activity is attributed to these groups of
chemicals. Within its lipids are a group of chemicals called siilphoqiiinovosyldia-
cylglycerols, which ha've been documented and patented as part of the plant's
"active" chemicals.’
The main plant chemicals identified in samambaia thus far include adeno-
sine, alkaloids, arachidonic acid, arabinopyranosides, calagualine, ecdysone,
ecdysterone, eicosapentaenoic acid, elaidic acid, juglanin, kaempferols,linoleic
acid, linoleic acids, linolenic acids, melilotoside, oleic acid, polypodaureine, rici-
noleic acid, rutin, selligueain, and sulphoquinovosyldiacylglycerols.
BIOLOCICAL Toxicity studies on samambaia with mice and rats have demonstrated no toxi-
ACTIVITIES city in acute or chronic dosages;^ in humans, oral doses greater than 1,000 mg
AND CLINICAL have not shown toxicity.^
RESEARCH There has been a great deal of scientific interest in Polypodiinii plants, most-
404
ly focusing on their ability to treat psoriasis. In the mid-1970s, rhizome extracts

of samambaia were first reported to decrease the over-growth of skin cells
and
skin thickening, and reduce the severity and extent of skin lesions in psoriasis
patients.*^ In the early 1980s, a company in Spain produced an herbal drug

from water extract of samambaia (P.
a leiicotomos) rhizome and named it Anap-
sos. Since that time it has been a prescription drug registered by

the Health
Ministry of Spain for the treatment of psoriasis. Clinical research also has been
published on Anapsos since then (including various double-blind placebo
human trials) indicating it to be an effective treatment for psoriasis— as well
as dermatitis and vitiligo (with a three to six month course of treatment
required).^"^^
The mechanism of action in treating psoriasis is thought to be related to the
Samambaia has clearly
demonstrated in clinical modulation of certain cellular processes found in inflammation and psoriatic
studies to possess some skin. Scientists have shown that psoriatic skin has abnormally high quantities
immune modulating of chemicals produced in the body called leiikotriene and PAF (platelet-activat-
effects needed to treat ing factor). Both are implicated in the cause and progression of psoriasis. In clin-
ical research, samambaia (and/ or some of its novel chemicals) have shown
to
the imbalances in the
immune system that are be effective in blocking excess leukotriene productions^ as well as excess
peculiar to psoriasis. PAF.s^S 6 Psoriasis is also considered an autoimmune disease (as many of the
immune cells are overstimulated, while others are suppressed). Extracts of
samambaia have clearly demonstrated in clinical studies to possess some of the
specific immune modulating effects needed to treat the imbalances in the
immune system that are peculiar to psoriasis.^'^®'^^^^ Additionally, extracts of
samambaia have been documented to have a direct anti-inflammatory activity
in mice, rats, and humans with psoriasis.
The newest research on Some of the more recent research on samambaia has focused on other
samambaia reports that chronic and degenerative diseases. A U.S. patent was filed (in 2001) on a
it can protect and repair samambaia rhizome extract that indicated its suitability in the treatment of
brain cells. Samambaia AIDS- and cancer-related wasting syndrome, reporting marked benefits in
extracts are now sold in several non-randomized human studies with cancer and AIDS patients.^*^ In
Europe as herbal drugs 1997, a U.S. patent was filed on a samambaia leaf and rhizome extract capa-
for the treatment of ble of treating brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia.^^
Alzheimer’s disease The patent and several in vivo clinical studies indicate samambaia protects
and dementia. against brain cell degeneration, promotes repair of damaged brain cells, and
has a protective effect to brain cells.25-2‘^ This was discovered when psoriasis
Europe taking Anapsos (who also had Alzeimer's) reported an

patients in
improvement in their Alzheimer's symptoms. This led the drug manufactur-
er to fund clinical trials use for brain disorders. In a double-blind place-
on its
bo human trial (in 2000), researchers reported that a dosage of 360 mg per day
of Anapsos given to patients with senile dementia improved cognitive per-
formance, increased the blood supply to the brain, and also increased the elec-
trical impulses in the brain. The were better with Alzheimer's
results
patients and those with mild dementia than those with severe dementia and
extensive brain cell degeneration. Anapsos now is used in Spain and Europe
for the treatment of Alzheimer's and dementia.^^
The same protective effects to brain cells seem to extend to skin cells as well.
A 1997 U.S. patent was filed on an extract of samambaia, which indicated it
is effective in preventing sunburn and skin damage (taken internally, as well
as applied topically prior to exposure).^ Its protective effect against ultravio-

let radiation was reported to be due, in part, to an antioxidant effect. One of
the m vivo human studies confirming this activity was performed at Massa-
chusetts General Hospital's dermatology department. Another study (with
hairless mice), conducted at Harvard medical school in 1999, reported that a
samambaia extract applied topically helped to avoid skin damage and sun-
associated skin aging, as well as reduced the number of UV-induced skin
tumors in mice.^'^
The Harvard researchers published a human study in 2004 reporting that

samambaia evidenced "substantial benefits of skin protection" to prevent sun-
burn and prevent skin aging when it was taken internally (at 7.5 mg/kg).
Based on some in vitro studies, other university student researchers suggested
that samambaia may help prevent sun damage and skin aging at low dosages
while higher dosages may actually reverse the loss of normal elastic fibers asso-
ciated with intrinsic aging of the skin.^^ A pharmaceutical company in Spain has
also published a study indicating that samambaia is suitable to use as a pre-
ventative treatment for sunburn and skin damage.^^
The last area of research concerns samambaia's possible uses for cancer.
Researchers at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas published
their first study on samambaia and one of its main chemicals (calagualine) in
2003. They reported That some of the intercellular processes blocked during
psoriasis (NF-kappaB and tumor necrosis factor chemicals) also evidenced
the ability to block and suppress inflammation, tumor formation, and tumor
growth.^^
CURRENT It is likely that scientists will continue studying samambaia and why it
PRACTICAL USES works; meanwhile, natural health practitioners around the world will con-
tinue to employ it for many purposes, without knowing which specific chem-
icals are creating the beneficial effects. In addition to psoriasis, vitiligo, and
Alzheimer's, health practitioners in the United States are using samambaia
for coughs, bronchitis, chest colds, flu, and disorders of the respiratory tract,
skin, and immune systems — much as it has been used in indigenous herbal
medicine systems for years. With the newer research indicating uses for cel-
lular repair —
for both skin cells and brain cells, as well as cancer preven-
tion — it is only a matter of time before samambaia shows up as an ingredient
in the widely popular anti-aging products being marketed' to the aging
''baby-boomers" market.
Traditional One-half to 1 cup leaf or root infusion is taken one to three times daily, or 2-3
Preparation ml of a 4:1 tincture or fluid extract twice daily. Traditionally, a simple, cold mac-
eration of the rhizome and leaves is used; therefore, 1-2 g daily of powdered
root or leaf in tablets or capsules can be substituted, if desired.
Contraindications Reports indicate that samambaia may enhance the effects of the heart drug dig-
italis (a medication commonly used to increase the force of heart contractions
in those diagnosed with certain conditions).^^ It is therefore contraindicated in
combination with and persons with any heart condition should seek
digitalis,
the advice of a qualified health practitioner prior to using samambaia.
Drug Interactions Samambaia may and/or other digitalis-type

potentiate the effects of digitalis
prescription heart drugs. The absorption of samambaia is reported to be re-
duced in the presence of antacids.

Region Uses
Amazonia for cancer, coughs, detoxification, fever, immune disorders, kidney problems, pancreatic disorders, psoriasis,
rheumatism, whooping cough
Brazil for blood cleansing, bronchitis, colds, coughs, flu, gout, psoriasis, respiratory disorders, rheumatism, skin
disorders: and as an expectorant, tonic, and to increase perspiration
Colombia for coughs
Honduras for arthritis, cancer, dermatitis, joint pains, kidney disorders, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach ulcers,
tendon pain, tumors
Mexico for coughs, fever, respiratory problems, and to increase perspiration
Peru for abscesses, boils, cough, fever, psoriasis, skin disorders, ulcers (skin), urinary infections, whooping cough
United for Alzheimer’s, bronchitis, colds, cough, dermatitis, detoxification, eczema, flu, gout, hypertension,
States immune disorders, psoriasis, respiratory disorders, rheumatism, skin disorders, and to increase
perspiration and urination
Venezuela for sexually transmitted diseases and as a laxative
Elsewhere for bronchitis, cancer, colds, coughs, fever, flu, gout, hypertension, immune disorders,
kidney problems, psoriasis, respiratory disorders, rheumatism, skin disorders, tonic, tumors,
urinary insufficiency
SANGRE DE GRADO “DRAGON’S BLOOD”

• heals wounds • kills cancer cells Resin
• stops bleeding • prevents tumor growth Internal: 10-15 drops one

• kills bacteria • stops cellular mutations to two times daily
External: Apply to affected

• kills germs
area twice daily
• kills fungi
• kills viruses
• relieves diarrhea
• relieves itching
Family: Euphorbiaceae Sangre de grado is a medium- grows from 10-20 m high

to large-sized tree that
in the upper Amazon region of Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. Although tall, the
Genus; Croton
trunk is usually less than 30 cm in diameter and is covered by smooth, mottled
Species: lechleri, salutohs,
bark. It has large, heart-shaped, bright green leaves and unique, greenish-white
draco
flowers on long stalks. Its Peruvian name, sangre de grado, means "blood of the
Common Names; dragon" (in Spanish). In Ecuador, it's named sangre de drago (which means
sangre de grado, sangre
"dragon's blood" as well). When the trunk of the tree is cut or wounded, a dark
de drago, dragon’s blood,
drago, sangue de drago,
red, sappy resin oozes out as if the tree is bleeding —earning this local name.
sangue de agua The genus Croton is a large one, with 750 species of trees and shrubs distributed
across the tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres. Crotons are rich
Parts Used; bark,
in active alkaloids, and several species are well-known medicinal plants used
resin/sap
as laxatives and tonics.
TRIBAL Sangre de grade's red sap or latex (and also its bark) has a long history of
AND HERBAL indigenous use in the rainforest and in South America. The earliest written
reference dates its use to the 1600s, when Spanish naturalist and explorer P
MEDICINE USES
Bernabe Cobo found that the curative power of the sap was widely known
For centuries, the sangre

throughout the indigenous tribes of Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador. Eor centuries,
de grado resin has been the sap has been painted on wounds to staunch bleeding, to accelerate healing,
painted on wounds to stop and to seal and protect injuries from infection. The sap dries quickly and forms
bleeding, to accelerate a barrier, much like a "second skin." It is used externally by indigenous tribes
healing, and to seal and and local people in Peru for wounds, fractures, and hemorrhoids, internally
protect injuries from for intestinal and stomach ulcers, and as a douche for vaginal discharge. Other
infection. The sap dries indigenous uses include treating intestinal fevers and inflamed or infected
quickly and forms a barrier, gums, in vaginal baths before and after childbirth, for hemorrhaging after
much like a “second skin.” childbirth, and for skin disorders.
Sangre de grado resin and bark are used in traditional medicine in South
America today in much same manner as indigenous ones. In Peruvian
the
herbal medicine, it is recommended for hemorrhaging, as an antiseptic vaginal
douche and, topically, for healing wounds. It is also used internally for ulcers
in the mouth, throat, intestines, and stomach; as an antiviral for upper respira-
tory viruses, stomach viruses, and HIV; internally and externally for cancer
and, topically, for skin disorders, insect bites, and stings. In Brazilian traditional
medicine, the sap currently is used for wounds, hemorrhaging, diarrhea, mouth
ulcers, and as a general tonic.
PLANT Sangre de grado resin or sap is a storehouse of phytochemicals, including
CHEMICALS proanthocyanidins (antioxidants), simple phenols, diterpenes, phytosterols,

and biologically active alkaloids and lignans. Scientists have attributed many
of the biologically active properties of the sap (especially its wound-healing
capacity) to two main ''active" constituents: an alkaloid named taspine, and a
lignan named dimethylcedriisine.
Of course, botanists, herbalists, and naturopaths would disagree with such
reductionist conclusions (and often do); in this particular case, the matter is
actually proven by science. Noted author and ex-USDA economic botanist Dr.
James Duke summed this up eloquently, saying,
/ like the comments on dragon's blood, and would add one further note: in
addition to the proajithoci/anadins (including Pycnogenol) and taspine, there's
another active ingredient—dimethylcedriisine. While each of these alone
—
dimethylcedriisine, Pycnogenol and taspine— was shown to effectively heal
wounded rats (with squares of skin exfoliated, i.e., peeled off) by Eiiropiean
scientists, the whole dragon's blood was shown to speed healing four times
faster. The whole was better than the sum of its parts. Synergy makes the whole
herb stronger; diversity makes the rainforest stronger.^
While several chemicals The taspine alkaloid from sangre de grado

was first documented with anti-
in the resin have been inflammatory actions in 1979.^ In 1985, taspine was documented with anti-
scientifically documented inflammatory, antitumorous (against sarcomas), and antiviral actions.^
with would-healing The main plant chemicals in sangre de grado include alpha-calacorene,
actions, the natural crude alpha-copaene, alpha-pinene, alpha-thujene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-elemene,
resin was shown to be beta-pinene, betaine, bincatriol, borneol, calamenene, camphene, catechins,
four times more effective cedrucine, crolechinic acid, cuparophenol, D-limonene, daucosterol, dihydro-
at healing wounds than benzofuran, dimethylcedrusine, dipentene, eugenol, euparophenol, gallocate-
any isolated chemical. chin, gamma-terpinene, gamma-terpineol, hardwickiic acid, isoboldine,
korberin A and B, lignin, linalool, magnoflorine, methylthymol, myrcene.
norisoboldine, p-cymene, proanthocyanidins, procyanidins, resin, tannin,

taspine, terpinen-4-ol, and vanillin.
BIOLOGICAL The wound-healing action of sangre de grado resin was first related to the
ACTIVITIES taspine alkaloid in 1989.'^ Several later studies also concentrated on the
AND CLINICAL wound -healing^’ and antitumorous properties of taspine.^ The lignan dimethyl-
cedrusine was isolated by scientists in 1993 and was shown to play a central
RESEARCH
role in sangre de grade's effective wound-healing action.^ This Belgian study
revealed that the crude resin stimulated contraction of wounds, helped in
the formation of a crust/scab at the wound site, regenerated skin more rap-
idly,and assisted in the formation of new collagen. This was the study to
which Dr. Duke referred in documenting that the crude resin was found to be
four times more effective at wound healing and collagen formation than its
isolated chemicals (and healed wounds ten to twenty times faster than using
nothing at all).^
Sangre de grade’s The Belgian determined that taspine was active against
scientists also
traditional use for wounds herpes virus in this study. In 1994 other phytochemicals were found, includ-
has been confirmed by ing phenolic compounds, proanthocyanadins, and diterpenes, which showed
scientists. In laboratory potent antibacterial activity (against and Bacillus subtilis) as well as
E. coli
studies with animals the wound-healing properties.® Another study documented sangre de grado s
crude resin reportedly antioxidant effects^ and researchers in Canada documented its antifungal
stimulated contraction of properties.^®
wounds, helped in the Another important traditional use of the sap was verified by clinical research
in a 2000 study designed to evaluate its gastrointestinal effects. Researchers

formation of a crust/scab
at the wound site, concluded that "Sangre de grado is a potent, cost-effective treatment for gas-
more trointestinal ulcers and distress via antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and sen-
regenerated skin
sory afferent-dependent actions." In 2002, these same researchers reported
rapidly, and assisted in the
formation of new collagen. that sangre de grado evidenced an iii vitw effect against stomach cancer and
colon cancer cells as well.^^ In 2003, Italian researchers reported that the
resin
inhibited the growth of a human myelogenous leukemia cell line and also pre-
vented from mutating in test tube studies.^®
cells
activity against
Extracts of sangre de grado have demonstrated antiviral
influenza, parainfluenza, herpes simplex viruses and 11,
and hepatitis A and
1
{3
7,8,14,15 antiviral and anti-diarrhea properties of sangre de grado have
come to the attention of the pharmaceutical industry over the last ten years. A
U.S.-based pharmaceutical company has filed patents on three pharmaceutical
preparations that contain antiviral constituents and novel chemicals (a group

of plant flavonoids they've named SP-303), extracted
from the bark and resin
of sangre de grado. Their patented drugs include an oral product for the treat-
ment of respiratory viral infections, a topical antiviral product for the treatment
of herpes,and an oral product for the treatment of persistent diarrhea. These

products have been the subject of various human clinical trials. Although the
immunomodulating effects of sangre de grado have not been the subject of
targeted research yet, some researchers believe that the anti-inflammatory, anti-
microbial, and antioxidant activities may provide nonspecific immune enhance-
ment effects as well.^^
Sangre de grado resin and More recently, several scientific tests have been conducted on a proprietary
bark (as well as some of sangre de grado' product (made into a skin balm), which was also based on
its chemicals) have been traditional uses. They reported that in pest control workers, a sangre de grado
patented and made into balm was preferred over placebo, for the relief of itching, pain, discomfort,
prescription drugs for swelling, and redness in response to wasps, fire ants, mosquitoes, bees, cuts,
viruses, including herpes, abrasions, and allergic plant reactions (poison ivy and others). Subjects report-
upper respiratory viruses, ed relief within minutes, and that it provided pain relief and alleviated symp-
and stomach viruses. toms and swelling)
(itching for up to six hours. These reported effects in
humans, as well as several other tests they conducted in animals and in vitro
models of inflammation, led them to conclude that sangre de grado prevents
pain sensation by blocking the activation of nerve fibers that relay pain signals
to the brain (therefore functioning as a broad-acting pain killer), as well
as
blocking the tissue response to a chemical released by nerves that promotes
inflammation.
CURRENT Research has confirmed many of the indigenous uses of this powerful rainfor-
PRACTICAL USES est plant. It is a wonderful, sustainable rainforest resource that warrants con-
sumer attention as it becomes more widely available in the marketplace.
Applied directly to the affected area, it is helpful for all types of cuts, scrapes,
external wounds, bites, stings, rashes, and skin problems, including skin and
nail fungi. James E. Williams, OMD, sums up sangre de grado's many uses by
natural health practitioners, stating
There is n wide rnuge of poteiiticil npplicntiofis for sougre de grcido, including

as a broad-spectrum anti-diarrheal agent front causes such as side
effects of
drugs, chemotherapi/ or radiation treatment, microbial infections
of the intes-
tine, traveler's diarrhea, and viral-induced diarrhea as in AIDS. It may also
have other uses in gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bozvel syndrome
and ulcerative diseases. Its cytotoxic effects make it a possible antitumor a^ênt
and its cicatrizant properties provide wound-healing piotential. In addition, the
antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of sangre de grado make it a use-

ful compound in the clinical treatment of chronic viral diseases and as a natu-
ral antibacterial agent.^^
Medicinal Plants of the Amazon 41 I
In addition, several health practitioners in the U.S. indicate benefits in

using sangre de grado resin internally for diabetic neuropathy because of its
previously documented effects on nerve endings, nerve pain, and nerve
inflammation. Benefits have also been reported with diabetes-related skin
ulcers and sores (applied topically), which have refused to heal using other
methods.
Traditional For external use, the resin /sap is rubbed directly on the affected area several
Preparation times daily and allowed to dry. Please note: the resin is red! It will temporarily
stain the skin a reddish-brown (which will wash off), but it will permanently
stain clothing. Rubbing the resin in the palm of the hand first or directly
where applied will thicken the resin into a thin, lighter colored paste, which
helps form a second skin on top of a wound or rash and reduces staining.
For internal use, the traditional remedy is 10-15 drops in a small amount of
liquid, taken one to three times daily (be prepared, however; it tastes quite
dreadful).

Region Uses
Brazil for bacterial infections, blood cleansing, cancer, digestive disorders, fever, fungal infections, hemorrhages,
stomach ulcers, tumors, ulcer (mouth), wounds, and for its astringent (drying) effects
Dominican for wounds, and to stop bleeding

Republic
Ecuador for cancer, inflammation, wounds
Mexico for fever, infected gums, wounds
for cancer, diabetes, diarrhea, eczema, fractures, fungal infections, gastrointestinal

problems, hemorrhages,
Peru
infected gums, infections, insect bites, laryngitis, rheumatism, skin cancer, skin rashes,
throat
hemorrhoids,
problems, toothache, tumors, ulcers (intestinal, mouth, stomach), vaginal discharge, vaginal infections,
vaginitis, wounds, and as an antiseptic
for cancer, diabetic neuropathy, eczema, fungal infections

(skin, nail, foot), hemorrhages, inflammation,
United
insect bites, itching, pain, rashes, ulcers (intestinal, mouth, skin, stomach), wounds, and as an antiseptic
States
SARSAPARILLA
• detoxifies organs • relieves pain Root
• cleanses blood • kills fungus Decoction: '/
2 -I cup two to
• aids absorption • reduces inflammation three times daily
• kills bacteria • kills germs Tablets/Capsules: l-2g

tvvice daily
• stimulates digestion • reduces fever
• increases urination • modulates immune system
• protects liver • kills free radicals
• promotes perspiration • relieves rheumatism
Family: Smilacaceae Sarsaparilla is a brambly, woody vine that grows up to 50 m long, with paired
Genus: Smilax tendrils for climbing (often high into the rainforest canopy). It produces small
flowers and black, blue, or red berry-like fruits which are eaten greedily by
Species: officinalis,
aristolochiaefolia, glabra,
birds. Smilax, a member of the lily family, is native to tropical and temperate
febrifuga, ornata, regelii,

parts of the world and comprises about 350 species worldwide. It is native to
japicanga South America, Jamaica, the Caribbean, Mexico, Honduras, and the West
Indies. The name sarsaparilla or zarzaparilla comes from the Spanish word zarza
Common Names:
sarsaparilla, salsaparrilha, (bramble or bush), piarra (vine), and ilia (small) —a small, brambled vine.
khao yen, saparna, The stems of many Smilax species are covered with stickers and, sometimes,
smilace, smilax, these vines are cultivated to form impenetrable thickets (which are called cat-
zarzaparilla, jupicanga
briers or greenbriers). The root, used for meciicinal purposes, is long and tuber-
Part Used: root ous —spreading 6-8 feet —and is odorless and fairly tasteless. Many species
of Smilax around the world share the name sarsapnirilla; these are very similar
in appearance, uses, and even chemical structure. These include S. officinalis, S.
japncanga, and S. febrifuga from South Am.erica Ecuador and Colombia);
(Brazil,
S. regelii, S. aristolochiaefolia, and S. ornata from Mexico and Latin America; and
S. from China. Sarsaparilla vine should not be confused with the large
glabra
sasparilla and sassafras trees (the root and bark of which were once used to
flavor root beer).While sarsaparilla has been used as an ingredient in root
beer and other beverages, it is used for its foaming properties not for its fla- —
voring properties.
TRIBAL Sarsaparilla root has been used for centuries by the indigenous peoples of Cen-
AND HERBAL tral and South America for sexual impotence, rheumatism, skin ailments, and
MEDICINE USES as a general tonic for physical weakness. It has long been used by tribes in Peru
and Honduras for headaches and joint pain, and against the common cold.
Many shamans and medicine men in the Amazon use sarsaparilla root inter-
nally and externally and other skin problems (such as psoriasis and
for leprosy
dermatitis). Leprosy can be common in areas where the disease is carried by

armadillos (and in the Amazon, armadillos are "on the menu" in indigenous
diets). Sarsaparilla root also was used as a general tonic by indigenous tribes in
South America, where New World traders found it and introduced it into Euro-
pean medicine in the 1400s.
Many shannans and European physicians considered sarsaparilla root a tonic, blood purifier,
medicine men in the diuretic, and sweat promoter. A Smilax root from Mexico was introduced into
Amazon use sarsaparilla European medicine in 1536, where it developed a strong following as a cure for
root internally and syphilis and rheumatism.^ Since this time, Smilax roots have had a long histo-
externally for leprosy and ry of use for syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases throughout the
other skin problems world. With its reputation as a blood purifier, it was registered as an official
(such as psoriasis and herb in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia as a syphilis treatment from 1820 to 1910. Erom
dermatitis). the 1500s to the present, sarsaparilla has been used as a blood purifier and gen-
eral tonic and also has been used worldwide for gout, syphilis, gonorrhea,
rheumatism, wounds, arthritis, fever, cough, scrofula, hypertension, digestive
disorders, psoriasis, skin diseases, and cancer.
PLANT Sarsaparilla contains the plant steroids sarsasapogenin, smilagenin, sitosterol,
CHEMICALS stigmasterol, and pollinastanol; and the saponins sarsasaponin, smilasaponin,

sarsaparilloside, and sitosterol glucoside, among others.^ The majority of sar-
saparilla'spharmacological properties and actions have been attributed to these
steroids and saponins. The saponins have been reported to facilitate the body's
absorption of other drugs and phytochemicals,^'^ which accounts for its histo-
ry of use in herbal formulas as an agent for bioavailability and to enhance the
power and effect of other herbs.
Sarsaparilla has been Saponins and plant steroids found many species of plants (including sar-
in
marketed (fraudulently) saparilla) can be synthesized into human steroids such as estrogen and testos-
to contain testosterone terone. This synthesis has never been documented to occur in the human
and/or other anabolic —

body only in the laboratory. Yet, plant steroids and their actions in the human
steroids. While it is a rich body have been a subject of much interest, sketchy research and, unfortunately,
source of natural plant disinformation — mainly for marketing purposes. Sarsaparilla has been mar-
steroids and saponins. it keted (fraudulently) to contain testosterone and/or other anabolic steroids.
never has been proven to While it is a rich source of natural plant steroids and saponins, it never has been
have any anabolic effects, proven to have any anabolic effects, nor has testosterone been found in sarsa-
nor has testosterone any other plant source thus far.^'-*

parilla or
Flavonoids in sarsaparilla have been documented to have immune modula-
been found in sarsaparilla.
tion and liver protective activities.^ A U.S.

was awarded in 2003 describ-
patent
ing these flavonoids to be effective in treating autoimmune diseases and

inflammatory reactions through their immunomodulating effects.^ Sarsasa-
1
pogenin and smilagenin were subjects of a 2001 U.S. patent which reported that
these Smilax steroids had the ability to treat senile dementia, cognitive dys-
function, and Alzheimer's disease.^ In the patent's animal studies references,
smilagenin reversed the decline of brain receptors in aged mice and restored
young animals, reversed the decline in
the receptor levels to those observed in
cognitive function, and enhanced memory and learning.^ These studies, how-
ever, have not been published in any peer-reviewed journals only in the con- —
text of the patent, thus far.
Sarsaparilla's main plant chemicals include acetyl-parigenin, astilbin, beta-

sitosterol, caffeoyl-shikimic acids, dihydroquercetin, diosgenin, engeletin,
essential oils, epsilon-sitosterol, eucryphin, eurryphin, ferulic acid, glucopyra-
nosides, isoastilbin, isoengetitin, kaempferol, parigenin, parillin, pollinastanol,
resveratrol, rhamnose, saponin, sarasaponin, sarsaparilloside, sarsaponin, sar-
sasapogenin, shikimic acid, sitosterol-d-glucoside, smilagenin, smilasaponin,
smilax saponins A-C, smiglaside A-E, smitilbin, stigmasterol, taxifolin, and
titogenin.
BIOLOGICAL Clinical research has validated the traditional use of sarsaparilla for skin con-
ACTIVITIES ditions such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, and leprosy. In 1942, it was reported in
AND CLINICAL the New England Journal of Medicine to improve the condition of psoriasis dra-
RESEARCH matically. The results of a clinical study with ninety-two patients was detailed,
which reported that it improved psoriasis lesions in 62 percent of cases and
completely cleared lesions in 18 percent of cases. One of the possible mecha-
nisms of action in psoriasis is sarsaparilla's blood cleansing properties. Indi-
viduals with psoriasis have been found to have high levels of endotoxins
circulating in the bloodstream (endotoxins are cell wall fragments of normal gut
bacteria). Sarsaponin, one of sarsaparilla's main steroids, was found to bind
to these endotoxins and remove them, thus improving psoriasis.
Laboratory studies This endotoxin-binding action is probably why the root has been used for
suggest that sarsaparilla centuries as a "blood purifier." Other health conditions associated with high
can bind to toxins and endotoxin levels include eczema, arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. Sarsaparilla's
remove them from the effective use in the treatment of leprosy has been documented in a 1959 human
blood —confirming its trial. The effectiveness of sarsaparilla in the treatment of adolescent acne caused
long standing traditional by excessive androgens has received some experimental support as well.^^^
use as a blood purifier. A 2001 U.S. patent was filed on sarsaparilla {Smilax china) for psoriasis and
respiratory diseases. This patent cited clinical observations and studies with
children and human adults with Psoriasis vulgaris, pustular psoriasis, erythro-
derma psoriaticum lesions, and associated itching —reporting marked clinical
improvements with dosages of 3-6 g daily. It also reported that, upon discon-
tinuation of sarsaparilla after only two months of treatment, there was further
gradual remission of lesions and no side effects. In addition, this patent indicat-
ed sarsaparilla was shown to be a preventative and therapeutic agent for respi-
ratory and allergic diseases such as acute bronchitis, bronchial asthma, asthmatic
bronchitis, and chronic bronchitis. Again, these studies and observations report-
ed in the patent have yet to be published in any peer-reviewed journals.
Sarsaparilla has long been used in the treatment of syphilis. Clinical obser-
vations in China demonstrated that sarsaparilla was effective (according to
blood tests) in about 90 percent of acute and 50 percent of chronic cases.^ In the
1950s the antibiotic properties of sarsaparilla were documented;^'^'^^ other stud-
ies documented its antifungal and antimycobacterial activities. Its anti-
inflammatory activity has been demonstrated in several in vitro and in vivo
studies, using different laboratory-induced models of arthritis and inflamma-

tion. One of these studies attributes the beneficial effect for arthritis to sar-
saparilla's immune modulatory action. Sarsaparilla also has demonstrated
liver protective effects in rats, with researchers concluding that it is able to
prevent immune-mediated liver injury. Improvement of appetite and diges-
tion has been noted with sarsaparilla, as well as its diuretic actions in humans.-^
The root has been reported to have stimulatory activity on the kidneys in
humans and, in chronic nephritis, it was shown to increase the urinary excre-
tion of uric acid.^^'^^
CURRENT Sarsaparilla becoming more widely available in health food stores, with a
is
PRACTICAL USES variety of tablets, capsules, and tincture products sold today. Most of the sar-
saparilla root in herbal commerce today comes from cultivation projects in Mex-
ico and Latin America, as well as China. In naturopathic and herbal medicine,
it is used mostly in combination with other herbs for its tonic, detoxifying,
blood purifying, and lymph-cleansing properties. In retail stores and products,

it can be found as an ingredient in various herbal remedies made for skin dis-
orders, libido enhancement, hormone balancing, and sports nutrition formulas.
It's also commonly used in herbal preparations as a synergist or bioavailabili-
ty aid —as it is thought that the saponins in sarsaparilla root increase the absorp-
tion of other chemicals in the gut. No known toxicity or side effects have been
documented for sarsaparilla; however, ingestion of large dosages of saponins
may cause gastrointestinal irritation.'^''’'^
Traditional One-half to 1 cup of a standard root decoction is taken two to three times daily.
Preparation Alternatively, 1-2 g of root powder in tablets or capsules twice daily, or 2-3 ml
of a standard tincture or fluid extract may be taken twice daily.
Contraindications Large doses may cause gastrointestinal upset.

Drug Interactions Sarsaparilla may increase the absorption of some drugs and compounds. Some
report that it can increase the absorption of digitalis drugs while accelerating
the elimination of hypnotic drugs.

Region Uses
Argentina for rheumatism, and to increase libido and perspiration
Brazil for acne, anorexia, arthritis, blood purification, digestive disorders, eczema, fever, gallstones, gout, hives,
kidney problems, kidney stones, impotence, leprosy, muscle weakness, psoriasis, rheumatism, sexually
transmitted diseases, skin disorders, sterility, syphilis, ulcers, urinary insufficiency; and as an aphrodisiac,
laxative, and to increase perspiration
China for abscesses, arthritis, boils, cystitis, diarrhea, digestive disorders, dysentery, enteritis, fever, malaria,
mercury poisoning, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, skin problems, sores, syphilis, urinary insufficiency,
and as an aphrodisiac and tonic
England for abscesses, anorexia, antiseptic, blood cleansing, cancer, dysentery, eczema, fatigue, gout, immune
enhancement, impotence, infections, inflammation, itching, leprosy, mercury poisoning, muscle weakness,
premenstrual syndrome (PMS), psoriasis, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, sexually transmitted
diseases, skin problems, syphilis; and as an aphrodisiac, antiseptic, diuretic, tonic, and to increase
perspiration
Europe for arthritis, inflammation, kidney problems, psoriasis, rheumatism, sexually transmitted diseases, skin
problems, sweat promotion, urinary disorders, urinary insufficiency
Latin for aches, acne, arthritis, colds, digestive disorders, fever, gout, impotence, pain, psoriasis, rheumatism,
America sexually transmitted diseases, skin problems, sweat promotion, syphilis, weakness, and as an aphrodisiac
and tonic
Mexico for arthritis, blood purification, burns, cancer, digestive disorders, dyspepsia, eczema, fever, gonorrhea,
inflammation, leprosy, nephritis, rash, rheumatism, scrofula, sexually transmitted diseases, skin problems,
syphilis, and to increase perspiration and urination
United for acne, arthritis, bladder problems, blood purification, burns, cancer, convalescence, coughs, diabetes,
States digestive disorders, eczema, eye infections, fatigue, fever, gonorrhea, gout, herpes, hives, hypertension,
impotence, infertility, inflammation, itching, kidney problems, laxative, liver protection, pleurisy,
premenstrual syndrome (PMS), psoriasis, rheumatism, scrofula, sexually transmitted diseases, shingles,
skin problems, stomach disorders, stress, sweat promotion, syphilis, tuberculosis, ulcerative colitis,
ulcers, urinary disorders, urinary insufficiency, vaginal discharge, warts, wounds, and as an expectorant
Elsewhere for abscesses, arthritis, asthma, boils, burns, cancer, colds, conjunctivitis, cystitis, dysentery, dyspepsia,
eczema, edema, epilepsy, gonorrhea, gout, herpes, impotence, inflammation, intestinal gas, kidney
problems, leprosy, lymph inflammation, malaria, menstrual disorders, psoriasis, rashes, sexually transmitted
diseases, stimulant, tonic, toothache, tumor, urogenital diseases, wounds; and as an aphrodisiac, stimulant,
and tonic
SCARLET BUSH
Main Actions Standard Dosage
• relieves pain • reduces spasms Leaves
• reduces inflammation • kills parasites Infusion: I cup two to three
• heals wounds • enhances immunity times daily
• kills bacteria • increases urination Decoction: Apply topically

to affected area
• reduces fever
• kills fungi
Tincture: 1-2 ml two to
three times daily
• lowers body temperature
Family: Rubiaceae Scarlet bush is a small, fast growing, semi-woody bush that can be found
Genus: Hamelia throughout South America including the Amazon basin. It grows up to 3 m in
height and has red tinged, deeply veined leaves about 10-20 cm long. It pro-
Species: patens, erecta
duces a showy mass of tubular, bright reddish-orange flowers —earning its
Common Names: name of scarlet bush or fire bush. It also produces a showy fruit; the edible juicy
scarlet bush, corail, ix-
berry turns from green to yellow, to red, and finally, black when ripe. In Mexi-
canan, koray, ponasi,
co, the ripe berry is turned into wine. The plant is indigenous to most all of
polly red head, red head,
sanalo-todo, uvero, South America, the West Indies, Mexico, and even southern Florida.
hummingbird bush, Due to its beauty and adaptability from hot and dry climates to hot and
firebush, Texas firecracker humid climates, it has been gaining in popularity over the last few years as a
Part Used: entire plant landscape plant in parts of the lower United States, including Texas, Florida,
and California. In Texas (the southern half), it makes a great 4-5 foot mound of
bright red flowers from early summer until late fall; the leaves turn bright red
in the fall before shedding, then it freezes to the ground in the winter and re-
sprouts each spring. It can be found in southern plant nurseries these days
being sold under such names as Texas firecracker bush, fire bush, polly red-
head, and of course, 'scarlet bush. It makes a beautiful addition to any South-
ern garden and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Scarlet bush belongs to the Madder family (Rubiaceae), to which another
important rainforest plant belongs: cat's claw. Several of the same active chem-
icals can be found in both plants, and some of their traditional medicinal uses
are similar as well.
TRIBAL Its Mayan name, Ix-cauan, means "guardian of the forest." Indigenous peo-
AND HERBAL ple in Belize use the plant to prepare a natural remedy to treat all types of
MEDICINE USES skin problems including sores, rashes, wounds, burns, itching, cuts, skin fun-
gus, and insect stings and bites. The remedy is prepared by boiling a double
handful of leaves, stems, and flowers in two gallons of water for ten minutes.
After it applied liberally to the affected area. This same remedy is

cools, it's
also drunk as a tea to relieve menstrual cramps. The Choc Indians in Pana-
ma drink a leaf infusion for fever and bloody diarrhea; the Ingano Indians
of northwest Amazonia prepare a leaf infusion for intestinal parasites.
Indigenous tribes in Venezuela chew on the leaves to lower body tempera-
ture to prevent a sun or heat stroke. In the Peruvian Amazon, the leaves are
used by the indigenous people for dysentery, fevers, rheumatism, and
scurvy. Leaves are also warmed or prepared into a poultice and applied
In some parts of Latin externally as a pain-reliever for bruises, strains, sprains, and other painful or
America, scarlet bush is a inflamed conditions.
common topical remedy In Peruvian herbal medicine systems today, the scarlet bush is used to reduce
for sores, rashes, inflammation, relieve pain, and to expel intestinal worms. It is also used there
wounds, burns, itching, for dysentery, fevers, itchy conditions, skin diseases, rheumatism, parasites,
cuts, skin fungus, and and scurvy. In Brazil, the root is used as a diuretic, while the leaves are used
insect stings and bites. for scabies and headaches. In Latin American herbal medicine systems, scarlet
Farther South, the leaves bush is widely used for many affections including skin problems, diarrhea,
are used to lower body fever, postpartum pain, and menstrual disorders. In Cuba, the leaves are used
temperature to prevent a externally for headaches and sores while a decoction is taken internally for
sun or heat stroke. rheumatism. In Mexico, it is widely used externally to staunch the flow of blood
and heal wounds.
PLANT Scarlet bush is rich in active phytochemicals including alkaloids and flavon-
CHEMICALS oids. It same oxindole alkaloids as cat's claw {Uncaria
contains several of the
tomeiitosa) including pteropodine and isopteropodiue; both have been highly stud-
ied and even patented as effective immune stimulants.''^ These two chemicals
have also recently shown to have a positive modulating effect on brain neu-
rotransmitters (called 5-HT(2) receptors)^ that are targets for drugs used in
treating a variety of conditions incluciing depression, anxiety, eating disorders,
chronic pain conditions, and obesity.^ Three new oxindole alkaloids have also
Scarlet bush contains two been discovered bush which have never been classified before;
in scarlet
of the alkaloid chemicals they've been named Hamelia patens alkaloid A, B, and C.^ Scientists in India
for which cat’s claw discovered that scarlet bush leaves contain small amounts (0.05 percent) of
(another famous ephedrine —a stimulant alkaloid that has received some negative press. ^ In
rainforest plant) is well addition, the aerial parts of the plant have been found to contain rosmarinic
known. These two acid, a phytochemical that has demonstrated immune modulating and anti-
chemicals have been depressant activity.
patented as effective The main plant chemicals documented in scarlet bush thus far include
immune stimulants. apigenin, ephedrine, flavanones, isomaruquine, isopteropodine, maruquine,
narirutins, oxindole alkaloids, palmirine, pteropodine, rosmarinic acid, rum-
berine, rutin, seneciophylline, speciophylline, and tannin.
BIOLOGICAL Much of the clinical research on scarlet bush has validated the traditional uses
ACTIVITIES of the plant. In animal studies (with rats), scarlet bush leaf extracts demon-
AND CLINICAL strated analgesic, diuretic, and hypothermic actions.^^ External use of the leaf
RESEARCH in mice showed significant anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that of a
prescription anti-inflammatory drug used as a control.^^ Scientists in two dif-
ferent countries have documented scarlet bush's antibacterial and antifungal
properties against a wide range of fungi and bacteria in several in vitro stud-
ies. The plant has also been documented with diuretic effects and was
shown to inhibit the growth of tumor and bacteria cells.
CURRENT A decoction or infusion of the leaves of scarlet bush is generally used inter-
PRACTICAL USES nally or externally for bacterial and fungal infections, as well as for its anti-
inflammatory and pain-reducing properties. Typically, if the remedy is taken
internally, an infusion is employed; a leaf decoction is prepared for external
use. Try planting a beautiful scarlet bush in the garden — while working in
the garden on hot days, chew on one of the leaves like the rainforest Indians
do; it has remarkable hypothermic/cooling actions, which will help keep the
body from overheating.
The use of this plant in herbal medicine systems has been reported to be safe
and non-toxic when taken orally at the traditional remedy dosages. Only one
of the animal studies published thus far indicated toxicity: when they injected
a methanol extract of scarlet bush leaves into mice at high dosages (1.5 g per
kg of body weight).^®
Traditional One cup of a standard decoction or leaf infusion is taken two to three times
Preparation daily. If desired, 1-2 ml of a 4:1 alcohol tincture can be substituted. A decoction
of the leaves is also applied topically to wounds, rashes, burns, and skin fun-
gus, and is widely used in the tropics to stop wounds from bleeding.

Region Uses
Amazonia for cancer, cholera, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, erysipelas, fever, headaches, jaundice, malaria, scurvy,
skin disorders, sores, wounds
Belize for burns, cuts, fungal infections, insect bites and stings, itch, menstrual cramps, rashes, skin problems, sores,
wounds
420
Brazil for headaches, scabies
Costa Rica for migraines
Cuba for headaches, rheumatism, sores
Guatemala for dysentery, menstrual disorders
for abortions, anemia, headaches, menstrual disorders, nervous shock,

rage
Haiti
Mexico for skin problems, sores, wounds (bleeding)
Panama for bites (snake and insect), diarrhea, fever, postpartum pain
pain, pharyngitis, rheumatism,

Peru for blood cleansing, constipation, dysentery, fever, inflammation, itching,
scurvy, skin problems, worms, wounds
Venezuela for headaches, jaundice, sunstroke, syphilis
infections, headaches, insect bites,

Elsewhere for cancer, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, erysipelas, fever, fungal
jaundice, malaria, menstrual disorders, migraine, ovarian disorders, pain,
rheumatism, skin problems,
uterine disorders
SIMAROUBA
Family; Simaroubaceae • kills parasites • relieves pain Bark
• amebas • reduces fever Decoction: I cup two

Genus: Simarouba kills
• promotes menstruation to three times daily

• kills bacteria
Species: omaro, glauca 5-10 ml twice
• hydrates skin Tincture:
• kills viruses
Common Names: promotes perspiration
daily
• relieves dysentery •
simarouba, gavilan, negrito,

• kills leukennia cells
maruba. marupT dysentery
• treats malaria
bark, bitterwood, paradise
tree, palo bianco, • reduces tumor growth
robleceillo, caixeta, daguilla, • expels worms
cedro bianco, caju-rana,
malacacheta, palo amargo,
pitomba, bois amer, bois Simarouba is a medium-sized tree that grows up to 20 m high, with a trunk
blanc, bois frene, bois 50-80 cm in diameter. It produces bright green leaves 20-50 cm in length, small
negresse, simaba white flowers, and small red fruits. It is indigenous to the Amazon rainforest
Parts Used: bark, wood, and other tropical areas in Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, and Central America.
leaves
TRIBAL The leaves and bark of simarouba have long been used as a natural medicine
AND HERBAL in the tropics. Simarouba was first imported into France from Guyana in 1713
MEDICINE USES as a remedy for dysentery. When France suffered a dysentery epidemic from
1718 to 1725, simarouba bark was one of the few effective treatments.’ French
explorers "discovered" this effective remedy when they found that the indige-
nous Indian tribes in the Guyana rainforest used simarouba bark as an effec-
tive treatment for malaria and dysentery —much as they still do today. Other
indigenous tribes throughout the South American rainforest use simarouba
bark for fevers, malaria, and dysentery, as a hemostatic agent to stop bleeding,
and as a tonic.
Simarouba goes by Simarouba also has a long history in herbal medicine in many other countries.
the common name In Cuba, where it is called gavilan, an infusion of the leaves or bark is considered
of “dysentery bark” in to be astringent, a digestion and menstrual stimulant, and an antiparasitic rem-
several countries. It has edy. It is taken internally for diarrhea, dysentery, malaria, and colitis; it is used
been used for several externally for wounds and sores. In Belize, the tree is called negrito or dysentery
centuries as an effective bark. There the bark (and occasionally the root) is boiled in water to yield a pow-
natural remedy for erful astringent and tonic used to wash skin sores and to treat dysentery, diar-
amebic dysentery rhea, stomach and bowel disorders, hemorrhages, and internal bleeding. In
and diarrhea. Brazil, employed much the same way against fever, malaria, diarrhea,
it is
dysentery, intestinal parasites, indigestion, and anemia. In Brazilian herbal med-

icine, simarouba bark tea has long been the most highly recommended (and
most effective) natural remedy against chronic and acute dysentery.
PLANT The main active group of chemicals in simarouba are called qiiassinoids, which
CHEMICALS belong to the triterpene chemical family. Quassinoids are found in many plants
and are well known The antiprotozoal and antimalarial properties
to scientists.
of these chemicals have been documented for many years. Several of the quassi-
noids found in simarouba, such as ailanthinone, glaucarubinone, and holacan-
thone, are considered^he plant's main therapeutic constituents and are the ones
documented to be antiprotozal, antiamebic, antimalarial, and even toxic to can-
cer and leukemia cells.
The main plant chemicals in simarouba include ailanthinone, benzoquinone,
canthin, dehydroglaucarubinone, glaucarubine, glaucarubolone, glaucarubi-
none, holacanthone, melianone, simaroubidin, simarolide, simarubin, simaru-
bolide, sitosterol, and tirucalla.
BIOLOGICAL After atwo hundred-year documented history of use for dysentery, its use for
ACTIVITIES amebic dysentery was finally validated by conventional doctors in 1918. A mil-
AND CLINICAL itary hospital in England demonstrated that the bark tea was an effective treat-
RESEARCH ment for amebic dysentery in humans.^ The Merck Institute reported that
simarouba was 91.8 percent effective against intestinal amebas in humans in a
1944 study^ and, in 1962, other researchers found that the seeds of simarouba
showed active anti-amebic activities in humans."^ In the 1990s, scientists again
documented simarouba's ability to kill the most common dysentery-causing
organism. Entamoeba histoh/tica,^ as well as two diarrhea-causing bacteria. Sal-
monella and Shigella.^
Simarouba’s traditional Scientists first looked at simarouba's antimalarial properties in 1947, when
uses for dysentery and they determined a water extract of the bark (as well as the root) demonstrated
malaria have been strong activity against malaria in chickens.^ This study showed that doses of
validated by laboratory only 1 mg kg of body weight exhibited strong antimalarial

of bark extract per
studies and clinical activity. When new strains of malaria began to develop with resistance to our
research. existing antimalarial drugs, scientists began studying simarouba once again.
Studies published between 1988 and 1997 demonstrated that simarouba
and/or its three potent quassinoids were effective against malaria in vitro as
well as in vivo.^'^^^ More importantly, the research indicated that the plant and
its chemicals were effective against the new drug-resistant strains in vivo and
in vitro. While most people in North America will never be exposed to malaria,
between 300 and 500 million cases of malaria occur each year in the world,
leading to more than 1 million deaths annually. Having an easily grown tree in
the tropics (where most malaria occurs) is an important resource for an effec-
tive —
natural remedy it certainly has worked for the Indians in the Amazon
for ages.
It will be interesting to see if North American scientists investigate simarouba

as a possibility for North America's only malaria-like disease the newest —
mosquito-borne threat. West Nile virus. It might be a good one to study because,
in addition to its antimalarial properties, clinical research has shown good
antiviral properties with simarouba bark. Researchers in 1978 and again in 1992
confirmed strong antiviral properties of the bark in vitro against herpes, influ-
enza, polio, and vaccinia viruses.^"^'^^
Simarouba has shown Another area of research on simarouba and its plant chemicals has focused
significant action against on cancer and leukemia. The quassinoids responsible for the antiamebic and
viruses, cancer, and antimalarial properties have also shown in clinical research to possess active
leukemia cells. cancer-killing properties. Early cancer screening performed by the National
Cancer Institute in 1976 indicated that an alcohol extract of simarouba root (and
a water extract of its seeds) had toxic actions against cancer cells at very low
dosages (less than 20 mcg/ml).^^ Following up on that initial screening, scien-
tists discovered that several of the quassinoids in simarouba (glaucarubinone,

alianthinone, and dehydroglaucarubinone) had antileukemic actions against
lymphocytic leukemia in vitro and published several studies in 1977 and
1978.^^'^*^ Researchers found that yet another simarouba quassinoid, holacan-
thone, also possessed antileukemic and antitumorous actions in 19834^

Researchers in the United Kingdom cited the antitumorous activity of two of
the quassinoids, ailanthinone and glaucarubinone, against human epidermoid
carcinoma of the pharynx.^ A later study in 1998 by U.S. researchers demon-
strated the antitumorous activity of glaucarubinone against solid tumors
(human and mouse cell lines), multi-drug-resistant mammary tumors in mice,
and antileukemic activity against leukemia in mice4^
Simarouba is the subject of one U.S. patent so far and, surprisingly, it's not
for its antimalarial, antiamebic, or even anticancerous actions. Rather, water
extracts of simarouba were found to increase skin keratinocyte differentiation
and to improve skin hydration and moisturization.^^ 1997^ a patent was filed
on use to produce a cosmetic or pharmaceutical skin product. The patent
its
describes simarouba extract as having significant skin depigmentation activity

enhancing the protective function of the skin (which maintains
(for liver spots),
better moisturization), and having a significant keratinocyte differentiation

activity (which protects against scaly skin).^^
CURRENT While at least one scientific research group attempts to synthesize one or more
PRACTICAL USES of simarouba's potent quassinoids for pharmaceutical use, the plant remains an
important natural remedy in the herbal pharmacopoeias of many tropical coun-
tries, and shaman's arsenal of potent plant remedies. Natural
in the rainforest
health practitioners outside of South America are just beginning to learn about
the properties and actions of this important rainforest medicinal plant and how
to use it in their own natural health practices.
Simarouba bark tea is still the first line of defense for amebic dysentery and
diarrhea among the natural products available. It is also a good natural reme-
dy Although not widely available in the U.S. today, it can be found
for viruses.
in bulk supplies and in various natural multi-herb anti-parasite and antiviral
formulas.
Traditional For diarrhea or dysentery, the traditional remedy calls for preparing a stan-
Preparation dard decoction with the bark. A teacup full (about 6 ounces) is taken two to
three times daily. If desired, 5-10 ml of a bark tincture twice daily can be
substituted.
Contraindications None reported. Reported side effects at high dosages (approximately three
times the traditional remedy) include increased perspiration and urination,
nausea, and/or vomiting.

424 The Heating Power of Rainforest Herbs

Region Uses
Amazonia for bleeding, constipation, dysentery, fever, malaria
Belize for bowel disorders, diarrhea, dysentery, excessive menstruation, hemorrhages, internal bleeding, skin, sores,
stomach disorders, wounds
Brazil for anemia, anorexia, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, fever, hemorrhages, intestinal parasites, malaria, and as a
bitter digestive aid
Cuba for bleeding, colitis, diarrhea, digestive sluggishness, dysentery, malaria, menstrual disorders, parasites, sores,
wounds
Dominican for colic, diarrhea, gonorrhea, malaria

Republic
El Salvador for amebic infections, digestive stimulation
Haiti for aches (body), anemia, dysentery, dyspepsia, fever, menstrual disorders, pain, rheumatism, skin problems,
and to increase perspiration
Mexico for amebic infections, dyspepsia, fever, malaria
Peru for diarrhea, dysentery, fever, intestinal gas, malaria, stomach pains
Elsewhere for bleeding, colds, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, malaria
STEVIA
• naturally sweetens • kills bacteria Leaves
• lowers blood sugar • kills fungi Ground leaves: V4 tsp.
• increases urination • kills viruses substitutes I tsp. sugar
Family: Asteraceae • lowers blood pressure • reduces inflammation Infusion: I cup two to
three times daily
Genus: Stevia • dilates blood vessels
Species: rebaudiana
Common Names: Stevia is a perennial shrub that grows up to 1 m tall and has leaves 2-3 cm long.
stevia. sweet leaf of It belongs to the Aster family, which is indigenous to the northern regions of
Paraguay, caa-he-e, kaa
South America. Stevia is still found growing wild in the highlands of the
jhee, ca-a-jhei, ca-a-yupi,
Amambay and Iguacu districts (a border area between Brazil and Paraguay). It
azucacaa, eira-caa, capim
doce, erva doce, sweet-
is estimated that as many as 200 species of Stevia are native to South America;
herb, honey yerba, honey however, no other Stevia plants have exhibited the same intensity of sweetness
leaf yaa waan, candy leaf as S. rcbaudiatiad It is grown commercially in many parts of Brazil, Paraguay,
Part Used: leaves Uruguay, Central America, Israel, Thailand, and China.
TRIBAL For hundreds of years, indigenous peoples in Brazil and Paraguay have used
AND HERBAL the leaves of stevia as a sweetener. The Guarani Indians of Paraguay call it kaa
MEDICINE USES jhee and have used it to sweeten their yerba mate tea for centuries. They have
also used stevia to sweeten other teas and foods and have used it medicinally
as a cardiotonic, for obesity, hypertension, and heartburn, and to help lower uric
acid levels.
In addition to being a sweetener, stevia is considered (in Brazilian herbal
medicine) to be hypoglycemic, hypotensive, diuretic, cardiotonic, and tonic.
The leaf is used for diabetes, obesity, cavities, hypertension, fatigue, depression,
sweet cravings, and infections. The leaf is employed in traditional medical sys-
tems in Paraguay for the same purposes as in Brazil.
Europeans first learned about stevia in the sixteenth century, when conquis-
tadores sent word to Spain that the natives of South America were using the
plant to sweeten herbal tea. Since then, stevia has been used widely through-
out Europe and Asia. In the United States, herbalists use the leaf for diabetes,
high blood pressure, infections, and as a sweetening agent. In Japan and Brazil,
stevia is approved as a food additive and sugar substitute.
PLANT Western interest in stevia began around the turn of the nineteenth century,
CHEMICALS when researchers in Brazil started hearing about a plant with leaves so sweet
that just one leaf would sweeten a whole gourd full of bitter yerba mate tea. It
was first studied in 1899 by Paraguayan botanist Moises S. Bertoni, who wrote
some of the earliest articles on stevia (in the early 1900s).
Over 100 phytochemicals have been discovered in stevia since. It is rich in
terpenes and flavonoids. The constituents responsible for stevia's sweetness
were documented in 1931, when eight novel plant chemicals called gh/cosides
were discovered and named. ^ Of these eight glycosides, one called stevioside is
considered the sweetest —and has been tested to be approximately 300 times
sweeter than sugar. 'Stevioside, comprising 6-18 percent of the stevia leaf, is
also the most prevalent glycoside in the leaf. Other sweet constituents include
steviolbioside, rebausiosides A-E, and dulcoside A.^
Chemicals in stevia are The main plant chemicals in stevia include apigenin, austroinulin, avicular-
300 times sweeter in, beta-sitosterol, caffeic acid, campesterol, caryophyllene, centaureidin,
than sugar. chlorogenic acid, chlorophyll, cosmosiin, cynaroside, daucosterol, diterpene
glycosides, dulcosides A-B, foeniculin, formic acid, gibberellic acid, gibberellin,
indole-3-acetonitrile, isoquercitrin, isosteviol, jhanol, kaempferol, kaurene,
lupeol, luteolin, polystachoside, quercetin, quercitrin, rebaudioside A-F, scopo-
letin, sterebin A-H, steviol, steviolbioside, steviolmonoside, stevioside, stevio-
side a-3, stigmasterol, umbelliferone, and xanthophylls.
BIOLOGICAL The great interest in stevia as a non-caloric, natural sweetener has fueled many
ACTIVITIES studies on it —including toxicological ones. The main sweet chemical, stevio-
AND CLINICAL side, has been found to be nontoxic in acute toxicity studies with rats, rabbits,
RESEARCH guinea pigs, and birds.'^ It also has been shown not to cause cellular changes
(mutagenic) or to have any effect on fertility."^ The natural stevia leaf also has
been found to be nontoxic^ and has no mutagenic activity.® Studies conflict as

to the effect of stevia leaf The majority of clinical studies show stevia
on fertility.
leaf to have no effect on fertility in both males and females.'^”^^ In one study,
however, a water extract of the leaf was shown to reduce testosterone levels
and sperm count in male rats.^®
Animal studies indicate Brazilian scientists recorded stevioside's ability to lower systemic blood
that stevia can lower pressure in rats in 1991.^^ Then, in 2000, a double-blind, placebo-controlled
blood pressure and study was undertaken with 106 Chinese hypertensive men and women. Sixty
blood sugar levels. subjects were given capsules containing stevioside (250 mg) or placebo thrice
daily, and followed up at monthly intervals for one year. After three months,
the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the stevioside group decreased
significantly and the effect persisted over the whole year.^® The researchers
concluded, 'This study shows that oral stevioside is a well tolerated and
effective modality that may be considered as an alternative or supplementary
therapy for patients with hypertension."^® Another team of scientists tested
the hypoglycemic effects of the individual glycoside chemicals in stevia and
attributed the effect on glucose production to the glycosides steviol, isostevi-
ol, and glucosilsteviol.^® The main sweetening glycoside, stevioside, did not
produce this effect.^® Researchers in Denmark published a study (in 2000)
which demonstrated that the in vitro hypoglycemic actions of stevioside and
steviol are a result of their ability to stimulate insulin secretion via a direct
action on beta cells. They concluded, "Results indicate that the compounds
may have a potential role as antihyperglycemic agents in the treatment of
type 2 diabetes mellitus."^^
and uses as a heart tonic to normalize blood pressure lev-
Stevia's effects
els, to regulate heartbeat, and for other cardiopulmonary indications first
were reported in rat studies (in 1978).^®'^*^ Following these studies, a crude
extract of stevia demonstrated hypotensive activity in a 1996 clinical study
with rats, showing that "at dosages higher than used for sweetening pur-
poses, [stevia extractl is normo- and hypertensive ani-
a vasodilator agent in
mals."^® In humans, a hot water extract of the leaf has been shown to lower
both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.^^ Several earlier studies on both
stevia extracts, as well as its isolated glycosides, demonstrated this hypoten-
sive action (as well as a diuretic action).^2,23 hypertensive rats, the leaf
extract increased renal plasma flow, urinary flow, sodium excretion, and fil-
tration rate7^
In addition to its studied hypotensive effects, a Brazilian research group
demonstrated that water extracts of stevia leaves had a hypoglycemic effect
and increased glucose tolerance in humans, reporting that it "significantly
decreased plasma glucose levels during the test and after overnight fasting in
all volunteers. In another human study, blood sugar was reduced by 35 per-
cent six to eight hours after oral ingestion of a hot water extract of the leaf.^^
In other research, stevia has demonstrated antimicrobial,^^ antibacteriah^^'^s
antiviral,29 and anti-yeast activity. A water extract was shown to help prevent
dental cavities by inhibiting the bacteria Streptococcus miitans that stimulates
plaque forma tion.^^ Additionally, a U.S. patent was filed in 1993 on an extract
of stevia that claimed it to have vasodilatory activity and deemed it effective
for various skin diseases (acne, heat rash, pruritis) and diseases caused by blood
circulation insufficiency.
CURRENT For nearly twenty years, millions of consumers in Japan and Brazil, where
PRACTICAL USES stevia is approved as a food additive, have been using stevia extracts as safe,
natural, non-caloric sweeteners, japan is the largest consumer of stevia leaves
and extracts in the world, and there it is used to sweeten everything from soy
sauce to pickles, confections, and soft drinks. Even multinational giants like
Coca-Cola and Beatrice Foods use stevia extracts to sweeten foods (as a re-
placement for NutraSweeP^ and saccharin) for sale in Japan, Brazil, and other
countries where it is approved as a food additive. Not so in the United States,
however, where stevia is specifically prohibited from use as a sweetener or as
a food additive. Why? Many people believe that the national non-caloric sweet-
ener giants have been successful in preventing this all-natural, inexpensive, and
non-patentable sweetener from being used to replace their patented, synthetic,
more expensive sweetener products.
Today, stevia leaves and leaf extracts are commonly found in most health
food stores; however, they may only be sold in the United States as dietary/
herbal supplements, not as food additives or sweeteners. In fact, in 1991 the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) even banned all imports of stevia into
the country. This political move was viewed by many to have monetary ties
to the sweetener industry, which stood to lose a lot —
and it created a huge pub-
lic outcry in the natural products industry. The import ban was lifted in 1995
after much lobbying led by the American Herbal Products Association and
other industry leaders. This allowed stevia to be sold as a dietary supplement
under legislation called the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of
1994. The FDA, in one of its more politically incorrect debacles, has ruled that
stevia is presumed safe as a dietary supplement but is considered unsafe as a

food additive. This incongruity openly protects the profit margins of the
"sweetener giants." In the words of Rob McCaleb, president of the Herb
Research Foundation andmember of the President's Commission on Dietary
Supplements, "The FDA may have painted itself into a corner on this one. Its
policy simply makes no sense."^'^
Traditional In the United States stevia is mostly employed as a sugar substitute. About V4
Preparation teaspoon of the natural ground leaves (or one whole lâf) is the equivalent to
about 1 teaspoon of sugar. In South America, a standard infusion is sometimes
used as a natural aici for diabetes and hypertension; 1 cup is taken two to three
times daily.
Contraindications Stevia leaf (at dosages higher than used for sweetening purposes) has been doc-
umented to have a hypoglycemic effect. Those with diabetes should use high
amounts of stevia with caution and monitor their blood sugar levels, as med-
ications may need adjusting.
Stevia leaf has been documented to have a hypotensive, or blood-pressure-
lowering effect (at dosages higher than used for sweetening purposes). Persons
with low blood pressure and those taking antihypertensive drugs should avoid
using large amounts of stevia, and monitor their blood pressure levels accord-
ingly for these possible effects.
Drug Interactions In large amounts, stevia may potentiate antihypertensive and antidiabetic
medications.

Region Uses
Brazil for cavities, depression, diabetes, fatigue, heart support, hyperglycemia, hypertension, infections, obesity,
sweet cravings, tonic, urinary insufficiency, wounds, and as a sweetener
Paraguay for diabetes, and as a sweetener
South for diabetes, hypertension, infections, obesity, and as a sweetener

America
United for Candida, diabetes, hyperglycemia, hypertension, infections, and as a sweetener and vasodilator
States
SUMA
• supports hormones • inhibits blood sickling Root
• adaptogenic • lowers cholesterol Decoction: I cup twice
• relieves pain • calms nerves daily
• reduces inflammation • inhibits tumor growth Tablets/Capsules: l-2g

twice daily
• inhibits cancer • increases libido
• kills leukemia cells • oxygenates cells
• enhances immunity
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Pfaffia
Species: paniculata
Suma is a large, rambling, shrubby ground vine with an intricate, deep, and
extensive root system. It is indigenous to the Amazon basin and other tropical
Common Names:
parts of (southern) Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.
suma, Brazilian ginseng,
pfaffia, para toda,

Since its first botanical recording in 1826, it has been referred to by several
corango-acu botanical names, including Pfaffia paniculata, Hebanthe paniculata, and Gomplire-
na paniculata. The genus Pfaffia is well known in Central and South America,
Part Used: root
with over fifty species growing in the warmer tropical regions.
TRIBAL In South America, suma is known as para toda (which means "for all things")
AND HERBAL and as Brazilian ginseng, since it is widely used as an adaptogen with many
MEDICINE USES applications (much as "regular" ginseng). The indigenous peoples of the Ama-
zon region who named it para toda have used suma root for generations for a
wide variety of health purposes, including as a general tonic; as an energy, reju-
venating, and sexual tonic; and as a general cure-all for many types of illness-
In modern Brazilian herbal es. Suma has been used as an aphrodisiac, a calming agent, and to treat ulcers
medicine practices, suma for at least 300 years. Jt is an important herbal remedy in the folk medicine of
root is employed to several rainforest Indian tribes today.
increase oxygen to cells In herbal medicine throughout the world today, suma is considered a tonic
and taken to stimulate and an adaptogen. The herbal definition of an adaptogcfi is a plant that increas-
appetite and blood es the body's resistance to adverse influences by a wide range of physical,
circulation, increase chemical, and biochemical factors and has a normalizing or restorative effect on
estrogen production, the body as a whole. In modern Brazilian herbal medicine practices, suma root
balance blood sugar levels, is employed as a cellular oxygenator and taken to stimulate appetite and cir-
enhance the immune culation, increase estrogen production, balance blood sugar levels, enhance the
system, strengthen the immune system, strengthen the muscular system, and enhance memory.
muscular system, and In North American herbal medicine, suma root is used as an adaptogenic
enhance memory. and regenerative tonic regulating many systems of the body; as an immuno-
stimulant; to treat exhaustion and chronic fatigue, impotence, arthritis, anemia,

diabetes, cancer, tumors, mononucleosis, high blood pressure, PMS, meno-
pause, hormonal disorders, and many types of stress. In herbal medicine in
Ecuador today, suma is considered a tonic and "normalizer" for the cardiovas-
cular system, the central nervous system, the reproductive system, and the
digestive system; it is used to treat hormonal disorders, sexual dysfunction and
sterility, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, circulatory and digestive disorders, rheuma-
tism, and bronchitis. Thomas Bartram, in his book Encyclopedia of Herbal Medi-
cine, reports that suma is used in Europe to restore nerve and glandular
functions; to balance the endocrine system; to strengthen the immune system;
for infertility; for menopausal and menstrual symptoms; to minimize the side
effects of birth control medications; for high cholesterol; to neutralize toxins;
and as a general restorative tonic after illness.
PLANT Nutritionally, suma amino acids, a large num-

root contains nineteen different
CHEMICALS ber of electrolytes, trace minerals, iron, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins A, B],
B 2 E, K, and pantothenic acid.^ Its high germanium content probably accounts
,
for its properties as an oxygenator at the cellular level; its high iron content may
account for its traditional use for anemia. The root also contains novel phyto-
chemicals including saponins, pfaffic acids, glycosides, and nortriterpenes.
Suma has been called Suma has also been called "the Russian secret," as it has been taken by Russ-
“the Russian secret,” as ian Olympic athletes for many years and has been reported to increase muscle
it has been taken by building and endurance, without the side effects associated with steroids. This
Russian Olympic athletes action is attributed to an anabolic-type phytochemical called beta-ecdysterone
for many years and has and three novel ecdysteroid glycosides that are found in high amounts in
been reported to suma. ^'2 Suma is such a rich source of beta-ecdysterone; the subject of a Japan-
increase muscle building ese patent is for the extraction methods employed
from suma root to obtain it
and endurance, without (approximately 2.5 g of beta-ecdysterone can be extracted from 400
g of pow-
the side effects associated —
dered suma root or .63 percent). These same Japanese researchers filed a U.S.
with steroids. patent in 1998 for a proprietary extract of suma (which extracted the ecdy-
sterone and beta-ecdysterone); it claimed (through various in vivo and in vitro
studies) that their compound maintained health, enhanced the immune sys-
tem, and had a tonic and an anti-allergenic effect.'^ A Erench company also filed
a U.S. patent on the topical use of these ecdysterone chemicals, claiming that
their suma ecdysterone extract strengthened the water barrier function of the
skin, increased skin keratinocyte differentiation (which would be helpful for
psoriasis), gave the skin a smoother, softer appearance, and also improved hair
appearance.
Suma root has a very high saponin content (up to 11 percent).^ In phyto-
chemistry, plant saponins are well known to have a wide spectrum of activities
including lowering blood cholesterol, inhibiting cancer cell growth, and acting
as antifungal and antibacterial agents. They are also known as natural deter-
gent and foaming agents. Phytochemists report that saponins can act by bind-
ing with bile acids and cholesterol. It is thought that these chemicals ''clean" or
purge these fatty compounds from the body (thus lowering blood cholesterol
levels). One most famous plant saponins is digitalis, derived from the
of the
common foxglove garden plant, which has been used as a heart drug for over
100 years.
The specific saponins found in the roots of suma include a group of novel
phytochemicals that scientists have named pifaffosides. These saponins have clin-
ically demonstrated the ability to inhibit cultured melanomas {in
tumor cell
vitro) and help to regulate blood sugar levels {in vivo)7~^ The pfaffosides and
pfaffic acid derivatives in suma were patented as anti-tumor compounds in
several Japanese patents in the mid-1980s. In a study described in one of
the patents, researchers reported that an oral dosage of 100 mg /kg (of suma
saponins) given to rats was active against abdominal cancer.^^ The other patents
and Japanese research report that the pfaffic acids found in suma root had a
strong in vitro activity against melanoma, liver carcinoma, and lung carcinoma
cells at only 4-6 meg of pfaffic acids.^"^^ However, it should be noted that this
equates to taking 400-600 g (about 1 lb.) of natural suma root daily to achieve
the therapeutic dosage of pfaffic acids reported to demonstrate toxic activity
against these cancer cells. As such, it will probably be left up to the pharma-
ceutical companies to provide synthesized versions of these chemicals in ther-
apeutic amounts.
Suma's main plant chemicals are allantoin, beta-eedysterone, beta-sitosterol,
daucosterol, germanium, iron, magnesium, nortriterpenoids, pantothenic acid,
pfaffic acids, pfaffosides A-F, polypodine B, saponins, silica, stigmasterol, stig-
masterol-3-o-beta-d-glucoside, and vitamins A, Bj, B2 , E, K, and zinc.
BIOLOGICAL In addition to the pfaffic acids having anticancerous activity, research in Japan
ACTIVITIES (in 2000) reported that natural suma root had anticancerous activity as well. In
AND CLINICAL this in vivo study, an oral administration of powdered suma root (at a dosage
RESEARCH of 750 mg /kg) was reported to inhibit the proliferation of lymphoma and
leukemia in mice and, otherwise, delay mortality. Notice, however, that this
antiproliferative effect slowed the growth of these cancer cells — it did not erad-
icate them. These researchers postulated that the inhibitory effect evidenced
might be due to the enhancement of the nonspecific and/or cellular immune
systems.
In 1995, a U.S. patent was filed that detailed some beneficial effects of suma
root against sickle-cell anemia. In a double-blind placebo human study.
researchers reported that fifteen patients taking suma root for three months
(1,000 mg three times daily) increased hemoglobin levels, inhibited red blood
cell sickling, and generally improved their physical condition by reducing side
effects during the treatment.^^ These results were statistically higher than the
fifteen other patients on placebo. Unfortunately, once treatment was discontin-
ued, symptoms and blood parameters returned to their pretreated state within
three to six months. It was reported, however, that several patients in the study
remained on the suma supplement for three years or longer. They reportedly
maintained consistent improvement and a higher quality of life with no side
effects. Other U.S. researchers (in 2000) studied suma root's actual mechanism
of action in its ability to resickle blood cells and reported their —
findings which
again confirmed an anti-sickling effect and a rehydration effect of sickled cells
{in vitro).^^
Preliminary research In other research, suma demonstrated analgesic and anti-inflammatory activ-
with humans indicates ities in various in vivo rat and mouse studies.^^'^^ Another tested activity focused
that suma may be on its long history of use as a sexual stimulant and aphrodisiac. Researchers ver-
beneficial for people ified this traditional use, reporting in a 1999 clinical study that a suma root
with sickle-cell anemia. extract was able to increase the sexual performance in healthy, sexually sluggish
and impotent rats.^^ In 2001, a U.S. patent was filed on a multi-plant combina-
tion containing suma for sexual enhancement in humans. The patent indicated
that the suma extract tested increased sexual performance and function.^^
Toxicity studies with humans indicated no toxicity at an oral dosage of 1.5 g
of the root.^^ Another orally administered toxicity study with rats also report-
ed no toxicity —even when suma root represented 50 percent of the rats' food
supply for However, mice injected subcutaneously with the
thirty days.^^
equivalent of 5 gm/kg (in an ethanol extract) evidenced sedation, drop in body
temperature, and loss of motor coordination.^^ Mortality was observed at 10
g/kg (again, in an ethanol extract) when injected in mice.^^
CURRENT Suma is another excellent example of a highly beneficial rainforest plant that
PRACTICAL USES —
has many activities and applications with clinical research validating its tra-
ditional uses. No wonder it's called "for all things" throughout South Ameri-
ca! With its varied applications — from cancer and anemia sexual
sickle-cell to its
stimulant and tonic qualities — it becoming more popular and well
is finally
known in North American herbal medicine practices as well. Suma root prod-
ucts are now more widely available in health food stores; several encapsulat-
ed, ground-root products (and root extracts in capsules and liquid extracts) are
available on the shelves under various labels. There is also at least one stan-
dardized extract (standardized to the saponin content) that has made a recent
appearance on the market.
Traditional The Brazilian traditional remedy calls for preparing a standard decoction with
Preparation ^0 g suma root boiled in a liter of water; two cups of the decoction are gen-
erally taken daily. Herbalists and health practitioners also employ suma root
powder in capsules (the decoction tastes quite bitter) with the reported dosage
being 2-4 g daily depending on body weight and health condition. This daily
dosage is usually taken in two or three divided dosages throughout the day. For
standardized or liquid extract products, follow the labeled dosage instructions.
Contraindications Suma has been documented amount of plant sterols includ-

to contain a significant
ing a significant amount of beta-ecdysterone and small amounts of stigmasterol

and beta-sitosterol. These sterols might have estrogenic properties or activities
and/or cause an increase in estrogen production (although not clinically proven)

as this plant has been used traditionally to regulate menstrual processes, as well
as to treat menopause, PMS, and other hormonal disorders. Therefore, it is advis-
able for women with estrogen-positive cancers to avoid the use of this plant.
The powder has been reported to cause asthmatic allergic reactions if

root
inhaled.^^ When handling raw suma root powder or preparing decoctions with
root powder, avoid inhalation of the root powder/ dust.
Ingestion of large amounts of plant saponins in general (naturally occurring
chemicals in suma) has shown to sometimes cause miki gastric disturbances,
including nausea and stomach cramping. Reduce dosages if these side effects
are noted.

Region Uses
Brazil for anemia, arthritis, asthma, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, circulation problems, diabetes, Epstein-Barr,
hyperglycemia, hypertension, immune disorders, impotence, inflammation, leukemia, lymphatic diseases,
mononucleosis, pain, rheumatism, skin problems, stress, tremors, tumors, ulcers; and as an antioxidant,
aphrodisiac, appetite stimulant, rejuvenator, and tranquilizer
Ecuador for arteriosclerosis, bronchitis, circulatory problems, diabetes, digestive disorders, hormonal problems,
rheumatism, sexual dysfunction, sterility
Europe for endocrine disorders, fertility, high cholesterol, immune disorders, menopause, menstrual disorders,
nerve problems, stress
Japan for cancer, steroid enhancement, tumors
Peru for diarrhea, dysentery, fevers, flatulence, malaria, stomach pains
Russia for muscle growth, steroid enhancement
United for chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, Epstein-Barr, hormonal disorders, hypertension, impotence,
States menopause, mononucleosis, nervousness, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), sickle-cell anemia, stress
TAYUYA
• relieves pain • stimulates bile Root
• reduces inflammation • stimulates digestion Infusion: I cup two to three
• fights free radicals • increases urination times daily
• reduces stress ' • mildly laxative Tablets/Capsules: 1-2 g two

• calms nerves
ta three times daily
• cleanses blood
Family: Cucurbitaceae Tayuya is a woody vine found in the Amazon rainforest predominantly in
Genus: Cayoponia
Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. This important Amazon plant belongs to the Cucur-
bitaceae (gourd) family, which comprises over 100 genera and over 700
Species: tayuya, ficcifolia
species — most of which are characterized by their long, tuberous roots. It is
Common Names: tayuya's long tap-root that employed medicinally. Harvesting of it can only
is
tayuya, taiuia, taioia,
be performed during rainy season, when the ground is soft and wet; during
abobrinha-do-mato,
dry season, the ground is too hard to extricate the root (which can extend to
anapinta, cabeca-de-
negro, guardiao, tomba three feet long) from the dry clay soils in the Amazon. About fifty species of
Cayapionia occur in the warmer parts of the Americas, West Africa, Madagascar,
Part Used: root
and Indonesia. Tayuya is known by several botanical names, which all refer
to the same plant: Cayaponia tayuya, C. ficcifolia, Triauospenna tayuya, and T. fic-
cifolia. In Brazil, the plant is known as taiuia; in Peru, it is called tayuya.
TRIBAL South American Indians have been using tayuya since prehistoric times, and
AND HERBAL the plant's value is well known. It has been used as a tonic and blood cleanser
MEDICINE USES traditionally (and, usually, with a bit of added to tone down the
honey or stevia
strong, bitter taste). In the Amazon rainforest, Indians have used the root of
tayuya for snakebite and rheumatism for centuries. Indians in Colombia use the
plant for sore eyes; indigenous tribes of Peru use it for skin problems.
Tayuya has a long history in Brazilian herbal medicine; it was first recorded
in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia as an official herbal drug in 1929. Brazilian
botanist J. Monteiro Silva reports tayuya is used for the treatment of all types
of pain and recommends it as an anti-syphilitic agent. Monteiro also believes
it helps to regulate metabolism. In Brazil today, tayuya is used as a pain-reliever,
diuretic, anti-inflammatory, tonic, blood purifier and detoxifier; to treat diar-
rhea, epilepsy, metabolism disorders, backache, sciatic pain, headaches, gout,
neuralgia, constipation, anemia, cholera, dyspepsia, stomach problems, fatigue
and debility, skin disorders, arthritis and rheumatism, syphilis, tumors (espe-
cially in the joints); and as a general analgesic for many conditions.
Tayuya has a long history Currently, tayuya is employed in North and South America for its pain-
in Brazilian herbal reducing properties, and more. Natural health practitioners in the United States
medicine; it was first are using tayuya to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dyspepsia and slug-
recorded in the Brazilian gish digestion, neuralgia, sciatica, gout, headaches, rheumatism, and as a meta-
Pharmacopoeia as an bolic regulator. Because of its reported effectiveness as a blood purifier and
official herbal drug in detoxifier, it is being used as a natural remedy for water retention, wounds,
1929. splotchiness on the face, eczema, herpes, severe acne, and other skin problems.
In North America, it is also being used in athletic training and recovery to help
remove lactic acid accumulation, to reduce swelling, and to relieve emotional

fatigue and depression.
PLANT Tayuya is and cucurbitacin triterpenes. Almost

rich in flavones, glucosides,
CHEMICALS every species in the huge Cucurbitaceae family is documented to contain cucur-
bitacin compounds —
many of which evidence biological activity (and, often,
the plant's medicinal activity is attributed to these chemicals). Novel cucur-
bitacins have been discovered in tayuya and named cayaponosides (twenty-four
distinct cayaponosides have been discovered thus far). These phytochemicals
have been documented to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and pain-reliev-
ing properties'”^ and, more recently, to have anticancerous potential.
The National Cancer Center Research Institute in Tokyo, Japan reported (in
1995) that five cayaponosides in tayuya "exhibited significant anti-tumor-pro-

moter activity in screening tests using an Epstein-Barr virus activating system"
and that two other cayaponosides "also suppressed mouse skin tumor promo-
tion in a two-stage carcinogenesis experiment. Another cucurbitacin found
in tayuya, cucurbitacin R, has been studied extensively in Russia. There it is
cited as a powerful adaptogen, preventing stress-induced alterations in the
body.^ Other flavone phytochemicals in tayuya have been reported to act as

potent scavengers of free radicals, providing an antioxidant effecU as well as
protecting against damage induced by gamma-radiation.
The main plant chemicals found in tayuya include alkaloids, cayaponosides,
cucurbitacins, isoorientin, isovitexin, orientin, resins, saponins, spinosin, sterols,
swertisin, vicenin 2, and vitexin.
BIOLOGICAL While tayuya's compounds have come under some scientific scrutiny (and
ACTIVITIES many of the documented uses in herbal medicine could be explained by some
AND CLINICAL of the activities of its chemicals), very little research has been performed on the
biological activity of the plant itself. Two animal studies (performed in the early
RESEARCH
1990s) do verify that root extracts provide pain relieving and anti-inflammato-
ry actions. One study documented that a root infusion given orally to mice had
an analgesic action. Another research group prepared the root in a methanol
Tayuya’s traditional uses extract and reported mild anti-inflammatory actions when administered oral-
to relieve pain and ly to mice.^^"^ The latter group reported no toxic effects in mice given
2 g/ kg of
inflammation have been body weight orally; however, toxicity was reported when 500 mg/kg was
confirmed in animal injected intraperitoneally. One in vitro study by Brazilian scientists reported
studies. that tayuya did not evidence any antimicrobial properties (against several
common bacteria, fungi, and yeast microbes they tested).
CURRENT widely publicized marketing campaign was started in Europe regard-

In 2003, a
PRACTICAL USES ing tayuya that is, at best, unscrupulous— if not outright fraudulent. It makes
unsupported claims that the plant can cure many diseases including arthritis,
impotence, and gout, and was discovered through the "Tayuyis" Indians in Brazil
(who never existed). Other easily recognized fallacies in their literature are that
tayuya is "rare" (as it, supposedly, makes the soil sterile for fifteen to twenty
years!), and that the leaf is used indigenously (rather than the root, which is well-
documented in literature dating back a century). Consumers should be aware
that no clinical studies exist to support any of these wild claims, and that tayuya
will not provide the benefits advertised. While tayuya has a long history of tra-
ditional use by herbalists in the United States and South America for all
types
pain and joint aches, it is at best a good pain-reliever; it will not cure arthritis (nor
any of the other diseases claimed in the marketing literature). It is unfortunate
that a handful of unethical companies can affect the entire herbal products indus-
try negatively with such scurrilous practices, but it continues to happen.
Although not widely available, tayuya is being employed by several com-
panies as an ingredient in various herbal formulas (typically for pain, arthritis,
and detoxification). Generally, employed by South American herbalists in
it is
combination with other plants, and not as a single therapy. Consumers and
manufacturers should stick with reputable harvesters and importers for sourc-
ing this particular tropical plant. The official plant that is sold as tayuya should
be Cai/aponia tayuya. One independent published survey in Brazil (the main
exporter of the root), however, reported that almost any species of Cayaponia (of
which about forty different species exist in South America) is harvested, mar-
keted, and sold as taiuid in Brazil. They also reported that another complete-
ly different plant, Wilbrandia ebracteata, frequently has been found among the
"taiuia roots" sold in Brazilian herbal commerce.
Traditional Tayuya root is traditionally prepared in infusions and taken in 1 cup dosages
Preparation two to three times daily. Alternatively, 1-2 of the powdered root is stirred into
g
juice, water, or food and taken two to three times daily.


Region Uses
Amazonia for depression, edema, eye disorders, fatigue, swelling
Brazil for arthritis, backache, blood cleansing, boils, cholera, constipation, detoxification, diarrhea, digestive
disorders, dyspepsia, edema, eczema, epilepsy, fatigue, gout, headaches, inflammation, leprosy, menstrual
disorders, metabolism regulation, neuralgia, pain, rabies, rheumatism, sciatica, scrofula, skin diseases,
snakebite, stomach (dilated), syphilis, tumors (joint), ulcers, urinary insufficiency; and as a bitter
digestive stimulant
Colombia for sore eyes
Peru for rheumatism, skin disorders, snakebite
United for acne, arthritis, backache, blood cleansing, depression, detoxification, digestion disorders, dyspepsia,
States eczema, edema, epilepsy, gout, headaches, herpes, irritable bowel syndrome, lactic acid excess, liver
problems, metabolism disorders, nerve pain, pain, rheumatism, sciatica, skin disorders, spleen inflammation,
ulcers, wounds
VASSOURINHA
• kills viruses • kills bacteria Whole herb

• kills leukemia cells • kills fungi Infusion: I cup twice daily
• inhibits tumors • reduces fever Tablets/Capsules: 2-3 g
heals wounds twice daily

• kills germs •
• reduces inflammation • lowers blood sugar

Family: Scrophulariceae
• relieves pain • lowers body temperature
Genus: Scoparia • reduces spasms
Species: dulcis • expels phlegm
• promotes menstruation
Common Names:
vassourinha, huhco
pichana, anisillo, • strengthens heartbeat

bitterbroom, boroemia, • supports heart
broomweed, brum sirpi,
escobilla, licorice weed,

Vassourinha is an erect annual herb in the foxglove family that grows up to
mastuerzo, piqui pichana,
pottipooli, sweet broom, V-7 m high. It produces serrated leaves and many small, white flowers. It is wide-
tapixava, tupixaba ly distributed in many tropical countries in the world and is found in abun-
Parts Used: leaves, bark, dance in South America and the Amazon rainforest. It can be found as far north
roots as the Southern United States, including Texas, Florida, and Louisiana. The
plant is called escobiiln in Peru, vassourinha in Brazil, and in the U.S. the plant
is known as sweet broomweed or licorice weed. In many areas, the plant is con-
sidered an invasive weed.
%
TRIBAL Vassourinha has long held a place in herbal medicine in every tropical country
AND HERBAL where it grows, and its use by indigenous peoples is well documented. Indige-
MEDICINE USES nous tribes in Ecuador brew a tea of the entire plant to reduce swellings, aches,
and pains. The Tikuna Indians make a decoction for washing wounds, and
women drink the same decoction for three days each month during menstrua-
tion as a contraceptive and/ or to induce abortions. In the rainforests of Guyana,
indigenous tribes use a leaf decoction as an antiseptic wash for wounds, as an
anti-nausea aid for infants, as a soothing bath to treat fever, and in poultices for
migraine headaches. Indigenous peoples in Brazil use the leaf juice to wash
infected wounds, and place it in the eyes for eye problems; they make an infu-
sion of the entire plant to use as an expectorant and and soften the
to soothe
skin. Indigenous tribes in Nicaragua use a hot water infusion and/or decoction
of vassourinha leaves (or the whole plant) for stomach pain, for menstrual dis-
orders, as an aid in childbirth, as a blood purifier, for insect bites, fevers, heart
problems, liver and stomach disorders, malaria, sexually transmitted diseases,
and as a general tonic.
In Brazil, a vassourinha Vassourinha is still employeci in herbal medicine throughout the tropics. In
tea is prepared from the Peru, a decoction of the entire plant recommended
is upper respiratory
for
leaves or aerial parts of problems, biliary colic or congestion, menstrual disorders, and fever; the leaf
the plant for fevers and juice is still employed externally for wounds and hemorrhoids. In Brazilian
urinary tract diseases, herbal medicine, the plant is used to reduce fever, lower blood sugar and blood
upper respiratory pressure, and as an expectorant for coughs and lung congestion. A tea is
pre-
disorders, bronchitis, pared from the leaves or aerial parts of the plant for fevers and urinary tract
coughs, menstrual diseases, upper respiratory disorders, bronchitis, coughs, menstrual disorders,
disorders, and and hypertension. The leaf juice or a decoction of the leaves is also employed
hypertension. topically for skin ulcers and erysipelas. In Ayurvedic herbal medicine
systems
in India, a leaf tea is widely used for diabetes.
PLANT Chemical screening of vassourinha has shown that it is a source of novel phy-
CHEMICALS tochemicals in the flavone and terpene classification, some of which have not
been seen in science before.^'^ Many of vassourinha's active biological proper-
ties, including anticancerous properties, are attributed to these phytochemi-
its
cals. The main chemicals being studied are scopadulcic acids A

and B, scopadiol,
scopadulciol, scopadulin, scoparic acids A, B, and C, and betulinic acid.^-^
The antitumorous activity of scopadulcic acid B was demonstrated in a 1993
stiidy,^ and anti-tumor activity against various human cancer
cell lines was
reported again in 2001.^ This chemical and another compound named sco-
padulin demonstrated antiviral properties in several studies, including against

herpes simplex I, in hamsters. Betulinic acid is another phytochemical that
has been the subject of much independent cancer research (beginning in the late
Plant chemicals found
1990s). Many studies report that this phytochemical has powerful anticancer-
in vassouhnha have
ous, antitumorous, antileukemic, and antiviral (including HIV) properties.
evidenced anticancerous
This potent phytochemical has displayed selective cytotoxic activity against
and antiviral actions in
malignant brain tumors, bone cancer, and melanomas (without harming
the laboratory.
healthy cells).
Vassourinha's main plant chemicals include acacetin, amyrin, apigenin,

benzoxazin, benzoxazolin, benzoxazolinone, betulinic acid, cirsimarin, cirsita-
kaoside, coixol, coumaric acid, cynaroside, daucosterol, dulcinol, dulcioic acid,

friedelin, gentisic acid, glutinol, hymenoxin, ifflaionic acid, linarin, luteolin,
mannitol, scopadiol, scopadulcic acid A and B, scopadulciol, scopadulin, sco-

paric acid A through C, scoparinol, scutellarein, scutellarin, sitosterol, stigmas-
terol, taraxerol, vicenin, and vitexin.
BIOLOGICAL In addition to its tested anticancerous chemicals, a methanol extract of vas-

sourinha leaves also showed toxic actions against cancer cells (with a 66 per-
ACTIVITIES
cent inhibition rate) by Japanese researchers.-^'î These findings fueled more
AND CLINICAL
research on the chemicals in this plant and their activities, which is still ongo-
RESEARCH
ing today.
Some of vassourinha's other uses in herbal medicine have also been vali-
dated by western research. In early research, vassourinha demonstrated a car-

diotonic effect in animals.^ More than forty years later, researchers reconfirmed
itsblood-pressure-lowering properties in rats and dogs (while increasing the
strength of the heartbeat). ^3 Vassourinha also demonstrated anti-inflammatory,
antispasmodic, and pain-relieving activity in animal studies with rats, mice,
In addition to
and guinea pigs.^^^^'A single chemical called scoparinol was identified by sci-
its documented anti-
entists as being responsible for the pain-relieving effects.^^^ Another researcher,
cancerous activity, other
again documented significant pain-relieving and anti-inflam-
in a 2001 study,
animal studies reveal
that vassouhnha reduces

—
matory effects in laboratory animals and also indicated that scoparinol
demonstrated diuretic and barbiturate potentiation activity.-^ These docu-
pain, inflammation,
mented actions could certainly explain its traditional use as a natural remedy
and spasms.
for pain of all types (including menstrual pain and cramps, as well as during
childbirth). In 2002, researchers in India verified vassourinha's antidiabetic and
blood-sugar-lowering effects in rats.-^ In other in vitro laboratory tests, vas-
sourinha demonstrated antioxidant actions,^^ as well as active properties

against bacteria and fungi (which could explain its sustained use for respira-
tory and urinary tract infections).^*^'^^
CURRENT Scientists have been trying since the mid-1990s to synthesize several plant
PRACTICAL LISES chemicals found in vassourinha, including scopadulcic acid B and betulinic
acid, for their use in the pharmaceutical industry. Herbalists and natural health
practitioners have used, and will continue to use, the plant as an effective nat-
ural remedy for upper respiratory problems and viruses, for menstrual prob-
lems, and as a natural pain-reliever and antispasmodic remedy when needed.
Water and ethanol extracts given mice up
to at to 2 g per kg of body weight
showed no toxicity. 2*^
Traditional The reported therapeutic dosage generally used in South America is 2-3 g twice
Preparation daily or 1 cup of a standard infusion twice daily.
Contraindications None documented by however, the traditional use as an

clinical studies;
abortive and/ or childbirth aid warrants that vassourinha should not be taken
during pregnancy.
Avoid combining with antidepressants or barbiturates unless under the
supervision of a qualified health care practitioner (see drug interactions below).
A vassourinha extract recently demonstrated hypoglycemic activity, signifi-
cantly lowering blood sugar levels in rats. This plant is probably contraindi-
cated in people with hypoglycemia. Diabetics should check their blood glucose
levels closely if they use vassourinha to monitor these possible effects.
Drug Intcriictions One human study documented that an ethanol extract of vassourinha inhibit-
ed radioligand binding to dopamine and seratonin.î Another study reported
that a water extract given intragastrically to rats potentiated the
effects of bar-
biturates.^*^ As such, it is possible that vassourinha may enhance the effect of
barbiturates and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants.

Region Uses
Amazonia for abortions, aches, bronchitis, contraception, coughs, diarrhea,
erysipelas, eye infections, fever,
hemorrhoids, kidney disease, liver problems, nausea, pain, sores (gonorrhea),
stomach disorders,
swelling, wounds
Brazil for abortions, bronchitis, cardiopulmonary disorders, coughs,
diabetes, earache, excessive phlegm, eye
problems, fever, gastric disorders, hemorrhoids, hyperglycemia, hypertension,
insect bites, jaundice, liver
disorders, malaria, menstrual disorders, menstrual promotion, pain, skin
problems, upper respiratory
disorders, worms, wounds
Central for bruises, constipation, diarrhea, fever, flu, gonorrhea, kidney stones,
liver disorders, menstrual disorders,
America menstrual promotion, skin infections, sore throat, stomach disease, stomach pain,
wounds, and as an
insecticide
Dominican for diabetes, sore throat

Republic
Haiti for coughs, diabetes, earache, gonorrhea, headaches, inflammation, menstrual disorders, nerves, pain, piles,
skin sores, sore throat, spasms, toothache, tumors; and as an antiseptic, astringent, and diuretic
India for diabetes, dysentery, earache, fever, gonorrhea, headaches, jaundice, snakebite, stomach problems,
toothache, warts
Nicaragua for anemia, childbirth, blood cleansing, burns, cough, diarrhea, fever, headache, heart conditions, infections,
insect bites and stings, itch, liver disorders, malaria, menstrual disorders, sexually transmitted diseases,
snakebite, stomach disorders
Peru for abortions, colic, contraception, diarrhea, excessive mucus, fever, hemorrhoids, kidney diseases,
menstrual disorders, upper respiratory disorders, wounds (infected)
Suriname for bronchitis, coughs, diabetes, fever, jaundice, rash
Trinidad for blood cleansing, diabetes, eczema, eye problems, jaundice, malabsorption, mange, menstrual disorders,
rashes, sores, wounds
Venezuela for diarrhea, gonorrhea, menstrual disorders
West Indies for diabetes, diarrhea, menstrual disorders
Elsewhere for abortions, aches, albuminuria, anemia, bronchitis, cancer, childbirth, conjunctivitis, contraception, cough,
detoxification, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, earache, fever, headache, hyperglycemia, hypertension, kidney
disorders, kidney stones, leprosy, liver disease, menstrual disorders, migraine, nausea, pains, retinitis,
sexually transmitted diseases, snakebite, stomachache, swellings, syphilis, toothache, worms, wounds:
and as an antiseptic, aphrodisiac, diuretic, expectorant, and laxative
Xingu River near the Parakana Indian village of the Brazilian Amazon.
VELVET BEAN
• IS L-Dopa alternative • relieves pain Seed
• increases testosterone • reduces inflammation Decoction: ^/j-l cup twice
• increases libido • kills parasites daily
• reduces spasms • calms nerves Capsules/Tablets: 1-2 g

• lowers blood sugar • reduces fever twice daily
Family: Fabaceae
• lowers blood pressure • lowers cholesterol Standardized Extracts:
Genus: Mucuna Follow label instructions
Species: pruriens
Common Names:
velvet bean, nescafe. Velvet bean is an annual climbing vine that grows 3-18 m in height. It is in-
mucuna, p6 de mico, digenous to tropical regions, especially Africa, India,
and the West Indies. Its
fava-coceira, cabeca-de- flowers are white-to-dark purple and hang in long clusters. The plant also pro-
frade, cowage, cowhage,
duces clusters of pods, which contain seeds known as mucuna beans. The seed-
cow-itch, bengal bean,
pods are covered with reddish-orange hairs that are readily dislodged and can
mauritius bean, itchy
bean, krame, picapica, cause intense irritation to the skin. The species name "pruriens" (from the Latin,
chiporro, buffalobean ''itching sensation") refers to the results to be had from contact with the seed-
Part Used: seeds
pod hairs.
TRIBAL In Central America, mucuna beans have been roasted and ground to make a cof-
AND HERBAL fee substitute for decades; the plant has been widely known as nescafe for this rea-
MEDICINE USES son. It is still grown as a food crop by the Ketchi indigenous people in Guatemala;
the bean is cooked as a vegetable. In Brazil the seed has been used internally for
Parkinson's disease, edema, impotence, intestinal gas, and worms. It is consid-
ered a diuretic, nerve tonic, and aphrodisiac. Externally it is applied to ulcers. Vel-
In Brazil, velvet bean
vet bean has a long history of use in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, where
seeds have been used it is used
for worms, dysentery, diarrhea, snakebite, sexual debility, cough, tuberculosis,
for Parkinson’s disease,
impotence, rheumatic disorders, muscular pain, sterility, gout, menstrual disor-
edema, impotence,
ders, diabetes, and cancer. In India, it is considered an aphrodisiac, menstrual pro-
intestinal gas, and worms.
moter, uterine stimulant, nerve tonic, diuretic, and blood purifier.
PLANT The seeds of velvet bean are high in protein, carbohydrates, lipids, fiber, and
CHEMICALS minerals. They are also rich in novel alkaloids, saponins, and sterols. The
seeds of all mucuna species contain a high concentration of L-dopa; velvet
bean seeds contain 7-10 percent L-dopa. Concentrations of serotonin also
have been found in the pod, leaf, and fruit.^^ xhe stinging hairs of the seed-
pods contain the phytochemical mucunain, which is responsible for causing
skin irritation and itch.
Velvet bean seeds contain The main plant chemicals found in velvet bean include alkaloids, alky-
up to 10 percent natural lamines, arachidic acid, behenic acid, betacarboline, beta-sitosterol, bufotenine,
L-dopa, vv^hich is why the cystine, dopamine, fatty acids, flavones, galactose d, gallic acid, genistein, glu-
plant is used in herbal tamic acid, glutathione, glycine, histidine, hydroxygenistein, 5-hydroxytrypta-
medicine systems to treat mine, isoleucine, l-dopa, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, lysine, mannose d,
Parkinson’s disease. methionine, 6-methoxyharman, mucunadine, mucunain, mucunine, myristic
acid, niacin, nicotine, oleic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, phenylalanine,
prurienidine, prurienine, riboflavin, saponins, serine, serotonin, stearic acid,
stizolamine, threonine, trypsin, tryptamine, tyrosine, valine, and vernolic acid.
BIOLOGICAL Velvet bean has demonstrated little toxicity; however, it has been documented
ACTIVITIES in animal studies to cause birth defects and should not be used during preg-
AND CLINICAL nancy.^ Traditionally, velvet bean has been used as a nerve tonic for nervous
RESEARCH system disorders. Due to the high concentration of L-dopa in the seeds, it has
been studied for its possible use in Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is
a common age-related neurodegenerative disorder affecting more than four

million people worldwide. It is associated with progressive degeneration of
dopaminergic neurons in specific areas in the brain. Dopamine does not cross
the blood-brain barrier and therefore cannot be used directly as a treatment.

However, L-dopa (levodopa) does gain access to the brain where it is con- —
verted to dopamine. There are two controversies surrounding side effects of
the current pharmaceutical supplementation of L-dopa. Over the long term,
supplemented L-dopa appears to lose its effectiveness. A second area of con-
troversy questions whether L-dopa is toxic to dopamine neurons; there is little
evidence, though, to support this statement.^
Preliminary reports Velvet bean is now being considered as an alternative to the pharmaceutical
suggest that velvet bean medication levodopa. In one case study, it was given to a Parkinson's patient
can provide the same for twelve years instead of the pharmaceutical L-dopa medication. It was found
benefits to Parkinson’s to slow the progression of Parkinson's symptoms (such as tremors, rigidity,
patients as the slurring, drooling, and imbalance), and to have none of the side effects of the
prescription drug, current pharmaceutical L-dopa.^ Numerous in vivo studies also have been con-
levodopa, with fewer ducted in rats and humans. one human study, the bean powder was given
In
side effects. to sixty patients (twenty-six previously treated with L-dopa and thirty-four had
never taken L-dopa). There were statistically significant reductions of Parkin-

son's symptoms in all study subjects.*^ In addition, a (2002) U.S. patent was
awarded on velvet bean citing its use "for the treatment of disorders of the
nervous system, including Parkinson's disease."^
Several in vivo studies have been conducted on the blood-sugar-lowering
effect of velvet bean. These studies all validate the traditional use of the plant
for diabetes. An ethanol-water extract of the root, fruit, and seed dropped blood
sugar levels in rats by more than 30 percent. At 200 mg, an ethanol extract pro-
duced a 40 percent fall in blood glucose within one month, and a 51 percent
reduction at four months. in other studies, a decoction of the leaf reduced
total cholesterol in rats;^^ the seed had the same effect.
The root, fruit, leaf, and seed have shown significant in vivo antispasmod-
ic,i4,i5 anti-inflammatory,^^'^^ pain relieving,^^ and fever-reducing activities'^ in
various clinical research with animals. Traditionally, the seed has been used by
indigenous peoples throughout the world for snakebite and several in vivo stud-
ies validate this traditional use.^®“^^ In rats, a water extract of the seed inhibit-
ed venom-induced blood and coagulation alterations, and reduced lethality of
thevenom. The antivenin effect of velvet bean is thought to be due to an
immune mechanism, as proteins in the seed were documented to raise anti-
bodies against the venom.^^
Velvet bean has a long history of traditional use in Brazil and India as an
aphrodisiac. Clinical studies in India have validated that the plant does indeed
have aphrodisiac activity. It also has been reported as having anabolic and
growth hormone-stimulant properties.^'^'^^ The anabolic effect of the seed is due
to its ability to increase testosterone.^^ In 2002, a U.S. patent was filed on the use
of velvet bean to stimulate the release of growth hormone in humans.^^ Research
cited in the patent indicated that the high levels of L-dopa mucuna seed were
in
converted to dopamine, which stimulated the release of growth hormone by the

pituitary gland. L-dopa and dopamine are also effective inhibitors of prolactin.
Prolactin is a hormone released by the pituitary gland; increased levels are con-
sidered to cause erection failure in males. In one study, oral intake of the seeds
in fifty-six human males was able to improve erection, duration of coitus, and
weeks of treatment.^^ The seed also has
post-coital satisfaction after only four
documented fertility promoting and sperm producing effects in human males
(being able to improve sperm count and motility).^^'^^
CURRENT Velvet bean has been gaining in popularity over the last few years in the natu-
PRACTICAL USES ral products market —especially the sports nutrition industry. With its docu-
mented ability to increase testosterone and stimulate growth hormone (thereby
increasing muscle mass), several companies have launched new products using
mucuna beans, including several which are standardized to the L-dopa content.
It is showing up as an ingredient in various weight loss, libido, brain/
also
memory, anti-aging, and body builder formulas.
Consumers should be aware however, altering the levels of brain chemicals
like dopamine and serotonin also affect many other hormones, enzymes, and
other chemicals that keep the body in balance. The long-term impacts on
healthy humans taking high levels of L-dopa are unclear and warrant further
research. It is best to proceed with caution when taking mucuna extracts and
to follow the labeled dosages. It is a powerful plant with many biological
actions that should be respected. In other words, the belief system of some peo-
ple taking herbals supplements, "if some is good, more is better," does not
apply with velvet bean.
Traditional Traditionally, V2-I cup of a seed decoction is taken twice daily. Alternatively,
Preparation 1-2 g twice daily of seed powder (tablets or capsules) can be substituted. For
standardized extract products, follow the labeled dosages provided.
Contraindications The seed may cause birth defects and has uterine stimulant activity. It should
not be used during pregnancy.
Velvet bean has shown to lower blood sugar. Those with hypoglycemia or
diabetes should only use velvet bean under the supervision of a qualified
healthcare practitioner.
Velvet bean is contraindicated in combination with M.A.O. inhibitors.
Velvet bean has androgenic activity, increasing testosterone levels. Persons
with excessive androgen syndromes should avoid using velvet bean.
Velvet bean inhibits prolactin. you have a medical condition resulting in
If
inadequate levels of prolactin in the body, do not use velvet bean unless under
the direction of your healthcare practitioner.
The seed contains high quantities of L-dopa. Levodopa is the pharmaceuti-
cal medication used for Parkinson's disease. Those with Parkinson's should
only use velvet bean under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practi-
tioner.
Drug Interactions Velvet bean may potentiate androgenic, insulin, and antidiabetic medications.
It will potentiate levodopa medications.

Region Uses
Brazil as an aphrodisiac, diuretic, and nerve tonic, and for edema and intestinal worms
Germany for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, intestinal gas, muscle pain, rheumatism, worms
India for abortions, cancer, catarrh, cholera, cough, debility, delerium, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, edema, fertility,
gout, impotency, kidney stones, menstrual disorders, nervousness, scorpion sting, snakebite, sterility,
tuberculosis, worms; and as an aphrodisiac, diuretic, and uterine stimulant
Elsewhere for asthma, burns, cancer, cholera, cough, cuts, diabetes, diarrhea, dog bite, edema, insanity, intestinal
parasites, menstrual problems, mumps, nerves, pain, paralysis, pleurisy, ringworm, snakebite, sores, syphilis,
tumors, wind-burns, worms, and as an aphrodisiac

YERBA MATE
• increases energy relieves pain Leaves
• burns fat • increases bile Infusion: I cup two to three
• suppresses appetite • mildly laxative times daily
• cleanses blood • promotes perspiration Tablets/Capsules: l-2g

twice daily
• stimulates digestion • enhances immunity
• cleanses bowels
• stimulates heart
Family: Aquifoliaceae • fights free radicals
Genus: Ilex • enhances memory
Species: paraguariensis,
paraguayensis
Yerba mate is a widely cultivated, medium-sized evergreen tree that can
Common Names: grow m high in the wild. Commonly, when cultivated,
to 20 it is pruned into a
yerba mate, mate, erva shrubby, 4-8 m tall tree to make harvesting easier. Yerba mate is in the holly
mate, congonha, erveira,
family, and bears holly-like leaves that are quite stiff and leathery. In the wild
Paraguay cayi, Paraguay
it grows near streams, and thrives at 1,500-2,000 feet above sea level. It has
tea. South American
holly, mateteestrauch,
graceful, full-leafed branches, and white flowers that produce small red, black,
erva-verdadeira, or yellow berries. It is yerba mate's tough, leathery leaves that are used medi-
St. Bartholomew’s tea, cinally and as a natural, refreshing tea beverage throughout South America.
Jesuit’s tea, hervea, Yerba mate is indigenous to Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay; how-
caminu, kkiro, chaye now
kali
ever, it is cultivated in many tropical countries to supply the world's
Part Used: leaves demand for its leaves.
TRIBAL Yerba mate has been used as a beverage since the time of the ancient Indians of
AND HERBAL Brazil and Paraguay. In the early sixteenth century, Juan de Solis, a Spanish
MEDICINE USES explorer of South America's famed La Plata River, reported that the Guarani
Indians of Paraguay brewed a leaf tea that "produced exhilaration and relief
from fatigue." The Spaniards tried the beverage and liked it. Their subsequent
demand for the tea led the Jesuits to develop plantations of the wild species in
Paraguay and yerba mate became known as "Jesuits' tea" or "Paraguay tea."
Methods of leaf preparation for the traditional tea beverage vary. In one
method, the branches are cut, then held over an open fire (to fire-cure the
leaves). This deactivates the enzymes in the leaves (making them more brittle)
and the green color of the leaves is retained in the subsequent drying process
(with charred bits often found in the resulting tea product, which lends to a
smoky flavor). Other methods include a brief par-blanching of the leaves in
boiling water (to deactivate the leaf enzymes and soften its leathery texture).
—
They then are toasted dry in large pans over a fire or inside a brick oven
resulting in a finished brown-leaf tea.
Yerba mate is considered The wild plant has a distinct aroma and taste that has not been matched
a national drink in several by plantation cultivation. In South America, yerba mate is considered a nation-
countries. In addition, al drink in several countries; in Europe, it is called 'The green gold of the
yerba mate is used Indios." In Brazil and Paraguay (leading exporters of mate), some production
as a tonic, diuretic, and still comes from wild stands —
most of which is found in the humid depressions
as a stimulant to reduce of the foothills. It is not unusual for one wild tree to yield 30^0 kg of dried
fatigue, suppress appetite, leaves annually. In wild harvesting, mate gatherers, called tarrafeiros or yeba-
and aid gastric function in teros, travel through the jungle searching for a stand of trees (called a mancha).
herbal medicine systems Harvesting done between May and October, when the tree is in full leaf.
is
throughout South Leaves are picked from the same tree only every third year, which protects it
America. for subsequent crops. Most of the mate in commerce today, however, comes
from large cultivation projects in Paraguay and Uruguay.
The word mate is Spanish for "gourd," and refers to the small gourd cup in
which the tea beverage traditionally is served throughout South America. It is
also served with a metal drinking straw or tube, called a bombilla, which has a
filter attached to the lower end to strain out leaf fragments. The bottom third
of the gourd is filled with fire-burned or toasted leaves, and hot water is added.
Burnt sugar, lemon juice, and/or milk often are used to flavor the refreshing
tea, which occupies a position rivaling that of coffee in the United Mate
States.
bars are as prevalent in South America as coffee bars are in North America and
Europe; mate drinking has deep cultural roots.
In addition to its standing as a popular beverage, yerba mate is used as a
tonic, diuretic, and as a stimulant to reduce fatigue, suppress appetite, and aid
gastric function in herbal medicine systems throughout South America. It also
has been used as a depurative (to promote cleansing and excretion of waste).
In Brazil, mate is said to stimulate the nervous and muscular systems and is
used for digestive pmblems, renal colic, nerve pain, depression, fatigue, and
obesity. A poultice of the leaves also is applied topically to anthrax skin ulcers
(for which mate's tannin content — highly astringent— may be the reasoning
behind this use).
Yerba mate also has a long history of use worldwide. In Europe, it is used
for weight loss, physical and mental fatigue, nervous depression, rheumatic
pains,and psychogenic- and fatigue-related headaches. In Germany, it has
become popular as a weight-loss aid. Yerba mate is the subject of a German
monograph that lists its approved uses for mental and physical fatigue.^ In
France, yerba mate is approved for the treatment of asthenia (weakness or lack
of energy), as an aid in weight-loss programs, and as a diuretic. It also appears
in the British Herbal Phamacopoeia (1996) and is indicated for the treatment of
1
fatigue, weight loss, and headaches. Yerba mate now is cultivated in India, and
the Indian Ayurvedic Phanmcopoeia lists mate for the treatment of psychogenic
headaches, nervous depression, fatigue, and rheumatic pains.
%
PLANT The primary active chemical constituency of yerba mate comprises xanthine
CHEMICALS alkaloids (caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline), saponins, and 10 percent
chlorogenic acid.^'^* Sterols resembling ergosterol and cholesterol are also pres-
ent in yerba mate, and novel saponins have been discovered in the leaf (and
named matesaponins)A^ Saponins are plant chemicals \vith known pharmaco-
logical activities, including, as recent research shows, stimulating the immune
system."^" In addition, yerba mate leaf is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and
fifteen amino acids.^
In recent U.S. campaigns, yerba mate marketers claim that yerba mate con-
tains no caffeine — rather, a chemical similar to caffeine called mateine. Mateine,
they say, possesses all the benefits of caffeine and none of its negative effects
(or so they would have consumers believe). Fact: yerba mate does contain caf-
feine. It has been chemically and scientifically identified, documented, verified,
and validated to contain caffeine for many years by independent chemists and
scientists around the world (''independent" being the operative term here). This
fact continues to be confirmed by independent research every year. The caffeine
content of yerba mate has been assayed to contain between .7 and 2 percent,
with the average leaf yielding about 1 percent caffeine.*^ In living plants, xan-
thines (such as caffeine) are bound and tannins, and are set
to sugars, phenols,
free or unbound during the roasting and/or fermenting processes used to
process yerba mate leaves, coffee beans, and even cacao beans. The mateine
chemical "discovered" is probably just caffeine bound to a tannin or phenol in
the raw leaf. The table below compares the caffeine content of yerba mate to
other popular beverage products.
Caffeine Content Comparison

Common Beverage Products
Plant Caffeine Avg. Caffeine
Beverage Content (6 oz. serving)*
Yerba mate leaves 0.7-2% 50-100 mg

Coffee beans (Coffea sp) 1-2.5% 1 00-250 mg
Black tea (Camellia sinensis) 2.5-4.5% 10-60 mg
Guarana seed (Paullinia cupana) T-8% 200—400 mg
Chocolate (Cacao seed) 0.25% 13 mg
*Based on quantities used in standard preparation methods.
The traditional use of yerba mate for fatigue is explained by its primary
active chemical: caffeine. Caffeine is a known stimulant, even documented with
the ability to enhance athletic and cognitive performance after sleep depriva-
tion and stress. Yerba mate's traditional use for the heart may be due to the
phytochemical theophylline, also known as a pharmaceutical medication used

to stimulate the heart muscle. All three xanthines (theobromine, caffeine, and
theophylline) have diuretic properties, which may validate the traditional use
of the plant as a diuretic. These substances have several other documented
pharmacological actions including central nervous system stimulation, relax-
ation of smooth muscle (especially bronchial muscle), myocardial stimulation,
and peripheral vasoconstriction.
The main plant chemicals found in yerba mate include alpha-amyrin, alpha-
terpineol, arachidic acid, beta-amyrin, butyric acid, caffeic acid, caffeine, 5-o-
caffeoylquinic acid, calcium, carotene, chlorogenic acid, choline, chlorophyll,
chrysanthemin, cyanidin-3-o-xylosyl-glucoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, essential
oil, eugenol, geraniol, geranyl acetone, guaiacin b, indole, inositol, ionone, iso-
butyric acid, iso-capronic acid, iso-chlorogenic acid, iso-valeric acid, kaempfer-
ol, lauric acid, levulose, linalool, linoleic acid, matesaponins, neochlorogenic
acid, nerolidol, nicotinic acid, nudicaucin c, octan-l-ol, octanoic acid, oleic acid,
palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, pyridoxine, quercetin, raffinose, safrole, stearic

acid, tannins, theobromine, theophylline, trigonelline, and ursolic acid.
BIOLOGICAL Researchers in Switzerland performed a study on human subjects (in 1999)
ACTIVITIES that indicated yerba mate could be beneficial as a weight-loss aid. They noticed
AND CLINICAL a thermogenic effect in healthy individuals, indicating a rise in the proportion
RESEARCH of fatburned as energy.^^ In another study, yerba mate was given in combina-
tion with the plants guarana and damiana. This combination prolonged gastric
emptying (which made the subjects feel "fuller" longer) and reduced body
weight. Clinical studies indicate yerba mate leaf inhibits lipoxygenase, an
enzyme involved in inflammation and inflammatory diseases. Yerba mate
extracts also have been shown to relax smooth muscle,^^ to increase bile flow,^
and inhibit vasoconstriction.^^ A 2002 U.S. patent cites yerba mate for inhibit-
ing monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity by 40-50 percent in vitro, reporting that
it might be useful for a variety of such disorders as "depression, disorders of

Clinical research reveals attention and focus, mood and emotional disorders, Parkinson's disease,
that yerba mate is a extrapyramidal disorders, hypertension, substance abuse, eating disorders,
good weight-loss aid. withdrawal syndromes and the cessation of smoking.
Yerba mate has significant antioxidant activity, demonstrated in numerous
studies. Its high antioxidant values are linked to rapid absorption of
known antioxidant plant chemicals found in mate leaves.^^-^'^ An infusion of
I
the leaf has been demonstrated to inhibit lipid peroxidation — particularly LDL
(low-density lipoprotein) oxidation.^^'^^ Oxidation of LDL is considered to be
the initiating factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.^^'^^ Another study
ifi vitro has shown yerba mate to inhibit the formation of advanced glycation
end products (AGEs),. with an effect comparable two pharmaceutical
to that of
AGE inhibitor drugs.^^ The formation of AGEs play a part in the development
of diabetic complications.^^
%H
CURRENT Yerba mate has long been a part of South American culture where more it is
PRACTICAL USES heavily consumed than coffee and tea. The average person in Uruguay will
—
consume 9-10 kg annually! However like many things too much of a good —
thing can be harmful. Heavy drinkers of mate in South America were docu-
mented with an increased risk of upper-aerodigestive tract cancers (a 1.6- to 4-
fold increase for heavy drinkers). It was speculated that this risk was caused
by the tannins in the leaf (mate contains 7-14 percent tannins) consumed at a
high temperature. Despite several studies published in Uruguay reporting this
increased cancer risk (and where some of the heaviest mate drinkers are found),
it has done little to change the mate-drinking culture there. One interesting
change was that more drinkers began adding milk to their mate it was sug- —
gested that the milk would bind to the tannins in the brew, reduce the temper-
ature, and mitigate much of their (possibly) negative effects.
Yerba mate has become more popular and available in the U.S. in recent
years. Various mate products now can be widely found in health food stores:
cut-leaf green and brown teas and tea bags, ground-leaf capsules, and stan-
dardized extracts (standardized to the caffeine content) are sold in capsules. It
is also appearing as an ingredient in many more U.S.-manufactured herbal for-
mulas designed for energy gain and/or weight-loss. There have been some spo-
radic problems in product quality — mostly involving other leaves (cheaper
added as adulterants. Mango leaves are a common adulterant in South
fillers)
America but, in at least one documented case, a yerba mate commercial prod-
uct sold in Scotland was adulterated with a plant (in the belladonna family)
containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids —which caused negative side effects in one
consumer. True yerba mate, however, is considered a safe supplement and is
on the FDA's GRAS list (generally regarded as safe). Consumers should stick
with reputable manufacturers who regularly test anci control their imported
plant ingredients to avoid such issues as adulterants.
Traditional A standard preparation, utilizing 2-4 g of cut leaves

leaf tea or infusion is the
Preparation in 150 ml of hot water. Powdered leaf and leaf extracts with standardized caf-
feine content are being used in capsules and formulas in herbal products as
well. General dosages recommended are the equivalent of 2 g once or twice

daily, or follow the labeled dosage information.
Contraindications Yerba mate is not to be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Yerba mate contains caffeine and should not be used by those who are sen-
sitive or allergic to caffeine. Excessive consumption of caffeine is contraindi-
cated for persons with high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers, and other diseases.
Yerba mate should not be consumed excessively and chronically (as it has
been documented to increase the risk of certain cancers such as oral and
esophageal cancer).
Yerba mate has been reported to have MAO-inhibitor activity in one in vitro
study.Those persons taking MAO-inhibitor drugs should use yerba mate with
caution to monitor these possible effects.
Drug Interactions None documented, however; it may potentiate monoamine oxidase inhibitor
drugs (MAOIs).

Region Uses
Brazil for anthrax ulcers (topical), appetite suppression, asthenia, central nervous system stimulant, digestion
stimulant, fatigue, heart support, hypertension, muscle weakness, nerve pain, obesity, renal colic,
rheumatism, urinary insufficiency, and as a common beverage and stimulant
Europe for asthenia, central nervous system disorders, depression, fatigue, gout, headache, heart regulation,
obesity, rheumatism, spasms, ulcers, urinary insufficiency, weight loss
India for fatigue, headache, nervous depression, rheumatic pains
South for appetite suppression, debility, energy, exhaustion, fatigue, gout, headache,
America heart regulation, memory enhancement, muscle weakness, neurasthenia, obesity, rheumatism, scurvy,
spasms, stress, sweat promotion, wounds; and as a common beverage, diuretic, laxative, stimulant, tonic
Turkey as a beverage, diuretic, laxative, stimulant, sweat promoter, and for scurvy
United for allergies, anti-aging, appetite suppression, arthritis, constipation, edema, endurance, fatigue, hay fever,
States headache, heart support, hemorrhoids, nervous system disorders, obesity, stamina, stress, urinary
insufficiency, and as a stimulant
Elsewhere as a cardiotonic, diuretic, stimulant, tonic

Sunset from a boat on the Amazon
Conclusion
sincerely appreciate the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion

^ about the Amazon and its wealth of beneficial medicinal
rainforest,
^ plants, within these pages. 1 truly do believe that providing knowledge

about these plants will help teach people how to use them effectively, and
thus, create profitable markets for them, which makes the rainforest more
valuable than harvesting timber, grazing cows, or growing soybeans.
1 would also feel remiss in not warning readers that there may come a
time in the near future when medicinal plants like those found in this book
might be out of their reach and simply unavailable to them. This possibil-
ity will not necessarily stem from the continued destruction of our tropical
rainforests, rather, the erosion and destruction of our health freedom rights
to choose alternative therapies.
The complementary and alternative health care (CAM) industry has
been growing at an unprecedented rate. This is largely due to the failure of
our current medical system and model to provide anything other than
expensive long-term treatment of diseases and conditions, rather than any
effective cures. Our current health care expenditures are approximately 1.4
trillion dollars annually with an estimated one-third of that spent on drugs.
Americans are actively seeking alternative and effective ways to prevent
and solve their health issues rather than to just treat —
them and at the ben-
efit of the very profitable world drug industry. Americans have spent more
out-of-pocket expense for CAM treatments in the last five years than they
have spent out of pocket for conventional health services. And it's rocking
some boats in the world.
453
The Healing Power of Rainfoi'est Herbs
The international drug industry, which stands to lose billions of dol-

lars cheaper and more effective alternatives are more widely available,
if
has beefed up its political ties and contributions on federal, state, and
international levels in an effort to stymie the access to such alternatives.
These suppress access to these alternatives have not escaped
efforts to
notice, however. A Harris Poll survey in July 2004 reported that only 13
percent of Americans believe that the pharmaceutical companies are ''gen-
erally honest and trustworthy," putting the drug industry on par with
tobacco, oil, and managed care companies. The survey indicated that pub-
lic confidence in drug companies has plunged harder and faster than for
any other industry.

Throughout this book Tve warned readers that they must educate
themselves about available natural products and the effective use of them
for their own health and wellness. I now must also warn readers that they
need to take the time and effort to research the legal and political issues sur-
rounding their continued availability and regulation. In the words of
Thomas Jefferson, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." We must
always be on guard to ensure our health freedoms are not taken away. For
example, some will be shocked to learn that effective August 2005, no one
living in any country in the European Union will be able to buy any medic-
inal plant featured in this book unless they obtain a prescription from a doc-
tor. None of these plants can be harvested in South America and imported
intoEurope unless they are sold to pharmaceutical companies for their
manufacture of drugs.
Everything in Europe is about to change due to the EU Eood Supple-
ments Directive (ESD), which will soon go into full effect. As a result,
around 5,000 safe formulas and nutrients that have been on the market for
decades will be banned in fifteen European countries. This directive reg-
ulates that if a plant or herb is medicinal or effects physiological function
in any way, it is a medicine and it is to be sold as a drug. This new regu-
lation adversely effects all nutritional supplements, not just herbs. Banned
items will include natural vitamins such as mixed tocopherols (natural
vitamin E), carotenoids (natural vitamin A) and B 12 all forms of sulphur,
',
boron, vanadium, silicon and most trace elements; the most readily
absorbed and safest forms of calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, chromi-
um and molybdenum; and other popular supplements such as CoQiq,
MSM, fatty acids, amino
and enzymes. It will severely limit the
acids,
doses of vitamins and will remove all "high-dose" (in excess of recom-
mended daily allowances IRDAl) products from the market. The directive
Conclusion 455
will dramatically limit future innovation in the supplements industry, and

seriously impact retail outlets, complementary practitioners, and con-
sumers who choose to take responsibility for their own health and let food
be their medicine. It will also greatly contribute to the profit margins of
the European drug industry who will now be the only companies that can
manufacture these products.
Why should you be worried about this new European legislation? Sim-
ply put, this new directive was the European Union's methodology of
accepting and adopting a global harmonization of guidelines effecting
nutritional supplements worldwide called "CODEX" which the U.S. is tak-
ing part in and is in the process of determining how it will be adopted and
implemented The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CODEX) was set
here.
up in 1962 as a joint body of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) under the
heavy influence of the European drug industry. The United States signed
up for CODEX in the 1990s, when we became members of the World Trade
Organization (WTO).
According to the Congressional Research Service: "As a member of the
World Trade Organization, the United States does commit to act in accor-
dance with the rules of the multilateral body. The United States is legally
obligated to ensure national laws do not conflict with World Trade Orga-
nization rules" including laws such as these new ones being adopted in the
EU regulating our freedom to nutritional supplements. Therefore, as a

member of the WTO, the U.S. will be bound by any finalized standards put
forth in the EU directive. If we choose to ignore the regulations that this
affiliation binds us to, we could face severe trade sanctions with other WTO
countries, and damage part of our economy in our ability to export our
goods overseas. Already U.S. -based nutritional manufacturers' ability to
export their vitamin, mineral, and herbal products to countries in the Euro-
pean Union has disappeared.
Other countries have already adopted either full or partial CODEX reg-
ulations concerning nutritional supplements. Germany,
The results? In
until 1996, one could freely purchase 500 mg vitamin-C tablets, the way you
can here. Now the highest dosage available to Germans is 200 mg; anything
higher is sold through pharmacists at extremely high prices and only with
a prescription. All herbs are regulated as drugs and manufactured only by
German pharmaceutical companies, available to consumers only by pre-
scription. In Norway, all vitamin and mineral supplements that exceed
RDA levels are considered drugs. Many natural substances are available in
Norway only through very costly prescriptions, if they're available at all.
A black market for supplements has emerged in Norway as a result. Clos-

er to home, in Canada, herbs with medicinal effects (any herb for which
claims are made that it improves health) are now The
classified as drugs.
supplements tryptophan and L-carnitine were once available in Canadian
health food stores for $14 per 100 capsules. Now they are available only by
prescription for about $120-$! 90 per 100 capsules.
Some form of CODEX can
Surely not'in America, you say! Think again.
and will become part of our law and order regulations here. Do some
research, do your homework, and educate yourself on the issues. It is much
too involved and complex an issue to handle efficiently here in the con-
clusion of this book, but one which all Americans need to be aware of. I
have provided some information and internet websites in the Rainforest

Resources section, where you can begin your research. Once you have a
grasp on the issues, take action! Call, write, or email your state's senators
and congresspeople, and tell them of your opinions and how you want
them to represent you and your freedom to health care and nutritional sup-
plements. As I said in the introduction to this book you, as a consumer,—
have power and can use it effectively to help preserve the rainforest
through your consumer dollars. As a voter, you also have power to protect
your freedom to choose the right health care services and products use it —
effectively by getting informed and participating in the political process!
There's one more thing to do politically as well. (My, isn't it harci being
a responsible consumer and participating American!) Before calling your
local politicians about CODEX, do some additional research on how your
state regulates the access and delivery of complementary and alternative
health care services; you may have even more to discuss with your local
political representatives. Many people are simply unaware that the provi-
sion of health care services relateci to naturopathy, herbalism, nutrition, and

many other effective CAM disciplines are actually illegal in their states.
Many licensed practitioners, such as doctors, nurses, and others, desire
to offer alternative health care approaches and CAM services to their
patients. However, these healing methods are not the "acceptable and pre-
vailing" conventional standards of care. As a result, practitioners who use
CAM therapies may be ciisciplined by their state medical licensing boards,
even if no consumer harm. Licensed providers of alterna-
there has been
tive therapies nationwide have suffered loss of license, or been forced out
of the state to practice, or incurred great legal expenses. As a result, many
practitioners who would like to offer their patients CAM services choose
Conclusion 457
not to do so. Others offer the services but do not advertise to that effect.
Many consumers aware of alternative options.
are therefore not
In reaction to the growing and profitable CAM industry, many state
health departments have increased their harassment of licensed health
providers practicing CAM in their states. It still has not reduced the popu-
larity of CAM or the number of persons seeking CAM health services. As
a result, patients' grassroots campaigns have mobilized to protect freedom
of treatment choice and to offset pervasive health department tactics. And
they have been effective — after all, these are voters making demands to
politicians. Since 1990, thirteen stateshave passed new laws that protect
medical doctors' use of alternative therapies, and three others have prom-
ulgated regulations to the same end. These new laws were designed to pro-
tect already licensed medical practitioners (medical doctors, osteopaths,
etc.)from harassment from aggressive State health departments.
Is it working to protect the delivery of CAM therapy by doctors? Some-
times. Today, about fifty doctors in the U.S. are being investigated and per-
secuted for using effective alternative approaches to attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Lyme disease, allergies, diabetes, cancer,
and other complex syndromes causing pain and misery. While many of
— —
these physicians good reputable doctors are struggling to rescue their
reputations, incomes, and professional lives, their very public ordeals erode
the status and practice of alternative medicine. These public cases go a long
way in promoting fear and avoidance of doctors regarding the adoption of
CAM into their existing practices. It usually depends on the state health
department's view, policy, and motivation in administering these laws.
For example, in the state of New York, complementary and alternative
physicians remain targets for harassing investigations, despite the 1994 law
passed by legislators in response to voter's demands. At least nine New
York physicians are currently facing charges of misconduct (and subse-
quent loss of medical license) simply for using non-conventional therapies
like herbs, and have been subjected to questionable tactics employed by
the health department. In response, state legislators introduced a new bill
to specifically reform and strengthen the language of the original bill
and address the health department's ongoing prosecution of doctors

to
for providing CAMservices. This new health care reform bill was aimed
and prosecution authority of the New
directly at reforming the practices
York health department (OPMC), and passed the Senate in July 2004 by
unanimous vote.
While inroads are being made on the state level to allow doctors and
physicians the ability to offer CAM services to their patients, many pro-
fessions are not addressed by any state licensing program. Most of these
practitioners (naturopaths, herbalists, aromatherapists, nutritionists, and
the like) are considered by most state governments as "unlicensed health
practitioners" and still subject to civil and criminal prosecution for prac-
ticing medicine without a license.

The state of Minnesota isexample of how grassroots organi-
a perfect
zations of regular citizens are changing laws in regard to demanding free
access to CAM services and the lawful provision of these services by unli-
censed health practitioners. In 1996, a St. Paul naturopath, Helen Healy,
was issued an injunction by the Minnesota Attorney General's office to
close her practice; the charge was "practicing medicine without a license."
Despite her educational degree (a doctorate in naturopathy) and national
board certification, no medical licensing board existed in the state of Min-
nesota for the licensing of naturopaths (only twelve states currently provide
state licensing for naturopaths). The news of the injunction spread quickly
throughout the Minnesota natural health community, and they rose with
one voice to protest what seemed to be an arbitrary action by the Minnesota
Board of Medical Practice to shut down a natural health practitioner. Helen
Healy, a graduate of National College of Naturopathic Medicine, had a suc-
cessful practice in St. Paul for twelve years with no patient complaints or
allegations of harm or misconduct.
The state departments backed off from Dr. Healy only after thousands
of citizens led marches through the streets and conducted phone cam-
paigns to their government representatives. The realization that all unli-
censed CAM practitioners were still subject to legal prosecution at any time
fueled the ongoing movement in Minnesota, despite the fact the authori-
ties had backed down from closing Healy's practice. The health freedom
campaign gained momentum (and became incorporated as the Minnesota

Natural Health Coalition Action Network) and continued to apply a great
deal of pressure on state politicians to address the legal problems and
issues of unlicensed health practitioners providing much needed and much
wanted services. The result? In direct response to voter's
demands, the
local politicians drafted and passed The Minnesota Complementary Health
Practitioner Bill on May 11, 2000. This landmark health freedom law is the
first of its kind in the U.S. and grants a virtually unlimited right of practice
for unlicensed complementary health care providers without removing

consequences for untoward outcomes. Its purpose was stated: "To protect
the freedom of the individual to choose and receive the healing treatment
Conclusion 459
that the individual desires and deems to correspond with his/her own
view of health and disease, and which the individual deems to be effective
in securing his/her own wellness; and to encourage and promote the prac-
tice of all healing methods; and to protect the right of health practitioners
to practice complementary and alternative health care."

Where does your state and your state's politicians stand on keeping
CAM products and services available to you? Find out! Many health codes
on the books today were adopted in the 1950s and are very similar and
rather standardized, especially within accepted definitions used in these
health codes. The medical statute in Minnesota (which allowed the state to
act against Helen Healy) is much like that found in every state health code.
It states that a person is engaged in the practice of medicine (which requires
a license from the state health department and/or state medical board) if
she/he does the following: "offers or undertakes to prevent, diagnose, cor-
rect, or treat in any manner or by any means, methods, devices, or instru-
mentalities, any disease, illness, pain, wound, fracture, infirmity, deformity

or defect of any person." This is the standard language found in most state
health laws and that which is normally used by health departments to cen-
sure, regulate, and prosecute CAM practitioners.
What does this mean for CAM practitioners who do not have a state-
sanctioned medical license? It means that they are clearly guilty of practic-
ing medicine without a license, and could be prosecuted at any time. Again,
it was evidenced in the Healy case that when a state government agency
chooses to prosecute an unlicensed practitioner, the practitioner could not

introduce evidence of the effectiveness of therapy/ modality, the testimony
of grateful clients attesting to efficacious and beneficial service, or the fact
that no one had been injured. All of these things would be legally irrele-
vant and inadmissible, and the only point to be considered in a court of law
is this: did this person actually practice medicine, as defined by the statute?
Absolutely. Case closed. And in most state's health codes, it is a criminal
offense to practice medicine without a license, therefore the delivery of
most standard CAM services in the majority of states in this country is ille-
gal and subjects the practitioner to civil and criminal penalties.
So far, only four states have written new legislation or amended their
health code to correct these technical violations to old codes. In this, Cali-
fornia joins Wisconsin, Idaho, and Rhode Island as the fourth state in the
country to pass such legislation liberalizing and decriminalizing alternative
and complementary medicine. A grassroots organization in North Caroli-
na is lobbying for a similar bill.
Is there a grassroots organization in your state trying to preserve your

freedom complementary health care and medicinal plants like those
to
found in this book? Take the time to find out, and if so —
join! If not, at least
take the time to talk to your local politicians and tell them what you want
them to do. Try faxing or mailing them the landmark Minnesota legislation
that effectively protected the rights of residents in that state and suggest the
need for the same type of legislation.
My favorite quote of all time comes from Margaret Mead. Years ago she
said,"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens
can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." I know
from experience the value and truth in those words. Whether I am a mem-
ber of citizens fighting for the preservation of the rainforest, the protection
of indigenous peoples' land rights or intellectual property rights, or the
preservation of my health freedom choices — I know have to be an active
I
member and join the fight with others. For together, we truly can change
the world.
Rainforest Resources
The growth and health of our economy today is the rainforest (it they choose to use it in any
defined by the intensive exploitation of natural commercial way at all) we have the potential of
resources. Our present economic model ignores achieving true sustainability.
environmental degradation when assessing The second step is to be a knowledgeable
profits. If we are to survive, principles of sus- —
and responsible consumer and that's hard
tainabilitymust become integrated into our sys- work. How can you tell if a product has been
tem. Sustainability means that the functions and sustainably harvested? Ask questions. Where do
processes of an ecosystem can be maintained (or products really come from? Where are your dol-
sustained) and the needs of the present can be lars really going? Who is benefiting from the
met — all without compromising the needs of profit? Is any of the profit returned to the peo-
future generations. ple who are supplying rainforest products or
Many must be taken into considera-
factors raw materials? How much? Who receives the
tion, but two are key. The first step is to support funds there? As a consumer, you are directly
the land and resource rights and economies of affecting the economy and ecology of the globe.
indigenous peoples. Preserving indigenous cul-
tures is essential to saving the rainforest. These SUSTAINABLE RAINFOREST
knowledgeable people and their ancestors have
inhabited rainforests for millennia without
PRODUCTS
destroying them. We need them to teach us how As we support and utilize products like those
to use forests without damaging them. Medi- listed below, we must also be aware that only a
cines, foods, and other unknown treasures can limited amount can be consumed. The concept
be harvested without jeopardizing the future. of sustainability transcends the traditional rules
People from developed countries have much to of "supply and demand" as each ecosystem
learn from indigenous peoples in terms of our determines the ceiling of its productivity. The
relationship with the Earth. By respecting and primary question for us must not be, "Which
allowing them to lead the way toward a true, herbal supplement, backpack, or body lotion
stable utilization of the bountiful resources of should buy?" but, "Do need to buy this?"
1 1
461
Aloha Tropicals Manufactures and sells a sustainable alternative to leather
RO. Box 6042 from tree-tapped rubber latex. Products include totebags,
purses, backpacks, clothing, etc.
Oceanside, CA 92054
Phone: 760-63 -2880 1
Forests of the World

Email: [email protected]
607 Ellis Road,Bldg.53-AI
Website: www.alohatropicals.com/
Durham, NC 27703
The compnuy sells tropical plants and seeds to grozv,
Phone; 9 9-957- 500
1 1
including several of the rainforest plants featured in

Website: wvAv.forestsoftheworld.com
this book.
This company is an importer, distributor, and retailer of
Aveda Corporation educational products, fair trade crafts, and non-timber

forest and food products made by indigenous groupis
4999 Pheasant Ridge Drive
and from rainforests, conservation and development
Blaine, MN 55449
projects, piarks, protected areas, and hotspiots of high
Phone: 866-823-1425 biodiversity.
Website: www.aveda.com
Aveda produces hair- and body-care products utilizing GreenDealer Exotic Seeds
sustainably harvested rainforest ingredients (oils, butters, RO. Box 37328
herbal extracts). Many of their harvesting programs for
Louisville, KY 40233
these rainforest resources support indigenous
Phone: 502-459-9054
communities. Their products are distributed in salons,
Website: www.greendealer-exotic-seeds.com
spas, and body-care product stores worldwide.
Sells tropical plants and seeds to grow, including several
Bolsa Amazonia of the rainforest pdants featured in this book.
Campus Universitario do Guama - Setor Profissional

Guayaki Sustainable Rainforest Products
Casa do Poema - CEP: 66075-900
P.O.Box 14730
Belem, Para
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
Brazil
Phone: 888-482-9254 •
805-546-81 1
Phone: 0 1 I -55-9 -3 83- 686

1 1 1
•
0 1 I -55-9 -3 83-2027
1 1
Fax: 805-545-8 1 I I
Website: www.bolsaamazonia.com
v4 sustainable source of paper produced in the Amazon.
Website: www.guayaki.com
Amazon Paper does not compete in the conventional paper
market or the recycled paper market. Being manually Harvests, impwrts, and sells yerba mate from Paraguay.
produced from natural fibers through craftsmanship of the Guayaki's mission is to cultivate sustainability by
region, sheet by sheet, it is classified as "art paper." working in harinony with indigenous cultures and
their environment to produce products that pmmiote
Couro Vegetal da Amazonia market-driven conservation.
Rua Flack 144 Riachuelo

Jatun Sacha Foundation
Rio de Janeiro
Pasaje Eugenio de Santillan
20960- 60 1
N34-248 y Maurian
Brazil
Quito
Phone; 01 1-55-2 -24 1 1
-1 276
Ecuador
Website: http://treetap.amazonlife.com.br
Rainforest Resources 463
Phone: 0 1 I -59-32-2432-240/ 73/246 1 PatagonBird

Email: [email protected] 353 East 72nd Street #24-B
Website: www.jatunsacha.org New York, NY 10021
A private, non-profit Ecuadorian foundation offering arts, Phone: 212-71 7-4805
crafts,and jewelry made from sustainable forest-gathered Email: [email protected]
materials and resources.
Website: www.patagonbird.com
PatagonBird is a New York-based family-run company
Kallari Rainforest Originals
started in 1998 with a commitment to help indigenous
N39-I88 Bermejo y Shushufindi people from Argentina, not by way of charity but helping
Urbanizacion Petrolera them find new markets for their beautiful arts and crafts.
Sector Monteserrin They work with large communities of Indians in the
Quito Northwest of Argentina, such as the Wichi people from
Mision Chaquena, Salta, and the Chiriguano Indians
Ecuador
from Salta and Formosa provinces.
Phone; 01 1-593-22-432-240 •
01 1-593-22-453-583
Website: www.kallari.com Rainforest Seed Company Canada

Cooperative in Ecuador selling handmade fair trade 207 Howard Park Avenue
jewelry, purses and bags, canoes and paddles, dishes, hats,
Toronto, Ontario M6R-IV9
and more in an effort to conserve Ecuadorian rainforests.
Canada
Phone: 4 6-767-0649
Moonshine Trading Co. 1
P.O. Box 896
Website: www.interlog.com/~rainseed/
Winters, CA 95694
Operates a 1,500 acre protected rainforest situated in
Phone; 916-753-0601
Northern Costa Rica, where most of their plant seeds
Produces gourmet nut butters, spreads, and honey from
are harvested and collected by hand.
sustainably cultivated and harvested rainforest nuts
and wild collected honey.
RainSeed Company
P.O. Box 658
One World Projects, Inc.
Elberta, AL 36530
21 Ellicott Avenue
Phone: 800-965-4299
Batavia, NY 14020-2010
Fax: 251-943-1716
Phone: 585-343-4490
Website: www.rainseed.com
Fax: 585-344-3551
Sells tropical plants and rainforest plant seeds to grozo,
including several of the rainforest plants featured in
Website: www.oneworldprojects.com this book.
This company is perhaps the largest distributor and

importer of rainforest products in terms of the types of Raintree Nutrition, Inc.
products and number of producer groups they support. 3579 Hwy 50 East
Their mission develop markets for products made
is to P.O. Box 369
from renewable forest resources that can be harvested Carson City, NV 89701
in a sustainable manner without damage to the forest
Phone: 800-780-5902 •
775-841-4142
ecosystem, while providing rainforest inhabitants with
a just means of economic subsistence.
Website: www.rain-tree.com
464
Harvests, imports, and distributes sustainably harvested Stokes Tropicals

rainforest medicinal plants. Manufactures a line of retail 4806 E Old Spanish Trail
herbal supplements and another line of professional

Jeanerette, LA 7054
herbal products for practitioners of the healing arts.
Phone: 800-624-9706
Many of the plants featured in this book are available
through this company.
Website: www.stokestropicals.com
Rainforest Remedies Sells tropical plants and seeds to grow, including several
Distributed by: Lotus Brands, Inc. of the rainforest plants featured jn this book.
RO. Box 325

Top Tropicals
Twin Lakes, Wl 53181
I 1 35 1 Orange Drive
Phone: 800-824-6396
Davie, FL 33330
Rainforest Remedies is a product line of herbal extracts
Phone: 866-897-7957
that come from the Central American rainforest of Belize.
Website: http://toptropicals.com
Produced by the Ix Chel Foundation, these formulas
utilize the healing herbs used by the traditional healers Sells tropical plants and seeds to grow, including several
of the area. These products can be found in most of the rainforest plants featured in this book.
American health food stores and can be ordered online
at www.internatural.com. Tropilab, Inc.
8240 Ulmerton Road
Samba, Inc. Largo, FL 33771
927 Calle Negocio, Suite J Phone: 888-6 3-4446 1
San Clemente, CA 92673 Website: www.tropilab.com

Phone: 949-574-0080 • 877-726-2296 Exporter and wholesaler of medicinal plants, herbs,
Email: [email protected] tropical seeds, and cut flowers from the Amazon in
Website: www.sambazon.com Suriname.
Markets "Sambazon," a combination of three rainforest

fruits: acai, acerola, and cupuacii, which is sustainably
Yachana Gourmet
harvested in the Brazilian Amazon. Distributed by: One World Projects
21 Ellicott Avenue
SmartWood Batavia, NY 14020-2010
Goodwin-Baker Building Phone: 800-637-7614
65 Millet Street, Suite 201 Email: [email protected] •
Richmond, VT 05477 [email protected]

Phone: 802-434-549 Website: www.yachanagourmet.com
Email: [email protected] Yachana Gourmet™ and the pêopde along the Napw
Website: www.smartwood.org River work together to bring exotic rainforest products
SmartWood program of the Rainforest Alliance, an

is a to your table. Their product line includes tropical fruit
international non-profit environmental group based in spreads and chocolates and provides an alternative
Nezv York City. SmartWood certifies forest products source of income for families who live in the rainforest.
that come from "well-managed" forests ("sources"). Yachana Gourmet supports fair trade practices while
Contact them or see their website to obtain a list of protecting rainforest resources.
companies offering certified wood products.

NON-PROFIT RAINFOREST Amazon Watch

ORGANIZATIONS I Haight Street, Suite B
San Francisco, CA 94102
The following organizations are actively involved
Phone: 4 5-487-9600
1
with rainforest conservation projects and are de-

serving of support. Most provide extensive infor-
Website: www.amazonwatch.org
mation about conservation problems and solutions
Works with indigenous and environmental organizations
on their websites and provide a method to donate
in the Amazon Basin to defend the environment and
to their organizations online.
advance indigenous peoples' rights in the face of large-
scale industrial development such as oil and gas pipelines,

ACEER Foundation
power lines, roads, and other mega-projects.
RO. Box 2549
West Chester, PA 19383 Ceiba Foundation for Tropical
Phone; 610-738-0477 Conservation
Website: www.aceer.org 2319 North Cleveland
The Amazon Center for Environmental Education Chicago, IL 60614
and Research supports its education and research fax: 773-871-3798
programs in the Peruvian Amazon with classrooms,
Website: www.ceiba.org
a field lab, demonstration gardens, interpreted trails,
and a nature interpretation center for researchers,
A non-pmofit organization founded in 1997, dedicated
to the preservation and rehabilitatkm of tropical habitats,
students, and others.
and the conservation of their plants and animals through
Amazon Conservation Association scientific research, public education, and community-
1834 Jefferson Place NW based actions.
Washington, DC 20036
Greenpeace International
Phone: 202-452-0752
702 H Street NW, Suite 300
Website: www.amazonconservation.org
Phone: 202-462 I 1 77
The Amazon Conservation Association envisions a network
£/no/7: [email protected]
of state, community, and private lands managed for conser-
Website: www.greenpeace.org
vation and sustainable resource use so that the biological
diversity of the southwest Amazon basin is conserved. An indephmdent campâigning orgajiization that uses
non-vwlent creative confrontation
,
to expwse global
Amazon Conservation Team nwironmental problems, including in the Amazon.

4211 N. Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22203
The Nature Conservancy
4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100
Phone: 703-522-4684
Arlington, VA 22203-1606
Website: www.ethnobotany.org
Phone: 800-628-6860
The Amazon Conservation Team works in partnership
Website: www.nature.org
with indigenous people in conserving biodiversity, health,
and culture in tropical America. They achieve these goals A national non-profit organization with a mission to
by the establishment of Shamans and Apprentices preserve the pdants, animals, and natural communities
programs, the support of comprehensive mapping projects, that represent the diversity of life o)i Earth by protecting
and the building of Traditional Clinics. the lands and waters they need to survive.
466
Network Phone: 01 1-44-20-7687-8700

Rainforest Action
221 Pine Street, Suite 500
CA 94104 Website: www.survival-international.org
San Francisco,
Survival International is a non-profit worldwide
Phone: 415-398-4404
organization supiporting tribal peopdes and founded in
1969. It stands for their right to decide their own future
Website: www.ran.org
and helps them pnotect their lives, lands, and human
Rainforest Action Network works to protect the
rights. They also offer a mail order catalog and online
Earth's rainforests and supnôrt the rights of their
shoppnng of various gift items.
inhabitants through education, grassroots organizing, and
was founded in 1985,
non-violent direct action. Since it
World Rainforest Movement
the Rainforest Action Network has been working to
Maldonado 1858
protect rainforests and the human rights of those living in
1 1200 Montevideo
and around those forests.
Uruguay
The Rainforest Alliance Phone: 01 1-598-2-413-2989
665 Broadway, Suite 500 Email: [email protected]

New York, NY 10012 Website: www.wrm.org.uy
Phone: 212-677-1900 •
888-MY-EARTH The World Rainforest Movement was established in 1986.
It works to secure the lands and livelihoods of forest
Website: www.rainforest-alliance.org
peoples and supywrts their efforts to defend the forests
Rainforest Alliance is a leading international conservation
to protect ecosystems and from commercial logging, dams, mining, pdantations,
organization. Their mission is
shrimp farms, colonization and settlement, and other
the peopde and wildlife that live within them by impilement-
projects that threaten them.
ing better business practices for biodiversity, conservation,
and sustainability through their certification programs.
INTERNET RESOURCES
The Rainforest Foundation UK
The following websites are good places to start
Suite A5, City Cloisters
to learn more about medicinal plants, tradition-
1 96 Old Street
al herbal medicine, and alternative health.
London EC IV 9FR
United Kingdom
The Raintree Tropical Plant Database
Phone: 0 1 I
-44-20-725 -6345 1
vwvw.rain-tree.com/plants.htm
A comprehensive searchable database about the medicinal
Website: www.rainforestuk.com other tropical medicinal pdants
pdants of the Amazon and
The missio)! of the Rainforest Foundation is to supipwrt Contains color
(about 130 tropical pdant files available).
indigenous pêopde and traditional piopndations of the pdctures of the pdants, their hiskm/ of uses, chemistry,
world's rainforests in their efforts to protect their and the research p>erformed on them.
environment and fulfill their rights.
PubMed
Survival International www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed
6 Charterhouse Buildings to access
National Library of Medicine's search interface
London EC I M 7ET the 10 million citations in MEDLINE, and Pre-MEDLINE,
United Kingdom and other related databases. Look up and access the
journal abstracts of most of the pmblished research cited in TROPICOS Database

this book at this searchable database. Usually, using the http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html
plant's Latin genus and species name as search words will
Not sure of a tropdcal plant's propier Latin name? This
access most of the publications available on that plant.
site provides access to the Missouri Botanical Garden's
VAST (VAScular Tropdcos) nomenclature database and
Plants for a Future Database associated authority files.
www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/index.html
From Leeds University, UK, the Species Database Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
contains aptproximately 7,000 plants with edible or
www.swsbm.com/homepage/
medicinal uses. There are links to three websites for
The site offers tons of information, pnctures, and
searching, and downloadable versions.
educational materials about medicinal pdants.
HerbMed® Database National Center for Complementary

www.herbmed.org
and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
An interactive, electronic herbal database that provides
http://nccam.nih.gov/
links to the scientific data underlying the use of herbs
an evidence-based information resource
NCCAM, at the National Institutes of Health, is
for health. It is
dedicated to exploring compdementanj and alternative
for pirofessionals, researchers, and the general public.
healing practices in the context of rigorous science,
training CAM researchers, and disseminating
The American Botanical Council authoritative information.
www.herbalgram.org
The American Botanical Council is the leading non-pmofit
(BIDS
education and research organization disseminating
http://ods.od. nih.gov/showpage. aspx?pageid=48
science-based information promoting the safe and effective
The database. International Bibliograpdiic Information
use of medicinal pdants and phytomedicines. Several
on Dietari/ Supipdements, from the Office of Dietan/
searchable databases are offered on their website.
Suppdements, NIH, covers vitamins, minerals, and herbs.
Medicinal Plants Database

Office of Cancer Complementary and
www.pl.barc.usda.gov/
Alternative Medicine (OCCAM)
From the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center
www3.cancer.gov/occam/
and the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center.
This government ageiwy was established to coordinate
and enhance the activities of the National Cancer
Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and
Institute in the arena of compdementanj and alternative
Ethnobotanical Databases
medicine.
www.ars-grin.gov/duke/
Several searchable databases from the US Agricultural DATADIWAN
Research Database covering ethnobotanical uses for www.datadiwan.de/index_e.htm
pdants and pdant chemical constituents.
The German, Patienteninformation fur Naturheilkunde,
(Patient information for natural therapies) has a
American Indian Ethnobotany Database searchable database online, much of it in English,
http://herb.umd.umich.edu/ providing information on holistic medicine and a
Dr. Moerman's database of foods, drugs, dyes, and fibers network linking research institutions and organizations
of Native American Peoples, derived from pdants. It is worldwide. There are over 5,000 bibliograpdiic entries
based at the University of Michigan. and 1,000 addresses.
468
USPTO Database Tropical Forests and the Human Spirit
www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html Roger D. Stonea and Claudia D’Andrea.

The U.S. Patent ami Trademark Office is an important University of California Press; 2001.
and relatively unexplored source of information and This book, based on extensive international field
often unpublished research data relevant to studies in research, highlights one solution for preserving this
alternative and compilementari/ medicine, and plants precious resource: empowering local people who
with medicinal uses. Pull text of the piatents cited in depend on the forest for survival.
this book are accessible at this website.
Conservation of Neotropical Forests

Christine Padoch and Kent H. Bedford.
SUGGESTED READING
Columbia University Press; 1999.
Rainforest Conservation and This provides important information for understanding

Sustainability Issues the interactions of forest peoples and forest resources
in thelowland tropics of Central and South America.
To expdore the complex issues of rainforest destruction,
sustainable use of these valuable ecosystems, and possible This interdisciplinarxj study features experts from
methods of conservation, the following books offer some both the natural and social sciences to illuminate
unique perspectives. the present dilemma of conserving neotropical

resources.
The Brazilian Amazon Rainforest

Luiz C. Barbosa. University Press of America; 2000.
Quantifying Sustainable Development
Charles A. S. Hall, Gregoire Leclerc, and Carlos
Provides a global, world-systemic analysis of the problem
Amazon He Leon Perez. Academic Press; 2000.
of deforestation of the Brazilian rainforest.
shows how changes in global ecopolitics demanding This interdisciplinari/ book covers the conditions of
sustainable development, coupled with the onset of the developing tropics, the resistance of some of their
democracy in Brazil, substantially altered the battle problems to earlier attempts at solutions, and the use
over the future of Amazonia. of new tools to develop a much more comprehensive
and empirical framework for conservation and
Tropical Forest Conservation sustainability.
Douglas Dewitt Southgate. Oxford University Press;

1998. POLITICAL AND HEALTH
This book assesses the viability of conservation strategies
predicated on the adoption of etwironmentally sound
FREEDOM RESOURCES
enterprises in and around threatened Drawing
habitats.
Alliance for Natural Health
on research in Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru,
the author contends that human capital formation and Mount Manor House
related productivity-enhancing investment is the only 1 6 The Mount
sure path to economic progress and habitat conservation. Guildford
Surrey GU2 4HS
Medicinal Resources of the Tropical Forest United Kingdom
Michael Balick, et al. Columbia University Press; 1996 -44- 252-37 -275
J. Phone/Fax: 0 1 I 1 1
This books targets the enormous resources of the Earth's

rainforests and the potential impact of their destruction
Website: www.alliance-natural-health.org
in terms of human health to hdiabitants of both the
developing and developed world.
0 1
American Holistic Health Association International Advocates for Health Freedom

RO. Box 1 7400 RO. Box 625
Anaheim, CA 928 7-7400
1 Floyd, VA 2409
Phone: 714-779-6152 Phone; 800-333-2553 •
540-745-6534
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ahha.org/ Website: www.iahf.com
The Coalition for Natural Health International Council for Health Freedom
Website: www.naturalhealth.org/ 5580 La Jolla Boulevard
PMB 429
CODEX La Jolla, CA 92037
Website: www.codexalimentarius.net/ Phone: 6 9-66 -7488
1 1
Website: www.ichf.info
The Friends of Freedom Inc.

Website: www.friendsoffreedom.org
• Minnesota Natural Health Coalition
Phone: 651-322-4542
www.friendsoffreedominternational.org
Email: mnhc @earthlink.net
I
Health Freedom Foundation Website: www.minnesotanaturalhealth.org/
9912 Georgetown Pike, Suite D-2

Natural Health Freedom Coalition
Great Falls,VA 22066
PMB 218
Phone; 800-230-2762 •
703-759-0662
2 36 Ford Parkway
1
St. Paul,MN 55116-1863
Website: www.apma.net/
Phone: 65 -690-07321
Website: www.nationalhealthfreedom.org
Institute for Health Freedom
1825 Eye Street NW, Suite 400
Dr. Rath Health Foundation
The Hague Zurich Tower
Phone: 202-429-66 1
Muzenstraat 89
Website: www.forhealthfreedom.org/
NL-251 I WB
The Hague
Netherlands
Website: www.dr-rath-foundation.org
I' Ilf
References for Part Three
Abuta 12. Adesina, S. on some plants
K. "Studies DC.) fruit." /. Agric. Food Chem. 2001;
used as anticonvulsants in Amerindian 49(12): 5880-5882.
1. Anwer, F., et al. "Studies in medicinal
and African traditional medicine." Fitoter- Caceres, A. "Plants used in Guatemala
plants 3. Protoberberine alkaloids from the 5.
apia 1982; 53: 147-162.
roots of Cissampelos pareira Linn." Experi- for the treatment of dermatophytic infec-
entia 1968; 15. 13. Sanchez Medina, A., et al. "Evaluation tions 2. Evaluation of antifungal activity of
of biological activity of crude extracts from seven American plants." /. Ethnopharmacol.
2. Bhatnagar, A. K., et al. "Chemical exam-
plants used in Yucatecan traditional med- 1993; 40: 3.
ination of the roots of Cissampelos pareira
icine part 1. Antioxidant, antimicrobial and
Linn. V. Structure and stereochemistry of 6. Hwang, ]., et al. "Soy and alfalfa phy-
beta-glucosidase inhibition activities."
hayatidin." Experientia 1967; 15. toestrogen extracts become potent low-
Phytomedicine 2001; 8(2): 144-151.
3. Bruneton, Pharmaognosy, Phytochem- density lipoprotein antioxidants in the
J.
istry, Medicinal Plants. Andover, England: 14. George, M. and K. M. Pandalai. "In- presence of acerola cherry extract." /.
Intercept Limited, 1995. vestigations on plant antibiotics. Part IV. Agric. Food Chem. 2001; 49(1): 308-314.
Further search for antibiotic substances in
4. Werbach, M. R., et al. Botanical Influences 7. Raulf-Heimsoth, M., et al. "Anyphylac-
Indian medicinal plants." Indian Med.
on Illness —A Sourcebook of Clinical Research.
Res. 1949; 37: 169-181.
j.
tic reaction to apple juice containing acero-
Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press, 1994. la: Cross-reactivity to latex due to pro-
15. Gessler, M. C., et al. "Screening of Tan- hevein." Aller. and Clin. Immunol. 2002;
5.Blumenthal, M. "Plant medicines from /.
zanian medicinal plants for antimalarial

the New World." Whole Foods Magazine, 109(4).
activity." Acta. Tropica. 1994; 56(1): 65-77.
April 1997.
16. Gessler, M. C., et al. "Tanzanian medic- Amargo
6. Feng, P. C., et al. "Pharmacological
screening of some West Indian medicinal
inal plants used traditionally for the treat- 1. Hoffman, David. 1991. The New Holis-
ment of malaria: in vivo antimalarial and in tic Herbal, Element Books, Inc.: Rockport,
plants." /. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1962; 14:
vitro cytotoxic activities." Phytother. Res. MA.
556-561.
1995; 9(7): 504-508.
7. Mokkhasmit, M., et al. "Pharmacologi- 2. Duke, J. A. CRC Handbook of Medicinal
17. Mokkhasmit, M., et al. "Study on toxi- Herbs. CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, 1985.
calevaluation of Thai medicinal plants
city of Thai medicinal plants." Dept. Med.
continued." /. Med. Ass. Thailand 1971; 3. Samuelsson, G. Drugs of Natural Origin.
Sc/. 1971; 12 2/4: 36-65.
54(7): 490-504. Swedish Pharmaceutical Press: Stock-
8. Bork, P. M., et al. "Sesquiterpene lactone holm, Sweden, 1992.

Acerola 0
containing Mexican Indian medicinal 4. Lueng, A. and S. Foster. Encyclopedia of
1. Lung, A., and S. Foster. Encyclopedia of
plants and pure sesquiterpene lactones as Common Natural Ingredients. Wiley and
Common Natural Ingredients. New York:
potent inhibitors of transcription factor Sons: New York, 1996.
NF-KB." Febs. Lit. 1997; 402(1): 85-90.
John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
"Variation of ascorbic 5. Kupchan, M. "Quassimarin, a new

S.
Caceres, A., et al. "Diuretic activity of 2.Leme, j. Jr., et al.
9.
content in antileukemic quassinoid from Quassia
plants used for the treatment of urinary
acid and beta-carotene
lyophilized cherry from the West Indies amara." ]. Org. Chem. 1976; 41(21): 3481-
ailments in Guatemala." /. Ethnopharmacol.
{Malpighia punicifolia L.)." Arch. Latinoam. 3482.
1987; 19(3): 233-245.
Nutr.W73; 23(2): 207-215. 5. Xu, Z., et al. "Anti-l ilV agents 45(1) and
10. Akah, P. A., et al. "Studies on anti-ulcer
3. de Medeiros, R. B. "Proportion of ascor- antitumor agents 205. (2) Two new
properties of Cissampelos mucronata leaf ex-
bic, dehydroascorbic and diketogulonic sesquiterpenes, leitneridanins A and B,
tract." Indian }. Exp. Biol. 1999; 37(9):
acids in green or ripe acerola {Malpighia and the cytotoxic and anti-HIV principles
93f^938.
punicifolia)." Rev. Bras. Med. 1969; 26(7): from Leitneria floridana." J. Nat. Prod. 2000;
11. Tripathi, S. N., et al. "Screening of hy-
398-400. 63(12): 1712-1715.
poglycemic action indigenous
in certain
Indian Med. Yoga Homeopa- 4. Pino, j. A., et al. "Volatile flavor con- 7. O'Neill, M. ]., et al. "Plants as sources of
drugs." /. Res.
stituents of acerola {Malpighia emarginata antimalarial drugs: in vitro antimalarial ac-
thy 1979; 14(3): 159-169.
471
tivities of some quassinoids." Antimicrob. evaluation of the reproductive toxicity of thesis by ram seminal vesicle micro-
A;^cuts Chcmother. 1986; 30(1): 101-104. Quassia amara in male rats." Reprod. Toxicol. somes." Phytother. Res. 1995; 9(4): 287-293.
Trager, VV., et al. "Antimalarial activity 2003; 17(1): 45-50. Addy, M. E., et al. "Some secondary
8. 12.
of quassinoids against chloroquine-resist- plant metabolites in Desmodium adscendens
ant Plnsmodium falciparum hi vitro.” Am.
Amor Seco
and their effects on arachidonic acid me-
J.
Trap. Med. Hi/g. 1981; 30(3); 531-537. 1. Brandao, M., et al. "Survey of medicinal tabolism." Prostaglandins Leukotrienes Es-
9. Apers, S., et al. "Antiviral activity of

plants used as antimalarials in the Ama- sent. Fatty Acids 1992; 47(1): 85-91.
zon." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1992; 36(2):
simalikalactone D, a quassinoid from 13. Hallstrand, T. S., et al. "Leukotriene
175-182.
Quassia africana.” Plauta Med. 2002; 25(9): modifiers." Med. Clin. North. Am. 2002;
1151-1155. 2. Boye, G. and O. Ampopo. "Plants and 86(5): 1009-10.33.
10. Garcia Gonzalez, M., et al. "Pharmaco- traditional medicine in Ghana." Economic
14. Coffey, M., et al. "Extending the under-
aqueous wood extract
logic activity of the and Medicinal Plant Research 4 1990. Devon,
standing of leukotrienes in asthma." Curr.
from Quassia amara (Simarubaceae) on al- England: Academic Press Ltd.: 33-34.
Opin. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 2003; 3(1):
bino rats and mice." Rev. Biol. Prop. 1997; 3. Ampopo, O. "Plants that heal." World 57-63.
44-45: 47-50. Health 1977. 1977: 26-30.
15. Barreto, G. S. "Effect of butanolic frac-
11. Jensen, O. "Treatment of head lice with 4.Addy, M. E., et al. "Effects of the extracts tion of Desmodium adscendens on the
Quassia tincture." Ugeskr. Laeger. 1979; of Desmodium adscendens on anaphylaxis." anococcygeus of the rat." Braz. Biol. 2002;
J.
141(4): 225-126. Ethnopharmacol. 1984; 11(3): 283-292.
/. 62(2): 223-230.
12. Jensen, O. "Pediculosis capitis treated Addy, M. Desmodium
"Effect of
5. E., et al. 16. McManus, O. B., et al. "An activator of
with Quassia tincture." Acta. Derm. Venere- adscendens fraction El (DAFL) on tone and calcium-dependent potassium channels
ol. 1978; 58(6): 557-559. agonist-induced contractions of guinea isolated from a medicinal herb." Biochem-
13. Ninci, M. E. "Prophylaxis and treat- pig airw'ay smooth muscle." Pln/tother. Res. istry 1993; 32(24): 6128-6133.
1.
ment of pediculosis with Quassia amarga.” 1989; 3(3): 8S-90.
17. N'Gouemo, P, et al. "Effects of an
Rev. Fac. Cien. Med. Univ. Nac. Cordoba Addy, M. E., et al.Desmodium
"Effect of
6. ethanolic extract of Desmodium adscendens
1991; 49(2): 27-31.
adscendens fractions on antigen- and on central nervous system in rodents." /.
14. Roark, R. C. "Some promising insecti- arachidonic acid-induced contractions of Ethnopharmacol. 1996; 52(2): 77-83.
cidal plants." Ecou. Bot. 1947; 1: 437^445. guinea pig airways." Can. J.
Physiol. Phar-
15. Evans, D. A., et al. "Extracts of Indian macol. 1987; 66(6): 820-825. Anamu
plants as mosquito larvicides." Indian ]. 7.Addy, M. E., et al. "Dose-response effect 1. Mata-Green wood, E., et al. "Discovery
Med. Res. 1988; 88(1): 38-41. of one subfraction of Desmodium adscen- of novel inducers of cellular differentia-
16. Ajaiyeoba, E. O., et al. "In vivo anti- dens aqueous extract on antigen- and tion using HL-60 promyelocvtic cells." An-
malarial activities of Quassia amara and arachidonic acid-induced contractions of ticancer Res. 2001; 21 (3B): 1763-1770.
Quassia undulata plant extracts in mice." guinea pig airways." Phytother. Res. 1987;
/. 2. Yan, R., et al. "Astilbin selectively facili-
Ethnopharmacol 1999; 67(3): 321-325. 1(4): 180-186.
tates the apoptosis of interleukin-2-de-
17. Abdel-Malek, S., et al. "Drug leads 8. Addy, M. E., et al. "Effect of Desmodium pendent phytohemaglutinin-activated Ju-
from the Kallawaya herbalists of Bolivia. adscendens fraction 3 on contractions of rkat cells." Pharmacol. Res. 2001; 44(2):
Background, rationale, protocol and respiratory smooth muscle." /. Ethnophar- 135-139.
anti-HIV activitv." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1996; macol. 1990; 29(3): 325-335.
3. Weber, U. S., et al. "Antitumor activities
50: 157-166.
9. Addy, M. E., et al. "Dose-response ef- of coumarin, 7-hydroxy-coumarin and its
18. Toma, W., et al. "Antiulcerogenic activ- fects of Desmodium adscendens aqueous ex- glucuronide in several human tumor cell
ity of four extracts obtained from the bark tract on histamine response, content and lines." Res. Commun. Mol. Pathol. Pharma-
wood of Quassia amara L. (Simarou- anaphylactic reactions in the guinea pig." col. 1998; 99(2): 193-206.
baceae)." Planta Med. 2002; 68(1): 20-24. /. Ethnopharmacol. 1996; 18(1): 13-20.
4. Bassi, A. M., et"Comparative evalu-
al.
19. Tada, H., et al. "Novel anti-ulcer agents 10. Addy, M. E., et al. "Several chromato- ation of cytotoxicity and metabolism of
and quassinoids." United States Patent graphically distinct fractions of Desmodi- four aldehydes in two hepatoma cell
4,731,459; 1988. um adscendens inhibit smooth muscle con- lines." Drug Chem. Toxicol. 1997 Aug.;
20.Toma, W., et al. "Evaluation of the anal- tractions." Int. J.

Crude Drug Res. 1989; 20(3): 173-187.
gesic and antiedematogenic activities of 27(2): 81-91.

5. Rossi, V., et al. "Antiproliferative effects
Quassia amara bark extract." /. Ethnophar- 11. Addy, M. E., et al. "An extract of of Petiveria alliacea on several tumor cell
macol. 2003; 85(1): 19-23.
Desmodium adscendens activates cyclooxy- lines." Pharmacol. Res. Suppl. 1990; 22(2):
21. Parveen, S., et al. "A comprehensive genase and increases prostaglandin syn- 434.
.
References for Part Three 473
6. Jovicev'ic, L., et al. "In vitro antiprolifer- (Guine) in animals." Mem. Inst. Oswaldo fections. 1. Screening of activity to bacteria,
ative activity of Petiveria alliacea L on sev- Cruz. 1991; 86 Suppl 2: 153-158. fungi
30. and American trypanosomes of 13
eral tumor cell lines." Pharmacol. Res. 1993; 18. Lopes-Martins, R.A., et al. "The anti-in- native plants." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1998 Oct;
27(1); 105-106. flammatory and analgesic effects of a 62(3): 195-202.
7. M. ]., et al. "Cytotoxic effect of Ar-

Ruffa, crude extract of Petiveria alliacea L. (Phyto- Feng, P, et al. "Further pharmacologi-
gentine medicinal plant extracts on hu- laccaceae)." Phytomedicine 2002; 9(3): cal screening of some West Indian medici-
man hepatocellular carcinoma cell line." /.
245-248.
nal plants." /. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1964; 16:
Ethnopharmacol. 2002; 79(3): 335-339. 19. Germano, D. H., et al. "Topical anti- 115.
8. Rosner, H., et al. "Disassembly of micro- inflammatory activity and toxicity of

tubules and inhibition of neurite out- Petiveria alliaceae." Fitoterapia 1993; 64(5): Andiroba
growth, neuroblastoma cell proliferation, 459-467. 1. Bickii, et al. "In vitro antimalarial ac-
].,
and MAP kinase tyrosine dephosphoryla- 20. Ruffa, M. J., et al. "Antiviral activity of tivity of liminoids from Khaya grandifoliola
tion bv dibenzyl trisulphide." Biochem. Petiveria alliacea against the bovine diar- C.D.C. (Meliaceae)." /. Ethnopharmacol.
Biophys. Acta 2001; 1540(2): 166-177.
rhea virus." Chemotherapy 2002; 48(3): 2000; 69(1): 27-33.
9. Rossi, V., "Effects of Petiveria alliacea L. 144-147.
2. MacKinnon, S., et al. "Antimalarial ac-
on cell immunity." Pharmacol. Res. 1993;
21. Misas, C.A.J., et al. "The biological as- tivity of tropical Meliaceae extracts and
27(1): 111-112.
sessment of Cuban plants. 111." Rev. Cub. gedunin derivatives." /. Nat. Prod. 1997;
10. Marini, S., "Effects of Petiveria alliacea Med.Trop.\979;3m): 21-27. 60(4): 336-341.
L. on cytokine production and natural
22. Von Szczepanski, C., et al. "Isolation, 3. Cohen, E., et al. "Cytotoxicity of ni-
killer cell activitv." Pharmacol. Res. 1993;
structure elucidation and svnthesis of an j bolide, epoxyazadiradione and other lim-
27(1): 107-108.
antimicrobial substance from Petiveria alli- inoids from neem insecticide." Life Sci.
11. Quadros, M. R., et al., "Petiveria alliacea acea." Arzneim-Forsch 1972; 22: 1975. 1996; 58(13): 1075-81.
L. extract protects mice against Listeria
23. Caceres, A., et al. "Plants used in
monocytogenes on bone
infection — effects
Guatemala for the treatment of dermato-
4. Hammer, M. L., et al. "Tapping an Ama-
marrow progenitor cells." Immimopharma- zonian plethora: four medicinal plants of
phytic infections. 1. Screening for antimy- Marajo Island, Para (Brazil)." Ethnophar-
col. Immimotoxicol 1999 Feb; 21(1): 109- /.
cotic activity of 44 plant extracts." /.

124. macol. 1993 Sep; 40(1): 53-75.
Ethnopharmacol. 1991; 31(3); 263-276.
12. Queiroz, M. L., et al., "Cytokine profile 5. Nakanishi, K., et al. "Phytochemical sur-
24. Benevides, P. J., et al. "Antifungal poly-
and natural killer cell activity in Listeria vey of Malaysian plants." Chern. Pharm.
sulphides from Petiveria alliacea L." Phyto-
monocytogenes infected mice treated oral- Bull. 1965; 13(7): 882-890.
chemistry 2001; 57(5); 743-747.
ly with Petiveria alliacea extract." Immuno-
6. Titanji, J.P., et al. "Novel onchocerca
pharmacol. Immimotoxicol. 2000 Aug.; 22(3): 25. Caceres, A., et al. "Plants used in
volvulus filaricides from Carapa procera,
501-518. Guatemala for the treatment of protozoal
Polyathia suaveolens and Pachypodanthi-
infections. 1. Screening of activity to bacte-
13. Williams, L., et al. "Immunomodulato- um staudtii." Acta Leiden. 1990; 59:(l-2)
ria, fungi and American trypanosomes of
ry activities of Petiveria alliaceae L." Phy- 377-382.
13 native plants." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1998
tother.Res. 1997; 11(3): 251-253.
Oct; 62(3h 195-202. 7. Mikolajezak, K.L., et al. "A limonoid an-
14. Dunstan, C. A., et al. "Evaluation of tifeedant from seed of Carapa procera." /.
26. Berger et al. "Plants used in
some Samoan and Peruvian medicinal 1.,
Nat. Prod. 1988; 51(3); 606-610
plants by prostaglandin biosynthesis and Guatemala for the treatment of protozoal
infections: 11. Activity of extracts and frac- 8. Gilbert, B., et al. "Activities of the Phar-
rat ear oedema assays." /. Ethnopharmacol.
tions of five Guatemalan plants against maceutical Technology Institute of the Os-
1997 Jun; 57(1): 35-56.
Trypanosoma cruzi." J.
Ethnopharmacol. 1998 waldo Cruz Foundation with medicinal,
15. Germano, D., et al. "Pharmacological
Sep; 62(2): 107-115. insecticidal and insect repellent plants."
assay of Petiveria alliaceae. Oral anti-in-
et al. "Petiveria alliaceae L.
An. Acad. Bras. Cienc. 1999; 71(2): 265-271.
flammatory activity and gastrotoxicity of 27. Lores, R. 1.,
a hydro alcoholic root extract." Fitoterapia (anamu). Study of the hypoglycemic ef- 9. Rouillard, F., et al. Cosmetic or pharma-
fect." Med. Interne. 1990; 28(4): 347-352. ceutical composition containing an andiroba
1993; 64(5); 459-467.
28. Hoyos, L., et al. "Evaluation of the extract. United States Patent 5,958,421;
16. Di Stasi, L. C., et al. "Screening in mice
genotoxic effects of a folk medicine, Peti- September 28, 1999.
of some medicinal plants used for anal-
gesic purposes in the state of Sao Paulo." /. veria alliaceae (Anamu)." Mutat. Res. 1992; 10. Moura, M. D., et al. "Natural products
Ethnopharmacol. 1988; 24(2/3): 205-211. 280(1): 29-34. reported as potential inhibitors of uterine
17. de Lima, T. C., et al. "Evaluation of an- 29. Caceres, A., et al. "Plants used in Gua- cer\’ical neoplasia." Acta. Farm. Bonaerense.
tinociceptive effect of Petiveria alliacea temala for the treatment of protozoal in- 2002; 21(1): 67-74.
ucts. IV. Constituents and aldose reductase treatment." Phytother. Res. 2002; 16(4):
Annalto
inhibitory effect of Chrysanthemum mori- 368-372.
1. Bressani, R., et al. "Chemical composi-
foliiim, Bixa orellana and Ipomoea batatas." 7. Shimoda, H., et al. "Anti-hyperlipidem-
tion, amino acid content and nutritive val-
Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1991; 39(12): 3346-3347. ic sesquiterpenes and new sesquiterpene
ue of the protein of the annatto seed {Bixa
orclhma L.)." Arch. Lntinomn. Niitr. 33(2): 13. Otero, R., et al. "Snakebites and eth- glycosides from the leaves of artichoke
the northwest region of iCynara scolyrnus L.): structure require-
35^76. nobotany in
Colombia. Part III: neutralization of lethal ment and mode of action." Bioorg. Med.
2. Scita, G. and beta-
"Retinoic acid
Chem. Lett. 2003; 13(2): 223-228.
carotene inhibit fibronectin synthesis and and enzymatic effects of Bothrops atrox
venom;" /. Ethnopharmacol. 2000; 71(3): 8. Maros, T., et al. "Effects of Cynara sco-
release by fibroblasts; antagonism to phor-
bol ester." Carcinogenesis 15 (1994): 505-511. lymus extracts on the regeneration of rat
liver. 1." Arzneimittelforschung 1966; 16(2):

1043-1048. 14. Caceres A., et al. "Antigonorrhoeal ac-
127-129.
3.Zhang, L. X. "Carotenoids up-regulate tivity of plants used in Guatemala for the
treatment of sexually transmitted dis- 9. Adzet, T, et al. "Hepatoprotective activ-

connexin43 gene expression independent
of their provitanin A or antioxidant prop- eases." /. Ethnopharmacol. October 1995. ity of polyphenolic compounds from Cy-
nara scolyrnus against CC14 toxicity in iso-
erties." Cancer Res. 52 (1992): 5707-5712. 15. George, M., et al. "Investigations on
lated rat hepatocytes." /. Nat. Prod. 1987;
4. Di Mascio, R "Carotenoids, tocopherols plant antibiotics. Part IV. Further search for
50(4): 612-617.
and thiols as biological singlet molecular antibiotic substances in Indian medicinal
10. Gebhardt, R. "Prevention of tau-
oxygen quenchers." Biochem. Soc. Trans. 18 plants." Indian }. Med. Res. 1949; 37: 169-181.
rolithate-induced hepatic bile canalicular
(1990): 1054-1056.
16. Campelo, C. R. "Contribuicao ao estu- distortions by HPLC-characterized ex-
5. Hirose, S. "Energized state of mitochon- do das plantas medicinais no estado de tracts of artichoke {Cynara scolyrnus)
dria as revealed by the spectral change of alagoas III, VII." Simposio de Plantas leaves." Planta Med. 2002; 68(9): 776-779.
bound bixin." Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 152 Medicinais do Brasil, 1-3 de Setembro,
11. Gebhardt, R. "Anticholestatic activity
(1972): 36-43. 1982, Belo Horizonte-MG, 85m.
of flavonoids from artichoke (Cynara scoly-
6. Inada, Y. "Spectral changes of bixin 17. Nish, W. A., et al. "Anaphylaxis to an- miis L.) and of their metabolites." Med. Sci.
upon interaction with respiring rat liver natto dye: a case report." Ann. Allergy Monit. 2001; (7) Suppl. 1: 316-20.
mitochondria." Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 146
1991; 66(2): 129-131. 12.Gebhardt, R. "Inhibition of cholesterol
(1971): 366-367.
biosynthesis in primary cultured rat hepa-
7.Campelo, C. R. "Contribuicao ao estudo Artichoke tocytes by artichoke (Cynara scolyrnus L.)
das plantas medicinais no estado de 1. Grogan, L., et al. "Potential hypocho- extracts." /. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 1998;
J.
alagoas 111, VII." Simposio de Plantas lesterolemic agents: dicinnamoyl esters as 286(3): 1122-1128.
Medicinais do Brasil, 1-3 de Setembro, analogs of cynarin." Pharm. 1972;
/. Sci. 13. Gebhardt, R., et al. "Antioxidative and
1982, Belo Horizonte-MG, 85m.
61(5): 802-803. protective properties of extracts from
8. Dunham, N. W. et al. "A preliminary Bobnis, W., et al. "Case of primary hy- leaves of the artichoke (Cynara scolyrnus L.)
2.
pharmacologic investigation of the roots against hydroperoxide-induced oxidative
perlipemia treated with cynarin." Wiad.
of Bixa Orellana." ]. Amer. Pharm. Ass. Sci. stress in cultured rat hepatocytes." Toxicol.
Lek. 1973; 26(13): 1267-1270.
Ed. 1960; 49: 218. Appl. Pharmacol. 1997; 144(2): 279-286.
3. Pristautz, H., et al. "Cynarin in the mod-
9. Morrison, E. Y., et al. "Extraction of an 14. Brown, J. and C. A. Rice-Evans. "Lu-
E.
ern management of hyperlipemia." Wien
hyperglycaemic principle from the annat- teolin-rich artichoke extract protects low
Med. Wochenschr. 1975; 125(49): 705-709.
to {Bixa Orellana), a medicinal plant in the density lipoprotein from oxidation in vit-
West Indies." Trop. Georg. Med. 1991; 43(2): 4. Montini, M., et al. "Controlled applica- ro." Free Radic. Res. 1990; 29(3): 247-255.
184-188. tion of cynarin in the treatment of hyper-
15. Zapolska-Downar, D., et al. "Protective
lipemic syndrome. Observations in 60 cas-
10. Morrison, E. Y., et al. "Toxicity of the properties of artichoke (Cynara scolyrnus)
es." Arzneimittelforschung 1975; 25(8):
hyperglycaemic-inducing extract of the against oxidative stress induced in cul-
1311-1314. tured endothelial cells and monocytes."
annatto (Bi.xa orellana) in the dog." West In-
dian Med. J. 1985; 34(1): 38-42. 5. Englisch, W., et al. "Efficacy of artichoke Life Sci. 2002; 71(24): 2897.
Morrison, E. Y, et al. "The effect of Bixa dry extract in patients with hyperlipopro- 16. Perez-Garcia, F., et al. "Activity of arti-
11 .
orellana (annatto) on blood sugar levels in teinemia." Arzneimittelforschung 2000; 40 choke leaf extract on reactive oxygen in
the anaesthetized dog." West Indian Med. ].

(3): 260-265. human leukocytes." Free Rad. Res. 2000;
March 1985. 33(5): 661-665.
6. Gebhardt, R. "Inhibition of cholesterol
12. Terashima, S., et al. "Studies on aldose biosynthesis in HepG2 cells by artichoke 17. Wegener, T., et al. "Pharmacological
reductase inhibitors from natural prod- extracts is reinforced by glucosidase pre- properties and therapeutic profile of arti-
choke {Cynara scolymus L.)." Wien Med. stein-Barr virus lytic cycle by the latex of compound in a Brazilian medicinal plant,
Wochenschr. 1999; 149 (8-10): 241-247. the plant Euphorbia tirucalli." Br. /. Cancer. Myroxylon peruiferum and the activity of
Walker, A. 2003; 88(10): 156^1569. analogues." Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 1999;
18. F., et al. "Artichoke leaf ex-
tract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel 11. van den Bosch, C., et al. "Are plant fac- 9(8): 1109-1112.
syndrome in a post-marketing surveil- tors a missing link in the evolution of en-

lance study." Phytother. Res. 2001; 15(1): demic Burkitt's lymphoma?" Br. Cancer
Bitter Melon
J.
58-61. 1993; 68(6): 1232-1235. 1. Takemoto, D. "Guanylate cy-

J., et al.
clase activity in human leukemic and nor-
12.Mizuno, F, et al. "Epstein-Barr virus-
Aveloz enhancing plant promoters in east Africa." mal lymphocytes. Enzyme inhibition and
1.Duke, J. Euphorbia tirucalli L. Handbook of AIDS Res. 1986; 2 Suppl 1: S151-155. cytotoxicity of plant extracts." Enzyme
Energy Crops. Unpublished. 1983. Avail- 1982; 27(3): 179-188.
13. Prince, S., et al. "Latent membrane pro-
able through Purdue University Center for 2. Takemoto, D. "Purification and char-
tein 1 inhibits Epstein-Barr virus lytic cycle J.
New Crops & Plants Products. induction and progress via different mech- acterization of a cytostatic factor with anti-
2. Cataluna, P, et al. "The traditional use anisms." /. Virol. 2003; 77(8): 5000-5007. viral activity from the bitter melon." Prep.
of the latex from Euphorbia tirucalli Lin- Biochem. 1983; 13(4): 371-393.
naeus (Euphorbiaceae) in the treatment of Avenca 3. Takemoto D. J., et al. "Purification and
cancer in South Brazil." ISHS Acta Horti- 1. Murti, S. "Post coital anti-implantation characterization of a cytostatic factor with
culture 501: II WOCMAP Congress Medi- activity of Indian medicinal plants." Abstr. anti-viral activitv from the bitter melon.
cinaland Aromatic Plants, Part 2: Pharma- 32nd Indian Pharmaceutical Cong. Nagpur. Part 2." Prep Biochem. 1983; 13(5): 397-421.
cognosy, Pharmacology, Phytomedicine, 1981; Abstract D14: 23-25. 4. Takemoto, D. J., et al. "Purification and
Toxicology.
2. Murthy, R. S. R., et al. "Anti-implanta- characterization of a cytostatic factor from
3. Khan, A. Q., et al. "Euphorcinol: a new tion activity of isoadiantone." Indian Drugs the bitter melon Momordica charantia."
pentacyclic triterpene from Euphorbia tiru- 1984; 21 (4)! 141-144. Prep Biochem. 1982; 12(4): 355-375.
calli." Planta Medica 1989; 55: 290-291.
3. Mahmoud, M. J., et al. "In vitro antimi- 5. Takemoto, D. J., et al. "Partial purifica-
4. Kinghorn, A. D. "Characterization of an crobial activity of Salsola rosmarinus and tion and characterization of a guanylate
irritant 4-deoxy-phorbol diester from Eu- Adiantum capillus-veneris." hit. Crude cyclase inhibitor with cytotoxic properties
J.
phorbia tirucalli." j. Nat. Prod. 1979; 42(1): Drug Res. from the melon {Momordica charan-
bitter
1989; 27(1): 14-16.
112-115. tia)" Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 1980;
4. Husson, G. P, et al. "Research into an-
5. Furstenberger, G., et al. "On the active 94(1): 332-339.
tiviral properties of a few natural ex-
principles of the Euphorbiaceae XII. High- 6. Claflin, A. growth
et al. "Inhibition of
tracts." Ann. Pharni. Fr. 1986; 44(1): 41-48. J.,
ly unsaturated irritant diterpene esters and guanylate cyclase activity of an undif-
5. Jain, S. R., et al. "Hypoglycaemic drugs
form Euphorbia tirucalli originating from ferentiated prostate adenocarcinoma by an
of Indian indigenous origin." Planta Med.
Madagascar." /. Nat. Prod. 1986; 49(3): extract of the balsam pear {Momordica cha-
1967; 15(4): 439-442.
386-397. rantia abbreviata)." Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
6. Neef, H., "Hypoglycemic
et al. activity 1978; 75(2): 989-993.
6. Imai, S., et al. "African Burkitt's lym-
of selected European plants." Pharni.
phoma: a plant, Euphorbia tirucalli, reduces 7. Vesely, D. L., et al. guany-
"Isolation of a
World &SCi. 1993; 15(6): Hll.
Epstein-Barr virus-specific cellular immu- late cyclase inhibitor from the balsam pear
nity." Anticancer Res. 1994; 14(3A): 933-936. 7. "Hypoglycaemic activity
Neef, H., et al. {Momordica charantia abbreviata)."
of selected European plants." Phytother. Biochem. Biophi/s. Res. Commun.
7. Aya, T, et al. "Chromosome transloca- 1977; 77(4):
Res. 1995; 9(1): 45-48. 1294-1299.
tionand c-MYC activation by Epstein-Barr
virus and Euphorbia tirucalli in B lympho- 8. Terenzi, A., et al. "Anti-CD30 (BER=H2)
cytes." Lancet 1991; 337(8751): 1190.
Balsam of Perii/Halsam of lolii
immunotoxins containing the type-1 ribo-
1. Lueng A., & Foster, S. Encylcopedia of
8. Sugiura, M., et al. "Cryptic dysfunction some-inactivating proteins momordin and
Common Natural Ingredients. Ed. New PAP-S (pokeweed antiviral protein from
of cellularimmunity in asymptomatic hu-
York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996. seeds) display powerful antitumor activi-
man immunodeficiency virus (HIV) carri-
ers and its actualization by an environ- 2. Monograph Balsamiim periivianum, Bun- ty against CD30+ tumor cells in vitro and
mental immunosuppressive factor." In desanzeiger, no 173 (Sept. 18, 1986). in SCID mice." Br. j. Haematol. 1996; 92(4):
Vivoim; 1019-1022. 872-879.
8(6): 3. Duke, James. Handbook of legumes of
9. Epstein-Barr Virus and Infectious world economic importance. New York: 9. Lee-Huang, S., et al. "Plant proteins use-
Mononucleosis. National Center for Infec- Plenum Press, pp. 173-177. 1981. ful for treating tumors and HIV infection."
tious Diseases. CDC. www.cdc.gov 1-28-1996 United States Patent 5484889.

4. Ohsaki, A., et al. "Microanalvsis of a se-
10. MacNeil, A., et al. "Activation of Ep- lective potent anti-Helicobacter pylori 10. Lee-Huang, S., et al. "Inhibition of the
476
Matsuda, H., et al. "Inhibitory mecha- 32. Takemoto, D. "The cytotoxic

et al.
integrase of human immunodeficiency 21. J.,
virus (HIV) type 1 by anti-HIV plant pro- nisms of oleanolic acid 3-0-monodesmo- and cytostatic effects of the bitter melon
teins MAP30 and GAP31." Proc. Natl. sides on glucose absorption in rats." Biol. (Momordica charantia) on human lympho-
Acad. Sci. 1995; 92(19): 8818-8822. Pharm. Bull. 1997; 20(6): 717-719. cytes." Toxicon. 1982; 20: 593-599.
"Anti-HIV and 22. Platel, K., et al. "Plant foods in the 33. Zhu, Z. et al. "Studies on the active
11. Lee-Huang, S., et al. J.,
anti-tumor activities of recombinant management of Diabetes mellitus: Vegeta- constituents of Momordica charantia L."
MAP30 from bitter melon." Gene. 1995; bles as potential hypoglycaemic agents." Yao. Hsueh. Hsueh. Pao. 1990; 25(12):
161(2): 151-156.
Nahrung.mV; 41(2): 68-74. 898-903.
12. Lee-Huang, S., "MAP 30: A new in- 23. Zhang, Q. C. "Preliminary report on 34. Frame, A. D., et al. "Plants from Puerto
and the use of Momordica charantia extract by Rico with ahti-Mi/cobacterium tuberculosis
hibitor of HIV-1 infection replication."
FEES Lett. 1990; 272(1-2): 12-18.

HIV patients." /. Naturopath. Med. 1992; 3:
properties." P. R. Health Sci. J. 1998; 17(3):
65-69. 243-252.
13. Lifson, J. D., et al. "Method of inhibit-
24. Sarkar, S., et al. "Demonstration of the Huang, T M., et al. "Studies on antivi-
ing HIV." 1-28-1989 United States Patent 35.
hypoglycemic action of Momordica charan- ral activity of the extract of Momordica cha-
4795739.
tia in a validated animal model of dia-
rantia and its active principle." Virologica.
14. Bourinbaiar, A. S., et al. "The activity of
betes." Pharmacol. Res. 1996; 33(1): 1-4.
1990; 5(4): 367-373.
plant-derived antiretroviral proteins
25. Miura, T., et al. "Hypoglycemic activi- "Investigations on
MAP30 and GAP31 against Herpes simplex 36. George, M., et al.
ty of the fruit of the Momordica charantia in
virus in vitro." Biochem. Biophys. Res. Com- plant antibiotics. Part IV. Further search
type 2 diabetic mice." /. Nutr. Sci. Vita-
mun. 1996; 219(3): 923-929. for antibiotic substances in Indian medici-
minol. 2001; 47(5): 340-344.
nal plants." Indian ]. Med. Res. 1949; (37):
15. Raza, H., et al. "Modulation of xenobi-
26. Ali, L., et al. "Studies on hypoglycemic 169-181.
otic metabolism and oxidative stress in
effects of fruit pulp, seed and whole plant
chronic streptozotocin-induced diabetic 37. Khan, M. R., et al. "Momordica charantia
of Momordica charantia on normal and dia-
rats fed with Momordica charantia fruit ex- and Allium sativum: Broad spectrum anti-
betic model rats." Planta Med. 1993; 59(5):
tract." /. Biochem. Mol. Toxicol. 2000; 14(3): bacterial activity." Korean J.
Pharmacog.
408-412.
131-139. 1998; 29(3): 155-158.
27. Vikrant, V., et al. "Treatment with ex-
16. Ahmad, N., et al. "Effect of Momordica 38 Omoregbe, R. E., et al. "Antimicrobial
tracts ofMomordica charantia and Eugenia
charantia (Karolla) extracts on fasting and activity of some medicinal plants' extracts
jambolana prevents hyperglycemia and hy-
postprandial serum glucose levels in NID- on Escherichia coli, Salmonella paratyphi and
perinsulinemia in fructose fed rats." /.
DM patients." Bangladesh Med. Res. Counc. Ethnopharmacol. 2001; 76(2): 139-143.
Shigella dysenteriae." Afr. J.
Med. Med. Sci.
Bn//. 1999; 25(1): 11-13. 1996; 25(4): 373-375.

28. jayasooriya, A. P, et al. "Effects of Mo-
17. Akhtar, M. S. "Trial of Momordica cha-
mordica charantia powder on serum glu- 39. Hussain, H. S. N., et al. "Plants in Kano
rantia Linn (Karela) powder in patients
cose levels and various lipid parameters in ethomedicine: Screening for antimicrobial
with maturity-onset diabetes." /. Pak. Med. rats fedwith cholesterol-free and choles- activity and alkaloids." Int. }. Pharmacog.
Assoc. 1982; 32(4): 10(^107. terol-enriched diets." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1991; 29(1): 51-56.
18. Matsuda, H., et al. "Inhibition of gas- 2000; 72 (1-2): 331-336. 40. Bhakuni, D. S., et al. "Screening of In-
tricemptying by triterpene saponin, mo- 29. Ahmed, I., et al. "Hypotriglyceridemic dian plants for biological activity: Part
mordin Ic, in mice: Roles of blood glucose, and hypocholesterolemic effects of anti-di- XIII." Indian j. Exp. Biol. 1988; 26(11):
capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves, and abetic Momordica charantia (Karela) fruit 883RY-904.
central nervous system." /. Pharmacol. Exp. extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic 41. Yesilada, E., et al. "Screening of Turkish
Ther. 1999; 289(2): 729-734. rats." Diabetes Res. Clin. Pract. 2001; 51(3):
anti-ulcerogenic folk remedies for anti-/Tc-
19. Matsuda, H., et al. "Antidiabetic prin- 155-161. Ethnopharmacol.
licobacter pylori activity." /.
ciples of natural medicines. III. Structure- 30.Nagasawa, H., et al. "Effects of bitter 1999; 66(3): 289-93.
related inhibitory and action activity melon (Momordica charantia) or ginger rhi-
42. Sharma, V. N., et al. "Some observa-
mode of oleanolic acid glycosides on hy- zome (Zingiber ojfifinale Rose.) on sponta- tions on hypoglycaemic activity of Mo-
poglycemic activity." Cheni. Pharm. Bull. neous mammary tumorigenesis in SHN
mordica charantia.” Indian j. Med. Res. 1960;
(Tokyo)1998; 46(9): L399-1403. mice." Am. j. Clin. Med. 2002; 30(2-3):
48(4): 471-547.
Momordica 195-205.
20. Ahmed, 1., et al. "Effects of
43. Dhawan, B. N., et al. "Screening of In-
charantia fruit juice on islet morphology in 31. West, M. E., et al. "The anti-growth
dian plants for biological activity. Part IX."
the pancreas of the streptozotocin-diabetic properties of extracts from Momordica cha-
Indian J.
Exp. Biol. 1980; 18: 594-606.
rat." Diabetes Res. Clin. Pract. 1998; 40(3): rantia." West Indian Med. f. 1971; 20(1):
145-151. 25-34. 44. Prakash, A. O., et al. "Screening of In-
,
dian plants for antifertilitv activity." Indian human liver microsomal lipid peroxida- of (+) - boldine." Eur. j. Pharmacol 2002;
]. Exp. Biol 1976; 14: 623hS26. tion and inactivation of cytochrome 443(1-3): 151-168.
45. Shum, L. K. W., et "Effects of Mo- P4502E1." Free Radio. Biol Med. 1995; 18(3):
al. 21. Schindler, H. Arzneim. Forsch. 1957; 7:
mordica charantia seed extract on the rat 559-563.
747.
mid-term placenta." Abstract 78. Abstract 8. Krug, H., et al. "New flavonol glyco-
22. Bombardelli, E., et al. Fitoterapia 1976;
International Symposium on Chinese sides from the leaves of Peumus holdus 47: 3.
Medicinal Material Research. 1984; 12-14. Molina." Pharmazie, Novemeber 1965.
23. Gotteland, M., et al. "Effect of a dry
46. Dong, T. X., et al. "Ribosome inactivat- 9. Speisky, H, et al. "Boldo and boldine: an
boldo extract on oro-cecal intestinal tran-
ing protein-like activity in seeds of diverse emerging case of natural drug develop-
sit in healthy volunteers." Rev. Med. Chil.
Cucurbitaceae plants." Indian ]. Exp. Biol ment." Pharmacol Res. January-February,
1995; 123(8): 955-960.
1993; 25(3): 415^19. 1994.
24. Hirosue, T., et al. Chem. Ahstr. 1988; 109:
47. Ng, T. B., et al. "Investigation of ribo- 10. Tavares, D. C., et al. "Evaluation of the
22901 8d.
some inactivating protein-like activity in genotoxic potential of the alkaloid boldine
tissues of Cucurbitaceae plants." Indian in mammalian cell systems in vitro and in
25. The Lawrence Review of Natural Prod-
/.
Exp. Biol 1989; 21(12): 1353-1358. ucts. Boldo. St Louis, MO, 1991; Facts and
vivo." Mutat. Res. 1994; 321(3): 139-145.
Comparisons, Inc.
48. Jamwal, K. S., et al. "Preliminary 11. Lanhers, M. C., et al. "Hepatoprotec-
screening of some reputed abortifacient tive and anti-inflammatory effects of a tra-
26. Johnson, M. A., et al. "Biosynthesis of
indigenous plants." Indian Pharmacy ascaridole: iodide peroxidase-catalyzed

]. ditional medicinal plant of Chile, Peumus
1962;24:218-220. synthesis of a monoterpene endoperoxide
holdus." Planta Med. 1991; 57(2): 110-115.
in soluble extracts of Chenopodium amhro-
49. Stepka, W., et al. "Antifertility investi- 12. Levy-Appert-Collin, M. C., et al.
sioides fruit." Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 1984;
gation on Momordica." Lloydia. 1974; 37(4): "Galenic preparations from Peumus holdus
235(1): 254.
645c. leaves (Monimiacea)." /. Pharm. Belg. 1977;
32: 13.
27. Duke, J. A. CRC Handbook of Medicinal
50. Koentjoro-Soehadi, T., et al. "Perspec-
Herhs. Boca Raton, FL, 1985; CRC Press.
tives of male contraception whth regards to 13.Backhouse N., et al. "Anti-inflammato-
Indonesian traditional drugs." Proc. Sec- ry and antipyretic effects of boldine."
28. Ivorra, M. mecha-
D., et al. "Different
ond National Congress of Indonesian So- Agents Actions 1994; 42(3-4): 114-117. nism of relaxation induced by aporphine
ciety of Andrology. 1982; Aug. 2-6: 12. alkaloids in rat uterus." /. Pharm. Pharma-
14.Kang, j. ]., et al. "Studies on neuro-
col. 1993; 45(5): 439-443.
51 . Dixit, V. P, et al. "Effects of Momordica muscular blockade by boldine in the
on the testicular
charantia fruit extract mouse phrenic nerve diaphragm." Planta 29. Almeida, E. R., et al. "Toxicological
function of dog." Planta Med. 1978; 34: evaluation of the hvdro-alcohol extract of
Med.\999; 65(2): 178-179.
280-286. the dry leaves of Peumus holdus and bol-
15. Kang, J. J., et al. "Effects of boldine on
dine in rats." Phytother. Res. 2000; 14(2):
mouse diaphragm and sarcoplasmic retic-
Boldo 99-102.
ulum vesicles isolated from skeletal mus-
1. Rueggett, A. Helv. Chim. Acta. 1959; 42: Med. 1998; 30. Kubinova, R., et al. "Chemoprotective
cle." Planta 64(1): 18-21.
754. modulation of drug-
activity of boldine:
16. Gotteland, M., et al. "Protective effect
metabolizing enzvmes." Pharmazie 2001;
2. Hansel, R. Phytopharmaka 2d ed. Berlin: of boldine in experimental colitis." Planta
56(3): 242-243.
Springer- Verlag, 1991: 18^191. Med. 1997; 63(4): 311-315.
3. Hughes, D. W., et al. "Alkaloids of Peu- 17. Jimenez, 1., et al. "Protective effects of Brazil Nut
mus holdus. Isolation of (+) reticuline and boldine against free radical-induced ery- 1. Vonderheide, 1. P, et. al. "Characteriza-
isoboldine." /. Pharm. Sci. 1968; 57: 1023. throcyte lysis." Phytother. Res. 2000; 14(5):
‘ tion of selenium species in Brazil Nuts bv
4. Hughes, D. W., et al. "Alkaloids of Peu- 339-343. HPLC-ICP-MS and ES-MS." /. Agric. Food
mus holdus. Isolation of laurotetanine and 18. Teng, C. M., et al. "Antiplatelet effects Chem. 2002; 50(20): 5722-5728.
laurolitsine." /. Pharm. Sci. 1968. of some aporphine and phenanthrene al-
2. Ampe, "The amino-acid se-
C., et al.
5. Vanhaelen, M. "Spectrophotometric mi- kaloids in rabbits and man." j. Pharm. quence of the 2S sulfur-rich proteins from
crodetermination of alkaloids in Peumus Pharmacol 1997; 49(7): 706-711. seeds of Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa
holdus." }. Pharm. Bcig. May-June 1973. 19. Chen, K. S., et al. "Antiplatelet and va- H.B.K.)." Eur. }. Biochem. 1986 Sep 15;
6. Jang, Y. Y., et al. "Protective effect of bol- sorelaxing actions of some aporphinoids." 159(3): 597-604.
dine on oxidative mitochondrial damage Planta Med. 1996; 62(2): 133-136. 3. Sun, S., et al. "Properties, biosvnthesis
instreptozotocin-induced diabetic rats." 20. Eltze, M., et al. "Affinity profile at al- and processing of a sulfur-rich protein in
Pharmacol Res. 2000; 42(4): 361-371. pha(D- and alpha(2) - adrenoceptor sub- Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K.)." Eur.
7. Kringstein, P, et al. "Boldine prevents types and in vitro cardiovascular actions j. Biochem. 1987 Feb 2; 162(3): 477^83.
478
"Trace nutrients. Seleni- some Cuban medicinal plants for antimi- X. Inhibitory effect of spices on TPA-en-
4. Thorn, J., et al.
um in British food." Br. j. Nutr. 1978 Mar; crobial activity." /. Ethnophannacol. 1996; hanced 3H-choline incorporation in phos-
39(2): 391-396. 52(3): 171-174. pholipid of C3H10T cells and on TPA-in-
duced ear edema." Zhonghua Yao Xue
5. Chang, ]. C., et al. "Selenium content of 11. Camano, R., Method for treating bacte-
Patent Zazhi 1995; 47(5): 421-430.
Brazil nuts from two geographic locations rial infections. United States
in Brazil." Chcmosyhere. 1995 Feb; 30(4): 5,512,284; April 30,1996. 24. Cuella, M. J., et al. "Two fungal lanos-
801-802. composition tane derivatives as phospholipase A2 in-

12. Camano, R., Essential oil
hibitors." /. Nat. Prod. 1996; 59(10): 977-979.
6. Klein, E. A., et al. "The selenium and vi- with bactericide activity. United States
tamin e cancer prevention trial." World /. Patent 5,635,184; June 3, 1997. 25.Opdyke, D. L. J., "Monographs on fra-
Urol 2003 May; 21(1): 21-27. "Succulent-type as grance raw materials. Schinus molle oil."
13. Simons, J., et al.
7. Ip, C., et al. "Bioactivity of selenium sources of plant virus inhibitors." Phy- 26. Food Cosmet. Toxicol. 1976; 14: 861.
from Brazil nuf for cancer prevention and topiathology 1963; 53: 677-683.
selenoenzyme maintenance." Nutr Cancer. 14. Bhakuni, D., et al. "Screening of Camu-Camu
1994; 21(3): 203-212. Chilean plants for anticancer activity. I." 1. Beckstrom-Sternberg, S., and J. A. Duke.
8. Ip C, et al. "Characterization of tissue se- Lloydia 1976; 39(4): 225-243. Ethnobotany and Phytochemical Databases,
lenium profiles and anticarcinogenic re- U.S. Dept, of Agriculture, Agricultural Re-
15. Ruffa, M. J., et al. "Cytotoxic effect of
sponses in rats fed natural sources of sele- search Service, USDA.
Argentine medicinal plant extracts on hu-
nium-rich products." Carcinogenesis. 1994 man hepatocellular carcinoma cell line." /. 2. Zapata, S. M., et "Camu-camu Myr-
al.
Apr; 15(4): 573-576. Ethnopiharmacol 2002; 79(3): 335-339. ciaria dubia (HBK) MeVaugh: chemical
composition of fruit." /. Sci. Food Agric.,
on arterial blood
16. Bello, R., et al. "Effects
Brazilian Peppertree 1993; 61(3): 349-351.
pressure of the methanol and
1. Terhune, S., et al. "B-spathulene: A new Eranco, M. and Shibamoto.
dichloromethanol extracts from Schinus 3. R., T.
sesquiterpene in Schiniis nwlle oil." Pfn/to-
"Volatile composition of some Brazilian
molle L. in rats." Phytother. Res. 1996; 10(7):
chemistry 1973; 13: 865. umbu-caja {Spondias citherea), camu-
634-635. fruits:
2.Dominguez, X., et al. "A chemical sur- camu (Myrciaria dubia), araca-boi (Eugenia
17. Zaidi, S., et al. "Some preliminary stud-
vey of seventeen medicinal Mexican stiphtala), and cupuacu (Theobroma grandi-
ies of the pharmacological activities of
plants." Planta Med. 1970; 18: 51. floriim)." J.
Agric. Food Chem. 2000 Apr.;
Schinus molle." Pak. /. Sci. hid. Res. 1970; 13:
48(4): 1263-1265.
3. Pozzo-Balbi, T., et al. "The triterpenoid 53.
acids of Schinus molle." Phytochemistry 4. Justi, K. C., et al. "Nutritional composi-
18.Moreno, M. S. E, "Action of several
1978; 17: 2107-2110. tion and vitamin C stability in stored
popular medicaments on the isolated
Quiroga, E. N., et al. "Screening antifun-
camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) pulp." Arch.
4. uterus." C. R. Seances. Soc. Biol. Ses. Fil.
Latinoam. Nutr. 2000 Dec.; 50(4): 405-408.
gal activifies of selected medicinal plants." 1922; 87: 563-564.
/. Ethnophannacol. 2001; 74(1): 89-96.
19. Barrachina, M. "Analgesic and central Carqueja
5. Gundidza, M., et al. "Antimicrobial ac- depressor effects of the dichloromethanol
1. Sosa, M. E., et al. "Insect antifeedant ac-
tivity of essential oil from Schinus nwlle extract from Schinus molle L." Phytother.
tivity of clerodane diterpenoids." /. Nat.
Linn." Central African }. Med. 1993; 39(11): Res. 1997; 11(4): 317-319.
Prod. 1994; 57(9): 1262-1265.
231-234.
20. Bello, R., et al. "In vitro pharmacologi-
2. Soicke, H., et al. "Characterisation of
6. Dikshit, A. "Schinus molle: a new source cal evaluation of the dichloromethanol ex-
flavonoids from Baccharis trimera and their
of natural fungitoxicant." Appl. Environ. tract from Schinus molle L." Phytother. Res.
antihepatotoxic properties." Planta Medica
Microbiol. 1986; 51(5): 1085-1088. 1998; 12(7): 523-525.
1987; 53(1): 37-39.
7. El-Keltawi, N., et al. "Antimicrobial ac- Wanick M., et al. "Anti-in-
21. Carneiro,
3. Camberini, M. T., et al. "A<;oes antiul-
tivity of some Egyptian aromatic plants." flammatory and wound healing action of cera e antiacida aquoso e das
do extracto
Herha Pol. 1980; 26(4): 245-250. Schinus aroeira Veil in patients with cer- fraqoes da Baccharis trimera." Anais Xll
Ross, "Antimicrobial activity of vicitis and cervico-vaginitis." Rev. Inst. An-
8. S., et al. Simposio de Plantas Medicinais do Brasil.
some Egyptian aromatic plants." Fitoter- tihiot. 1974; 14(1-2): 105-106. UEP: Curitiba, Parana, 15-17 September
apia 1980; 51: 201-205. 22. Jain, M. K., et al. "Specific competifive 1992.
9. de Melo, Jr., E. J., et al. "Medicinal plants inhibitor of secreted phospholipase A2 4. Sousa, B., et al., "Avaliaqao da atividade
in the healing of dry socket in rats: Micro- from berries of Schinus terebinthifolius."
antiulcera do extrato bruto e fraqoes de
biological and microscopic analysis." Phy- Phytochemistry 1995; 39(3): 537-547. Baccharis trimera." Anais Xll Simposio de
tomedicine 2002; 9(2): 109-116. 23. Okuyama, T, et al. "Studies on cancer Plantas Medicinais do Brasil. UEP: Curiti-
10. Martinez, M. et al. "Screening of bio-chemoprevention of nafural resources. ba, Parana, 15-17 September 1992.
J.,
5. Gamberini, M. T., et al. “Inhibition of Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 1995; 90(2): 191- Cat's Claw
gastric secretion by a water extract from 194.
1.Cabieses, Fernando. The Saga of the Cat's
Baccharis triptera. Mart." Mem. Inst. Oswal-
4. Laurens, A., et al. “Molluscacidal activity Claw. Lima: Via Lactera Editores, 1994.
do Cruz. 1991; 86(Suppl. 2): 137-139.
of Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardia-
2. Immodal Pharmaka, GmbH., "Krallen-
6. Gonzales, E., et al. “Gastric cytoprotec- ceae)." Ann. Pharm. Fr. 1987; 45(6): 471-473.
tion of Bolivian medicinal plants." /.
dorn(r) Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC Root
5. Mendes, N. M., et al. “Molluscacide ac- Extract. Information for Physicians, and
Ethnopiiarmacol. 2000; 70(3): 329-333.
tivity of a mixture of 6-n-alkyl salicylic Dispensing Chemists. 3d rev. ed." Volders,
7.Gene, R. M., et al. “Anti-inflammatory
acids (anacardic acid) and 2 of its com- Austria: September 1995, 20 pages.
and analgesic activity of Baccharis trimera:
plexes with copper (II) and lead (II)." Rezi
3. Keplinger, U. M. "Einfluss von Krallen-
Identification of its active constituents."
Soc. Bras. Med. Trop. 1990; 23(4): 217-224.
dorn extract auf Retrovirale Infektioned,"
Planta Med. 1996; 62(3): 232-235.
6. de Souza, C. P, et al. “The use of the Zurcher AIDS Kongress. Zurich, Switzer-
8. Hossen, S., et al. “Evaluacion in vivo de
shell of the cashew nut, Anacardium occi- land, October 16 and 17, 1992, program
la actividad hipoglucemiante de plantas
dentale, as an alternative molluscacide." and abstracts.
medicinales de los valles altos y bajos de
Rev. Inst. Med. Trop., Sao Paulo, Brazil 1992; Keplinger, U. M., "Therapy of HIV-in-
Cochabamba." Ed. Universidad Mayor De 4.
34(5): 459-466.
San Simon Instituto de Investigaciones fected individuals in the pathological cat-
Bioquimico-Farmaceuticas-Programa 7. Kubo, J., et al. “Tyrosinase inhibitors egories CDC Al and CDC B2 with a prepa-
2001; Cochabamba, Bolivia. from Anacardium occidentale fruits." /. Nat. ration IMM-207,"
containing IV.
Prod. 1994; 57(4): 545-551. Osterreichicher AIDS-Kongress, Vienna,

9.
1.
Xavier, A. A., et al. “Effect of an extract
Austria, September 17 and 18, 1993, ab-
of Baccharis genistelloides on the glucose 8. Laurens, A., et al. “Study of antimicro-
stracts: 45.
level of the blood." C. R. Seances Soc. Biol. bial activity of Anacardium occidentale L."
Fil. 1967; 16(4): 972-974. Ann. Pharm. Fr. 1982; 40(2): 143-146. 5. Keplinger, H., et al. "Oxindole alkaloids
R having properties stimulating the im-
10. Alonso, E., et al. “Uso racional de las 9. Kudi, A. C., et al. “Screening of some
plantas medicinales." Ed. Fin De Siglo
munologic system and preparation con-
Nigerian medicinal plants for antibacteri-
Facultad de Quimica 1992; Montevideo, taining same." United States Patent
al activity." /. Ethnopiiarmacol. 1999; 67(2):
Uruguay. 5,302,611; April 12, 1994.
225-228.
11. Abad, M. et al. “Antiviral activity of
6.Keplinger, H., et al. "Oxindole alkaloids
J., 10. Akinpelu, D. A., “Antimicrobial activi-
Bolivian plant extracts." Gen. Pharmacol. having properties stimulating the im-
tv of Anacardium occidentale bark." Filoter-
1999; 32(4): 499-503.
munologic system and preparation con-
apia 2001; 72(3): 286-287.
taining the same." United States Patent
12. Abdel-Malek, S., et al. “Drug leads
11. Kubo, J., et al. “Anti-Helicobacter py- 4,940,725;]uly 10, 1990.
from the Kallawaya herbalists of Bolivia.
lori agents from the cashew apple." / Agric
Background, rationale, protocol and 7. Keplinger, H., et al. "Oxindole alkaloids
Food Chem 1 999; 47(2): 533-537.
anti-HIV activitv." /. Ethnopiiarmacol.. 1996; having properties stimulating the im-
'
50(3): 157-166.
12. Franga, F, et "An evaluation of the
al. munologic system and preparation con-
effect of a bark extract from the cashew taining the same." United States Patent
13. Robinson, W. E., et al. “Inhibitors of
(Anacardium occidentale L.) on infection by 4,844,901; July 4, 1989.
HIV-1 replication that inhibit HIV Inte- J
Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis." Rev. Soc.

8. Keplinger, H., et al. "Process for the pro-
grase." Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 1996; 93(13):
Bras. Med. Trop. 1993; 26(3): 151-155. duction of specific isomer mixtures from
6326-6331.
13. Franca. F, et al. "Plants used in the oxindole alkaloids." United States Patent
Cashew treatment of leishmanial ulcers due to 5,723,625; March 3, 1998.
1 . Bicalho, B., et al. “Volatile compounds of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in an en- 9. Montenegro de Matta, S., et al. "Alka-
cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.).“ demic area of Bahia, Brazil." Rev. Soc. Bras. loids and procyanidins of an Uncaria sp.
Z. Naturforsch. 2001; 56(1-2): 35-39. Med. Trop. 1996; 29(3): 229-232. from Peru." //. Farmaco. Ed. Sc. 1976; 31:
14. Swanston-Flatt, S. K., et al. "Glycaemic 527-535.
2. Mota, M. L., et al. “Anti-inflammatory
actions of tannins isolated from the bark of effects of traditional European plant treat- 10. Ozaki, Y., et al. “Pharmacological stud-
Anacardium occidentale L." Ethnopharma- ments for diabetes. Studies in normal and ies on Uncaria and Amsonia alkaloids."
J.
col. 1985; 13(3): 289-300. streptozotocin diabetic mice." Diabetes Res. Japanese journal of Pharmacology (suppl.)
1989; 10(2): 69-73. 1980; 30: 137pp.
3. Jurberg, P., et al. “Effect of Niclosamide
(Bayluscide WP 70), Anacardium occidentale 15. Kamtchouing, P, et al. "Protective role 11. Kreutzkamp, B. “Niedermolekulare In-
hexane extract and Euphorbia splendens of Anacardium occidentale extract against halstoffe Immunstimulierenden
mit
latex on behavior of Biomphalaria glabrata streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats." /. Eigenschaften aus Uncaria tomentosa, Ok-
(Sav, 1818), under laboratory' conditions." Ethnopiiarmacol. 1998; 62(2): 95-99. oubaka aubrevillei und anderen Drogen."
480
Dissertation of the faculty of chemistry tract of Uucaria tomcutosa, C-Med-100." Uucaria tomcutosa." Proc. West. Pharmacol.
Phi/tomcdiciuc 2001; 8(4): 1B7-T7A. Soc. 1998; 41(1): 123-124.
and pharmacy of Ludwig Maximilians
University, Munich, May 1984. 23. Gotuzzo, E., et al. "En marcha seria in- 33. Sheng, Y, et al. "Induction of apoptosis
12. Stuppner, H., et al. "HPLC analysis of vestigacion: Una de gato y pacientes con el and inhibition of proliferation in human
the main oxindole alkaloids from Uucaria VIH." De Cicucia y Tecuologia 1993; 34. tumor cells treated with' extracts of Uucar-
34 ia tomcutosa." Auticaucer Res. 1998; 18(5A):
tomcutosa." Chrotuatogniphia 1992; 24. Inchaustegui and Gonzales, R. "Estu-
CAS 3363-3368.
(11/12): 597-600. dio preliminar sobre. y SID A." Uti-
"Die Alkaloide von lizando Plantas Medicinales, Anos 1989- 34. Yepez, A. M., et al. "Quinovic acid gly-
13. Wagner, H., et al.
1994, Hospital IPSS, Iquitos, Pern. Iquitos, cosides from Uucaria guiaueusis." Phyto-
Uucaria tomcutosa und ihre Phagozytose-
Peru: Hospital del Instituto Peruano de Se- chemisty 1991; 30: 1635-1637.
steigernde Wirkung." Plauta Medica 1985;
guridad Social Iquitos Comite ETS-SIDA,
51: 419-423. 35. Aquino, R., et al. "Plant metabolites.
February 1993, 24 pp.
14. Laus, G., et al. "Separation of sterioiso- New compounds and anti-inflammatory
25. Stuppner, H., et al. "A differential sen-
activity of Uucaria tomcutosa." Nat. Prod.
meric oxindole alkaloids from Uucaria to- f.
sitivity of oxindole alkaloids to normal 1991; 54: 453^59.

meutosa by high performance liquid chro-
and leukemic cell lines." Plauta Medica
matography." /. of Chromatograph]/ 1994; 36. Aquino, R., et al. "New polyhydroxy-
(1993 suppl.); 59: A583.
662: 243-249. la ted triterpenes from Uucaria tomcutosa."
26. Peluso, G., et al. "Effetto antiprolifera-
Nat. Prod. 1990: 559-564.
15. Lavault, M., et al. "Alcaloides de l'L/?i- /.
tivo su cellule tumorali di estrattie
caria guiaueusis." Plauta Medica 1983; 47:
metaboliti da Uncaria tomentosa. Studi in
37. Cerri, R., et al. "New quinovic acid gly-
cosides from Uucaria tomcutosa." Nat.
244-245. vitro sulla loro azione DNA polimerasi." j.
Congreso Italo-Peruano de Etnomedic- Prod. 1988; 51:257-261.

16. Hemingway,and J. D. Phillipson.
S. R. 11
"Alkaloids from South American species ina Andina, Lima, Peru, October 27-30, 38.Yasukawa, K., et al. "Effect of chemical
of Uucaria (Rubiaccae).” /. Pharm. Pharma- 1993, 21-22. constituents from plants on 12-0-tetrade-
col. 1974 suppl.; 26: 113pp. 27. Rizzi, R., et al. "Mutagenic and an- canoylphorbol-1 3-acetate-induced inflam-
timutagenic activities of Uncaria tomen- mation in mice." Chemical aud Pharmaceuti-
17. Lemaire, 1., et al. "Stimulation of
tosa and its extracts." Premiere Colloque cal Bulletin \9S9; 37: 1071-1073.
interleukin-1 and -6 production in alveolar
macrophages by the neotropical liana, European d'Ethnopharmacologie, Metz, 39. Redo, M. C., et al. "Stmctural require-
Uucaria tomcutosa (uha de gato)." /.
France, March 22-24, 1990.
ments for the anti-inflammatory activity of
Ethuopharmacol. 1999; 64(2): 109-115. 28. Rizzi, R., et al. "Bacterial cytotoxicity, natural triterpenoids." Plauta Medica 1995;
mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of Uu- 61(2): 182-185.
18. Marina, M. D., "Evaluacion de la ac-
caria tomcutosa and Antimuta-
its extracts.
tividalimmunoestimulante de Uucaria to- 40. Sandoval-Chacon, M., et al. "Anti-in-
genic activity of Uncaria tomcutosa in hu-
mcutosa (Willd.) DC. Una de gato en ra- flammatory actions of cat's claw: the role
mans." Premiere Colloque European
tones albinos." Biodiversidad Saliid 1998; of NF-kappaB." Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther.
d'Ethnopharmacologie, Metz, France,
1(1): 16-19. 1998; 12(12): 1279-1289.
March 22-24, 1990.
19. Sheng Y, et al., "Treatment of 41 Aguilar,
.
J. L., et al. "Anti-inflammatory
29. Rizzi, R., et al. "Mutagenic and an-
chemotherapy-induced leukopenia in a activity of two different extracts of Uucar-
timutagenic activities of Uucaria tomcutosa
rat model with aqueous extract from Uu- ia tomcutosa (Rubiaceae)." /. Ethuopharma-
and its extracts." /. Ethuopharmacol. 1993;
caria tomcutosa." Phytomediciuc 2000; 7(2): col. 2002; 81(2): 271-276.
38: 63-77.
137-143. 42. Fazzi,Marco A. Costa. "Evaluation de
30. Muhammad, L, et al. "Investigation of
20. Sheng, "Enhanced DNA re-
Y., ef al.,
Uha de Gato 7-Deoxyloganic acid and
I.
I'Uucaria tomcutosa (Uha de gato) en Ian
pair, immune function and reduced toxic- prevencion de ulceras gastricas de stress
15N NMR spectroscopic studies on penta-
ity of C-Med-lOO, a novel aqueous extract from Uucaria producidas experimentalmente en rats."
cyclic oxindole alkaloids to-
from Uucaria touicutosa." Ethuopharmacol. Dissertation of the faculty of medicine.

f. mcutosa." Phytochemistry. 2001; 57(5):
2000; 69(2): 115-126. 781-785.
University Peruana Cayetano Heredia,
Lima, Peru, 1989.
21 . Sheng, Y, et al., "DNA repair enhance- "The antiproliferative ef-
31. Riva, L., et al.
aqueous extracts of Uucaria tomcu- 43. Desmarchelier, C., et al. "Evaluation of
ment of fects of Uucaria tomcutosa extracts and frac-
tosa in a human volunteer study." Phi/- tions on the growth of breast cancer cell the in vitro antioxidant activity in extracts
tomediciuc 2001; 8(4): 275-282. line." Auticaucer Res. 2001; 21 (4A): of Uucaria tomcutosa (Willd.) DC." Phy-
2457-2461. tothcr. Res. 1997; 11(3): 254-256.
22. Lamm, S., et al, "Persistent response to
pneumococcal vaccine in individuals sup- 32. Salazar, E. L., et al. "Depletion of spe- 44. Sandoval, M., et al. "Cat's claw inhibits
plemented with a novel water soluble ex- cific binding sites for estrogen receptor by TNFalpha production and scavenges free
4.
radicals: role in cvtoprotection." Free Radic. pert Opin. Ther. Targets 2001 Dec; 5(6): tion of KB Cells by Plant Extracts." Natur-
Biol. Med. 2000; 29(1): 71-78. 685-695 al Medicines 1994; 48(4): 338-347.
45. Sandoval, M., et al, "Anti-inflammato- Matsunaga, K., et al. "Excitatory and in-
Catuaba
rv and antioxidant activities of cat's claw hibitory effects of Paraguayan medicinal
iUncaria tomeutosa and Uncaria guianensis) 1. Chian, Sing. Cura com Yoga e Plantas plants Equisetum giganteum, Acanthpsper-
are independent of their alkaloid content." Medicinais. Rio de Janeiro: Freitas Bastos, mum australe, Allophylus edlis and Cordia
Phytomedicine 2002; 9(4): 325-337. 1979. salicifolia on contraction of rabbit aorta and
van giunea-pig left atrium." Natural Medicines
46. Mur, E., et al. "Randomized double 2. Straten, Michael. Guarana: The Ener-
1997; 51: 478^81.
blind trial from the penta-
of an extract gy Seeds and Herbs of the Amazon Rainforest.
cyclic alkaloid-chemotype of Uncaria to- Essex, England: C. W. Daniel Company,
Chanca Piedra
mentosa for the treatment of rheumatoid Ltd., 1994.
arthritis." /. Rheumatol. 2002 Apr; 29(4): 1. Santos, D. R. Cha de " quebra-pedra"

3. Altman, R. F. A. "Presenca de ioimbina
678-681. (Phyllanthus niruri) na litiase urinaria em
na catuaba." Ser. Qiiim. Publ. 1958; 1.
hiimanos e ratos. Thesis, 1990. Escola
47. Aquino, R., et al. "Plant metabolites. 4. Maia, G., et al. Estudos Integrados de
J. Paulista de Medicina (Sao Paulo, Brazil).
Structure and in vitro antiviral activity of V
Plantas da Amazonia. Simposio de Plan-
quinovic acid glycosides from Uncaria to-
2. Campos, A.H., et al. "Phyllanthus niruri
tas Medicinais do Brasil, Sao Paulo, Brazil,
mentosa and Guettarda platypoda.” /. Nat. inhibits calcium oxalate endocytosis by re-
Sep. 6, 1978: 7.
nal tubular cells: its role in urolithiasis."
Pro^f. 1989; 4(52): 679-685.
5. Garcez, W. S., et al. "Sesquiterpenes Nephron. 1999; 81(4): 393-397.
48. Yano, S., et al. "Ca2, channel-blocking from Trichilia catigua." Fitoterapia 1997;
effects of hirsutine, an indole alkaloid 3. Freitas, A. M., et al. "The effect of Phyl-
68(1): 87-88.
from Uncaria genus, in the isolated rat aor-
lanthus niruri on urinary inhibitors of
6. Satoh, M., et al. "Cytotoxic constituents calcium oxalate crystallization and other
ta." Planta Medica 1991; 57: 403-405.
from Erythroxyliirn catuaba. Isolation and factors associated with renal stone forma-
49. Chan-Xun, C., et al. "Inhibitory effect
cytotoxic activities of cinchonain." Natural tion." B. j. U. hit. 2002; 89(9): 829-834.
of rhynchophylline on platelet aggrega-
Med. 2000; 54(2): 97-100.
tion and thrombosis." Acta Pharmacologica
4. Barros ME, et al. "Effects of an aqueous
7. M. G., et al. "Two epimeric
Pizzolatti, extract from Phyllantus niruri on calcium
Sinica 1992; 13(2): 126-30.
flavalignans from Trichilia catigua (Meli- oxalate crystallization in vitro." Urol Res.
50. Jin, R. M., et al. "Effect of rhyn-
aceae) with antimicrobial activity." Z. 2003 Feb; 30(6): 374-379.
chophylline on platelet aggregation and
Naturforsch 2002; 57(5-6): 483-888. 5. Calixto, B. "Antispasmodic effects of
J.
experimental thrombosis." Acta Pharmaco-
8.Manabe, H., et al. "Effects of catuaba ex- an alkaloid extracted from Phyllanthus sel-
logica Sinica 1991; 25: 246-249.
tracts on microbial and HIV infection." In lowianus: a comparative studv with pa-
51. Mohamed, A. F, et al. "Effects of Un-
Vivo 1992; 6(2): 161-165. paverine." Braz. ]. Med. Biol. Res. 1984;
caria tomentosa total alkaloid and its com- 17(3-4): 313-321.
9. Sander, P. C., et al. "Pharmaceutical for-
ponents on experimental amnesia in mice:
mulations comprising vegetal material se- 6. Dhar, M. L., et al. "Screening of Indian
elucidation using the passive avoidance
lected from trichilia." U.S. Patent no. plants for biological activitv: Part 1." Indi-
test." /. Pharm. Pharmacol. 2001; 52(12):
6335039; Jan 1,2002. an j. Exp. Biol. 1968; 6: 232-247.
1553-1561.
10. Vaz, Z. R., et al. "Analgesic effect of the 7. Kitisin, T, et al. "Pharmacological stud-
52. Castillo, G., et al. "Pharmaceutical
herbal medicine Catuaba in thermal and ies. 3. Phyllanthus niruri." Sirriaj. Hosp. Gaz.
compositions containing Uncaria tomentosa
1952; 4: 641-649.
extract for treating Alzheimer's disease chemical models of nociception in mice."
and other amyloidoses." Patent-Pet. hit. Phytother. Res. 1997; 11(2): 101-106. 8. Maxwell, N. A Witch-Doctor's Apprentice,
Paol. 1998; 00 33,659: 67pp. Hunting for Medicinal Plants in the Amazon.
Cha de Bugre Citadel Press, 1990.
53. Kang, T. 11., et al. "Pteropodine and
1. Saito, M. L., et al. "Morfodiagnose e 9. Khanna, A. K., et al. "Lipid lowering ac-
isopteropodine positively modulate the
identificacao cromatografica em camada tivity of Phyllanthus niruri in hvperlipemic
function of rat muscarinic M(l) and 5-
HT(2) receptors expressed in Xenopus
delgada de cha de bugre — Cordia ecalycu- rats." /. Ethnopharmacol. 2002; 82(1): 19-22.
lata Veil." Rit. Bras. Farm. 1986; 67: 1-16.
oocyte." Eur. }. Pharmacol. 2002 May 24; 10. Umarani, D., et al. "Ethanol induced
444(1-2): 39^5. 2. llayashi K., et al. "Antiviral activity of metabolic alterations and the effect of
an extract of Cordia salicifolia on herpes Phyllanthus niruri in their reversal." An-
54. Roth, B. L., et al. "Insights into the
simplex virus type 1." Planta Med. 1990; cient Sci. Life 1985; 4(3): 174-180.
structure and function of 5-llT(2) family
56(5): 439^3. Ueno, IL, et "Chemical and phar-
serotonin receptors reveal novel strategies 11. al.
for therapeutic target development." £.r- 3. Arisawa, M., et al. "Cell growth inhibi- maceutical studies on medicinal plants in
482
Ethnopharmacol. 2000; 72(1/2): 34. Agarwa, K., et al. "The efficacy of two
Paraguay. Geraniin, an angiotensin-con- biaceae)." /.
from 'paraparai 229-238. species of Phyllanthus in counteracting

verting enzvme inhibitor
nickel clastogenicity." Fitoterapia 1992;
mi/ Phyllauthiis niniri." J.
Nat. Prod. 1988; 23. Souza, C. R., et al. "Compounds ex-
63(1): 49-54.
51(2): 357-359. tracted from Phyllanthus and Jatropha ellip-
tica inhibit the binding of (3Hlglutamate 35. Raphael, K. R. "Anti-mutagenic activ-

12. Srividya, N., et al. "Diuretic, hypoten-
and (3H1GMP-PNP in rat cerebral cortex ity of Phyllanthus amarus (Schum. &
sive and hvpoglycaemic effect of Phi/llan-
membrane." Neurochem. Res. 2000; 25(2): Thonn.) in vitro as well as in vivo." Teratog.
thiis amarus." Indian /. Exp. Biol. 1995;
211-215. Carcinog. Mutagen. 2002; 22(4): 285-291.
33(11): 861-864.
24. Hung, C. R., et al. "Prophylactic effects 36. Sripanidkulchai, B., et al. "Antimuta-
13. Arauio, A. On Diuresis and its Medica-
and geraniin on ethanol-in-
of sucralfate genic and anticarcinogenic effects of Phyl-
tions Under the Influence of Various Fluid Ex-
duced gastric mucosal damage in rats." lanthus amarus." Phytomedicine 2002; 9(1):
tracts of Brazilian Plants. Thesis, 1929. Uni-
Chin. }. Physiol. 1995; 38(4): 211-217. 26-32.
versity of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
25. Syamasundar, K. V., et al. "Antihepato- 37. Rajeshkumar, N. V. "Antitumour and
14. Devi, M. V., et al. "Effect of PInjIlantlius
toxic principles of Phyllanthus niruri anticarcinogenic activity of Phyllanthus
niruri on the diuretic activity of Punarnava
herbs." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1985; 14(1): amarus extract." /. Ethnopharmacol. 2002;
tablets." /. Res. Edu. Ind. Med. 1986; 5(1):
41^4. 81(1): 17-22.
11 - 12 .
26. Padma, P., et al. "Protective effect of 38. Dhir, H., et al. "Protection afforded by
15. Ramakrishnan, P. N., et al. "Oral hypo-
Phyllanthus fraternus against carbon tetra- aqueous extracts of Phyllanthus species
glycaemic effect of Pln/llanthiis niruri
chloride-induced mitochondrial dysfunc- against cytotoxicity induced by lead and
(Linn.) leaves." Indian Pliann. Sci. 1982;
f.
tion." Life Sci. 1999; 64(25): 2411-2417. aluminium salts." Phytother. Res. 1990;
44(1): 10-12. 172-176.
4(5):
27. Sreenivasa, R. Y., "Experimental pro-
16. Hukeri, V. 1., et al. "Hypoglycemic ac-
Devi, P.U. "Radioprotective effect of
duction of liver damage and its protection 39.
tivity of flavonoids of Phi/llanthusfraternus Phyllanthus niruri on mouse chromo-
with Phyllanthus niruri and Capparis spin-
in rats." Fitoterapia 1988; 59(1): 68-70. white somes." Ciirr. Sci. 2000; 78(10): 1245-1247.
osa (both ingredients of LIV52) in al-
17. Shimizu, M., et al. "Studies on aldose bino rats." Probe 1985; 24(2): 117-119. 40. Thyagarajan, S. P, et al. "Effect of Phyl-
reductase inhibitors from natural prod- "Comparative he- lanthus amarus on chronic carriers of
28. Prakash, A., et al.
ucts. 11. Active components of a Para- Hepatitis B virus." Lancet 1988; 2(8614):
patoprotective activity of three Phyllanthus
guayan crude drug, 'paraparai mi,' Pln/I-
species, P. and P. simplex,
urinaria, P. niruri 764-766.
lanthus niruri." Chem. Pharm. Bull. (Tokyo)
on carbon tetrachloride induced liver in- 41. Thyagarajan, S. R, et al. "In vitro inacti-
1989; 37(9): 2531-32. jury in the rat." Phytother. Res. 1995; 9(8): vation of HBsAG by EcUpta alba (Hassk.)
18. Santos, A. R., et al. "Analgesic effects of 594-596. and Phyllanthus niruri (Linn.)" Indian J.
callus culture extracts from selected 29. Bhumyamalaki et al. "Phyllanthus Med. Res. 1982; 76s: 124-130.
,
species of PIn/llantInis in mice." /. Pharm.

Niruri and jaundice in children." /. Natl.
42. Venkateswaran, P. S., et al. "Effects of
Pharmacol. 1994; 46(9): 755-759. Med. Ass. 1983; 25(8): 269-272.
Integ. an extract from Phyllanthus niruri on He-
19. Santos, A. R., et al. "Further studies on 30. Thabrew, M. R., et al. "Phytogenic patitis B and wood chuck hepatitis virus-
the antinociceptive action of the hydroal- agents in the therapy of liver disease." es: in vitro and in vivo studies." Proc. Nat.
cohlic extracts from plants of the genus Phytother. Res. 1996; 10(6): 461-467. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.) 1987; 84(1): 274-278.
Phi/llanthus." j. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1995; Venkateswaran, "Composi- et al.
31. Wang. M.X., et al. "Observations of the 43. P. S.,
47(1): 66-71. pharmaceutical preparation and

efficacy of Phyllanthus spp. in treating pa- tion,
20. Santos, A. R., et al. "Analysis of the tients with chronic Hepatitis B." 1994; method for treating viral hepatitis." U.S.
mechanisms underlying the antinocicep- 19(12): 750-752. Patent #4,673,575; June 16, 1987 (Filed
tive effect of the extracts of plants from the April 26, 1985) (Assigned to Fox Chase
32.Rajeshkumar, N. V., et al. "Phyllanthus
genus Phyllanthus." Gen. Pharmacol. 1995; Cane. Cent., Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.).
amarus extract administration increases
26(7): 1499-1506. with hepatocellular 44. Venkateswaran, R, et al. "Method of
the life span of rats
21. Miguel, O. G., et al. "Chemical and pre- carcinoma." /. Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Nov; treating retrovirus infection." U.S. Patent
liminary analgesic evaluation of geraniin 73(1-2): 215-219. #4,937,074; June 26, 1990 (Filed March 29,
and furosin isolated from Phyllanthus sell- 1988) (Assigned to Fox Chase Cane. Cent.,
33. Jeena, K. ]., et al. "Effect of Emblica of-
owianus." Planta Med. 1996; 62(2): 146-149. Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.).
ficinalis, Phyllanthus amarus and Picrorrhiza
22. Santos, A. R., et al. "Antinociceptive kurroa on n-nitrosodiethylamine induced 45. Thabrew, M. R., et al. "Phytogenic
properties of extracts of new species of hepatocarcinogenesis." Cancer Lett. 1999; agents in the therapy of liver disease."
136(1): 11-16. Phytother. Res. 1996; 10(6): 461^67.
plants of the genus Phyllanthus (Euphor-
—
46. Wang, M. "Herbs of the genus

X., et al. male mice." Phytother. Res. 2001; 15(3): from Maytenus laevis.” Nat. Prod. 1999;
/.
Phyllanthus in the treatment of chronic He- 265-267. 62(1): 161-163.
patitis B: Observation with three prepara-
tions from different geographic sites." /. Chuchuhiiasi 13. Perez-Victoria, et al. "New natural
sesquiterpenes as modulators of dauno-
Lab. Clin. Med. 1995; 126(4): 350-352.
Itokawa, H.,
1. et al. "Isolation, structural mycin resistance in a multidrug-resistant
47. Xin-Hua , W., et al."A comparative elucidation and conformational analysis Leishmania tropica line." Med. Chem. 1999;
/.
study of Phyllanthus amarus compound of sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids from 42(1): 4388^393.
and interferon in the treatment of chronic Maytenus ebenifolia Reiss. X-ray molecular
14. Chavez, H., et al. "Sesquiterpene poly-
viral Hepatitis B." Southeast Asian }. Prop. structure of ebenifoline W-1." /. Chem. Soc.
ol esters from the leaves of Maytenus macro-
Med. Public Health 2001; 32(1): 140-142. Perkin. Prans. 1 1993; 11: 1247-1254.
carpa.” /. Nat. Prod. 1999; 62(11): 1576-1577.
48. Huang, R.L., et al. "Screening of 25 2. Morita, H., et al. "Triterpenes from
15. Chavez, H., et al. "Macrocarpins A-D,
compounds from Phyllanthus
isolated Brazilian medicinal plant "chuchuhuasi"
species for anti-human hepatitis B virus in
new cytotoxic nor-triterpenes from May-
(Maytenus krukovii)." J. Nat. Prod. 1996;
tenus macrocarpa.” Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett.
vitro." Phytother Res. 2003 May; 17(5): 59(11): 1072-1075.
449-453. 2000; 10(8): 759-762.
3. Honda, T., et al. "Partial synthesis of
49. Liu, J., et al. "Genus Phyllanthus for krukovines A and B, triterpene ketones Cipo Cabeludo
chronic Hepatitis B virus infection: A sys- from the Brazilian medicinal plant
isolated
1. Muradian, J. M., et al. "Flavonols and
tematic review." Viral Hepat. 2001; 8(5): Maytenus krukovii.” J. Nat. Prod. 1997; (-) karu-16-en-19-oic acid from Mikania
358-366. 60(11): 1174-1177.
hirsutissima.” Rro. Latinam. Quim. 1977; 8:
50. Ogata, "HlV-1 reverse tran-
T., et al.
4. DiCarlo, F. J., et al. "Reticuloendothelial 88-89.
scriptase inhibitor from Phyllanthus niruri."
system stimulants of botanical origin." Davino,
2. S. C., et al. "Antimicrobial ac-
AIDS Res. Hum. Retroviruses 1992; 8(11): Journal of the Reticuloendothelial Society tivity of kaurenoic acid derivatives substi-
1937-1944.
1964:224-232.
tuted on carbon-15." Braz. j. Med. Biol. Res.
51. Qian-Cutrone, J. "Niruriside, a new 5. Moya, S., et al. "Phytochemical and 1989; 22(9): 1127-1129.
HIV REV/RRE binding inhibitor from
pharmacological studies on the an- 3. Wilkins, M., et al. "Characterization of
Phyllanthus niruri.” j. Nat. Prod. 1996; 59(2):
tiarthritics of plant origin." Rev. Colomb. the bactericidal activitv of the natural
19M99. Cienc. Quim. Farm. 1977; 3(2): 5. diterpene kaurenoic acid." Planta Med.
52. Notka, E, et al. "Inhibition of wild-type
6. Gonzalez, J. G., et al. "Chuchuhuasha 2002; 68(5): 452^54.
human immunodeficiency virus and re-
a drug used in folk medicine in the Ama- 4. de Oliveira, "Contribution to the
F.
verse transcriptase inhibitor-resistant vari-
zonian and Andean areas. A chemical botanical study of Mikania hirsutissima DC.
ants by Phyllanthus amarus.” Antiviral Res.
study of Maytenus laevis.” J Ethnopharm. var. hirsutissima. II. External morphology
2003 Apr; 58(2): 175-186.
1982; 5: 73-77. and anatomy of the and
leaf, flower, fruit
53. Bork, R M., et al. "Nahua Indian me- seed." Rev. Farm. Bioquim. (Univ. Sao
7. Itokawa, H., et al. "Oligo-nicotinated
dicinal plants (Mexico): Inhibitory activity Paulo) 1972; 10(1): 15-36.
sesquiterpene polyesters from Maytenus
on NF-KB as anti-inflammatory model
ilicifolia.” j. Nat. Prod. 1993; 56: 1479^1485. 5. de Oliveira, F "Contribution to the
and antibacterial effects." Phytomedicine
8. Sekar, K. V., et al. "Mayteine and 6-ben- botanical study of Mikania hirsutissima DC.
1996; 3(3): 263-269.
zoyl-6-deacety 1-may teine from Maytenus
var. hirsutissima. I. External morphologv
54. Farouk, A., et al. "Antimicrobial activi- and anatomy of the axophyte." Rev. Farm.
krukovii.” Planta Medica 1995; 61: 390.
ty of certain Sudanese plants used in folk- Bioquim. (Univ. Sao Paulo) 1971; 9(1):
loric medicine. Screening for antibacterial 9. Bradshaw, D., et al. "Therapeutic poten- 79-100.
activity (1)." Fitoterapia 1983; 54(1): 3-7. tial of protein kinase C inhibitors." Aytv/fs
6. de Souza, C. P, et al. "Chemoprophy-
atid Actions 1993; 38: 135-147.
55. Mesia, L.T.K., et al. "In-vitro antimalar- laxis of schistosomiasis: molluscacidal ac-
ial activity of Cassia occidentalis, Morinda 10.Chavez, H., et al. "Friedelane triter- tivity of natural products — assavs with
morindoides and Phyllanthus niruri.” Ann. penoids from Maytenus macrocarpa.” j. Nat. adult snails and oviposition." An. Acad
Prop. Med. Parasitol.' 2001 ;%{!): 47-57. Prod. 1998; 61(1): 82-85. Bras Cienc. 1984; 56(3): 333-338.
56. Tona, L., et al. "Antimalarial activitv of 11. Martinod, P, et al. "Isolation of tin- 7. Ohkoshi, E., et al. "Studies on the con-
20 crude extracts from nine African me- genone and pristimerin from Maytenus stituents of Mikania hirsutissima (Composi-
dicinal plants used in Kinshasa, Congo." /. chuchuhuasha.” Phytochemistry 1976; 15: tae)." Chem. Pharm. Bull. (Tokvo) 1999;
Ethnopharmacol. 1999; 68(1/3): 193-203. 562-563. 47(10): 1436-1438.
57. Rao, M. V., and K. M. Alice. "Contra- 12. Piacente, S., et al. "Laevisines A and B: 8. Ohkoshi, E., et al. "A novel bisnorditer-
ceptive effects of Phyllanthus amarus in fe- two new sesquiterpene-pyridine alkaloids penelactone from Mikania hirsutissima.”
9.
Chcm. Pluirm. Bull. (Tokyo) 2000; 48(11): phytic infections. Screening for antimy- actiyity of befa-caryophyllene." Farmaco
1774-1775. cotic actiyity of 44 plant extracts." /. 2001; 56(5-7): 387-389.
Suyenaga, E. S., et al. "Antiinflammato- Ethnophaniacol. 1991; 31(3): 263-276.
9. Yang, D., et al. "Use of caryophyllene
ry inyestigation of some species of Mika- 12. Dimayuga, R. E.., et al. "Antimicrobial oxide as an antifungal agent in an in vitro
nia." Phi/tothcr. Res. 2002; 16(6): 519-523. actiyity of medicinal plants from Baja Cal- experimental model of onychomycosis."
ifornia Sur (Mexico)." Pharmaceutical Biol. Mycopathologia 1999; 148(2): 79-82.
Clavillia
1998; 36(1): 33^3. 10. Tambe, Y, et al. "Gastric cytoprotection
1. Habuka, N., et al. "Antiyiral protein."
of fhe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
13. Caceres, A., et al. "Screening of antimi-
United States Patent 5,340,732; 1994.
crobial actiyity of plants popularly used in sesquiterpene, beta-caryophyllene." Plan-
2. Wong, R. N. S., et al. "Characterization Guatemala for fhe treatment of dermato- ta Med. 1996; 62(5): 469^170.
of Mirabilis antiviral protein —a ribosome mucosal diseases." /. Ethnophannacol. 1987; 11. Paiya, L. A., et al. "Gastroprotectiye ef-
inactiyating protein from Mirabilis jalnpm 20(3): 223-237. fect of Copifera langsdorffii oleo-resin on ex-
L" Biochem. hit. 1992; 28(4): 585-593.
14. Dhar, M. L., ef al. "Screening of Indian perimental gastric ulcer models in rats." /.
3. Viyanco, J. M., et al. "Characterization of plants for biological actiyity: Part I." Indi- Ethnophannacol. 1998; 62(1): 73-78.
two noyel type 1 ribosome-inactiyating an Exp. Biol. 1968; 6: 232-247.
J. 12. Opdyke, D. L. "Monographs on Fra-
proteins from the storage roots of the An-
grance Raw Materials." Food Cosmet. Toxi-
dean crop Mirabilis expansa." Plant Physiol. Clavo Huasca col. 1973; 11: 1075.
1999; 119(4): 1447-1456.
There are no studies published on this 13. Maruzzella, C., et al. "Antibacterial
J.
4. "Adenine depurination
Kataoka, J., et al.
plant.
actiyity of essential oil yapors." /. Am.
and inactiyation of plant ribosomes by an
Pharm. Assoc. 1960; 49: 692-694.
antiyiral protein ot Mirabilis jalapa (MAP)." Copaiba
Plant Mol. Biol. 1992; 20(6): 111-119. 14. Tincusi, B. M., et al. "Antimicrobial ter-
1. Wenninger, J. A., et al. "Sequiterpene hy-
penoids from the oleoresin of the Pemyian
5. Bolognesi, A. et al. "Ribosome-inactiyat- drocarbons of commercial copaiba and
ing and adenine polynucleotide glycosy-
medicinal plant Copaifera paupera." Planta
American cedarwood oils." /. Amer. Oil
lase actiyities in Mirabilis jalapa L. tissues."
Med. 2002; 68(9): 808-812.
Chemists Soc. 1967; 50: 1201-1312.
/. Biol. Chcm. 2002; 277(16) 13709-13716. 15. de Almeida Alyes, T. M., et al. "Biolog-
2.Mahajam, J. R., et al. "New diterpenoids ical screening of Brazilian medicinal
6. "The purification and
Cordeiro, N., et al.
from copaiba oil." An. Acad. Bras. Cienc.
amino acid sequences of four Tx2 neuro- plants. "Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 2000;
1971;43:611-613.
toxins from the yenom of the Brazilian 95(3): 367-373.
'armed' spider Phonentria nigriventer 3. Paiya, L. A., et al. "Inyestigation on the 16. Wilkins, M., et al. "Characterization of
(Keyes)." FEBBS Lett. 1992; 310(2): 153- wound healing actiyity of oleo-resin from the bactericidal actiyity of fhe natural
156.' Copaifera langsdorfii in rats." Phytother. Res.
diterpene kaurenoic acid." Planta Med.
2002; 16(8): 737-739. 2002 68(5): 452-454.
7. Cammue, B. P. A., et al. "Isolation and
characterization of a noyel class of plant 4. Fernandes, R. M., Contribuicao para o con- Dayino,
17. S. C., et al. "Antimicrobial ac-
antimicrobial peptides from Mirabilis jala- hecimento do efito antiiinflamatorio e analgesi-
tiyity of kaurenoic acid deriyatiyes substi-
pa L. seeds." Biol. Client. 1992; 267(4): co do balsamo de copaiba e alguns de sens con-
/. tuted on carbon-15." Braz. j. Med. Biol. Res.
2228-2233. stituintes quimicos. Thesis, 1986. Federal 1989; 22(9): 1127-1129.
Uniyersity of Rio de Janeiro.
8. De Bolle, M. F. C., et al. "Antimicrobial 18. Ohsaki, A., et al. "The isolation and in
peptides from Mirabilis jalapa and Amaran- 5. Basile, A. C., et al. "Anti-inflammatory vivo potent antitumor actiyity of clerodane
tiis caudatiis: expression, processing, local- actiyity of oleoresin from Brazilian Co- diterpenoids from the oleoresin of Brazil-
ization and biological actiyity in trans- paifera." ]. Ethnophannacol. 1988; 22: ian medicinal plant Copaifera langsdorfii
genic tobacco." Plant Mol. Biol. 1996; 31(5): 101-109. Desfon." Bioorg. Med. Client. Lett. 1994; 4:
993-1008. 2889-2892.
6. Gascon, V., et al. "Characterization of
9. Kusamba, C., et al. "Antibacterial actiy- the chemical composition of oleoresins of 19. Costa-Lotufo, "The cytotox-
L. V., et al.
ity of Mirabilis jalapa seed powder." /. Copaifera guianensis Desf., Copaifera diickei ic and embryotoxic effects of kaurenoic
Ethnophannacol. 1991; 35(2): 197-199. Dwyer and Copaifera multijuna Hayne."
'
acid, a diterpene isolated from Copaifera
Phytochemistry 2000; 55(7): 773-778. langsdorffi." Toxicon 2002; 40(8): 1231-1234.
10. Yang, S.W., et al. "Three new phenolic
compounds from a manipulated plant cell 7. Veiga, V. R, ef al. "Phytochemical and 20. Richard, M. A. "Copahic erythema."
culture, Mirabilis jalapa." j. Nat. Prod. 2001; antioedematogenic studies of commercial Ann. Dermatol. Venereol. 2001; 128(4): 580.
64(3): 313-317. copaiba oils ayailable in Brazil." Phytother.
21. Leung, A. and S. Foster. Encyclopedia of
Caceres, A., et Res. 2001; 15(6): 476^80.
11. al. "Plants used in Common Natural Ingredients. New York:
Guatemala for the treatment of dermato- 8. Ghelardini, C., et al. "Local anaesthetic John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
.
Curare medicinal products veterinary medicines tential angiotensin converting enzyme

evaluation unit. August 1999. (ACE)-inhibitors from plants." Phytomedi-
1. Lee, C., et al. "Conformation, action,
and mechanism of action of neuromuscu- cine 200];S{]): 47-52.
6. Arletti, R., et al. "Stimulating property
lar blocking muscle relaxants." Pharmacol. of Turnera diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata ex- 3. Perea Guerrero, C., et al. "A pharmaco-
Ther. 2003; 98(2): 143-169. tracts on the sexual-behavior of male rats." logical study of Cecropia obtusifolia Bertol.
Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1999; 143(1): aqueous extract." /. Ethnopharmacol. 2001;
2. Tuba, Z., et al. "Synthesis and structure-
155i9. 76(3): 279-284.
activity relationships of neuromuscular
blocking agents." Curr. Med. Chem. 2002; 7. Heleen, P. A. "Herbal composition for 4. Feng, P. "Pharmacological
C., et al.
9(16): 1507-1536. enhancing sexual response." United States screening of some West Indian medicinal
Patent 6,444,237; 2002. plants." /. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1962; 14:
3. Farthing, M. J. G. "5-Hydroxytrypta-
8.Morrow, T. "Herbal compound for relief 556-561.
mine and 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor
antagonists." Scand. Gastroenterol. 1991; of PMS through menopausal symptoms." 5. Carbajal, D., et al. "Pharmacological
/.
26(suppl 188): 92-100. United States Patent 5,707,630;^1998. screening of plant decoctions commonly
9. Zava, D. T, et al. "Estrogen and prog- used in Cuban folk medicine." /.
4. "Review of the preclinical
Perez, E. A.
Ethnopharmacol. 1991; 33: 21-24.
pharmacology and comparative efficacy estin bioactivity of foods, herbs and
spices." Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 1998; 6. Vargas Howell, R., et al. "Diuretic effect
of 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor antag-
217(3): 369-378. of Cecropia obtusifolia (Moraceae) on albino
onists for chemotherapy-induced emesis."
rats." Rev. Biol. Prop. 1996; 44(1): 93-96.
/. Clin. Oncol. 1995; 13(4): 1036-1043. 10. Jiu, J. "A survey of some medicinal
plants of Mexico for selected biological ac- 7. Vidrio, H., et "Hypotensive activity
al.
5. Breitinger, H. G., et al. "Inhibition of the
tivity." Lloydia. 1966; 29: 250-259. of Cecropia obtusifolia." ]. Pharm. Sci. 1982;
serotonin 5-HT3 receptor by nicotine, co-
71(4): 475^76.
caine, and fluoxetine investigated by rap- 11.Andersen, T., et al. "Weight loss and
id chemical kinetic techniques." Biochem- delayed gastric emptying following a 8. Salas, I., et al. "Antihypertensive effect
istry 2001; 40(28): 8419-8429. South American herbal preparation in of Cecropia obtusifolia (Moraceae) leaf ex-
overweight patients." /. Hum. Nutr. Diet. tract on rats." Rev. Biol. Prop. 1987; 35(1):
6. Seth, R, et al. "Nicotinic-serotonergic in-
2001; 14(3): 243-250. 127-130.
teractions in brain and behaviour." Phar-
macol. Biochem. Behav. 2002; 71(4): 795-805. 12. Mann, M. A., et al. "Appetite suppres- 9. Andrade-Cetto, A., et al. "Hypo-
sant composition and method relating glycemic effect of Cecropia obtusifolia on
7. Costall, B., et al. "Anxiolytic potential of
thereto." United States Patent 5,273,754; streptozotocin diabetic rats." /. Ethnophar-
5-HT3 receptor antagonists." Pharmacol.
1993. macol. 2001; 78(2-3): 145-149.
Toxicol. 1992; 70(3): 157-162.
13. Hessel, L. L., et al. "Compositions and 10. Perez, R. M., et al. "A study of the hy-
8. Hardman, J. G., et al. The pharmacological
methods for weight reduction." United poglycemic effect of some Mexican
basis of therapeutics. 9th ed. Goodman and States Patent 5,945,107; 1999. plants." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1984; 12(3):
Gilman's; 1996. 253-262.
14. Perez, R. M., et al. "A study of the hy-
Damiana poglycemic effect of some Mexican 11.Raman-Ramos, R., et al. "Experimental
plants." j. Ethnopharmacol. 1984; 12(3): study of hypoglycemic activity of some
1. Anonymous. New York Alumni Associ- 253-262. '
antidiabetic plants." Arch. Invest. Med.
ation of the Philadelphia College of Phar-
(Mex). 1991; 22(1): 87-93.
macy: Meeting Minutes — August 3, 1875.
15. Alarcon-Aguilara, F. J., et al. "Study of
Mellado, V, et al. "Effect of the aque-
Am.).Pharm. 1875; the anti-hyperglycemic effect of plants 12.
47: 426.
used as antidiabetics." j. Ethnopharmacol. ous extract of Cecropia obtusifolia on the
2. Steinmetz, E. F. Acta Phytother. 1960; 7(1) blood sugar of normal and pancreatec-
1998; 61(2): 101-110.
3. Dominguez. X. A. and M. Hinojosa. tomized dogs." hit. ]. Crude Drug Res.
16. Alarcon-Aguilara, F. J., et al. "Investi-
"Mexican medicinal plants. XXVlll. Isola- 1984; 22(1): 11-16.
gation on the hypoglycaemic effects of ex-
tion of 5-hydroxy-7,3',4'-trimethoxy- tracts of four Mexican medicinal plants in 13. Misas, C. A. J., et al. "Contribution to
flavone from Turnera diffusa." Planta Med. normal and alloxan-diabetic mice." the biological evaluation of Cuban plants.
1976; 30(1): 68-71. Phythother. Res. 2002; 16(4): 383-386. I." Rei>. Cub. Med. Prop. 1979; 31: 5-12.
4. Piacente, S., et al. "Flavonoids and ar- 14. Zavala, M. A., et al. "Antimicrobial
butin from Turnera diffusa." Z. Naturforsch.
Em bail ba screening of some medicinal plants." Phy-
2002; 57c: 983-985. 1. Paulo, G., et al. "Utilization of an extract tother. Res. 1 997; 11(5): 368-371
of a plant of the Cecropia genus." United
5. Committee for veterinary medicinal 15. Lopez Abraham, A. N., et al. "Potential
States Patent 6,403,125; 2002.
products Turnera diffidsa summary report. antineoplastic activity of Cuban plants."
The European agency for the evaluation of 2. Lacaille-Dubois., et al. "Search for po- Rev. Cubana Farm. 1981; 15(1): 71-77.
16.
Velazquez, E., et al. "Antioxidant activ- activity of some Moroccan medicinal on kidney regeneration." Indian J.
Pharma-
ity ot Paraguayan plant extracts." Fitoter- plants." Fitoterapia 2000; 71(3): 308-314. cy 1980; 12: 59.
iipia 2003; 74 (f-2): 91-7. 13. Fall, N., et al. "In vitro inhibition of 9. Chandan, B. K., et al. "Boerhaavia diffusa:
drug-resistant and drug-sensitive strains a study of its hepatoprotective activity." /.

Epazote
of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by ethnob- Ethnopharmacol. 1991; 31(3): 299-307.
1. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 2nd Ed. Med- otanically selected South African plants."
10. Rawat, A. K., et al. "Hepatoprotective
ical Economics Company; Montvale, New /. Ethnopharmacol. 1999; 66(3): 347-354.
activity of Boerhaavia diffusa L. roots —
jersey, 2000.
14. Zhang, Y, et al. "Chinese drug compo- popular Indian ethnomedicine." /. Ethno-
2. Johnson, M. A., et al. "Biosynthesis of sitionôr treatment of peptic ulcer and pharmacol. 1997; 56(1): 61-66.
ascaridole: iodide peroxidase-catalyzed preparation thereof." United States Patent Ramabhimaiah, "Pharmaco-
11. S., et al.
synthesis of a monoterpene endoperoxide 6,344,219; 2003. logical investigations on the water soluble
in soluble extracts of Chenopodium ambro- 15. Ruffa, M. et al. "Cytotoxic effect of fraction of methanol extract of Boerhaavia
j.,
sioides fruit." Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 1984; root." Indian Drugs 1984; 21(8):
Argentine medicinal plant extracts on hu- diffusa
235(1): 254-266. man hepatocellular carcinoma cell line." /. 343-344.
3. Kiuchi, F., et al. "Monoterpene hy- Ethnopharmacol. 2002; 79(3): 335-339. 12. Dhar, M., et al. "Screening of Indian
droperoxides with trypanocidal activity 16. Efferth, T., et al. "Activity of ascaridol plants for biological activity: Part I." Indi-
from Chenopodium ambrosioides." ]. Nat. from the anthelmintic herb Chenopodium an J.
Exp. Biol. 1968; 6: 232-247.
Prod. 2002; 65(4): 509-512. anthelminticum L. against sensitive and 13. Hiruma-Lima, C. A., et al. "The juice of
4. Okuyama, E., et al. "Ascaridole as a multidrug-resistant tumor cells." Anti- fresh leaves of Boerhaavia diffusa L. (Nyc-
pharmacologically active principle of cancer Res. 2002; 22(60: 4221M224. taginaceae) markedly reduces pain in
"Paico," a medicinal Peruvian plant." mice." /. Ethnopharmacol. 2000; 71(1-2):
Erva Toslao
Cheni. Pharm. Bull. (Tokyo) 1993; 41(7): 267-274
1309-1311. 1. Mungantiwarn, A. A., et al. "Studies on
14. Sohni, Y, et al. "The antiamoebic effect
the immunomodulatory effects of Boer-
5. Kishore, N., et al. "Fungitoxicity of es- of a crude drug formulation of herbal ex-
haavia diffusa alkaloidal fraction." /.
sential oils against dermatophytes." My- tracts against Entamoeba histolytica in vitro
Ethnopharmacol. 1999 May; 65(2): 125-131.
coses 1993; 36(5-6): 211-215. and in vivo." ]. Ethnopharmacol. 1995; 45(1):
2. Mehrotra, S., et al. "Immunomodulation 43-52.
6. Pollack, Y., et al. "The effect of ascaridole
by ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa
on the in vitro development of Plasmodium 15. Barthwal, M., et al. "Management of
roots." lilt. Immunopharmacol. 2002; 7:
falciparum.” Parasitol. Res. 1990; 76(7): lUD-associated menorrhagia in female
987-996.
570-572. rhesus monkeys {Macaca mulatto.)." Adv.
3. Chowdhury, A., et al. "Boerhaavia dif- Contracept. 1991; 7(1): 67-76.
Morsy, "The effect of the
7.
volatile oils
T. A., et al.
of Chenopodium ambrosioides
fusa — effect on diuresis and some renal en-
16. Barthwal, M., et al. "Histologic studies
zymes." Ann. Biochem. Exp. Med. 1955; 15:
and Thymus indgaris against the larvae of on endometrium of menstruating mon-
119-126.
Lucilia sericata (Meigen)." Egypt Soc. keys wearing lUDS: comparative evalua-
/.
4. Mudgal, V. "Studies on medicinal prop- tion of dmgs." Adv. Contracept. 1990; 6(2):
Parasitol. 1 998; 28(2): 503-510.
erties of Convolvulus pluricaulis and Boer- 113-124.
8. Gadano, A., et al. "In vitro genotoxic
haavia diffusa.” Planta Med. 1975; 28: 62.
17. Adesina, S. "Anticonvulsant properties
evaluation of the medicinal plant Cheno-
5. Gaitonde, B. B., et al. "Diuretic activity of the roots of Boerhaavia diffusa.” Q.
podium ambrosioides L" }. Ethnopharmacol. J.
of punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa)." Bull. Crude Drug Res. 1979; 17: 84-86.
2002; 81(1): 11-16.
Haffkine Inst. 1974; 2: 24.
18. Akah, R, et al. "Nigerian plants with
9. Anon., WHO Chronicle, 1977; 31: 428. 6. al. "Recent approach in
Singh, R. P, et anti-con vulsant property." Fitoterapia 1993;
10. Giove Nakazawa, R. A. "Traditional clinicaland experimental evaluation of di- 64(1): 42-44.
medicine in the treatment of enteropara- uretic action of punarnava (B. diffusa) with 19. Olukoya, D., et al. "Antibacterial activ-
sitosis." Rev. Gastroenterol. Peru 1996; 16(3): special reference to nephrotic syndrome." ity of some medicinal plants from Nige-
197-202. Res. Edu. bid. Med. 1955; 7(1): 29-35.
/. ria." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1993; 39(1): 69-72.
11. Lopez de Guimaraes, D., et al. "Ascari- 7. Devi, M. V., et al. "Effect of Pln/llanthus 20. Perumal, Sarny R., et al. "Ethnomedic-
asis: comparison of the therapeutic effica- niruri on the diuretic activity of punarnava inal plants from India." /. Ethnopharmacol.
cy between paico and albendazole in chil- tablets." /. Res. Edu. bid. Med. 1986; 5(1): 1999; 66(2): 235-240.
dren from Huaraz." Rev. Gastroenterol Peru 11 - 12 .
21. Aynehchi, "Screening of Iranian

Y.
2001; 21(3): 212-219.
8. Mishra, ]. P, et al. "Studies on the effect plants for antimicrobial activity." Acta
12. Hmamouchi, M., et al. "Molluscicidal of indigenous dmg Boerhaavia diffusa Rom. Pharm. Suecica. 1982; 19(4): 303-308.
22. Verma, H., et al. 1979. "Antiviral activ- Cancer Institute (1976). From NAPRA icity of cadmium in HepG2 cells." Mol.
ity of Boerhaavia diffusa root extract and LERT Files, University of Illinois, 1995. Pharm. 1999; 56(6); 1324-1328.
physical properties of the virus inhibitor."
11. de Santana, C. F, et al. "Primeiras ob- 25. Itokawa, H., et al. "Oligo-nicotinated
Can. /. Bot. 1979; 57; 926-932.
servacoes sobre o emprego da maitenina sesquiterpene polyesters from Maytenus
23. Singh, A., et al. "An experimental eval- em pacientes cancerosos." Rev. Inst. An- ilicifolia." }. Nat. Prod. 1993; 56(9); 1479-
uation of possible teratogenic potential in tibiot. 1971; 11; 37-49. 1485.
Boerhaavia diffusa in albino rats." Planta
12. Melo, A. M., et al. "First observations 26. Itokawa, H., et "Cangorins
Med. 1991; 57(4); 315-316. al. F-J, five
on the topical use of primin, plumbagin additional oligo-nicotinated sesquiterpene
24. Hansen, K., et al. "In vitro screening of and maytenin in patients with skin can- polyesters from Maytenus ilicifolia." }. Nat.
traditional medicines for anti-hyperten- cer." Rev. Inst. Antibiot. 1974 Dec. Prod. 1994; 57(4): 460-470.
sive effect based on inhibition of the an-
13. Chabner, B. A., et al., "Initial clinical tri-
giotensin converting enzyme (ACE)." 27. Souza-Formigoni, M. L., et al. "Antiul-
als ofmayansine, an antitumor plant alka- cerogenic effects of two Maytenus species
Ethnopharmacol. 1995; 48(1); 43-51.
loid." Cancer Treatment Reports 1978; (62);
in laboratory animals." /. Ethnopharmacol.
Espinheira Santa 429-433.
August 1991.
Oliveira, M. G., et "Pharmacologic 14. O'Connell, M. ]., et al. "Phase II trial of

1. al. 28. Nakamura M., et al. Anti-ulcerative
and toxicologic effects of two Maytenus maytansine in patients with advanced col-
drug. Patent— Eur-0 776 667 A2. 1997:
species in laboratory animals." Ethno- orectal carcinoma." Cancer Treatment Re-
/. 1-7.
pharmacol., 1991; 34(1); 29^1. ports 1978 (62); 1237-1238.
2. Dinari, Dr. H., Unpublished data from 15. Cabanillas, F, et al. "Phase I study of Fedegoso
Buenos Aires, Argentina. Personal com- maytansine using a 3-day schedule." Can- 1. Elujoba, A., et al. "Chemical and biolog-
munication (1978) from the University of cer Treatment Reports 1976; (60); 1127-1139.
ical analyses of Nigerian Cassia species for
Illinois NAPRALERT report. 16. Suffnes, M. J., et al. "Current status of laxative activity." /. Pharm. Biomed. Anal.
3. Bingel, A. S., et al. "Antifertility screen- the NCI plant and animal product pro- 1989; 7(12): 1453-1457.
ing of selected plants in female rats." Lloy- gram." journal of Natural Products 1982; 45;
2.Sama, S., et al. "Efficacy of an indige-
dia. 1976; 39(6); 475C. 1-14.
nous compound preparation (LIV-52) in
4. Montanari, T., et al. "Effect of Maytenus 17. Hartwell, J. L., "Plants used against acute viral hepatitis —A double blind
ilicifolia Mart, on pregnant mice." Contra- cancer; A survey." Lloydia 1968; 31; 114. study." Indian }. Med. Res. 1976; 64: 738.
ception 2002 Feb; 65(2); 171-175.
18. Crovetto, P. M., Las plantas utilizadas en 3. Subbarao, V. V., et al. "Changes serum in
5. Montanari, T., et al. Maytenus
"Effect of medicina popular en el noroeste de corrientes. transaminases due to hepatotoxicity and
ilicifolia Mart. Ex. Reiss on spermatogene- Tucuman, Argentina: Ministeris de Cul- the role of an indigenous hepatotonic, LIV-
sis." Contraception 1998; 57(5); 335-339. tura y Educacion, Foundacion Miguel Lil- 52." Probe 1978; 17(2): 175-178.
6.de Lima, O. G., et al. "Substabcias an- lo; 1981.
4. Sethi, j. P, et al. "Clinical management
timicrobiano de plantas superiores. Co- 19. Itokawa, H., et al. "New triterpene of severe acute hepatic failure with special
municacao XXXI. Maitenina, novo antimi- dimers from Maytenus ilicifolia." Tetrahe- reference to LIV-52 in therapv." Probe 1978;
crobiano con acao antineoplastica, isolade dron Lett. 1990; 3i(47): 6881-6882.
17(2): 155-158.
de celastracea de pernambuco." Revista do
20. Itokawa, H., et al. "Triterpenes from Sharma, N.,
Instituto de Antibioticos 1969; (9); 17-25. 5. et al. "Protective effect of
Maytenus ilicifolia." Phytochemistry 1991; Cassia occidentalis extracton chemical-in-
7. de Lima, O. G., et al. "Antimicrobial 30(11): 3713-3716.
duced chromosomal aberrations in mice."
substances from higher plants. XXXVI. On
21. Itokawa, IL, "Antitumor sub-
et al. Drug Chem. Toxicol. 1999; 22(4): 643-653.
the presence of maytenin and pristimerine
stances from South American plants."
in the cortical part of the roots of Maytenus 6. Saraf, S., et al. "Antiheptatotoxic activi-
Pharmacobio. Dyn. 1992; 15(1): S-2.
ilicifolia from the south of Brazil." Rei>. Inst. ty of Cassia occidentalis." hit. J. Pharmacog.
Antibiot., 1971 Jun. 22. Arisawa, M., et al. "Cell growth inhibi- 1994; 32(2): 178-183.
8. Monache, F. D., et al., "Maitenin; A new tion of KB cells by plant extracts." Natural
7. Jafri, M. A., et al. "Hepatoprotective
antitumoral substance from Maytenus sp." Med. 1994; 48(4): 338-347. activity of leaves of Cassia occidentalis
Gazetta Chimica Italiana 1972; 102; 317-320. 23. Shirota, O., et al. "Cytotoxic aromatic against paracetamol and ethyl alcohol in-
9. Wolpert-Defillipes, M. K., et al., "Initial triterpenes from Maytenus ilicifolia and toxication in rats." j. Ethnopharmacol. 1999;
studies on the cytotoxic action of maytan- Maytenus chuchuhuasca." j. Nat. Prod. 1994; 66(3): 355-361.
sine, a novel ansa macrolide." Biochemical 57(12); 1675-1681.

8. Bin-Hafeez, B., et al. "Protective effect
Pharmacology 24 (1975); 751-754. 24. Miura, N. "Protective effects of
et al. on cyclophos-
of Cassia occidentalis L.
10. Anon. Unpublished data. National triterpene coupounds against the cytotox- phamide-induced suppression of humoral
immunitv in mice." /. Eihnophannacol cells." Eur. /. Pharmacol. 2002; 451(2): 14. Feng, P. C., et al. "Pharmacological
2001; 75(i): 13-18. 119-124. screening of some West Indian medicinal
plants." /. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1962; 14:
9. Sharma, N., et al. "In vitro inhibition of 2. Bermejo, P, et al. "Antiviral activity of
556-561.
carcinogen-induced mutagenicity by Cas- seven iridoids, three saikosaponins and
sia occuicntalis and Emblica officinalis." Drug one phenylpropanoid glycoside extracted 15. Robinson, R. D., et al. "Investigations
Chcm. Toxicol. 2000; 23(3): 477-484. from Buplcurum rigidum and Scrophidaria of Strongyloides stercoralis filariform larvae
scorodonia." Planta Med. 2002; 68(2): 106-110. in vitroby six commercial Jamaican plant
10. Sadique, J., et al. "Biochemical modes
3. Didry, N., et and antibac-
"Isolation extracts and three anthelmintics." Wcsf In-
of action of Cassia occuicntalis and Car- al.
terial activity of phenylpropanoid deriva- dian Med. /. 1990; 39(4): 213-217.

diospcrmum halicacabiim in inflammation."
/. Ethnophannacol. 1987; 19(2): 201-212. tives from Ballota nigra." J.
Ethnopharmacol. 16. Evans, D. A., et al. "Extracts of Indian
1999; 67(2): 197-202. plants as mosquito larvicides." Indian j.
11. Feng, R, et al. "Pharmacological screen-
4. Xiong, Q., et al. "Acteoside inhibits Med. Res. 1988; 88(1): 38-41.
ing of some West Indian medicinal
plants." Piiarni. Pharmacol. 1962; 14: apoptosis in D-galactosamine and lipo- 17. Schapoval, E. E., et al. "Anti-inflamma-
/.
556-561. polysaccharide-induced liver injury." Life tory and antinociceptive activities of ex-
Sci. 1999; 65(4): 421^30. tracts and isolated compounds from
12. Gasquet, M., et al. "Evaluation in vitro
5. Xiong, Q., et al. "Hepatoprotective ac- Stachytarpheta cayennensis." ]. Ethnophar-
and in vivo of a traditional antimalarial,
tivity of phenylethanoids from Cistanche macol. 1998; 60(1): 53-59.
'Malarial 5.'" Fitoterapia 1993; 64(5): 423.
deserticola." Planta Med. 1998; 64(2): 120- 18. Almeida, C. E., et al. "Analysis of an-
16.
13. Schmeda-Hirschmann, G., et al. "A 125. tidiarrhoeic effect of plants used in popu-
screening method for natural products on
6. Pennacchio, M., "Mechanism of ac-
et al. lar medicine." Rev. Sarnie. Piiblica. 1995;
triatomine bugs." Phytother. Res. 1989; 6(2):
tion of verbascoside on the isolated rat 29(6): 428^33.
68-73.
heart: increases in level of prostacyclin." 19. Vela, S. M., et al. "Inhibition of gastric
14. Hussain, H., et al. "Plants in Kano Phytother. Res. 1999; 13(3): 254-255. and
acid secretion by the aqueous extract
ethomedicine: screening for antimicrobial
7. Li, J., et al. "Differentiation of human purified extracts of Stachytarpheta cayen-
activity and alkaloids." Int. /. Pharmacog.
adenocarcinoma cell line MGc80-3
gastric nensis." Planta Med. 1997; 63(1): 36-39.
1991; 29(1): 51-56.
induced by verbascoside." Planta Med. 20. Mehta, Rodriguez S., et al. "Pharmaco-
Caceres, A., et al. "Plants used in 1997; 63(6): 499-502. logical and chemical evaluation of Stachy-
Guatemala for the treatment of dermato- tarpheta jarnaicensis (Verbenaceae)." Rev.
8. Zhou, J., et al. "Ventricular remodeling
phytic infections. 1 Screening for antimy-
1996; 44(2A): 353-359.
.
by Scutellarein treatment in spontaneous- Biol. Trop.

cotic activity of 44 plant extracts." /.
ly hypertensive rats." Chin Med. ]. (Engl.).
Ethnophannacol.
1. 1991; 31(3): 263-276. Graviola
2002; 115(3): 375-377.
16. Anesini, C., et al. "Screening of plants 9. Gil, B., et al. "Effects of flavonoids on 1. Zeng, L., et al. "Five new monotetrahy-
used in Argentine folk medicine for an- Naja Naja and human recombinant syn- drofuran ring acetogenins from the leaves
timicrobial activity." /. Ethnophannacol. ovial phospholipases A2 and inflammato- of Annona miiricata." j. Nat. Prod. 1996;
1993; 39(2): 119-128. ry responses in mice." Life Sci. 1994; 54(20): 59(11): 1035-1042.
17. Gaind, K. N., et al. "Antibiotic activity PL333-338. 2. Rieser, M. ]., et al. "Five novel mono-
of Cassia occuicntalis." Indian J.
Pharmacy 10. Spedding, G., et al. "Inhibition of re- tetrahydrofuran ring acetogenins from the
1966; 28(9): 248-250. verse transcriptases by flavonoids." An- seeds of Annona miiricata." j. Nat. Prod.
18. Sarny, R. P, et al. "Antibacterial activi- tiviral Res. 1989; 12(2): 99-110. 1996; 59(2): 100-108.
ty of some folklore medicinal plants used 11. Hazekamp, A., et al. "Isolation of a 3. Wu, F. E., et al. "Additional bioactive
by tribals in Western Ghats of India." /. bronchodilator flavonoid from the Thai acetogenins, annomutacin and (2,4-trans
Ethnophannacol. 2000; 69(1): 63-71. medicinal plant Clerodendnim petasites." ].
and cis)-10R-annonacin-A-ones, from the
Ethnopharmacol. 2001; 78(1): 45-49. leaves of Annona miiricata." j. Nat. Prod.
19. Tona, L., et al. "In-vivo antimalarial ac-
1995; 58(9): 1430-1437.
tivity of Cassia occuicntalis, Morinda 12. Ferrandiz, M. L., et al. "Hispidulin pro-
morindoidcs and Phyllanthus niruri." Ann. tection against hepatotoxicity induced by 4. Wu, E. E., et al. "New bioactive monote-
Prop. Med. Parasitol. 2001; 95(1): 47-57. bromobenzene in mice." Life Sci. 1994; trahydrofuran Annonaceous acetogenins,
55(8): PL145-150. annomuricin C and muricatocin C, from
Gervao 13. Bourdillat, B., et al. "Hispidulin, a nat-
the leaves ot Annona miiricata." ]. Nat. Prod.
1995; 58(6): 909-915.
Sheng, G. Q., et al. "Protective effect of ural flavone, inhibits human platelet ag-
verbascoside on l-methyl-4-phenylpyri- gregation by increasing cAMP levels." Eur. 5.Wu, E. E., et al. "Muricatocins A and B,
dinium ion-induced neurotoxicity in PCI j. Pharmacol. 1988; 147(1): 1-6. two new bioactive monotetrahydrofuran
.

489
Annonaceous acetogenins from the leaves 17. Liaw, C. C., et "New

al. cytotoxic activities of Papua New Guinean native
of Annona muricata." J. Nat. Prod. 1995; monotetrahydrofuran Annonaceous ace- medicinal plants." hit. /. Pharmacog. 1993;
58(6): 902-908. togenins from Annona muricata."
J. Nat. 31(1): 3-6.
6. Wu, F. "Two new cytotoxic
E., et al. Prod. 2002; 65(4): 470-75.
30. Heinrich, M., et al. "Parasitological and
monotetrahydrofuran Annonaceous ace- 18. Chang, "Novel cytotoxic an-
F. R., et al. microbiological evaluation of Mixe Indian
togenins, annomuricins A and B, from the nonaceous acetogenins from Annona muri- medicinal plants (Mexico)." /. Ethnophar-
leaves of Annona muricata." ]. Nat. Prod. cata." J. Nat. Prod. 2001; 64(7): 925-931. macol. 1992; 36(1): 81-85.
1995; 58(6): 830-836.
19. Betancur-Galvis, "Antitumor
L., et al. 31. Lopez, Abraham A. M. "Plant extracts
7. Rieser, M. ]., et al. "Bioactive single-ring and antiviral activity of Colombian medic- with cytostatic properties growing in
acetogenins from seed extracts of Annona inal plant extracts." Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cuba. I." Rev. Cuhana Med. Prop. 1979;
muricata." Planta Med. 1993; 59(1): 91-92. Cruz 1999; 94(4): 531-535. 31(2): 97-104.
8. Rieser, M. J., et al. "Muricatacin: a sim- 20.Chang, F. R., et al. "New Adjacent Bis- 32. Bories, C., et al. "Antiparasitic activity
ple biologically active acetogenin deriva- Tetrahydrofuran Annonaceous Aceto- of Annona muricata and Annona cherimolia
tivefrom the seeds of Annona muricata genins from Annona muricata." Planta Med. seeds." Planta Med. 1991; 57(5): 434-436.
(Annonaceae)" Tetrahedron Lett. 1991; 2003; 69(3): 241-246.
32(9): 1137-1140.
33. Antoun, M. D., et al. "Screening of the
21. Jaramillo, M. C., et al. "Cytotoxicity flora of Puerto Rico for potential anti-
9. Kim, G. S., et al. "Muricoreacin and and antileishmanial activity of Annona malarial bioactives." hit. ]. Pharmacog.
murihexocin C, mono-tetrahydrofuran muricata pericarp." Fitoterapia 2000; 71(2):
1993; 31(4): 255-258.
acetogenins, from the leaves of Annona 183-186.
34. Gbeassor, M., et al. "In vitro antimalar-
muricata." Phytochemistry 1998; 49(2): 565-
22. Nicolas, H., et al. "Structure-activity
ial activity of six medicinal plants." Phy-
571.
relationships of diverse Annonaceous tother. Res. 1990; 4(3): 115-117.
Padma, R, et al. "Effect of the extract of
10. acetogenins against multidrug resistant
Annona muricata and Petunia nyctaginiflora human mammary adenocarcinoma (MCF- 35. Tattersfield, F, et al. "The insecticidal
properties of certain species of Annona and
on Herpes simplex vims." /. Ethnopimrmacol. 7/Adr) cells." j.^Med. Chem. 1997; 40(13):
an Indian strain of Mundulea sericea (Su-
1998; 61(1): 81-83. 2102-2106.
pli)." Ann. Appl. Biol. 1940; 27: 262-273.
11. Gleye, C., et al. "Cis-monotetrahydro- 23. Yuan, S. S., et al. "Annonacin, a mono-
36. Hasrat, J. A., et al. "Isoquinoline deriv-
furan acetogenins from the roots of An- tetrahydrofuran acetogenin, arrests cancer
nona muricata 1. J. Nat. Prod. 1998; 61(5): cells at the Cl phase and causes cytotoxic-
atives isolated from the fruit of Annona
muricata as 5-HTergic 5-HTl A receptor ag-
576-579. ity in a Bax- and caspase-3-related path-
onists in rats: unexploited antidepressiv’e
12. Kim, G. S., et al. "Two new mono-
way." Life Sci. 2003 May 9; 72(25): 2853-
(lead) products." /. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1997;
2861.
tetrahydrofuran ring acetogenins, anno- 49(11): 1145-1149.
muricin E and muricapentocin, from the 24.Wang, L. Q., et al. "Annonaceous ace-
37. Lannuzel, A., et al. "Toxicity of An-
leaves of Annona muricata." j. Nat. Prod. togenins from the leaves of Annona mon-
nonaceae dopaminergic neurons: po-
for
1998; 61(4): 432-436. tana." Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2002; 10(3): 561-
tential role in atypical
parkinsonism in
565.
13. Keinan, E., et al. "Antibody-catalyzed Guadeloupe." Mov. Disord. 2002; 1: 84-90.
organic and organometallic transforma- 25. Feng, P."Pharmacological
C., et al.
38. Caparros-Lefebvre, D., et al. "Possible
tions and chemical libraries of Annona- screening of some West Indian medicinal
relation of atypical parkinsonism in the
ceous acetogenins." The Skaggs Institute for plants." /. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1962; 14:
French West Indies with consumption of
Chemical Biology Scientific Report 556-561
tropical plants: a case-control study.
1997-1998. Meyer, M. "The alkaloids
26. T. of Annona Caribbean Parkinsonism Study Group."
14. Anon., Purdue Neu'S September 1997; muricata." Ing. Ned. Indie. 1941; 8(6): 64.
Lancet. 1999 jul 24; 354(9175): 281-286.
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. 27. Carbajal, D., et al. "Pharmacological 39. Padma, P., et al. "Effect ot Annona muri-
http: / / www.purdue.edu/ UNS/ newsand screening of plant decoctions commonly cata and Polyalthia cerasoides on brain neu-
photos.html used in Cuban folk medicine." /. Ethno-
rotransmitters and enzyme monoamine
15. Feras, Q., et al. "Annonaceous pharmacol. 1991; 33(1/2): 21-24.
aceto- oxidase following cold immobilization
genins: Recent progress." /. Nat. Prod. 28. Misas, C. A. J., et al. "Contribution to stress." /. Natural Remedies 2001; 1(2):
1999; 62(3): 504-540. the biological evaluation of Cuban plants. 144-146.
16. Anon. Unpublished data. National IV." Rev. Cuhana Med. Prop. 1979; 31(1):
40. N'gouemo, P, et al. "Effects of ethanol
29-35.
Cancer Institute. Nat Cancer Inst Central extract ot Annona muricata on pentylenete-
Files (1976). From NAPRALERT Files, 29. Sundarrao,
K., et al. "Preliminary trazol-induced convulsive seizures in
University of Illinois, 1995. screening of antibacterial and antitumor mice." Phytother. Res. 1997; 11(3): 243-245.
Preventive Medicinais do Brazil, p. 29. 4-6 September,

Cuacalonga assay of Casearia sylvestris. 1:
anti-ulcer activity and toxicity of the leaf Manaus- AM, 1984

1. Borges, M., et al. "Neutralization of pro-
crude extract." /. Ethnopharmacol 1990; M. G. R., et al. "Actividade bron-
7. Leite,
from Bothrops snake venoms by the
teases
30(2):185-197. chodilatora de Mikania glomerata, Jiisticia
aqueous extract from Casearia si/lvestris
{Fliicourtiaceae)." Toxicou 2001; 39(12): 13. Sertie, J. A., et al. "Antiulcer activity of pectoralis e Torresea cearensis." Simposio de
1863-1869. the crude extract from the leaves of Plantas Medicinais do Brazil. December
Casearia slyvestris." Pharmaceutical Biol. 1992. Curitiba. Resumes, p. 21
2. Borges, M., et al. "Effects of aqueous ex-
2000; 38(2):4i2-119. Oliveira, et al. "Caraterizacao cro-
on
tract of Casearia sylvestris {Flacoiirtiaceae) 8. F.,
actions of snake and bee venoms and on 14. Ruppelt, B. M., et al. "Pharmacological matograpfica do extracto fluido de Mika-
activity of phospholipases A(2)." Comp. screening of plants recommended by folk nia glomerata Sprengel." Simposio de Plantas
Biochem. Physiol. B. 2000 Sep 1; 127(1): medicine as antisnake venom I. Anal- — Medicinais do Brazil. December 1992. Cu-
21-30. gesic and anti-inflammatory activities." ritiba. Resumes, p. 96
3. Borges, M., et al. "Partial purification of

Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 1991; 86: 203-205. 9. Oliveira, R, et and identifi-
al. "Isolation
Casearia sylvestris Sa. extract and its anti- 15. Almeida, A. (Dissertation, 4/02/99) cation of chemical components of Mikania
PLA2 Action." Comp. Biochem. Physiol. Ser. "Antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects glomerata Sprengel and Mikania laevigata
B. 2000; 127b(l): 21-30. of extract from Casearia sylvestris: compar- Schultz Bib ex Baker." Rev. Rarm. Bioqiiirn.
ative study with Piroxicam and Meloxi- 1984; 20(2): 169-183.

4. Itokawa, H., et al. "Antitumor principles
from Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Flacoiirtiaceae), cam." Institute de Ciencias Biomedicas, 10. Soares de Moura, R., et al. "Bron-
structure elucidation of new clerodane University of Sao Paulo. chodilator activity of Mikania glomerata
diterpenes by 2-D NMR spectroscopy." 16. Chiappeta, A. D., et al. "Higher plants Sprengel on human bronchi and guinea-
Chem. Pharm. Bull. (Tokyo) 1988 March; with biological activity — plants of Per- pig trachea." /. Pharm. Pharmacol. 2002;
36(4): 1585-1588. nambuco. 1." Rev. Inst. Antibiot. 1983; 21 54(2): 249-256.
5. Itokawa, H., et al. "Isolation of diter- (1/2): 43-50. 11. Ruppelt, B. M., et al. "Pharmacological
penes as antitumor agents from plants." 17. de Almeida Alves, T. M., "Biological screening of plants recommended by folk
—
Patent Japan Kokai Tokyo Koho-01 1989; screening of Brazilian medicinal plants." medicine as anti-snake venom I. Anal- —
149, 779: 6pp. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz. May/Jun. 2000; gesic and anti-inflammatory activities."
6. Itokawa, H., et al. "New antitumor prin- 95(3): 367-373. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz. 1991; 86 Suppl 2:
ciples, casearins A-F, for Casearia sylvestris
203-205.
Sw. (Flacoiirtiaceae)'' Chem. Pharm. Bull. Guaco 12. Fierro, I. M., et al. "Studies on the anti-
(Tokyo) 1990; 38(12): 3384-3388. 1. Cabral, L. M., et al. "Development of a allergic activity of Mikania glomerata." J.
7. Morita, H., et al. "Structures and cyto- profitable procedure for the extraction of Ethnopharmacol. 1999; 66(1): 19-24.
toxic activity relationship of casearins, 2-U-l- benzopyran-2-one (coumarin) from

13. Suyenaga, E. S., et al. "Antiinflamma-
new clerodane diterpenes from Casearia Mikania glomerata." Drug. Dev. bid. Pharm.
tory investigation of some species of Mika-
sylvestris Sw." Chem. Pharm. Bull. (Tokyo) 2001; 27\l): 103-106.
nia.'' Phytother Res. 2002; 16(6): 519-523.
1991 Dec; 39(3): 693-697. 2. Rungeler, P, ef al. "Germacranolides
14. Rojas de Arias A., et al. "Mutagenicity,
Itokawa, H., "Antitumor sub-
et al. from Mikania guaco." Phytochemist ly 2001;
8. and trypanocidal activity of
insecticidal
stances from South American plants." /. 56(5): 475-489"
some Paraguayan Asteraceae." /. Ethno-
Pharmacobio. Di/u. 1992; 15(1): S-2. 3. Peluso, G., et al. "Studies on the in- pharmacol. 1995; 45(1): 35-41.
9. "Novel bioactive
Oberlies, N. H., et al. hibitory effects of caffeoylquinic acids on
15. Muelas-Serrano, S., "In vitro screening
clerodane diterpenoids from the leaves monocyte migration and superoxide ion of American plant extracts on Trypanosoma
and twigs of Casearia sylvestris." ]. Nat. production." /. Nat. Prod. 1995; 58(5):
cruzi and Trichomonas vaginalis." Ethno-
'
J.
Prod. 2002; 65(2): 95-99. 639-646.
pharmacol. 2000; 71(1-2): 101-107.
10. Beutler, A., "Novel cytotoxic diter- 4. Davino, S. C., et al. "Antimicrobial ac-
]. 16. Holetz, F. B., "Screening of some plants
penes from Casearia arborea." /. Nat. Prod. tivity of kaurenoic acid derivatives substi- used in the Brazilian folk medicine for
2000 63 657-661. tuted on carbon-15." Braz. ]. Med. Biol. Res.
(5): the treatment of infectious diseases." Mem.
1989; 22(9): 1127-1129. Oswaldo Cruz. 2002 Oct;
11. Sai Prakash, C. V., et al. "Structure and Inst. 97(7):
stereochemistry of new cytotoxic clero- 5. Coimbra, R., "Guaco: formas farmaceu- 1027-31.
dane diterpenoids from the bark of ticas, usos e posologia." Notas de fitoterapia. 17. de Cassia da Silveira e Sa, R., et al.
Casearia lucida from the Madagascar rain- Rio de Janeiro: L.C.S.A., 1942, p. 130. "Evaluation of long-term exposure to
forest." /. Nat. Prod. 2002 65 (2): 100-107. Mikania glomerata (Sprengel) extract on
6. Lima, D. R. A., Famacologia Clinica de
12. Basile, A. C., et al. "Pharmacological Planta Medicinais, Vlll Simposio de Plantas male Wistar rats' reproductive organs.
491
sperm production and testosterone level." ger of healthfood products." Med.

J. Aust. pana) in prokarvotic organisms." Miitat.
Contraception. 2003; 67(4): 327-331. 2001; 174(10): 520-521. Res. 1994; 321(3); 165-173.
Guarana 14. Subbiah, M. "Guarana seed ex-

T. Ravi. 27. Miura, T, et al. "Effect of guarana on
tract and method of preparation." United exercise in normal and epinephrine-in-
1. Henman, A. R. "Guarana [Paullinia cu- States Patent 4,861,594; 1989. duced glycogenolytic mice." Biol. Pharm.
pana var. sorbilis); ecological and social
15. Bydlowski, S. R, et al. "A novel prop- Bull. 1998; 21(6): 646-648.
perspectives on an economic plant of the
erty of an aqueous guarana extract
central Amazon basin." /. Ethnopharmacol. 28. Carlson, M., et al. "Liquid chromato-
(Paullinia cupana): inhibition of platelet ag-
1982; 6: 311-338. graphic determination of methylxanthines
gregation in vitro and in vivo." Braz. j. Med. and catechins in herbal preparations con-
2.Latoxan (www.latoxan.com): Ion Chan- Biol Res. 1988; 21(3): 535-538.
nel and Receptor Ligands, Toxins and Al-
taining guarana." /. AOAC Int. 1998; 81 (4):
16. Bydlowski, S. R, et al. "An aqueous ex- 691-701.
kaloids. "Caffeine."
tract of guarana (Paullinia cupana) decreas-
3. ChemFinder (www.chemfinder.com). es platelet thromboxane synthesis." Braz.
Guava
"Caffeine."
J. Med. Biol. Res. 1991; 24(4): 421-424. 1. Conde Garcia, E. A., et al. "Inotropic ef-
4. Bertrand, G., et al. "Guarana paste." fects of extracts of Psidium guajava
17. Espinola, E. B., et al. "Pharmacological L. (gua-
Bull Soc. Chim. 1931; 49: 1093-1096. va) leaves on the guinea pig atrium."
activity of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) Braz.
5. Belliardo, R, et al. "HPLC determination in laboratory animals." /. Ethnopharmacol. j. of Med. & Biol. Res. 2003; 36: 661-668.
and theophylline in Paullinia

of caffeine 1997; 55(3): 223-229. 2. Suntornsuk, L., et al. "Quantitation of
cupana Kunth (guarana and Cola spp. 18. Galduroz, vitamin C content in herbal juice using di-
)
J. C., et al. "Acute effects of
samples." 2. Lebensm. {Inters. Forsch.]9S5; the Paulinia cupana, 'guarana,' rect titration." Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 2002;
on the cog- /.
180(5): 398-401. 28(5): 849-855.

nition of normal volunteers." Rev. Paul.
6. Marx, F., et al. "Analysis of guarana Mctl 1994; 112(3): 607-611. Beckstrom-Sternberg,
3. S. M., et al. "The
(Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis). Part 1. 19. Galduroz, "The effects of
J. C. , et al. phytochemical database." (ACEDB ver-
HPLC determination of caffeine, theo- long-term administration of guarana on sion 4.3-Data version July 1994.) National
bromine and theophylline in guarana the cognition of normal, elderly volun- Germplasm Resources Laboratory (NGRL),
seeds." Dtsch. Lebenstm. Tundsch. 1985; teers." ReiK Paul. Med. 1996; Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U.S.
114(1): 1073-
81(12): 390-392. 1078. Department of Agriculture.
7. Duke,A. Handbook of Phytochemical
J. 20. Benoni, H., et al. "Studies on the essen- 4. Jimenez-Escrig, A., et al. "Guava fruit
Constituents of GRAS Herbs and Other Eco- from guarana ." (Psidium guajava as a new
tial oil Z. Lebensm. {Inters. L.) source of an-
nomic Plants. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Forsch. 1996; 203(1): 95-98. tioxidant dietarv fiber." /. Agric. Food
1992. Chem. 2001 49( 1 f): 5489-5493.
21. Weber, R. B., et al. "Compositions, kits
;
8. National Toxicology Program. "NTP and methods for providing and maintain- 5. Smith, Nigel J. H., et al. Tropical Forests
toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of ing energy and mental alertness." United and their Crops. London: Cornell Universi-
theophylline (Cas No. 58-55-9) in F344/N States Patent 6,413,558; 2002. ty Press. 1992.
rats and B6C3F1 mice (feed and gavage
22. Barreca, J. "Center-filled supplement 6. Arima, H., et al. "Isolation of antimicro-
studies)." Natl. Toxicol. Program Tec. Rep.
gum." United States Patent 6,491,540; bial compounds from guava (Psidium gua-
Ser. 1998; 478: 1-326.
2002 . java L.) and their structural elucidation."
9. Bruneton, J. Pharmacognosy, Phytochem- Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 2002; 66(8):
23.Andersen, T, et al. "Weight loss and
istry, Medicinal Plants. Hampshire, Eng- 1727-1730.
delayed gastric emptying following a
land: Intercept, Ltd., 1995.
South American herbal preparation in 7. Morales, M. A., et al. "Calcium-antago-
10. Kuhrts, E. H. "Methods and composi- overweight patients." /. Hum. Nutr. Diet. nist effect of quercetin and its relation with
tions for producing weight loss." United 2001; 14(3): 243-250. the spasmolytic properties of Psidium gua-
States Patent 6,475,530; 2002. java L." Arch. Med. Res. 1994; 25(1): 17-21.
24. Vaz, Z. R., et al. "Analgesic effect of the
11. Fleischner, A. M. "Weight loss prod- herbal medicine Catuama in thermal and 8. Lozoya, X., et al. "Quercetin glvcosides
uct." United States Patent 6,420,350; 2002. chemical models of nociception in mice." in Psidium guajava L. leaves and determi-
Phytother. Res. 1997; 11(2): 101-106. nation of a spasmolytic principle." Arch.
12. Mattel, R., et al. "Guarana (Paullinia cu-
pana): Toxic behavioral effects in laborato- 25. Kelly, G. et al. "Herbal composition Med. Res. 1994; 25(1):^ 11-15.
J.,
ry animals and antioxidant activitv in vit- to relieve pain." United States Patent 9. Begum, S., et al. "Triterpenoids from the
ro." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1998; 60(2): ill-116. 6,312,736; 2001. leaves of Psidium guajava." Phytochemistry
13. Cannon, M. E., et al. "Caffeine-induced 26.da Fonseca, C. A., et al. "Genotoxic and 2002; 61(4): 399-103.
cardiac arrhythmia: an unrecognised dan- mutagenic effects of guarana (Paullinia cu- 10. Lozoya, X., et al. "Intestinal anti-spas-
modic effect of a phytodrug of Psidium 21. Caceres, A., et al. "Plants used in 32. Cheng, J. "Hypoglycemic effect
T., et al.
giiajava folia in the treatment of acute diar- Guatemala for the treatment of gastroin- of guava juice in mice and human sub-
rheic disease." /. Ethnophanmicol. 2002; testinal disorders. Screening of 84 plants

1. jects." Am. j. Clin. Med. 1983; 11(1-4):
83(1-2): 19-24. against enterobacteria." /. Ethnopharmacol 74-76.

1990; 30(1): 55-73. Roman-Ramos, R., et al. "Anti-hyper-
11. Wei, L., et al. "Clinical study on treat- 33.
ment of infantile rotaviral enteritis with 22. Garcia, S., et al, "Inhibition of growth, glycemic effect of some edible plants." /.
Psidium giiajava L.” Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi enterotoxin production, and spore forma- Ethnopharmacol. 1995.
jie He Za Zhi 2000; 20(12)! 893-895. tion of Clostridium perfringens by extracts
of medicinal plants." /. Food Prot. 2002; Iporuru
12. Tona, L., et al. "Biological screening of
65(10):'1667-1669. 1 Ogungbamila, "Smooth mus-
F. O., et al.
traditional preparations from some medic- .
23. Tona, L., et al. "Antiamoebic and spas- cle-relaxing' flavonoids from Alchornea
inal plants used as antidiarrhoeal in Kin-
molytic activities of extracts from some cordifolia." Acta Pharm. Nord. 1990; 2(6):
shasa, Congo." PIn/tomedicine 1999; 6(1):
antidiarrhoeal traditional preparations 421-422.
59-66.
used in Kinshasa, Congo." Phytomedicine 2. Dunstan, C. A., et al. "Evaluation of
13. Lozoya, X., et al. "Model of intralumi-
2000; 7(1): 31-38. some Samoan and Peruvian medicinal
nal perfusion of the guinea pig ileum in
24. Tona, L., et al. "Antiamoebic and phy- plants by prostaglandin biosynthesis and
vitro in the study of the antidiarrheal
tochemical screening of some Congolese rat ear oedema assays." /. Ethnopharmacol.
properties of the guava {Psidium guajava)."
medicinal plants." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1998; 1997; 57: 35-56.
Arch. Invest. Med. (Mex). 1990; 21(2): 155-
61(1): 57-65. 3. Persinos-Perdue, G., et al. "Evaluation
162.
25. Nundkumar, N., et al. "Studies on the of Peruvian folk medicine by the natural
14. Almeida, C. E., et al. "Analysis of an-
antiplasmodial properties of some South products research laboratories." Abstra.
tidiarrhoeic effect of plants used in popu-
African medicinal plants used as anti- joint Meeting American Society of Pharma-
lar medicine." Rev. Saude Publica. 1995;
malarial remedies in Zulu folk medicine." cognosy and Society for Economic Botany,
29(6): 428-433.
Methods Find Exp. Clin. Pharmacol. 2002; Boston, 1981; (5): 13-17.
15. Lin , )., et al. "Anti-diarrhoeal evalua- 24(7): 397-101. 4. Macrae, W. D., et al. "Studies on the
tion of some medicinal plants used by
26. Yamashiro, S., et al. "Cardioprotective pharmacological activity of Amazonian
Zulu traditional healers." /. Ethnophanim-
from Psidium guajava L.
effects of extracts Euphorbiaceae." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1988;
col. 2002; 79(1): 53-56.
and Eimonium ivrigth II, Okinawan medic- 22(2): 143-172.
16. Lutterodt, G. D. "Inhibition of Micro- inal plants, against ischemia-reperfusion
lax-induced experimental diarrhea with injury in perfused rat hearts." Pharmacolo- Jaborandi
narcotic-like extracts of Psidium guajava 67(3): 128-135.
gy 2003; 1. Ringold, S., et al. "On Jaborandi." The
leaf in rats." /. Ethnophannacol. 1992; 37(2):
"Can guava fruit in-
27. Singh, R. B., et al. Lancet 1875; 30: 157-159.
151-157.
take decrease blood pressure and blood 2. Holmstedt, B., et al. "jaborandi: An In-
17. Lutterodt, G. D. "Inhibition of gas- lipids?" /. Hum Hypertens. 1993; 7(1): terdisciplinary Approach." /. Ethnopharma-
trointestinal release of acetylcholine by 33-38.
co/oyy 1979; 1(1): 3-21.
quercetin as a possible mode of action of
28. Singh, R. B., et al. "Effects of guava in-
3. Merck Index. An encyclopaedia of chemi-
Psidium guajava leaf extracts in the treat-
take on serum and high-density
total
cals, drugs and biologicals. Rahway, New
ment of acute diarrhoeal disease." /.
lipoprotein cholesterol levels and on sys-
Ethnopharmcol. 1989; 25(3): 235-247.
Jersey: Merck & Co., 1983.
temic blood pressure." Am. ]. Cardiol. 1992;
4. Distelhorst, J. S., et al. "Open-angle
18. Coutino-Rodriguez, R., et al, "Lectins 70(15): 1287-1291.
glaucoma." Am. Earn. Physician 2003; 67(9):
in fruits having gastrointestinal activity:
29. Shaheen, H. M., et al. "Effect of Psidi-
1937-1944.
their participation in the hemagglutinat- um guajava leaves on some aspects of the
ing property of Escherichia coli 0157.-H7." central nervous system in mice." Phytother.
5. Kaneyuki, H., et al. "Enhanced miotic
Arch. Med. Res. 2001; 32(4): 251-257. Res. 2000; 14(2): 107-111.
response to topical dilute pilocarpine in
patients with Alzheimer's disease." Neu-
19. Abdelrahim, S. 1., et al. "Antimicrobial 30. Lutterodt, G. D., et al. "Effects on mice
rology 1998; 50(3): 802-804.
activity of Psidium guajava L." Fitoterapia locomotor activity of a narcotic-like prin-
2002; 73(7-8): 713-715. ciple from Psidium guajava leaves." /.
6. Hawthorne, M., et al. "Pilocarpine for
Ethnopharmacol. 1988; 24(2-3): 219-231. radiation-induced xerostomia in head and
20. Holetz, F. B., et al. "Screening of some
neck cancer." Int. Palliat. Niirs. 2000; 6(5):
plants used in the Brazilian folk medicine 31. Jaiarj, R, et al. "Anticough and antimi- J.
228-232.
for the treatment of infectious diseases." crobial activities of Psidium guajava Linn,
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 2002; 97(7): leaf extract." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1999; 67(2): 7. "Oral pilocarpine: new preparation. Xe-
1027-1031. 203-212. rostomia after radiation therapy: moder-
493
ately effective but costly." Prescribe, bit. 10. Arrhenius, S.P., et al. "Inhibitory effects saponins from Zizyphus joazeiro." Helv.
2002; 11(60): 99-101. of Hymenaea and Copaifera leaf resins on Chun. Acta 2000; 83: 1509-1516.
8. LeVeque, F. G., et al. "A multicenter, ran- the leaf fungus, Pestalotia subcuticulari."
3. Pisha, E., et al. "Discovery of betulinic
domized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 1983; 11(4): 361-366.
acid as a selective inhibitor of human
dose-titration study of oral pilocarpine for
11. Marsaioli, A. J., et al. "Diterpenes in the melanoma that functions by induction of
treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia
bark of Hymenaea courbaril." Phytochem- apoptosis." Nat. Med. 1995; 1(10): 1046-
in head and neck cancer patients." /. Clin. istry 1975; U: 1882-1883. 1051.
Oncology 1993; 11(6): 1124-1131.
12. Giral, R, et al. "Ethnopharmacognostic 4. Kim, D. S., et al. "Synthesis of betulinic
9. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 2nd Edition.
observation on Panamanian medicinal acid derivatives with activity against hu-
Montvale, New Jersey: Medical Econom-
man melanoma."
plants. Part 1." Q. /. Crude Drug Res. 1979; Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett.
ics Company.
167(3/4): 115-130. 1998; 8(13): 1707-1712.
10. Pinheiro, C. U. B. "Jaborandi {Pilocar-
13. Pinheiro de Sousa, M., et al. "Mollusci- 5. Nunes, P. H., et al. "Antipyretic activity
pus sp., Rutaceae): A
wild species and its
of an
cidal activity of plants from Northeast aqueous extract of Zizyphus joazeiro
rapid transformation into a crop." Econ.
Brazil." Rev. Bras. Pesq. Med. Biol. 1974; Mart. (Rhamnaceae)." Braz. J. Med. Biol.
Bot. 1997; 51(1): 49-58.
7(4): 389-394. Res. 1987; 20(5): 599-601.
Jatoba 14. Rahalison, L., et al. "Screening for anti- 6. Jesus, T. P. Cienc. Cult. 1983; 35(7): 82-83.
1.Damar, A. N., et al. "Contact allergy to fungal activity of Panamanian plants." 7. Fabiyi, J. P, et al. "Traditional therapy of
manilla resin. Nomenclauture and physi- Inst. ]. Pharmacog. 1993; 31(1): 68-76. dracunculiasis in the state of Bauchi —
co-chemistrv of Manilla kauri." Contact Hostettmann, Nigeria." Dakar Med. 1993; 38(2): 193-195.
15. K., et al. "Phytochem-
Dermatitis 1989; 21(4): 228-238.
istry of plants used in traditional medi-
Muroi, H.,
Jurubeba
2. et al. "Combination effects of cine." Proceedings of the Phytochemical Soci-
antibacterial compounds in green tea fla- ety of Europe. Clarendon Press, Oxford. 1. Ripperger, H. "Structure of paniculonin
vor against Streptococcus mutans." J. Agric. 1995. A and B, two new spirostane glycosides
Food Chem. 1993; 41: 1102-1105. from Solanum paniculatum L." Chem. Ber.
16. Rouquayrol, M. Z., et al. "Molluscicidal
3. Denyer, C. V., et al. "Isolation of antirhi- 1968; 101(7): 2450-2458.
activity of essential oils from Northeastern
noviral sesquiterpenes from ginger {Zin- 2. Ripperger, H. "Isolation of neochloro-
Brazilian plants." Rev. Brasil Pesq. Med.
giber officinale)." }. Nat. Prod. 1994; 57(5): genin and painculogenin from Solanum
Biol. 1980; 13: 135-143.
658-662. paniculatum L." Chem. Ber. 1967; 100(5):
17. Verpoorte, R., et al. "Medicinal plants
4. Tincusi, B. M., et al. "Antirriicrobial ter- 1741-1752.
of Surinam. IV. Antimicrobial activity of
penoids from the oleoresin of the peruvian 3. Ripperger, H. "Jurubin, a nitrogen con-
some medicinal plants." /. Ethnopharmacol.
medicinal plant Copaifera paupera." Planta
1987; 21(3): 315-318.
taining steroidsaponin of a new structural
Med. 2002; 68(9): 808-812.
type from Solanum paniculatum L; concern-
Abdel-Kader, M., 18. Caceres, A., et al. "Plants used in ing the structure of paniculidin." Chem.
5. et al. "Isolation and
absolute configuration of ent-halimane Guatemala for the treatment of dermato- Ber. 1967; 100(5): 1725-1740.
diterpenoids from Hymenaea courbaril from mucosal infections. 1: Screening of 38
4. Meyer, K. F. and M. Bernoulli. Pharmac.
the Suriname rain forest." /. Nat. Prod. plant extracts." j. Ethnopharmacol. 1991;
Acta. Helvetiae. 1961; 36: 80-96.
2002; 65(1): 11-15. 33(3): 277-283.
5. Leekning, M. E. and M. A. Rocca. Rev.
6. Yang, D., et al. "Use of caryophyllene 19. Gupta, M. P. "Plants and Traditional
Fac. Farm. Adont. Araraquara 1968; 2(2):
oxide as an antifungal agent in an in vitro Medicine in Panama." Vol 4., Economic and
299-300.
experimental model of onychomycosis." Medicinal Plant Research. Academic Press
Mycopathologia 1999; 148(2): 79-82. Ltd., London. 1990.
6. Siqueira, N. S. and A. Macan. Trib. Farm.
Curitiba. 1976; 44(1-2): 101-104.
7. Lopez, j. A. "Isolation of astilbin and
Jergon Sacha 7. Braga, F. T, et al. jurubeba. Centro Uni-
sitosterol from Hymenaea courbaril " Phyto-
chemistry 1976; 15: 2027F. There are no studies published on this
versitario de Lavras, Lavras-MG Brazil,
plant. 2002.
8. Closa, D., et al. "Prostanoids and free
radicals in CC14-induced hepatotoxicity 8. Cambiachi, S., et al. Ann. Chim. (Rome)
Jiiazeiro 1971; 61(1): 99-111.
in rats: effect of astilbin." Prostaglandins
Leukot. Essent. Fatty Acids. 1997; 56(4): 1. Schiihly, W., et al. "New triterpenoids 9. Coimbra, R. Manual de Fitoterapia, 2nd
331-334. with antibacterial activity from Zizyphus ed. Sao Paulo, Brazil: Dados Interna-
9. Arrhenius, Phytochemistry
joazeiro." Planta Med. 1999; 65(8): 740-743. cionais de Catalogacao na Pulicacao, 1994.
S.P., et al.
1983; 22: 471. 2. Schiihly, W., et al.. Novel triterpene 10. Mesia-Vela, S., et al. "Solanum panicula-
turn L. (Jurubeba): Potent inhibitor of gas- Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf juice." Afr. ]. Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf extract." /.
tric acid secretion in mice." Phytomedicine Med. Med. Sci. 1985; 14(3-4): 199-202. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1999; 51(3): 313-318.
2002; 9(6): 508-514. 10. Rossi-Bergmann, B., et al. "Treatment "Bryophyllum pinnatum
23. Reppas, G. P.
11. Barros, G. S. G., et al. "Pharmacological of cutaneous Leishmaniasis with Kalanchoe poisoning of cattle." Aust. Vet. /. 1995;
screening of some Brazlian northeasern pinnata: experimental and clinical data." 72(11): 425^27.
plants." Rev. Bras. Farm. 1970; 48: 195-204. Phytomedicine Suppl. 2000; 7(2): SL115.
24. McKenzie, R. A., et al. "The toxicity to
11. Da-Silva, S. "The anti-leish-
A. G., et al.
12. Barros, G. S. G., et al. "Phamacological cattle and bufadienolide content of six
manial effect of Kalanchoe is mediated by
screening of some Brazilian plants." /. Bryophyllum species.” Aust. Vet. j. 1987;
nitric oxide intermediates." Parasitology
Pharm. Pharmac. 1969; 22: 116-122. 64(10): 298-301.
1999; 118(6): 575-582.
13. Nishie, K., et al. "Positive inotropic ac-
12. Nassis, C. Z., et al. "Antihistamine ac- Maca
tion of Solanaceae glycoalkaloids." Res.
tivity of Bryophyllum calycinum.” Braz. J.
Commiin. Chem. Pathol. Pharmacol. 1976; 1. Quiros, C., et al. "Physiological studies
Med. Biol. Res. 1992; 25(9): 929-936.
15(3): 601-607. and determination of chromosome num-
13. Pal, S., et al. "Studies on the anti-ulcer ber in maca, Lepidium meyenii.” Econ. Bot.
Kalanchoe activity of a Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf ex-
1996; 50(2): 216-223.
tract in experimental animals." /. Ethno-
1. Supratman, U., et al. "Anti-tumor pro- pharmacol. 1991; 33(1 / 97-102. 2. Report of an ad hoc panel of the Advi-
2):
moting activity of bufadienolides from sory Committee on Technical Innovation,
14. Olajide, O. A., et al. "Analgesic, anti-in-
Kalanchoe pinnata and K. daigremontiana x Board on Science and Technology for In-
flammatory and antipyretic effects of
tubiflora." Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochern. 2001; ternational Development, National Re-
Bryophyllum pinnatum.” Fitoterapia 1998;
65(4): 947-949. search Council, Lost Crops of the Incas: Lit-
69b): 249-252.
tle-Known Plants of the Andes with Promise
2. Supratman, U., et al. "New insecticidal
15. Siddharta, P, et al. "Eurther studies on
bufadienolide, bryophyllin C, from Kalan- for Worldwide Cultivation; 1989.
the anti-inflammatory profile of the
choe pinnata.” Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochern. methanolic fraction of the fresh leaf extract 3. Dini, A., et al. "Chemical composition of
2000; 64(6): 1310-1312. of Bn/ophyllum pinnatum.” Fitoterapia 1992; Lepidium meyenii.” Food Chem. 1994; 49:
63(5): 451-459. 347-349.
3. Yamagishi, T., et al. "Antitumor agents,
110. Bryophyllin B, a novel potent cytotox- 16. Pal, S., et al. "Neuropsychopharmaco- 4. Johns, T. "The anu and the maca." /. Eth-
ic bufadienolide from Bryopln/llwn pinna- logical profile of the methanolic fraction of nobio. 1981;1:208-212.
turn.” }. Nat. Prod. 1989 Sep-Oct; 52(5): Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf extract." /.
5. Li, Genyl and Carlos E. Quiros. "Glu-
1071-1079. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1999; 51(3): 313-318.
cosinolate contents in Maca {Lepidium pe-
4. Yamagishi, T., et al. "Stmcture and stere- 17. Mourao, R. H., et al. "Anti-inflamma- ruvianum Chacon) seeds, sprouts, mature
ochemistry of bryophyllin- A, a novel po- tory activity and acute toxicity (LD50) of plants and several derived commercial
tent cytotoxic bufadienolide orthoacetate
the juice of Kalanchoe brasiliensis (comb.)
products." Econ. Bot. 2001; 55(22): 255-262.
leaves picked before and during bloom-
from Bryophyllum pinnatiim.” Chem. Pharm.
ing." Phytother. Res. 1999; 13(4): 352-354.
6. Chacon, R. C. "Estudio fitoquimico de
Bull. (Tokyo). 1988; 36(4): 1615-1617.
Lepidium meyenii.” Dissertation, Univ.,
18. Siddhartha, P, et al. "Anti-inflammato-
5. Shirobokov, V. P, et al. "Antiviral activ- Nac. Mayo de San Marcos, Peru, 1986.
ry action of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf ex-
ity of representatives of the family Crassu-
tract." Fitoterapia 1990; 61(6): 527-533. 7. Zheng, B. L., et al. "Effect of a lipidic ex-
laceae." Antibiotiki 1981; 26(12): 897-900.
tractfrom Lepidium meyenii on sexual be-
19. Rossi-Bergmann, B., et al. "Immuno-
6. Rai, M. K., et al. "Screening of medicinal havior in mice and rats." Urology 2000;
suppressive effect of the aqueous extract
plants of Chindwara district against Tri-
of Kalanchoe phwata in mice." Phytother.
55(4): 598-602.
chophyton mentagrophytes: a causal organ- Res. 1994; 8(7): 399-402. 8. Cicero, A. F., et al. "Lepidium meyenii
ism of Tinea pedis.” Hindustan Antibiot. Walp. improves sexual behaviour
20. Gaind, K. N., et al. "Havonoid glyco- in male
Bull. 1988; 30(1/2): 33-36.
sides from Kalanchoe pinnata.” Planta Med. ratsindependently from its action on
7. Ogungbamila, F. O., et al. "A new acy- 1971; 20(4): 368-373. spontaneous locomotor activity." /.
lated flavan-3-ol from Bryophyllum pinna- Ethnopharmacol. 2001; 75(2-3): 225-229.

21. Moraes, V. L. G., et al. "Inhibition of
turn.” Nat. Prod. Lett. 1997; 10(3): 201-203.
lymphocyte activation by extracts and 9. Gonzales, G. F., et al. "Effect of Lepidium
8. Akinpelu, D. A. "Antimicrobial activitv fractions of Kalanchoe, Alternathera, meyenii (maca) roots on spermatogenesis
of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves." Fitoter- Paullinia and Mikania species." Phytomedi- of male rats." Asian J. Androl. 2001; 3(3):
apia 2()00;71(2): 193-194. cine 1994; 1(3): 199-204. 231-233.
9. Obaseiki-Ebor, E. E. "Preliminary report 22. Pal, S., et al. "Neuropsychopharmaco- 10. Gonzales, G. F, et al. "Lepidium me\/enii
on the in vitro antibacterial activity of logical profile of the methanolic fraction of (maca) improved semen parameters in
adult men." Asian }. Androl. 2001; 3(4): laxis of schistosomiasis: molluscicidal ac- 19. Wagner, H., et al. "Immunostimulating
301-303. tivity of natural products." An. Acad. polysaccharides (heteroglycanes) of high-
11. "Hexanic maca ex-

Cicero, A. R, et
Brasil. Cienc. 1984; 56(3): 333-338. er plants." Arzneimforsch. 1985; 35(7):
al.
tract improves rat sexual performance

1069-1075.
7. Vargas, V. M. R, et "Mutagenic and
al.
more effectively than methanolic and genotoxic effects of aqueous extracts of 20.
1. Wagner, H., et al. "Immunostimulating
chloroformic maca extracts." Andrologia Achyrocline satureoides in prokaryotic or- polysaccharides (heteroglycanes) of high-
2002; 34(3): 177-179. ganisms." Mutat. Res. 1990; 240(1): 13-18. er plants/preliminary communication."
12. Gonzales, G. R, et al. "Effect of Lcpidi- Arzneimforsch. 1984; 34(6): 659-661.
8. Anesini, C., et al. "Screening of plants
um meyenii (maca) on sexual desire and its used in Argentine folk medicine for an- 21.Abdel-Malek, S., et al. "Drug leads
absent relationship with serum testos- timicrobial activity." /. Ethnopharmacol. from the Kalla waya herbalists of Bolivia.
terone levels in adult healthy men." An- 1993; 39(2): 119-128. Background, rationale, protocol and
drologia 2002; 34(6): 367-372. anti-HIV activity." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1996;
9. Desmarchelier, C., et al. "Antioxidant
13. Scibona, M., et al. "L-arginine and male 50: 157.
and free radical scavenging effects in ex-
infertility." Minerva Urol. Nefrol. 1994; tracts of the medicinal herb Achyrocline sa- 22. Zanon, S. M., et al. "Search for antiviral
46(4): 251-253. tureioides (Lam.) D.C. (marcela)." Braz. activity of certain medicinal plants from
].
14. Cara, A. M., et al. "The role of hista- Med. Biol. Res. 1998; 31(9): 163-170. Cordoba, Argentina." Rez\ Latinoamer. Mi-
mine in human penile erection." Br. /. Urol. crobiol. 1999; 41(2): 59-62.
10. Desmarchelier, C., et al. "Antioxidant
1995; 75(2): 220-224. and prooxidant activities in aqueous ex-
Manaca
15. Gonzales, G. R, et al. "Effect of Lepidi- tracts of Argentine Plants." Int. j. Pharma-
with aphrodisiac 1. Castioni, P, et al. "Volatile constituents
iim meyenii (maca), a root cog. 1997; 35(2): 116-120.
and fertility-enhancing properties, on from Brunfelsia grandiflora sp.: Qualitative
11. Kadarian, C., et al. "Hepatoprotective
serum reproductive hormone levels in analysis bv GM-MS." Sci. Pharm. 1996;
activity of Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.)
adult healthy men." /. Endocrinol. 2003; 64(1): 83-91.
D.C." Pharmacol. Res. 2002; 45(1): 57-61.
176(1): 163-168. 2. de Costa, A. O. "A pharmacologic study
12. Gugliucci, A., et al. "Three different
16. ETC group briefing Peruvian farmers and of manaca (Brunfelsia hopeana)." Bol. Assoc.
pathways for human LDL oxidation are
295-299.
indigenous people denounce maca patents. Bras. Pharm. 1933; 14:
inhibited in vitro by water extracts of the
Contact details: In UK: Hannah Crabtree, 3. Ichiki, H., et al. "Studies on the con-
medicinal herb Achyrocline satureoides."
ActionAid, tel: + 44 (0)20 7561 7627 or +44 stituents of Brunfelsia hopeana Benth." Nat-
LifeSci. 2002; 71(6): 693-705.
(0)77539 73486. In the U.S.: Hope Shand, ural Med. 1994; 48(4): 314-316.
ETC group (Action Group on Erosion, 13. Carney, J. R., et al. "Achyrofuran, a
new antihyperglycemic dibenzofuran 4. Gellert, E., et "The alkaloids of Brun-
al.
Technologv and Concentration, formerly
from the South American medicinal plant felsia hopeana Benth." Chem. Nat. Prod.
RARl), tel: ^(919) 960-5223.
1978; 2: 5-8.
Achyrocline satureioides." J.
Nat. Prod. 2002;
Macela 65(2): 203-205. 5. Duke, J. A. CRC Handbook of Medicinal
1. Hirschmann, G. S. "The constituents of 14. Gonzalez, A., et al. "Biological screen- Herbs. Boca Raton, PL: CRC Press, 1985.
Achyrocline satureoides D.C." Rev. Lati- ing of Uruguayan medicinal plants." ]. 6. Oliveira, E. J., et al. "Intracellular calci-
noamer. Quim. 1984; 15(3): 134-135. Ethnopharmacol. 1993; 39(3): 217-220. um mobilization as a target for the spas-
"Rlavonoids from molvtic action of scopoletin." Planta Med.

2. Mesquita, A., et al. 15. Rojas De Arias, A., et al. "Mutagenicity,
four Compositae species." Phytochemistry 2001; 67: 605-608.
insecticidal and trypanocidal activity of
1986; 25(5): 1255-1256. some Paraguayan Asteraceae." /. 7. Muschietti, L., et al. "Phenolic com-
3. Simoes, C. M., et al. 1988. "Pharmaco- Ethnopharmacol. 1995; 45(1): 35-41. pounds with anti-inflammatory activity
logical investigations on Achyrocline sat- "Immunomodu- from Eupatorium buniifolium." Planta Med.
16. Santos, A. L. G., et al.
ureoides (Lam). D.C., Compositae." /. 2001; 67(8): 743-744.

latory effect of Achyrocline satureioides
Ethnopharmacol. 1988; 22(3): 281-293. (Lam.) D.C. aqueous extracts." Phytother. 8. Kang, S. Y., et al. "Hepatoprotective ac-
Res. 1999; 13(1 ):65-66. tivity of scopoletin, a constituent of
4. Simoes, C. M., 1988. "Anti-inflammato-
ry action of Achyrocline satureoides extracts
Solanum lyratum." Arch. Pharm. Res. 1998;
17.Arisawa, M. "Cell growth inhibition of
applied topicaliy." Fitoterapia 1988; 59(5): 21(6): 718-722.
KB cells by plant extracts." Nat. Med. 1994;
419-421. 48(4): 338^347. 9. Liu, X. L., et al. on
"Effect of scopoletin
Vargas, V., et al. "Genotoxicity of plant PC(3) cell proliferation and apoptosis."
5. 18. Ruffa, M. ]., et al. "Cytotoxic effect of
extracts." Mem. Oswaldo Cruz 1991; Acta. Pharmacol. Sin. 2001; 22(10): 929-933.
Inst. Argentine medicinal plant extracts on hu-
86(11): 67-70. man hepatocellular carcinoma cell line." /. 10. Kavser, O., et al. "Antibacterial activitv
6. de Souza, C. P., et al. "Chemoprophy- Ethnopharmacol. 2002; 79(3): 335-339. of extracts and constituents of Pelargonium
sidoidcs and Pelargonium rcniforme." Planta puama." West York, England: British Her- plant worm extract." Taisho Pharmacueti-
Med. 1997; 63(6): 508-510. bal Medicine Association, 1983; 132-133. cal Co., Ltd., Tokyo, United States Patent
11. Jain, D. C., et al. "Process for the isola- 4.Youngken, H. W. "Observations on 6024984; 2000.
tion of compound scopoletin useful as ni- Muira puama." /. Am. Pharm. Assoc. 1921; 19. Paiva, Laf, et al. "Effects of Ptycho-
tric oxide synthesis inhibitor." United 10: 690-692. cepaluni olacoides extract bn mouse behav-
States Patent 6,337,095; 2002. 5. Olofsson, Eric. "Action of extract of iour in forced swimming and open field
tests." Phytother. Res. 1998; 12(4): 294-296.
12. Gentiloni, S. N., et al. "Nitric oxide. A Liriosma ovata on the blood pressure, ves-
general review about the different roles of sels and respiration of the rabbit." Compt. 20. Siqueira, I. R., et al. "Psychopharamco-
this innocent radical." Minerva Med. 2001; Rend. Soc. Biol. 1927; 97: 1639-1640. logical properties of Ptychopetalum ola-
92(3): 167-171. 6. Gaebler, H. "Revival of the drug Muira choides Benth^m (Olacaceae)." Pharmaceu-
puama." Dent. Apoth. 1979; 22(3): 94-96. tical Biol. 1998; 36(5): 327-334.
13. Chiou, L. C., et al. "Chinese herb
constituent beta-eudesmol alleviated the 7. Dias Da Rodolpho. "Medicinal
Silva, 21 Elisabetsky, E., et
. al. Propriedades Psico-
electroshock seizures in mice and elec- plants of Brazil. Botanical and pharmacog- farmacologicas de Oleaceas, IX Simposio de
trographic seizures in rat hippocampal nostic studies. Muira puama." Rev. Bras. Plantas Medicinais do Brazil, Rio de
slices." Neurosci. Lett. 1997; 231(3): 171- Med. Pharm. 1925; 1(1): 37-41. Janeiro, 1-3 September 1986, 32.
174. 22. Asano, T., et al. "Oral compositions

8. Iwasa, J., et al. "Constituents of Muira
14. Ruppelt, B. M., et al. "Pharmacological puama." Yakungaka Zasshi (Japan) 1969; containing Muira purama for gastric mu-
screening of plants recommended by folk 89(8): 1172-1174. cosal lesions." Japan Kokai Tokyo Hoho,
medicine as anti-snake venom-I. Anal- Patent 11343244; 1999.
9. Auterhoff, H., et al. "Components of
gesic and anti-inflammatory activities." Muira puama." Arch. Pharm. Ber. Dtsch. 23. Vaz, Z. R., et al. "Analgesic effect of the
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 1991; 86: 203-205. Pharm. Ges. 1968; 301(7): 481-489. herbal medicine Catuama in thermal and
15. Iyer, R. P, et al. "Brunfelsia hopeaua chemical models of nociception in mice."
I:
10. Auterhoff, H., et al. "Components of
Hippocratic screening and antiinflamma- Phytother. Res. 1997; 11(2): 101-106.
Muira puama II." Arch. Pharm. Ber. Dtsch.
tory evaluation." Lloydia. 1977; 40(4): Pharm. Ges. 1969; 302(3): 209-212. 24. Cherksey, "Method of preparing
B. D.
356^360. Muira puama extract and its use for de-
11. Auterhoff, H., et al. "Lipophilic con-
"Bruufelsia hopeaua —
16. Iyer, R. P, et creasing body fat percentage and increas-
al. stituents of Muira puama." Arch. Pharm.
Pharmacologic screening: isolation and ing lean muscle mass." United States
Ber. Dtsch. Pharm. Ges. 1971; 304(3):
characterization of hoppeanine." Diss. Ab-
Patent 5516516; 1996.
223-228.
str.lnt. B. 1978; 39: 761. 25. Siqueira, I.R., et al. "Ptychopetalum ola-
12. Steinmetz, E. "Muira puama." Quart. }.
17. Heal, R. E., et al. "A surv'ey of plants for Crude Drug Res. 1971; 11(3): 1787-1789.
coides, a traditional Amazonian "nerve
tonic", possesses anticholinesterase activi-
insecticidal activity." Lloydia 1950; 13 1:
13. Ninomiya, Ruriko, et al. "Studies of
ty." Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 2003; Jun; 75
89-162.
Brazilian crude drugs." Shoyakugaku
(3): 645-650.
18. Wall, M. E., et al. "Plant antimutagenic Zasshi (Japan) 1979; 33(2): 57-64.
26. Siqueira, I.R., et al. "Neuroprotective
agents, 1. General bioassay and isolation 14. Bucek, E., et al. "Volatile constituents of
procedures." Nat. Prod.
effects of Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham
/. 1988; 51(5): Ptychopetalum olacoides root oil." Planta
(Olacaceae) on oxygen and glucose depri-
866-873. Med. 1989; 53(2): 231.
vation induced damage hippocam-
in rat
19. Yun, B. S., et al. "Coumarins with 15. Penna, M. Notas Sobre Plantas Brasileri- pal slices." Life Sci. 2004; Aug. 75(15):
monoamine oxidase inhibitory activity ras. Rio de Janeiro: Araujo Penn & Cia., 1897-1906.
and antioxidative coumarino-lignans from 1930, 258.
27. Forgacs, P, et al. "Phytochemical and
Hibiscus syriacus." J. Nat. Prod. 2001; 64 9:
16. Waynberg, J. "Contributions to the on 18 plants
biological activity studies
1238-1240.
clinical validation of the traditional use of from French Guyana." Plant Med. Phy-
Ptychopetalum guyanna." Presented at the tother. 1983; UD): 22-32.
Miiira ITiama
First International Congress on Ethno-
1 . Anselmino, Elisabeth. "Ancestral sources pharmacology, Strasbourg, France, June Mulateiro
of Muira-puama." Ach. Pharm. 1933; 271: 5-9, 1990.
1. Lopes, Reinaldo Jose. Rede de bio-
296-314.
17. Waynberg, J. "Male sexual asthenia prospeccao ja pensa em patente. Folha On-
2. Brazilian Pharmacopeia. "Muira pua- interest in a traditional plant-derived line. 12/08/2002 wwwl.folha.uol.com.br/
ma. Ptychopetalum olacoides.” Rio de medication." Ethnopharmacology; 1995. folha /ciencia/
Janeiro, Brazil, 1956.
18. Hanawa., et al. "Composition contain- 2. Portillo, A., et al. "Antifungal activity of
3. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. "Muira ing an extract from Muira puama root and Paraguayan plants used in traditional
497
13. Lin, Y. S. et al. "Immunomodulatory munodeficiency Virus- Type 1 (HIV-1) Ac-

medicine." /. Ethnopharmacol. 2001; 76(1):
activitv of various fractions derived from tivity." Phytother. Res. 1995; 9(1): 6-10.
93-98.
Physalis angulata L. extract." Amer. j. Chi- 25. Kusumoto, 1. T, et al. "Screening of
Mullaca nese Med. 1992; 20(3/4): 233-243. some Indonesian medicinal plants for in-
1. Vasina, O. E., et al. "Withasteroids of 14. Sakhibov, A. D. et al. "Immunosup- hibitory effects on HIV-1 protease." Shoy-
Physalis. VII. 14-aIpha-hydroxyixo- pressive properties of vitasteroids." Dokl. akugakii Zasshi 1992; 46(2): 190-193.
carpanolide and 24,25-epoxywithanolide Akad. Nauk. Uzb. SSR. 1990; 1: 43-45. 26. Kusumoto, I., et al. "Inhibitory effect of
D." Chcm. Nat. Comp. 1987; 22(5): 560-565. Indonesian plant extracts on reverse tran-
15. Soares, M. B., et al. "Inhibition of
2. Chen, C. M., et al. "Withangulatin A, a macrophage activation and lipopolysac- scriptase of an RNA tumour virus (I)."
new withanolide from Physalis angulata." Phytother. Res. 1992; 6(5): 241-244.
caride-induced death by seco-steroids pu-
Heterocycles 1990; 31(7): 1371-1375. rified from Physalis angulata L." Fur. ]. 27. Kurokawa, M. et al. "Antiviral tradi-
3. Shingu, K., et al. "Physagulin C, a new Pharmacol. 2003; 459(1): 107-112. tional medicines against Herpes simplex
withanolide from Physalis angulata L." "Induction of heat- virus (HSV-1), polio virus, and measles
16. Lee, W. C., et al.
Pliarm. Bull. 1991; 39(6): 1591-1593. virus in vitro and their therapeutic effica-
shock response and alterations of protein
cies for HSV-1 infection in mice." Antiviral
4. Shingu, K., et al. "Three new withano- phosphorylation by a novel topoiso-
Res. 1993; 22(2/3): 175-188.
lides, physagulins A, B and D from merase II inhibitor, withangulatin A, in 9L
Physalis angulata L." Chem. Pharm. Bull. rat brain tumor cells." Cell Physiol. 1991; 28. A. "Pharmacological activity of
Cox, P.
1992; 40(8): 2088-2091. 149(1): 66-67. the Samoan ethnopharacopoeia." Fcon.

Bof. 1989; 43(4): 487^97.
5. Shingu, K., et al. "Three new withano- 17. Juang, J. K., et al. "A new compound,
lides, physagulins E, F and G from Physalis withangulatin A, promotes type II DNA 29. Cesario De Mello, A., et al. "Presence
angulata L." Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1992; 40(9): topoisomerasemediated DNA damage." of acetylcholine in the fruit of Physalis an-
2448-2451. Commun. 1989; gulata (Solanaceae)." Cienc. Cult. (Sao
Biochern. Biophys. Res.
159(3): 1128-1134.
Paulo) 1985; 37(5): 799-805.
6. Basey, K., et al. "Phygrine, an alkaloid
from Physalis species." Phytochemistry intermedi- 30. Kone-Bamba, D., et al. "Hemostatic ac-
18. Lee, Y. C., et al. "Integrity of
1992; 31(12): 4173-4176. ate filaments is associated with the devel- tivity of216 plants used in traditional
of acquired thermotolerance in 9L medicine in the Ivorv Coast." Plant Med.
7.Anon. "Biological assay of antitumor opment
Phytother. \987; 21 (2):' 122-1 30.
agents from natural products." Abstr.: rat brain tumor cells." /. Cell. Biochern.
Seminar on the Development of Drugs 1995; 57(1): 150-162. 31. Richter, R. K., et al. "Reporting biolog-
from Medicinal Plants Organized by the "Induction of ag- ical assay results on tropical medicinal
19. Perng, M. D., et al.
Department of Medical Science Depart- plants to host country collaborators." /.
gregation and augmentation of protein ki-
ment at Thai Farmer Bank, Bangkok, Thai- Fthnopharmacol. 1998; 62(1): 85-88.
nase-mediated phosphorylation of puri-
land 1982; 129.
fied vimentin intermediate filaments by
Mulungu
8. Antoun, M. D., et al. "Potential antitu- withangulatin A." Mol. Pharmacol. 1994;
and 25,26- Pohill, R. M., et al. Legume
Advances in
mor agents. XVII. physalin B 46(4): 612-617.
1.
epidihydrophysalin C from Withermgia Systematics. Part 2. Kew, England: Royal

20. Januario, A. H., et al. "Antimycobacte-
coccoloboides." }. Nat. Prod. 1981; 44(5): 24. Botanic Gardens, 1981.
rial physalins from Physalis angulata L.
579-585. 2. Sanzen, T, et al. "Expression of glyco-
(Solanaceae)." Phytother. Res. 2002; 16(5):
9.Chiang, H., et al. "Antitumor agent, conjugates during intrahepatic bile duct
445-448.
physalin F from Physalis angulata L" Anti- development in the rat: an immunohisto-
21. Pietro, R. C., et al. "In vitro antimy-
cancer Res. 1992; 12(3): 837-843. chemical and lectin-histochemical study."
cobacterial activities ot Physalis afigulata Hepatology 1995; 3: 944-951.
10. Ismail, N., et al. "A novel cytotoxic
L." Phytomedicine 2000; 7(4): 335-338.
flavonoid glycoside from Physalis angula- 3. Lee, R. F., "The metabolism of
et al.
Hussain, 11., et al. "Plants in Kano eth-
ta." Fitoterapia 2001 Aug. 72(6): 676-679.
22. glyceryl (35 S) sulfoquinovoside by the
nomedicine; screening for antimicrobial coral tree, Eiythrina crista-galli and alfalfa,
11. Chiang, H. et al. "Inhibitory effects of Pharmacol.
activity and alkaloids." hit. j.
Medicago saliva." Biochim. Biophys. Acta.
physalin B and physalin F on various hu-
1991; 29(1): 51-56. 1972; 261(1): 35-37.
man leukemia cells in vitro." Anticancer
22. Ogunlana, E. O., et al. "Investigations "Pesquisas de sub-
Res. 1992; 12(4): 1155-1162.
4. Santos, W. O., et al.
into the antibacterial activities of local stancias cardioativas em plantas xerofilas

12. Kawai, M., "Cytotoxic activity of
et al.
plants." Planta Med. 1975; 27: 354. medicinais." IX Simposio de Plantas Med-
physalins and related compounds against
Otake, T, "Screening of Indone- icinais do Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, 1986; 45:
Pharmazie 2002; 57(5): 348-
et al.
HeLa cells."
sian plant extracts for anti-Human Im- 1-3.
350.
5. Mansbach, R. S., et al. "Effects of the ulmifolia bark." Phytochemistry 1996; 42(1): diseases." Phytother. Res. 2003 Apr; 17(4):
competitive nicotinic antagonist erysodine 109-119. 325-329.
on behavior occasioned or maintained by
6.Kashiwada, Y., et al. "Antitumor agents, 18. Hattori, M., et al. "Inhibitory effects of
nicotine: comparison with mecamy-
129. Tannins and related compounds as se- various Ayurvedic and Panamania medic-
lamine." Psychophnrmacologi/ 2000; 148(3):
lective cytotoxic agents." /. Nat. Prod. 1992; inal plants on the infection of Herpes sim-
234-242.
55(8): 1033-1043. plex virus-1 in vitro and in vivo." Phy-
6. Decker, M. W., et al. "Erysodine, a com- tother. Res. 1995; 9(4): 270-276.
7. Ito, "Antitumor activity of com-
H., et al.
petitive antagonist at neuronal nicotinic
pounds isolated from leaves of Eriobotrya 19. Tseng, C. F. "Inhibition of in vitro
acetvlcholine receptors." Eur. }. Pharmacol
japonica.^' /. Agric. Food Chem. 2002; 50(8): prostaglandin and leukotriene biosynthe-
1995; 280(1): 79-89.
2400-2403. ses by cinnaitioyl-beta-phenethylamine
7. Onusic, G. M., et al. "Effect of acute
8. Vieira, J. E. V., et al. "Pharmacologic and N-acyldopamine derivatives." Chem.
treatment with a water-alcohol extract of
screening of plants from northeast Brazil. Pharm. Bull. 1992; 40(2): 396-400.
Erytlirina miilungu on anxiety-related re- 11." Rev. Brasil. Farm. 1968; 49: 67-75. 20. Hor, M., et al. "Inhibition of intestinal
sponses in rats." Braz. /. Med. Biol. Res.
9. Barros, G. S. G., et al. "Pharmacological chloride secretion by proanthocyanidins
2002; 35(4): 473-477.
screening of some Brazilian plants." /. from Guazuma ulmifolia." Planta Med.
8. Kittler, J. T., et al. "Mechanisms of
Pharm. Pharmacol. 1970; 22: 116. 1995; 61(3): 208-212.
GABA receptor assembly and trafficking:
implications for the modulation of in- 10. Caceres, A., et al. "Plants used in 21. Alarcon- Aguilara, F. J., et al. "Study of
hibitory neurotransmission." Mol. Neuro- Guatemala for the treatment of gastroin- the anti-hyperglycemic effect of plants
biol. 2002; 26(2-3): 251-268. testinal disorders. 1. Screening of 84 plants used as antidiabetics." /. Ethnopharmacol.
against enterobacteria." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1998; 61(2): 101-110.
9. Mitscher, L. A., et al. "Erycristin, a new
1990; 30(1): 55-73.
antimicrobial pterocarpan from Erytlirina 22. Nascimento, S. C., et al. "Antimicrobial
crista-galli.” Phytochemistry 1988; 27(2): 11. Heinrich, M., et al. "Parasitological and and cytotoxic activities in plants from Per-
381-385. microbiological evaluation of Mixe Indian nambuco, Brazil." Fitoterapia 1990; 61(4):
medicinal plants." (Mexico) /. Ethnophar- 353-355.
10. Mitscher, L. A., et al. "Antimicrobial
macol. 1992; 36(1): 81-85.
agents from higher plants. Erycristagallin, 23. Caballero-George, C., et al. In vitro in-
a new petrocarpene from the roots of the 12. Caceres, A., et al. "Plants used in hibition of 13H]-angiotensin II binding on
Bolivian coral tree, Erytlirina crista-galli." Guatemala for the treatment of respiratory the human ATI receptor by proantho-
'
Heterocycles 1984; 22(8): 1673-1675. diseases. 2: Evaluation of activity of 16 cyanidins from Guazuma ulmifolia bark.
plants against gram-positive bacteria." /. Planta Med. 2002; 68(12): 1066-1071.
Mutamba Ethnopharmacol. 1993; 39(1): 77-82.
1. Takahashi, T., et al. "Toxicological stud- 13. Caceres, A., et al. "Plants used in
Nettle
ies on procyanidin B-2 for external ap- Guatemala for the treatment of gastroin- 1. De Clercq., E. "Current lead natural
plication as a hair growing agent." Pood testinal disorders. 3. Confirmation of ac- products for the chemotherapy of human
Chem. Toxicol. 1999; 37(5): 545-552. tivity against enterobacteria of 16 plants." immunodeficiency vims (HIV) infection."
/. Ethnopharmacol. 1993; 38(1): 31-38. Med. Res. Rev. 2000; 20(5): 323-349.
2. Takahashi, T., et al. "Several selective
protein kinase C inhibitors including pro- 14. Caceres, A., et al. "Screening of antimi- 2. Balzarini, J., et al. "The mannose-specif-
cyanidins promote hair growth." Skin crobial activity of plants popularly used in ic plant lectins from Cymhidium hybrid and
Pharmacol. Appl. Skin Physiol. 2000; 13(3-4): Guatemala for the treatment of dermato- Epipactis helleborine and the (N-acetylglu-
133-142. mucosal diseases." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1987; cosamine)n-specific plant lectin from ilr-
20(3): 223-237. dioica are potent and selective in-
3. Takahashi, T., et al. "The first clinical tica
trial of topical application of procyanidin 15. Caceres, A., et al. "Anti-gonorrhoeal hibitors of human immunodeficiency
B-2 to investigate its potential as a hair activity of plants used in Guatemala for virus and cytomegalovirus replication in
growing agent." Phytother. Res. 2001; 15(4): the treatment of sexually transmitted dis- vitro." Antiviral Res. 1992; 18(2): 191-207.
331-336. eases." Ethnopharmacol. 1995; 48(2): 85-88.
/.
3. Does, M. P, et al. "Characterization of
4. Kamimura, A., et al. "Procyanidin B-2, '
16. Camporese, A., et al. "Screening of Urtica dioica agglutinin isolectins and the
extracted from apples, promotes hair anti-bacterial activity of medicinal plants encoding gene family." Plant Mol. Biol.
growth: A laboratory study." Br. j. Derma- from Belize (Central America)." /. Ethno- 1999; 39(2): 335-347.
tol. 2002; 146(1): 41-51. pharmacol. 2003 Jul;87(l):103-107.
4. Le Moal, M. A., et al. "Urtica dioica ag-
5. Hor, M., et al. "Proanthocyanidin poly- 17. Navarro, M. C., et al. "Antibacterial, glutinin, a new mitogen for murine T lym-
mers with antisecretory activity and pro- antiprotozoal and antioxidant activity of phocytes: unaltered interleukin- produc-
1
anthocyanidin oligomers from Guazuma five plants used in Izabal for infectious tion but late interleukin 2-mediated
proliferation." Cell Immunol. 1988; 115(1): tracts: in vitro and in vivo pharmacologi- 28. Konrad, L., et al. "Antiproliferative ef-
24-35. cal studies." /. Ethnopharmacol. 2002; 81(1): fect on human prostate cancer cells by a
105-109. stinging nettle root (Urtica dioica) extract."

5. Wagner, H., et al. "Biologically active
Planta Med. 2000; 66(1): 44-47.
compounds from aqueous extract of
the 17. Tahri, A., et al. "Acute diuretic, natri-
Urtka dioica." Planta Med. 1989; 55(5): ureticand hypotensive effects of a contin- 29. Lichius, J. J.,
et al. "The inhibiting ef-
452-454. uous perfusion of aqueous extract of Ur- fects of Urtica dioica root extracts on exper-
tica dioica in the rat." /. Ethnopharmacol. imentally induced prostatic hyperplasia

6. Galelli, A., et a. "Urtka dioica agglutinin.
2000; 73(1-2): 95-100. in the mouse." Planta Med. 1997; 63(4):
A superantigenic lectin from stinging net-
307-310.
tle rhizome." /. Immunol. 1993; 151(4): 18. Lasheras, N., "Etude pharma-
et al.
1821-1831. cologique preliminaire de Prunus spinosa 30. Krzeski, T., et al. "Combined extracts of
L., Amelanchier ovalis medikus, juniperus Urtica dioica and Pygeum africanum in the
7. Akbay, R, et al. "In vitro immunomodu-
communis L, et Urtica dioica L." Plant Med. treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia:
latory activity of flavonoid glycosides
Phyother. 1986; 20: 219-226. double-blind comparison of two doses."
from Urtka dioica L." Phyt other. Res. 2003;
Clin. Ther. 1993; 15(6): 1011-1020.
17(1): 34-37. 19. Brocano, "Etude de I'effet
F. ]., et al.
sure le centre cardiovasulaire de quelques 31. Sokeland, "Combined

J.
sabal and ur-
8. Randall, C., et al. "Randomized con-
prepartions de VUrtica diocia L." Planta tica extract compared with finasteride in
trolled trial of nettle sting for treatment of
Med. 1983; 17: 222-229. men with benign prostatic hyperplasia:
base-of-thumb pain." /. R. Soc. Med. 2000;
analysis of prostate volume and therapeu-
93(6): 305-309. 20. Brocano, ]., et al, "Estudio de difer-
tic outcome." B}U hit. 2000; 86(4): 439-442.
entes preparados de Urtica dioica L. sobre
9. Obertreis, B., et al. "Anti-inflammatory
SNC." An. R. Acad. Farm. 1987; 53: 284-291 32. Kaufman, K. D. "Androgens and alo-
effect of Urtica dioica folia extract in com-
pecia." Mol. Cell Endocrinol. 2002; 198(1-2):
parison to caffeic malic acid." Arzneimit- 21. Levine, A. C., et al."The role of sex
89-95.
telforschung 1996; 46(1): 52-56. steroids in the pathogenesis and mainte-
nance of benign prostatic hyperplasia." 33. Chizick, S., et al. "Natural preparation
10. Schulze-Tanzil, G., et al. "Effects of the
Mt. Sinai Med. 1997; 64(1): 20-25. for treatment of male pattern hair loss."
antirheumatic remedy hox alpha-a new J.
stinging nettle leaf extract-on matrix met- 22. Carson, C., et al. "The role of dihy-
alloproteinases in human chondrocytes in drotestosterone in benign prostatic hyper-
Passionflower
vitro." Histol. Histopathol. 2002; 17(2): plasia." Urology 203; 61(4 Suppl 1): 2-7.
1. Mowrey, Daniel. The Scientific Validation
477-485. "Role of estrogens in
23. Sciarra, E, et al. New Canaan, CT: Keats
ofFIerbal Medicine.
11. Riehemann, K., et al. "Plant extracts human benign prostatic hyperplasia."
Publishing, Inc, 1986.
from stinging nettle (Urtka dioica), an an- Arch. Androl. 2000; 44(3): 213-220.
2. Lutomski, "Alkaloidy Pasiflora incar-
tirheumatic remedy, inhibit the proinflam- "Lignans from the
J.
24. Schottner, M., et al.
nata L." Dissertation, Institut for Medicinal
matory transcription factor NF-kappaB." roots of Urtica dioica and their metabolites
Plant Research, Pozan, I960.
FEBS Lett. 1999; 442(1): 89-94.
bind to human sex hormone binding glob-
3. Bruneton, Pharmacognosy, Phytochem-
12. Teucher, T., et al. "Cytokine secretion in ulin (SHBG)." Planta Med. 1997; 63(6):
J.
istry, Medicinal Plants. Intercept, Ltd.,

whole blood of healthy subjects following 529-532.
Urtka dioica L. plant
Hampshire, England. 1995.
oral administration of
25. Hryb, D. j., et al. "The effect of extracts
extract." Arzneimittelforschung 1996; 46(9): 4. Flynn, and Roest, M. Your Guide to
R.,
of the roots of the stinging nettle (Urtica
906-910. Standardized Herbal Products. One World
dioica)on the interaction of SI IBG with its
Press, 1995.
13. Mittman, P. "Randomized, double- receptor on human prostatic membranes."
blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in Planta Med. 1995; 61(1): 31-32. 5. Wolfman, C., et al. "Possible anxiolytic
the treatment of allergic rhinitis." Planta effects of chrvsin, a central benzodiaze-

26. Koch, E. "Extracts from fruits of saw
Med. 1990; 56(1): 44-7. pine receptor ligand isolated from Passi-
palmetto (Sabal serrulata) and roots of
flora coerulea." Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.
14. Thornhill, S. M., et al. 'Natural treat- stinging nettle (Urtica dioica): viable alter-
1994;47(l):l-4.
ment of perennial allergic rhinitis." Altern. natives in the medical treatment of benign
Med. Rev. 2000; 448-154. and associated lower 6. Zanoli, P, et al. "Behavioral characteri-
5(5): prostatic hyperplasia
urinarv tracts symptoms." Planta Med. sation of the flavonoids apigenin and
15. Legssyer, A., et al. "Cardiovascular ef-
chrysin." Fitoterapia. 2000; 71 Suppl 1:
fects of Urtica dioica L. in the isolated rat 2001; 67: 489-500.
SI 17-23.
heart and aorta." Pliytother. Res. 2002; 27. Koch E. and A. Biber. "Pharmacologi-
16(6): 503-507. cal effects of saw palmetto and urtica ex- 7. Mowrev, Daniel. The Scientific Validation
"Cardiovascular effects tracts for benign prostatic hyperplasia." of Herbal Medicine. New Canaan, CT: Keats
16. Testai, L., et al.
Urologe 1994; 34(2): 90-95. Publishing, Inc, 1986.
of Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae) roots ex-
8. Lutomski, J. "Alkaloidy Pasiflora incar- 5. Juliani, C. "Hypoglycemic action of 2. Block, B., et al. "Early clinical studies
J.
nain L." Dissertation, Institut for Medicinal bauintrato (Bauhinia forficata preparation) with lapachol (NSC-11905)." Cancer
Plant Research, Pozan, 1960. new clinical and experimental study." /. Chemother. Rep. 1974; 4: 27-28.
9. Lueng. A., Foster, S. Encyclopedia of Com- Clin. 1941; 22: 17.
3. Linardi, M. D. C., et ak "A lapachol de-
mon Natural Ingredients. New York: Wiley 6. Costa, O. A. "Estudo farmacoquimico rivative active against mouse lymphocyte
(& Sons, 1996. da unha-de-vaca." Rev. Flora Medicinal leukemia P-388." /. Med. Chem. 1975;
10. Yasukawa, K., et al. "Inhibitory effect of 1945; 9(4): 175-189. 18(11): 1159-1162.
edible plant extracts on 12-o-tetradeca- 7. Almeida, R., and Agra, M. F. "Levanta- 4. Santana, C. E, et al. "Preliminary obser-
noylphorbol-1 3-acetate-induced ear oede- mento da flora medicinal de uso no trata- vation with the use of lapachol in human
ma in mice." Phytother. Res. 1993;7(2): 185- mento da diabete e alguns resultados ex- patients bearing malignant neoplasms."
189. perimentais." VIII Sirniiosio de Plantas Revista do Instituto de Antibioticos 1971; 20:
11. Lutomski, J., et al. "Pharmacochemical Medicinais do Brasil, Manaus-AM, Brazil. 61-68.
investigation of the raw materials from September 4-6, 1984, 23.
15. Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and
Passiflora genus. 2. The pharmacochemi- 8. Miyake, E. T, et al. "Caracterizacao far- Duke, James A. "The Phytochemical Data-
cal estimation of juices from the fruits of macognostica de pata-de-vaca (Bauhinia base." ACEDB version 5.3: July 1994. Na-
Passiflora edulis and Passiflora edulis forma fortificata).” Rev. Bras. Farmacogn. 1986; tional Germplasm Resources Laboratory
flavicarpa." Planta Med. 1975; 27: 112-121. 1(1): 56-68.
(NGRL), Agricultural Research Service
12. De a Ribeiro, R., et "Acute diuretic
al. 9. Lemus, I., et al. "Hypoglycemic activity of (ARS), U.S. Department of Agriculture.
effects in conscious rats produced by some four plants used in Chilean popular med- 6. Murray, Michael
T.
medicinal plants used in the state of Sao icine." Phytother. Res. 1999; 13(2): 91-94.
Herbs. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing,
Paulo, Brasil." /. Ethnopliarmacol. 1988;24
10. Silva, F. R., et al. "Acute effect of Bau- 1995.
(l):19-29.
hinia forficata on serum glucose levels in
7. Giuraud, P, et al. "Comparison of anti-
13. Dhawan, K., et al. "Aphrodisiac activi- normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats."
bacterial and antifungal activities of lapa-
ty of methanol extract of leaves of Passiflo- /. Ethnopliarmacol. 2002; 83(1-2): 33-37.
chol and b-lapachone." Planta Med. 1994;
ra incarnata Linn, in mice." Phytother. Res.
11. Pepato, M. T, et al. "Anti-diabetic ac- 60: 373-374.
2003; 17(4): 401-403.
tivity of Bauhinia forficata decoction in
8. Li, C. J., et al. "Three inhibitors of type 1
14. Dhawan, K., et al. "Anti tussive activity streptozotocin-diabetic rats." /. Ethnophar-
of the methanol extract of Passiflora incar-
human immunodeficiency virus long ter-
macol. 2002; 81(2): 191-197.
minal repeat-directed gene expression and
nata leaves." Fitoterapia. 2002; 73(5): 397-
12. Lino, S., et al. "Antidiabetic activity of virus replication." Proc. Nat'l. Acad.
399. Sci.
Bauhinia forficata extracts in alloxan-dia- USA 1993; 90(5): 1839-1842.
1.
15. HerbClip: Passionflower., "An Herbal- betic rats." Biol. Pharm. Bull. 2004 Jan;
ist's View of Passionflower" American 27(1): 125-127.
9. Pardee, A., et al. "Treatment of human
prostate disease." United States Patent
Botanical Council, Austin, Texas, April 10,
13. de Sousa, E., et al. "Hypoglycemic ef- 6,245,807; June 12, 2001.
1996.
fect and antioxidant potential of kaemp-
10. Muller, K., et al. "Potential antipsoriat-
ferol-3,7-0-(alpha)-dirhamnoside from
Pata de Vaca ic agents: lapacho compounds as potent
Bauhinia forficata leaves." /. Nat. Prod. 2004;
1. Yokozawa, T., et al. "Protective effects inhibitors of HaCaT cell growth." /. Nat.
67(5): 829-832.
of some flavonoids on the renal cellular Prod. 1999; 62(8): 1134-1136.
14. Pepato, M. T, et al. "Evaluation of tox-
membrane." Exp. Toxicol. Pathol. 1999; 51(1): 11. Jiang, Z., et al. "Synthesis of beta-lapa-
9-14.
icity after one-months treatment with
chone and its intermediates." United
Bauhinia forficata decoction in streptozo-
2. Hamzah, A. S., et al. "Kaempferitrin tocin-induced diabetic rats." BMC Comple-
States Patent 6,458, 974; October 1, 2002.
from the leaves of Hedyotis verticillata ment Altern Med. 2004 Jun 12. de Lima, O. G., et al. "Primeiras obser-
8; 4(1): 7.
and its biological activity." Planta Med. vacoes sobre a acao antimicrobiana do la-
1994 Aug; 60(4): 388-389.
15. Damasceno, D. C., et al. "Effect of
pachol." Anais da Sociedade de Biologica de
Bauhinia forficata extract in diabetic preg-
3. juliane, C. "Acao hipoglicemiante da Pernambuco 1956; 14: 129-135.
nant maternal repercussions." Phy-
rats:
unha-de-vaca." Rev. Med. Pharm. Chim. de Lima, O.
tomedicine. 2004; 1 1 (2-3): 1 96-201 13. G., et al. "Una nova sub-
Phys. 1929; 2(1): 165-169.
stancia antibiotica isolada do 'Pau d'Arco,'
4. Juliane, C. "Acao hipoglicemiante de Pan d' Arco Tabebuia sp." Anais da Sociedade de Biologica
Bauhinia forficata. Novos estudos experi- Rao, K. V., et al. "Recognition and eval- de Pernambuco 1956; 14: 136-140.
mentails." Rev. Sudani Endocrin. Immol. uation of lapachol as an antitumor agent." 14. Burnett, A. R., et al. "Naturally occur-
Quimiot. 1931; 14: 326-334. Cane. Res. 1968; 28: 1952-1954. ing quinones. The quinonoid constituents
501
27. Oga, S., et al. "Toxicidade e atividade 9. Brune, U., et al. "Myrda spaerocarpa,
of Tahebuia avellanedae." J.
Chem. Soc. 1967:
2100-2104. anti-inflamatoria de Tabebuia avellanedae D.C., planta diabetica." V Simposio de Plan-
Lorentz ('Ipe Roxo')." Rev. Fac. Farm. Bio- tas Medicinais do Brasil, Sao Paulo-SP,
15.Gershon, H., et al. "Fungitoxicity of
cjuim. 1969; 7: 4. Brazil, 1978; 74 (September 4-6).
1,4-naphthoquinonoes to Candida albicans
rnenta grophytes." Can. 28. Taylor, Leslie. Personal observations in 10. Grune, U., et al. "Sobre o principio an-
and Trichophyton j.
Microbio/. 1975; 21: 1317-1321. Manaus, Belem, and Sao Paulo, Brazil, tidiabetico da pedra-hume-caa, Myrda
1996 to present. multiflora (Lam)." Thesis 1979; Federal
16. Binutu, O. A., et al. "Antimicrobial po-
"Commerical taheebo University of Rio de Janeiro.
tentials of some plant species of the 29. Awang, D. V. C.
Bignoniaceae family." Afr. /. Med. Sci. 1994; lacks active ingredient." Information Let- 11. Russo, E. M., et al. "Clinical trial of
23(3): 269-273. ter 726 (August 13, 1987). Can. Pharm. J. Myrda and Bauhinia forficata leaf
uniflora
1991; 121: 323-326. extracts in normal and diabetic patients."

17. Nagata, K., et al. "Antimicrobial activ-
Braz. }. Med. Biol. Res. 1990; 23(1): 11-20.
ity ofnovel furanonaphthoquinone ana-
logs." Antimicrobial Agents Chemother.
Pedra Hume Caa 12. Pepato, M. T., et al. "Assessment of the
Yoshikawa, M., et al. "Antidiabetic prin- Myrda uniflora ex-
1998; 42(3): 700-702. 1. antidiabetic activity of
ciples of natural medicines. II. Aldose re-
tracts in streptozotocin diabetic rats." Dia-
18. Anesini, C., et al. "Screening of plants
ductase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors betes Res. 1993; 22(2): 49-57.
used in Argentine folk medicine for an-
Ethnopharmacol. from Brazilian natural medicine, the
timicrobial activity." /.
leaves otMyrcia multiflora DC (myrtaceae): Picao Preto
1993; 39(2): 119-128.
structures of myrdacitrins I and II and
1. Wat, C. K., et al. "Ultraviolet-mediated
19.Segelman, Alvin Burton. "Composition myrdaphenones A and B." Chem. Pharm.
cytotoxic activity of phenylheptatriyne
and method for treating and preventing Bull. 1998; 46(1): 113-119.
Helicobactor-pylori-associated stomach gas- from Bidens pilosa L." }. Nat. Prod. 1979;
2. Schmeda-Hirschmann, G., et al. "Pre- 42(1): 103-111.
tritis, ulcers and cancer." United States
liminary pharmacological studies on Eu-
Patent 6,187,313; February 13, 2001. 2. Arnason, T, et al. "Photosensitization of
genia uniflora leaves: xanthine oxidase in-
20.de Lima, O. G., et al. "A new antibiotic and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Escherichia coli
hibitory activity." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1987;
substance isolated from pau d'arco by phenylheptatriyne from Bidens pilosa."
21(2): 183-186.
(Tabebuia)." Anais. Soc. Biol. Pernambuco. Can. j. Microbiol. 1980; 26(6): 698-705.
3. Varma, S. D., et al. "Flavonoids as in-
1956; 14: 136-140. 3. Krettli, A. U., et al. "The search for new
hibitors of lens aldose reductase." Science
21. Portillo, A., et al. "Antifungal activity antimalarial drugs from plants used to
1975; 188(4194): 1215-1216.
of Paraguayan plants used in traditional treat fever and malaria or plants random-
4. Matsuda, H., et al. "Structural require- Mem. Oswaldo
medicine." /. Ethnopharmacol. 2001; 76(1): ly selected; a review." Inst.
93-98. ments of flavonoids and related com- Cruz 2001; 96(8): 1033-1042.
pounds for aldose reductase inhibitory ac-
22. Linhares, M. S., et al. "Estudo sobre of 4. Geissberger, P., et al. "Constituents of
tivity." Chem. Pharm. Bull. (Tokyo). 2002;
efeito de substancias antibioticas obitdas Bidens pilosa L.: do the components found
50(6): 788-795.
de Streptomyces e vegatais superiores sobre so far explain the use of this plant in tradi-
Chaudhry, et al. "Inhibition of hu-
o herpesvirus hominis." Revista Jnstituto 5. P. S.,
tional medicine?" Acta Trop. 1991; 48(4):
Antibioticos, Recife 1975; 15: 25-32. man lens aldose reductase by flavonoids, 251-261.
sulindac and indomethacin." Biochem.
23. Lagrota, M., et al. "Antiviral activity of 5. Alvarez, L., et al. "Bioactive poly-
Pharmacol. 1983; 32(13): 1995-1998.
lapachol." Rez\ Microbiol. 1983; 14: 21-26. acetylenes from Bidens pilosa." Planta Med.
6. Martins de Toledo, O. Tese de Doutora-
24. Schuerch, A. R., et al. "B-Lapachone, an 1996; 62(4): 355-357.
mento. Faculdade de Medicina de Sao
inhibitor of oncornavirus reverse tran- 6. Chin, H. W., "The hepatoprotective
et al.
Paulo. Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1929.
scriptase and eukarotic DBA polymerase- effects of Taiwan folk medicine 'ham-
a. Inhibitory effect, thiol dependency and 7.Coutinho, A. B. Tese de Catedra. Facul- hong-chho' in rats." Am. }. Chin. Med. 1996;
specificity." Eur. j. Biochem. 1978; 84: 197- dade de Medicina de Recife. Recife, Brazil, 24(3-4): 231-240.
205. 1938.
7. Chih, H. W., et al. "Anti-inflammatory
25. Austin, R. "Schistosoma mansoni 8. Mendes dos Reis Arruda, L., et al.
F.
activity of Taiwan folk medicine 'ham-
chemoprophylaxis with dietary lapachol. "Efeito hipoglicemiante induzido pelo ex-
hong-chho' in rats." Am. j. Chin. Med. 1995;
Am. Trop. Med. Hyg. 1979; 23: 412^19. das raizes de Myraa citrifolia (pedra-
tracto
J. 23(T-4): 273-278.
Pro- hume-caa), esudo famacologico prelimi-
26. Gilbert, B., et al. "Schistosomiasis. "Immunosuppres-
Simposio de Plantas Medicinais do 8. Pereira, R. L., et al.
by terpenoids." nar." V
tection against infection
Brasil, Sao Paulo-SP, Brazil, 1978; 74 (Sep- sive and anti-inflammatory effects of
An. Acad. Brasil. Cienc. 1970; 42 (Suppl):
tember 4-6). methanolic extract and the polyacetylene
397-100.
isolated from Bideus pilosa L." Im- KCL- and norepinephrine-induced con- Bideus pilosa and other Bideus species
nuinopharnuicoloîl 1999; 43(1): 31-37. tractions of rat aorta." Efliuopdiarmacol.
/. (Asteraceae) correlated with the presence
9. Jager, A. K., et al. "Screening of Zulu me- 1998; 60(2): 179-182. of acetylene and flavonoid compound."
dicinal plants for prostaglandin-svnthesis 21. Rabe, T. "Antibacterial activity of Eiir. J. Pharmacol. 1997; 57(2): 131-138.
inhibitors" /. Etluiopluinuacol. 1996; 52(2); South African plants used for medicinal Chippaux, ]. P, et al. "Drug or plant
33.
95-100. purposes." Ethuopliarmacol. 1997; 56(1);
/. substances which antagonize venoms or
10. Alvarez, A., et al. "Gastric antisecreto- 81-87. potentiate antivenins." Bull. Soc. Pathol.
ry and antiulcer activities of an ethanolic 22. Chariandy, C. M., et al. "Screening of Exot. 1997; 90(4): 282-285.
extract of Bideus pilosa L. var. radiata Schult. medicinal plants from Trinidad and Toba- 34. Gonzalez, A., et al. "Biological screen-
Bip." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1999; 67(3): 333- go for antimicrobial and insecticidal prop- ing of Uruguayan medicinal plants." /.
340. erties." Ethuopliarmacol.
/. 1999; 64(3): Ethuopliarmacol. 1993; 39(3): 217-220.
11. Avalos, A. A., et al. "Influence of ex- 265-270.
35. Gupta, M. P, et al. "Screening of Pana-
from leaves and stem of Bideus pilosa
tracts 23. Desta, B. "Ethiopian traditional herbal manian medicinal plants for brine shrimp
on experimental ulcerogenesis in rats." drugs. Part II: Antimicrobial activity of 63 toxicity, crown gall tumor inhibition, cyto-
Rei\ Cubaua Farm. 1984; 18(2): 143-150. medicinal plants." /. Ethuopliarmacol. 1993; toxicity and DNA intercalation." hit. j.
12. Tan, P. V., et al. "Effects of methanol, 39(2): 129-139.
Pharmacog. 1996; 34(1): 19-27.
cyclohexane and methylene chloride ex- 24. Sarg, T. M., et al. "Constituents and bi- 36. Hostettmann, K., et al. "Phytochem-
tracts of Bideus pilosa on various gastric ul- ological activity of Bideus pnlosa grown in
1
istry of plants used in traditional medi-
cer models in rats." /. Ethuoplmrmacol. Egypt." Acta. Pharm. Hiiu^;^. 1991; 61(6): cine." Proceedings of the Phi/tochemical Soci-
2000; 73(3): 415-421. 317-323.
ety of Europie. Clarendon Press: Oxford
13. Alarcon-Aguilara, F. J., et al. "Study of 25. Khan, M. R., et al. "Anti-microbial ac- England, 1995.
the anti-hyperglycemic effect of plants tivity of Bideus pilosa, Bischofia javauica,
37. Chang, J. S., et al. "Antileukemic activ-
used as antidiabetics." /. Ellmopliarmacol. Elmerillia piapmaua and Sigeshekia orieutalis."
ity of Bideus pulosa L. var. minor (Blume)
1998; 61(2): 101-110. Fitoterapia 2001; 72(6): 662-665.
Sherff. and Hoiittiiyuia cordata Thunb."
14. Perez, R. M., et al. "A study of the hy- 26. Boily, Y, et al. "Screening of medicinal Amer. j. Chinese Med. 2001; 29(2): 303-312.
poglycemic effect of some Mexican plants of Rwanda (central Africa) for an-
plants."
38.Chagnon, M. "General pharmacologic
/. Elliuopharuiacol. 1984; 12(3): timicrobial activitv." /. Ethuopliarmacol.
inventory of medicinal plants of Rwanda."
253-262. 1986; 16(1): 1-13.
/. Ethuopiliarmacol. 1984; 12(3): 239-251.
15. Alarcon-Aguilar, F. J., et al. "Investiga- 27. van Puyvelde, L., et al. "hi vitro inhibi-
tion on the hypoglycaemic effects of ex- tion of mycobacteria by Rwandese medic- Quinine
tracts of four Mexican medicinal plants in inal plants." Pln/tother. Res. 1994; 8(2): 1. Aviado, D. M., et al. "Antimalarial and
normal and alloxan-diabetic mice." Phy- 65-69.
antiarrhythmic activity of plant extracts."
tother. Res. 2002; 16(4): 383-386.
16. Ubillas,
28. Bondarenko, A. S., et al. "The antimi- —
Mediciua Expierimeutalis luteruatioual Jour-
"Antihyperglycemic
R. P. crobial properties of the polyacetylene an- nal of E.xyerimeutal Medicine 1969; 19(20):
acetylenic glucosides from Bideus pilosa." tibioticphenylheptatriyne." Mikrobiol. Zh. 79-94.
Plauta Med. 2000; 66(1): 82-83. 1985; 47(2): 81-83.
2. Man-Son-Hing, M., et al. "Quinine for
17. Dimo, T., et al. "Leaf methanol extract 29. Hudson, B., et al. "Investigation of nocturnal leg cramps: a meta-analysis in-
J.
of Bideus pilosa prevents
and attenuates the the antiviral action of the photoactive cluding unpublished data." /. Geu. luteru.
hypertension induced by high-fructose compound phenylheptatriyne." Pho- Med. 1998; 13(9): 600-606.
diet in Wister rats." /. Ethuopliarmacol tochem. Photobiol. 1986; 43(1): 27-33.
3. Diener, H. C., et al. "Effectiveness of qui-
2002; 83(3): 183-191.
30. Hudson, J. B., et al. "Nature of the in- nine in treating muscle cramps: a double-
18. Dimo, T., et al. "Effects of the aqueous teraction between the photoactive com- blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group,
and methylene chloride extracts of Bideus pound phenylheptatriyne and animal multicentre trial." hit. /. Cliu. Pract. 2002;
pilosa leaf on fructose-hypertensive rats." vimses." Photochem. Photobiol. 1982; 36(2): 56(4): 243-246.
/. Elliuopharuiacol. 2001; 76(3): 215-221. 181-185.
4. Lung, A. and S. Foster. Eucyclopiedia of
19. Dimo, T., et al. "Hypotensive effects of 31. Krettli, A. U., et "New antimalarial
al. Common Natural higredieuts 1996. Wiley &
a methanol extract from Bideus pilosa Linn, drugs: A search based on plants used in Sons: New York.
on hypertensive rats." C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris popular medicine to treat fever and malar-
1999; 322(4): 323-329. ia." Folha. Med. 2001; 120(2): 119-126. Sainainbaia
20. Dimo, T., et al. "Effects of leaf aqueous 32. Brandao, M. G. L., et al. "Antimalarial 1. Vasange, M., et al. "Sulpholipid compo-
extract of Bideus pilosa (Asteraceae) on activity of extracts and fractions from sition and methods for treating skin dis-
503
14.Tuominen, M., et al. "Effects of cala- as nutritional supplement in AIDS and

orders." United States Patent 6,124, 266;
2000 .
guala and an active principle, adenosine, cancer patients." United States Patent
on platelet activating factor." Planta Med. 6,228,366; 2001.
2. Valetas, J. "Method for preparing a sub-
1992; 58(4): 306-310. 25. Quintanilla A. E., et al. "Pharmaceuti-
stance having properties against collagen
"A sulphonoglycol- cal composition of activity in the treatment
diseases and products obtained." United 15. Vasange, M., et al.
States Patent 4,206,222; 1980. ipidfrom the fern Polypodium decumanum of cognitive and/or neuroimmune dys-
and its effect on the platelet activating fac- functions." United States Patent 5,601,829;
3. Pathak, M. A., et al. "Polypodium extract
tor receptor in human neutrophils." /. 1997.
as photoprotectant." United States Patent
Pharm. Pharmacol. 1997; 49(5): 562-617. 26. Fernandez-Novoa, L., et al. "Effects
5,614,197; 1997.
16. Vasange, M., et al. "Flavonoid con- of Anapsos on the activity of the enzyme
4. Padilla, H. C. "A new' agent (hydrophilic
stituents of tw'o Polypodium species (Cala- Cu-Zn-superoxide dismutase in an animal
fraction of Polypodium leucotomos) for man-
Dermatol. guala) and their effect on the elastase re- model of neuronal degeneration." Methods
agement of psoriasis." Int. /.
lease in human neutrophils." Planta Med. Find. Exp. Clin. Pharmacol. 1997; 19(2):
1974; 13(5); 276-282.
1997; 63(6): 511-517. 99-106.
5.Mercadal Peyri, O., et al. "Preliminary
17. Sempere-Ortells M., et al. "Effect of 27. Gomes, A. J., et "The antioxidant ac-
al.
communication on the treatment of psori- , J.
Anapsos (Polypodium leucotomos ex- tion of Polypodium leucotomos extract and

asis w'ith anapsos." Adas Dermosifiliogr.
tract) on in vitro production of cytokines." Kojic acid: Reactions with reactive oxygen
1981; 72(1-2): 65-68.
Br. ]. Clin. Pharmacol. 1997; 43(1): 85-89. species." Braz. J.
Med. Biol. Res. 2001;
6. Capella Perez, "Double-
M. C., et al.
34(11): 1487-1494.
18. Gonzalez, S., et al. "An extract of the
blind study using 'anapsos' 120 mg. in the
fern Polypodium leucotomos (Difur) modu- "Anapsos reverses
28. Alvarez, X. A., et al.
treatment of psoriasis." Adas Dermosifili-
lates Thl /Th2 cytokines balance in vitro interleukin-1 beta overexpression and be-
ogr. 1981; 72(9-1 0):487^94.
and appears to exhibit anti-angiogenic ac- havioral deficits in nbM-lesioned rats."
7. Del Pino Gamboa "Compara- et al.
J., ,
tivities in vivo; Pathogenic relationships Methods Find. Exp. Clin. Pharmacol. 1997;
tive study betw'een 120 mg. of anapsos
and therapeutic implications." Anticancer 19(5): 299-309.
and a placebo in 37 psoriasis patients."
Res. 2000; 20(3a): 1567-1575. 29. Alvarez, X. A., et al."Anapsos im-
Med. Cutan. Ibero. Lat. Am. 1982; 10(3):
203-208. 19. Bernd, A., et al. "In vitro studies on the proves learning and memor\' in rats wdth
immunomodulating effects of Polypodium Beta-Amyloid (1-28) deposits in the hip-
8.Pineiro Alvarez, B. "2 years personal ex-
leucotomos extract on human leukocyte pocampus" in Progress in Alzheimer's and
perience in anapsos treatment of psoriasis
fractions." Arzneimittelforschung. 1995; Parkinson's diseases, Ed. Fisher, A., Yoshida,
in various clinical forms." Med. Cutan. New
45(8): 901-904. M. and Hannin, 1., Plenum Press,
Ibero. Lat. Am. 1983; 11(1): 65-72.
"Anapsos M., et York, pp. 699-703 (1998).
20. Sempere-Ortells, J.
al.
9. Vargas, J.,
"Anapsos, an anti psori-
et al.
(Polypodium leucotomos) modulates lym- 30.Alvarez, X. A., et al. "Double-blind,
atic drug w'hich increases the proportion
phoid cells and the expression of adhesion randomized, placebo-controlled pilot
of suppressor cells in human peripheral
molecules." Pharmacol. Res. 2002; 46(2): study W'ith anapsos in senile dementia; ef-
blood." Ann. Immunol. (Paris) 1983; 134C
185-190. fects on cognition, brain bioelectrical ac-
(3): 393-400.
Polypodium leucoto- tivity and cerebral hemodynamics." Meth-
21. Rayw'ard, et al..
"Anapsos modifies
Jimenez, D., et al.
J.
10. ods Find. Exp. Clin. Pharmacol. 2000; 22(7):
mos (PL), an herbal extract, inhibits the
immunological parameters and improves 585-594.
proliferative response of T. lymphocytes to
the clinical course in atopic dermatitis."
polyclonal mitogens." Second Inti. Cong, on 31. Cacabelos, R., et al. "A pharmacoge-
Dermatologica 1986; 173(3): 154-155.
Biol. Response Modifiers, San Diego,
1993. nomic approach to Alzheimer's disease."
Jimenez, D., et al. "Anapsos, an antip-
11.
"Enhancing effect Acta Neurol. Scand. Suppl. 2000; 176; 12-19.
22. Tuominen, M. et al.,
soriatic drug, in atopic dermatitis." Aller-
of extract Polypodium leucotomos on the 32. Gonzalez, S., et al. "Inhibition of ultra-
gol. Immunopatliol. (Madrid) 1987;
prev'ention of rejection on skin trans- violet-induced formation of reactive oxy-
15(4):185-189.
plants." Phytotherapy Research 1991; 5: gen species, lipid peroxidation, erythema
12. Mohammad A. "Vitiligo repigmenta-
234-237. and skin photosensitization by Polypodium
tion W'ith Anapsos (Polypodium leucoto-
Navarro-Blasco, F. J., et al. "Modifica- leucotomos." Photodermatol. Photoimmunol.
Dermatol. 1989; 28(7): 479. 23.
mos)" Int. J.
Photomed. 1996; 12(2): 45-56.
tion of the inflammatory activity of psori-
13. Vasange, M., et al. "The fern Polypodi-
atic arthritis in patients treated with ex- 33. Gonzalez, S., et al. "Topical or oral ad-
um decumanum, used in the treatment of
tract of Polypodium leucotomos (Anapsos)." ministration with an extract of Polypodium
psoriasis, and its fatty acid constituents as
Br. J.
Rheumatol. 1998; 37(8): 912. leucotomos prevents acute sunburn and
inhibitors of leukotriene B4 formation."
M. Y., et al. "Water-soluble frac- psoralen-induced phototoxic reactions as
24. Ferrer,
Prostaglandins Leukotrienes Essent. Fatty
decumanum and its use well as depletion of Langerhans cells
tions of Phlebodium
Acids 1994; 50: 279-284.
in humanskin." Photodermaiol. Photoim- 6. Itokawa, H., et al. "A cytotoxic substance genic inflammation by the Amazonian
munol. Plwtomcd. 1997; 13(1-2); 50-60. from sangre de grado." Chem. Pharm. Bull. herbal medicine sangre de grado." /. In-
34. Alcaraz, M. V., et al. "An extract of (Tokyo) 1991; 39(4): 1041- 1042. vest. Dermatol. 2001; 117(3); 725-730.
Poh/podium leiicotoinos appears to mini- 7. Pieters, L., et
"Isolation of a dihy-
al.
mize certain photoaging changes in a hair- drobenzofuran lignan from South Ameri- Sarsaparilla
less albino mouse animal model. A pilot can dragon's blood {Croton sp.) as an in- 1.Hobbs, Christopher. "Sarsaparilla, a lit-
study." Photodermatol. Photoimmunol. Pho- hibitor of cell proliferation." Nat. Prod. erature review." HerbalGram 17. 1988.
/.
tomed. 1999; 15(3-4): 120-26. 1993; 56(6): 899-906. 2. Lueng, Albert and Steven Foster. Ency-
35. Middelkamp-Hup, M. A., et al., "Oral- 8.Chen, Z. P, et al. "Studies on the anti-tu- clopedia of Common Natural Ingredients.
ly administered Poh/podium leucotomos ex- mour, anti-bacterial, and wound-healing New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
tract decreases psoralen-UVA-induced properties of dragon's blood." Planta Med. 3. Willard, Terry. The Wild Rose Scientific
phototoxicity, pigmentation, and damage 1994; 60(6): 541-545. Herbal. Alberta: Wild Rose College of Nat-
of human skin." /. Am. Acad. Dermatol. ural Healing, 1991, 307.
9. Desmarchelier, C., et al. "Effects of san-
2004; 50(1): 41-49.
gre de drago from Croton Muell.- lechleri 4. Botanical Monograph, "Sarsaparilla
36. Philips, N., et al., "Predominant effects Arg. on the production of active oxygen {Smilax sarsaparilla)." American Journal of
of Poh/podium leucotomos on membrane in- radicals." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1997; 58: Natural Medicine 1996; 3(9).
tegrity, lipid peroxidation, and expression 103-108.
5. Newal, Carol, Linda Anderson, and J.
of elastin and atrixmetalloproteinase-1 in
10. Macrae, W. D., et al. "Studies on the David. Phillipson. Herbal Medicine: A Guide
ultraviolet radiation exposed fibroblasts, pharmacological activity of Amazonian for Health-care Professionals. Cambridge,
and keratinocytes." /. Dermatol. Sci. 2003 Euphorbiaceae." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1988; England: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
jun; 32(1); 1-9.
22(2); 143-172.
6. Santos, W. "Haemolytic activi-
R., et al.
37. Alonso-Lebrero, L., et al. "Photopro-
J. 11. Miller, M. J., et al. "Treatment of gastric ties and adjuvants. Effect
of plant saponins
tective properties of a hydrophilic extract
ulcers and diarrhea with the Amazonian of Periandra mediterranea saponin on the
of the fern Polypodium leucotomos on hu- herbal medicine sangre de grado." humoral response to the FML antigen of
Am. J.
man skin cells." /. Pliotochem. Photobiol. B. Physiol. Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 2000; 42: Leishmania donovani." Vaccine 1997; 15(9):
2003 Apr; 70(1): 31-37. G192-200. 1024-1029.
38. Manna, S. K., et al. "Calagualine in- 12.Sandoval, M., et al. "Sangre de grado 7. Chen, T, et al. "A new flavanone isolat-
hibits nuclear transcription factors-kap- Croton palanostigma induces apoptosis in ed from Rhizoma smilacis glabrae and the
paB activated by various inflammatory human gastrointestinal cancer cells." stmctural requirements for its derivatives
j.
and tumor promoting agents." Cancer Lett. Ethnopharmacol. 2002; 80(2-3): 121-129. for preventing immunological hepatocyte
2003: 20; 190(2); 171-182. damage." Planta Med. 1999;
13. Rossi, D., et al. 65(1): 56-59.
"Evaluation of the mu-
tagenic, antimutagenic and antiprolifera- 8. Xu, Q., et al. "Immunosuppressive
Sangre de Grado
tive potential of Croton lechleri (Muell. agents." United States Patent 6,531,505;
1. Duke, James A. "Added Comments on 2003.
Arg.) latex." Phytomedicine. 2003 Mar; 10
the Rainforest." \Nhole Foods Ma<âzine, (2-3): 139-1 44. Xia, Z., et
9. al. "Smilagenin and its use."
May 1997.
14. Meza E. N., ed. Desarrollando Nuestra
2. Perdue, G. P, et al. "South American Diversidad Biocultural: "Sangre de Grado" 10. Thurman, M. "The treatment of pso-
F.
y
plants 11: Taspine isolation and anti-in- el Reto de su Produccion Sustentable en el riasis with sarsaparilla compound." New
flammatory activity." ]. Pliarm. Sci. 1979; Peru. Lima: Universidad Nacional Mayor England Journal of Medicine 1942; 337;
68(1); 124-126.
de San Marcos; 1999. 128-133.
3. Vlietinck, A. j. and R. A. Dommisse, eds. 15. Sid well "Influenza virus-in-
R., et al. 11. Juhlin, L., et al. "The influence of treat-
Advances in Medicinal Plant Research. hibitory effects of intraperitoneally and ment and fibrin microclot generation in
Stuttgart: Wiss. Verlag, 1985.
aerosol-administered SP-303, a plant fla- psoriasis." Br.J. Dermatol. 1983; 108: 33-37.
4. Vaisberg, A. ]., et al. "Taspine is the cica- vonoid." Chemotherapy 1994; 40(1): 42-50. 12. Rollier, R. "Treatment of lepromatous
trizant principle in sangre de grado ex- leprosy by a combination of
16.Williams, J. E. "Review of antiviral DDS and sar-
tracted from Croton lechleri." Planta Med. and immunomodulating properties of saparilla {Smdax ornata)." Int. J. Leprosy
1989; 55(2): 140-143. plants of the Peruvian rainforest with a 1959; 27: 328-340.
5. Porras-Reyes, B. H., et al. "Enhancement particular emphasis on Una de Gato and 13. Tanaka, M., et al. "Therapeutic agents
of wound healing by the alkaloid taspine Sangre de Grado." Altern. Med. Rev. 2001; for respiratory diseases." United States
defining mechanism of action." Proc. Soc. 6(6): 567-579. Patent 6,309,674; 2001.
Exp. Biot. Med. 1993; 203(1): 18-25. 17. Miller, M. et al. "Inhibition of neuro- 14. D'Amico, M.
J., L. "Ricerche sulla presen-
za di sostanze ad azione antibiotica nelle munologic system and preparation con- tracts with cytostatic properties growing
piante superiori." Fitoterapia 1950; 21(1): taining the same." United States Patent in Cuba. 11." Rev. Cubana Med. 1979; 21(2):
5,302,611; 1994. 105-111.
77-79.
15. Fitzpatrick, K. "Plant substances ac- 3. Kang, T. H., et al. "Pteropodine and
F.
Simarouba
tive against mycobacterium tuberculosis." isopteropodine positively modulate the
function of rat muscarinic M(l) and 5- 1. Brendler,Thomas. Heilpflanzen-Herbal
Antibiotics and Chemotherapy 1954; 4(5):
Remedies. CD-ROM. Berlin, Germany: In-
528-536. HT(2) receptors expressed in Xenopus
stitut fiir Phytopharmaka, Gmbh., 1996.
oocyte." Eur. j. Pharmacol. 2002 May 24;
16. Caceres, A., et al. "Plants used in
444 (1-2): 39^5. 2. Shepheard, S., et al. "Persistent carriers
Guatemala for the treatment of dermato-
of Entameba histolytica." Lancet 1918: 501.
Screening for antimy- 4. Roth, B. L., et al. "Insights into the struc-
phytic infections. 1.
ture and function of 5-HT(2) family sero- 3. Cuckler, A. C., et al. "Efficacy and toxic-
coctic activity of 44 plant extracts." /.
tonin receptors reveal novel strategies for ity of simaroubidin in experimental amoe-
Ethnopharmacol. 1991; 31(3): 263-276.
therapeutic target development." Expert biasis." Fed. Proc. 1944; 8: 284.
17. Tschesche, R. "Advances in the chem-
Opin. Ther. Targets 2001 Dec; 5(6): 685-695 4. Duriez, "Glaucarubin in the
R., et al.
istry of antibiotic substances from higher
5.Borges del Castillo, J., et al. "Oxindole treatment of amebiasis." Presse Med. 1962;
plants." In H. Wagner and L. Florhammer,
alkaloids from Hamelia patents jacq." Proc. 70: 1291.
Pharmacognosy and Phytochemisty. New’
1st Int. Conf. Chem. Biotechnol. Biol. Act. Wright, C. W., et"Quassinoids exhib-
al.
York: Springer Verlag, 1971. 274-276. 5.
Nat. Prod. 1981. it greater selectivity against Plasmodium
18. Ageel, A. M., et al. "Experimental stud-
6. Chaudhuri, P. K., et al. "Hamelia patens: falciparum than against Entamoeba histoylti-
ieson antirheumatic crude drugs used in or Toxoplasma gondii
a new source of ephedrine." Planta Med. ca, Giardia intestinalis
Saudi traditional medicine." Drugs Exp. Eukaryot. Microbiol. 1993; 40(3):
1991; 57(2): 199. in vitro." /.
Clin. Res. 1989; 15(8): 369-372.
244-246.
7. Aquino, R., et al. "A flavanone glycoside
19. Jiang, J., et al. "Immunomodulatory ac- 6. Caceres, A. "Plants used in Guatemala
from Hamelia patens." Phytochemistry 1990;
tivity of the aqueous extract from rhizome
29(7): 2358-2360. for the treatment of gastrointestinal disor-
of Smilax glabra in the later phase of adju- ders. Screening of 84 plants against en-
1.
Yun, Y, et al. "Synergistic immunosu-
vant-induced arthritis in rats." /. Ethno- 8. S.
terobacteria." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1990;
pharmacol. 2003; 85(1): 53-59. pressive effects of rosmarinic acid and ra-
30(1): 55-73.
pamycin in vitro and in vivo." Transplan-
20. Rafatullah, S., et al. "Hepatoprotective 7. Spencer, C. F, et al. "Survey of plants for
tation 2003; 75(10): 1758-1760.
and safety evaluation studies on sarsa- antimalarial activitv" Lloydia 1947; 10:
9. Takeda, H., et al. "Rosmarinic acid and
parilla." Int. j. Pharmacognosy 1991; 29: 145-174.
caffeic acid produce antidepressive-like ef-
29^301. 8. Trager, W., et al. "Antimalarial activity
fect in the forced sw’imming test in mice."
21. Harnischfeger, G., et al. "Smilax Spe- of quassinoids against chloroquine-resist-
Eur. }. Pharmacol. 2002; 449(3): 261-267.
cies— Sarsaparille." In Bewahrte Pflanzen- ant Plasmodium falciparum in vitro." Am. j.
10. Esposito-Avella, M., et al. "Pharmaco-

drogen in und Medizin. Bad
Wissenschaft Trp. Med. Hyg. 1981; 30(3): 531-537.
logical screening of Panamanian medici-
Flomburg/Melsungen: Notamed Verlag, 9. O'Neill, M. ]., et al. "Plants as sources
nal plants. Part 1." Int. j. Crude Drug Res.
1983. 216-225. of antimalarial drugs. Part 6. Activities of
1985; 23(1): 17-25.
22. Humpert, F. "The effect of a sarsaparil- Simarouba amara fruits." /. Ethnopharmacol.
11. Sosa, S., et al. "Screening of the topical
la preparation (renotrat) in chronic nephri- 1988; 22(2): 183-190.
anti-inflammatory activity of some Cen-
tis, with particular reference to the uric 10. O'Neill, M. J.,
et al. "The activity of
tral American plants." /. Ethnopharmacol.
acid content of the blood and urine." Klin. Simarouba amara against chloroquine-
2002; 81(2): 211-215.
Wochschr. 1933; 12: 1696. resistant Plasmodium falciparum in-vitro."
Misas, C. A. et al. "Contribution of Suppl. 39: 80.
/. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1987;
12. ].,
23. Rittmann, R., al. "A new' agent in kid-
the biological evaluation of Cuban plants. "In vitro studies on
ney therapy." Klin. Wochschr. 1930; 9: 401- 11. Kirby, G. C., et al.
VI." Reii Cub. Med. Prop. 1979; 31: 45-51.
408. the mode of action of quassinoids with ac-
13. Camporese, A., et al. "Screening of tivity against chloroquine-resistant Plas-
Scarlet Bush anti-bacterial activity of medicinal plants modium falciparum." Biochem. Pharmacol.
from Belize (Central America)." /.
1989; 38(24): 4367-4374.
1. Borges del Castilo, J.,
et al., "Salvadorian
Ethnopharmacol. 2003; 87(1): 103-107. "In vivo and in vit-
Study of alkaloids. From Hamelia
flora. 5. 12. Franssen, F. F, et al.
Lopez Abraham A., et al. "Potential an- ro antiplasmodial activities of some plants
patens Jacq." An. Quim. Ser. C. 1982; 78: 14.
180-183. tineoplastic activity of Cuban plants. IV." traditionally used in Guatemala against
Rev. Cubana Farm. 1981; 15(1): 71-77. malaria." Antimicrob. Agents Chemother.
2. "Oxindole alkaloids
Keplinger, K., et al.
Lopez Abraham A., et al. "Plant ex- 1997; 41(7): 1500-1503.
having properties stimulating the im- 15.
13.Monjour, I., et al., "Therapeutic trials of Samuelsson, Gunnar. Drugs of Natural

3. man hypertension." Br. /. Clin. Pharmacol.
experimental murine malaria with the Origin. Stockholm: Swedish Pharmaceuti- 2000; 50(3): 215-220.
quassinoid, glaucarubinone." C. R. Acad. cal Press, 1992.
Sa. III. 1987; 304(6): 129-132.
16. Yamamoto, N. S., et al. "Effect of stevi-
4. Leung, A. and S. Foster. Encyclopedia of ol and its structural analogues on glucose
14.May, G., et al., "Antiviral activity of Common Natural Ingredients. New York: production and oxygen uptake in rat renal
aqueous extracts from medicinal plants in John Wiley & Sons, 1996. tubules." Experientia 1985; 41(1): 55-57.
tissue cultures." Arzneim-Forsch 1978; 28
5. Sekihashi, K., et al. "Genotoxicity stud- 17. Jeppesen, P. B., et al. "Stevioside acts
(1): 1-7.
ies of stevia extract and steviol by the directlyon pancreatic beta cells to secrete
15. Kaif-A-Kamb, M., et al. "Search for comet assay." Toxicol. Sci. 2002; 27 (Sup-
/. insulin: actions independent of cyclic
new antiviral agents of plant origin." pi. 1): 1-8.
adenosine monophosphate and adenosine
Phar?n. Acta Helv. 1992; 67(5-6): 130-147.
6. Matsui, M., et al. "Evaluation of the triphosphate-sensitive K+-channel activi-
16. Anon. Unpublished data. National genotoxicity of stevioside and steviol ty." Metabolism 2000; 49(2): 208-214.
Cancer Institute. Nat. Cancer Inst, central using six in vitro and one in vivo muta- 18. Boeckh, E. M. A., et al. "Avaliacao Clin-
files 1976; from the NAPRALERT on Sima- genicity assays." Mutagenesis. 1996; 11(6): ica do Efeito Cronico do Edulcorante Nat-
rouba. University of Illinois. 573-579. ural Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni Sobre o Teste
17. Ghosh, P. C., et al. "Antitumor plants. 7. Suzuki, H., et al. "Influence of the oral de Tolerancia a Glicose, Parametros Clini-
IV. Constituents of Simarouba versicolor.” administration of stevioside on the levels cos e Eletrocardiograficos em Individuos
Lloydia 1977; 40(4): 364-369. of blood glucose and liver glycogen in Normais." V Simposio de Plantas Medicinais
18. Polonsky, "The isolation and intact rats." Nogyo Kagakii Zasshi 1977; do Brasil. 1978; (4-6): 208.
J. struc-
ture of 13,18-dehydroglaucarubinone, a 51(3): 45.
19. Humbolt, G., et al. "Steviosideo:
new antineoplastic quassinoid from Sima- 8.Naves, Y. R. "Volatile plant materials. Efeitos Cardio-circulatorios em Ratos." V
rouha amara.” Experientia 1978; 34(9): 1122- XXV. Presence of matsutake's alcohol (oct- Simposio de Plantas Medicinais do Brasil.
1123. l-en-3-ol) and 1978; (4-6): 208.
3-menthylcyclohexanol
19. Ogura, M. et al. "Potential anticancer
in essential oil of European pennyroyal 20. Melis, M. S. "A crude extract of Steina
agents VI. Constituents of Ailanthus {Mentha pulegium)." Helv. Chim. Acta. 1943;
excel- rebaudiana increase the renal plasma flow
sa (Simaroubaceae)." Lloydia 1977; 40(6): 26: 1992-2001.
of normal and hypertensive rats." Braz.
/.
579-584. 9. Aritajat, S., et al. "Dominant lethal test Med. Biol. Res. 1996; 29(5): 669-675.
20.Handa, S. S., et al. "Plant anticancer in rats treated with some plant extracts." 21. Boeckh, E. M. A. "Stevia rebaudiana
agents XXV. Constituents of Soiilamea Southeast Asian j. Prop. Med. Public Health bertoni: Cardio-circulatory effects of total
soiilameoides.” Nat. Prod. 1983; 46(3): 2000; 31 (Suppl. 1): 171-173.
/. water extract in normal persons and of ste-
359-364. 10. Oliveira-Filho, R. M., et vioside in rats and frogs." First Brazilian
al. "Chronic
21. Valeriote, administration of aqueous extract of Stevia seminar on Stevia rebaudiana, Inst. Technol.
F. A., et al. "Anticancer activ-
ity of glaucarubinone analogues." Oncol rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni in rats: endocrine Aliment. Campinas, Brazil, June 25-26,
Res. 1998; 10(4): 201-208. effects." Gen. Pharmacol. 1989; 20(2): 1981.
187-191.
22. Bonte, F, et al. "Simarouba amara extract 22. Melis, M. S. "Chronic administration of
increases human skin keratinocyte differ-
11. von Czepanski, C. "Testing of selected aqueous extract of Steina rebaudiana in rats:
entiation." Etlmopharmacol. 1996; 53(2): plants for antifertility activity." Personal renal effects." /. Etlmopharmacol. 1995;
/.
65-74. Communication 1977. 47(3): 129-134.
23. Bonte, R, et al. 12. Felippe, G. M., et al. "Stevia rebaudiana. 23. Melis,M. S. "Stevioside effect on renal
"Use of a simarouba ex-
tract for reducing patchy skin pigmenta- A review." Cienc. Cult. 1977; 29: 1240. function of normal and hypertensive rats."
tion." United States Patent 5,676,948; Oc- 13. Melis, M. S. "Effects of chronic admin- /. Etlmopharmacol. 1992; 36(3): 213-217.
tober 14, 1997. istration of Stevia rebaudiana on fertility in 24. Curi, R., et al. "Effect of Stevia rebaudi-
rats." /. Etlmopharmacol. 1999; 167(2): ana on glucose tolerance in normal adult
Slevia 157-161. humans." Braz. }. Med. Biol. Res. 1986;
1. Soejarto, D. D., et al. "Potential sweeten- 14. Melis, M.S., et 19(6): 771-774.
al. "Effect of calcium and
ing agents of plant origin. 111. Organoleptic verapamil on renal function of rats during 25. Oviedo, C. "Hypoglycemic ac-
A., et al.
evaluation of stevia leaf herbarium speci- treatment with stevioside." /. Ethnophar- tion of Steina rebaudiana." Excerpta medica
mens for sweetness." /. Nat. Prod. 1982; macol. 1991; 33(3): 257-262. 1970; 209: 92.
45(5): 590-599.
15. Chan, P, et al. "A double-blind place- 26. Kinghorn, A. D., et al. Economic and me-
2. Bridel, M., et al. /. Pliarm. Chem. 1931; 14: bo-controlled study of the effectiveness dicinal plant research. Vol. 1. Academic
99. and tolerability of oral stevioside in hu- Press: Orlando, FL. 1985.
507
the compositions. United States Patent 19. Arletti, R., et al. “Stimulating property
27.Anon. "Stevia components as sweeten-
March 11, 1997. of Turnera diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata ex-
ing agents and antibiotics." Japanese 5,609,873;
tracts on the sexual behavior of male rats."
Patent 8092,323; 1980. 6.de Oliveira, F. G., et al. “Contribution to
Psychopharmacology 1999; 143(1): 15-19.
28. Tomita, T., et al. “Bactericidal activity the pharmacognostic study of Brazilian
ginseng Pfaffia paniculata." An. Farm. Quim. 20.Heleen, Pamela A. Herbal composition
of a fermented hot-water extract from Ste-
for enhancing sexual response. United
via rebaudiana bertoni towards enterohem- 1980; 20(1-2); 277-361.
0157;h7 and other States Patent 6,444,237; Sept 13, 2001.
orrhagic Escherichia coli
7. Nakai, S., et al. “Pfaffosides. Part 2. Pfaf-
food-borne pathogenic bacteria." Microbi- from 21. Subiza, et al. "Occupational asthma
fosides, nortriterpenoid saponins J.,
Immunol. 1997; 41(12): 1005-1009. caused by Brazil ginseng dust." /. Allergy

ol.
Pfaffia paniculata." Phytochemistry 1984;
Clin. Immunol. 1991; 88(5): 731-736.
29. Takahashi, K., et al. “Analysis of anti- 23(8): 1703-1705.
rotavirus activity of extract from Stevia re- Nishimoto, N., et al. “Pfaffosides and
8.
Tayuya
baudiana." Antiviral Res. 2001; 49(1); 15-24. nortriterpenoid saponins from Pfaffia pan-
1. Bauer, R. and H. Wagner. Dtsch. Apoth.
30. Takaki, M., et al. “Antimicrobial activi- iculata" Phytochemistry 1984; 23(1):
Ztg. 1983; 123: 1313.
ty in leaves extracts of Stevia rebaudiana 139-142.
Pernam- 2. Bauer, R., et al. “Cucurbitacins and
bert." Rev. Inst. Antibiot. Univ. Fed. Takemoto, T., et al. “Pfaffic acid, a novel
9.
flavone C-glycosides from Cayaponia
buco. Recife 1985; 22(1/2): 33-39. nortriterpene from Pfaffia paniculata
tayuya." Phytochemisty 1984: 1587-1591.
31. Pinheiro, C. E., et al. “Effect of guarana Kuntze." Tetrahedron Lett. 1983; 24(10):
Himeno, E., et al. “Structures of
and Stevia rebaudiana bertoni (leaves) ex- 1057-1060. 3.
tracts, and stevioside, on the fermentation cayaponosides A, B, C and D, glucosides

10. Takemoto, T,Antitumor pfaffos-
et al.
of nor-cucurbitacins in the roots of
new
and synthesis of extracellular insoluble ides from Brazilian carrots. Japanese
polysaccharides of dental plaque." Rev. Cayaponia tayuya." Chem. Pharm. Bull.
Patent 84/184,198; October 19, 1984.
Odont. Usp. 1987; 1(4): 9-13. (Tokyo) 1992; 40(10): 2885-2887.
11. Takemoto, T, et al. Pfaffic acids and its
4. Konoshima, T., et al. “Inhibitory effects
32. Dozono, Fumio. “Stevia extract-con- Japanese Patent (SHO-WA)-
derivatives. on Epstein-
taining medicine." United States Patent of cucurbitane triterpenoids
118872; 1982. 16 pp.
5,262,161; 1993.
Barr virus activation and two-stage car-
12. Takemoto, T., et al. Pfaffic acids and its
cinogenesis of skin tumor." Biol. Pharm.
33. FDA Import Alert No. 45-06. May 17,
derivatives. Japanese Patent 84/10,548; Bull. 1995; 18(2): 284-287.
1991.
January 20, 1984. Anon., “Anti-tumor-promoter activity
5.
34. Blumenthal, Mark. “Perspectives on
13. Takemoto, T, et al. Pfaffosides. Japan- of natural substances and related com-
FDA's new stevia policy, after four years,
ese Patent; (SHO-WAJ-58-57547; 1983. pounds." Annual Report 1995. National
the agency lifts its ban —but only partial-
Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo,
14. Watanabe, T, et al. “Effects of oral ad-
ly." Whole Foods Magazine, February 1996.
ministration of Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian Japan, 1996.
ginseng) on incidence of spontaneous "On mechanism

Sii ma 6. Panosian, A., et al. the
leukemia in AKR/J mice." Cancer Detect. of action of plant adaptogens with partic-
1. Nishimoto, N., et al. “Constituents of
Prev. 2000; 24(2): 173-178. ular reference to cucurbitacin R digluco-
'Brazil ginseng' and some Pfaffia species."
ginseng deriva- side." Phytomedicine 1999; 6(3): 147C}-155.
Tennen Yuki Kagobutsu Toronkai Keon 15. Araujo, J.
T. Brazilian
tives for treatment of sickle cell sympto- Panosian, A. G., et al. “Action of adap-
Yoshishu 1988; 10: 17-24. 7.
matology. United States Patent 5,449,516; togens: cucurbitacin R diglucoside as a

2. Nishimoto, N., et al. “Three ecdysteroid
Sept. 12, 1995. stimulator of arachidonic acid metabolism
glycosides from Pfaffia." Phi/tochemistri/
in the rat adrenal gland." Probl. Endokrinol.
1988; 27(6); 1665-1668. 16. Balias, S. K., et al. “Hydration of sickle
(Mosk). 1989; 35(2): 70-74.
Beta-ecdysone from erythrocytes using a herbal extract (Pfaffia
3. Matsumoto, 1., Pfaf-
Panosian, A. G., et al. “Effect of stress
paniculata) in vitro." Brit. }. Hematol. 2000; 8.
fta paniculata. Japanese Patent 82/118,422.
111(1): 359-362. and the adaptogen cucurbitacin R diglyco-
January 20, 1984.
side on arachidonic acid metabolism."
17. Mazzanti, G., et al. “Anti-inflammato-
4. Shibuya, 1. et al. Composition. United Probl. Endokrinol. (Mosk). 1989; 35(1):
rv activity of Pfaffia paniculata (Martius)
States Patent 6,224,872; July 20,1998. 58-bl.
Kuntze and Pfaffia stenophylla (Sprengel)
Meybeck, A. et al. Use of an ecdysteroid Huguet, A. “Superoxide scav-
Stuchl." Pharmacol. Res. 1993; 27(1): 91-92.
5. 9. 1., et al.
for the preparation of cosmetic or derma- enging properties of flavonoids in a non-

18. Mazzanti, G., et al. “Analgesic and
tological compositions intended, in partic- enzymic system." Z. Natur. Forsch. 1990;
anti-inflammatory action of Pfaffia panicu-
ular, forstrengthening the water barrier 45(1-2); 19-24.
lata (Martius) Kuntze." Phytother. Res.
function of the skin or for the preparation
10. Vrinda, B., et al. “Radiation protection
medium, as well as to 1994; 8(7): 413-416.
of a skin cell culture
of human lymphocyte chromosomes in 7. Hayashi, T. "Scoparic acid A, a beta-glu- on normal cells." Cancer Lett. 2002; 175(1);
vitro by orientin and vicenin." Miitat. Res. curonidase inhibitor from Scoparia dulcis." 17-25.
2001; 498 (1-2); 39-46. Nat. Prod. 1992; 55(12): 1748-1755.
J.
19. Fulda, S., et al. "Betulinic acid: A new
11. Lima Devi, R, et al. "In vivo radiopro- 8. Nishino, H. "Antitumor-promoting ac- cytotoxic agent against malignant brain-
tection by ocimum flavonoids: survival of tivity of scopadulcic acid tumor Cancer 1999; 82(3):
B, isolated from cells." bit. }.
mice." Rmiiat. Res. 1999; 151(1): 74-8. the medicinal plant Scoparia dulcis L." 435-441.
On-
12. Ruppelt, B. M., et al. "Pharmacological cology 1993; 50(2): 100-103. 20. Arisawa, M. "Cell growth inhibition of
screening of plants recommended by folk 9. Riel, M. A. "Efficacy of scopadulcic acid KB cells by plant extracts." Natural Med.
medicine as anti-snake venom 1. Anal- — A against Plasmodium falciparum in vit- 1994; 48(4): 338-347.
gesic and anti-inflammatory activities." ro." /. Nat. Prod. 2002; 65(4): 614-615. 21. Hayashi, ‘R.J., et al. "A cytotoxic
Mem. Inst. Osivaldo Cruz 1991; 86 (Suppl.
flavone from Scoparia dulcis L." Chem.
10. Hayashi, T. "Antiviral agents of plant
2): 203-205.
Pharm. Bull. 1988; 36: 4849-4851.
origin. III. Scopadulin, a novel tetracyclic
13. Rios, J. L., et al. "A study of the anti-in- diterpene from Scoparia dulcis L." Chem. 22. Pereira, N. A. "Contribucao ao estudo
flammatory activity of Cayaponia tayiiya
Pharm. Bull. 1990; 38(4): 945-947. da tapixava {Scoparia dulcis L.)" Rev. Flora
root." Fitoterapia 1990; 61(3): 275-278.^
Med. (Rio de Janeiro) 1949; 16: 363-381.
11. Hayashi, K. "In vitro and in vivo an-
14. Chiappeta, A. D. A., et al. "Higher 23. Freire, S., et al. "Analgesic and anti-in-
tiviral activity of scopadulcic acid B from
plants with biological activity— Plants of flammatory properties of Scoparia
Scoparia dulcis, Scrophulariaceae, against dulcis L.
Pernambuco. 1." Rev. Inst. Antibiot. Univ. extracts and glutinol in rodents." Phy-
Herpes simplex virus type 1." Antiviral Res.
Fed. Pernambuco Recife 1983; 21 (1/2): tother. Res. 1993; 7: 408-414.
1988; 9(6): 345-354.
43-50.
12. Hayashi, T., et al. "Antiviral agents of
24. Freire, S., et "Sympathomimetic ef-
al.
M. R. and E. P. Schenkel. "Carac-
15. Faria, fects of Scoparia dulcis L. and catechol-
plant origin. II. Antiviral activity of sco-
terizacao de cucurbitacinas em especies amines isolated from plant extracts." /.
padulcic acid B derivatives." Chem. Pharm.
vegetais cohecidas popularmente como Pharm. Pharmacol. 1996; 48(6): 624-628.
Bull. 1990; 38(1): 239-242.
taiuia." Ciencia e Cultura (Sao Paulo) 1987;
25. Freire, S., et al. "Analgesic activity of a
39; 970-973. 13.Kanamoto, T., et al. "Anti-human im-
triterpene isolated from Scoparia dulcis
munodeficiency virus activity of YK-
(vassourinha)." Mem. Inst. Osivaldo Cruz
Vassourinha FH312 (a betulinic acid derivative), a nov-
86 (Suppl. II): 149-151.
1 . Mahato, S., et al. 'Triterpenoids of Scoparia
el compound blocking viral maturation."
Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 2001; 45(4): 26. Ahmed, M., et al. "Analgesic, diuretic,
dulcis." Phytochemistry 1981; 20: 171- 173.
1225-1230. and anti-inflammatory principle from Sco-
2. Hayashi, T., et al. "Scopadulcic acid-A paria dulcis." Pharmazie 2001; 56(8): 657-660.
and -B, new diterpenoids with a novel 14. Noda, Y, "Enhanced cytotoxicity
et al.
of some triterpenes toward leukemia 27. Pari, L., et al. "Hypoglycaemic activity
skeleton, from a Paraguayan crude drug
of Scoparia dulcis L. extract in alloxan in-
'typycha kuratu' {Scoparia dulcis L.)." Tetra-
LI 210 cells cultured in low pH media; pos-
duced hyperglycaemic rats." Phytother.
hedron Lett. 1987; 28(32): 3693-3696. sibility of a new mode of cell killing."
Res. 2002 Nov; 1 6(7): 662-664.
Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1997; 45(10); 1665-1670.
3. Kawasaki, M. "Structure of scoparic
28. Babincova, M., et al. "Free radical scav-
acid A, a new labdane-type diterpenoid 15. Salti, G. I., et al. "Betulinic acid reduces
enging activity of Scoparia dulcis extract."
from a Paraguayan crude drug 'typycha ultraviolet-c-induced DNA breakage in
/. Med. Food. 2001; 4(3): 179-181.
kurata' {Scoparia dulcis L.)." Chem. Pharm. congenital melanocytic naeval cells: evi-
dence 29. Laurens, A., et al. "Antimicrobial activ-

Bull. 1987; 35(9): 3963-3966. for a potential role as a chemopre-
ventive agent." Melanoma Res. 2001; 11(2):
ity ofsome medicinal species of Dakar
4. Hayashi, T. "Structures of new diter- markets." Pharmazie 1985; 40(7): 482^85.
99-104.
penoids from a Paraguayan crude drug
30. Singh, J., et al. "Antifungal activity of
'typycha kuratu' {Scoparia dulcis L.)." Ten- 16. Fulda, S., et al. "Betulinic acid induces
Mentha spicata." bit. J. Pharmacog. 1994;
nen Kagobutsu Toronkai Koen Yoshishu
Yiiki apoptosis through a direct effect on mito-
32(4): 314-319.
1987; 29:544-551. chondria in neuroectodermal tumors."
Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 2000; 35(6):
31. Hasrat,J., et al. "Medicinal plants in
5. Ahmed, M. "Diterpenoids from 616-618.
Scoparia
Suriname: Screening of plant extracts for
dulcis." Phytochemistry 1990; 29(9): 3035- 17. Wachsberger, P. R., et al. "Betulinic acid
receptor binding activity." Phytomedicine
3037. sensitization of low pH adapted human 1997; 4(1): 59-65.
6. Hayashi, T. "Scopadulciol, an inhibitor melanoma cells to hyperthermia." bit. J.
of gastric H+, K-i-atpase from Scoparia dul- Hyperthermia 2002; 18(2): 153-164. Velvet Bean
cis, and its structure-activity relation- 18. Zuco, V., et al. "Selective cytotoxicity of M., et
1. Polhill, R. al. "Advances in
ships." Nat. Prod. 1991; 54(3): 802-9. betulinic acid on tumor
/. cell lines, but not Legume systematics." Proceedings of the
International Legume Conference. Kew, ets in normal fasting albino rats." Indian }. herbal origin on sexual performance and
England. July 24-29, 1978. Med. Res. 1968; 56(12): 1808-1812. hormone levels in alcohol exposed and
normal rats." Phytother. Res. 1996; 10(4):
2. Vaidya, R. A., et al. "Activity of bromo- 14. Uguru, M. O., et al. "Mechanism of ac-
296-299.
ergocryptine, Muciina pruriens and 1-dopa tion of the aqueous seed extract of Mucuna
pruriens on the guinea-pig ileum." Phy- 27. Sankaran, R. "Problem of male virili-
in the control of hyperprolactinemia." J.
Neurology. 1978; 26: 179-182. tother. Res. 1997; 11(4): 328-329. ty —an oriental therapy." /. Natl. Integ.
Med. Ass. 1984; 26(11): 315-317.
3. Lubis, I., et al. "L-dihydroxyphenylala- 15. Dhar, M. L., et al. "Screening of Indian
plants for biological activity. Part 1." Indi- 28. Madaan, S. "Speman in oligospermia."
nine (1-dopa) in mucuna seeds." Ann. Bo-
an /. Exp. Biol. 1968; 6: 232-247. Probe 1985; 115-117.
gor. 1981; 7(3): 107-114.
16. jauk, L., et al. "Analgesic and an- 29. Solepure, A. "The effect of
B., et al.
4. Ghosal, S., et al. "Alkaloids of Mucuna
tipyretic effects of Mucuna pruriens." Int. /. 'speman' on quality of semen in relation to
pruriens. Chemistry and pharmacology."
Pharmacog. 1993; 31(3): 213-216. magnesium concentration." Indian Practi-
PlantaMed.\97\M9: 279.
tioner. 1979; 32: 663-668.
17. Dabral, P. K., et al. "Evaluation of the
5. Smith, T. A. "Tryptamine and related
role of Rumalaya and Geriforte in chronic
compounds in plants." Review. Phyto- Yerba Mate
chemistry. 1977; 16: 171-175.
arthritis —a preliminary study." Probe
1. Blumenthal, M., et al. The Complete Ger-
1983; 22(2): 120-127.
6. Nath, D., et al. "Commonly used Indian man Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic
18. Aguiyi, ]. C., et al. "Studies on possible
abortifacient plants with special reference Guide to Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Newton,
protection against snake venom using
to their teratologic effects in rats." /. MA: Integrative Medicine Communica-
Mucuna pruriens protein immunization."
Ethnoplmrmacol. 1992; 36(2): 147-154. tions, 1998.
Fitoterapia 1999; 70(1): 21-24.
7. Olanow, W., et al. "Levodopa: Why the
Aguiyi, C., et al. "Blood chemistry of
2. Alikaridis, F. "Natural constituents of
19. J.
Controversy?" CME 2002; 23. Ilex species." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1987; 20(2):
rats pretreated with Mucuna pruriens seed
121-144.
8. Pruthi, Som C., et al. "Ayurvedic com- aqueous extract MPlOlU] after Echis cari-
position for the treatment of disorders of natus venom challenge." Phytother. Res. 3. Fossati, C. "On the virtue and therapeu-
tic properties of 'yerba-mate' (Ilex paraguay-
the nervous system including Parkinson's 2001; 15(8): 712-714.
ensis or paraguariensis St. Hilaire 1838)."
disease." United States Patent 6,106,839; 20. Guerranti, R., et al. "Effects of Mucuna
Clin. Ter. 1976; 78(3): 265-272.
2000. on activation of prothrom-
pruriens extract
Liebert, Mary Ann. "An alternative bin by Echis carinatus venom." /. Ethno- 4. Martine, A., et al. "NMR
and IC-MS-N
9.
pharmacol. 2001; 75(2/3): 175-180. characterization of two minor saponins
medicine treatment for Parkinson's dis-
from Ilex paraguariensis." Phytochem. Anal.
ease: results of a multicenter clinical trial.
21 Guerranti, R., et
. al. "Proteins from Mu-
2001; 12(1): 4^52.
HP-200 in parkinson's disease study cuna pruriens and enzymes from Echis car-
group." /. Altern. Complement. Med. 1995; inatus venom: characterization and cross- 5. Gosmann, G. "Triterpenoid saponins
Chem. 2002; 277(19). from Ilex paraguariensis." ]. Nat. Prod. 1995;
1(3): 249-255. reactions." /. Biol.
58(3): 438.
10. Rathi, S. S., et al. "Prevention of exper- 22. Bhargava, N. C., et al. "Fortege, and in-
imental diabetic cataract by Indian digenous drug in common sexual disor- 6. Kraemer, K. H. "Matesaponin 5, a high-
extracts." Phytother. Res. ders in males." Mediscope 1978; 21(6): ly polar saponin from Ilex paraguariensis.
Ayurvedic plant
140-144. Phytochemistrxj 1996; 42(4): 1119-1122.
2002; 16(8): 774-777.
"Effect of an in- 7. Schenkel, E. P. "Triterpene saponins
11. Rathi, S. S., et al. "The effect of Mo- 23. jayatilak, P. G., et al.
human from mate. Ilex paraguariensis." Adv. Exp.

mordica charantia and Mucuna pruriens in digenous drug (speman) on acces-
Surg. Med. Biol. 1996; 405: 47-56.
experimental diabetes and their effect on sory reproductive function." Indian j.
key metabolic enzymes involved in carbo- 1976; 38: 12-15. 8. Sanz, M. D., T. "Mineral elements in
an mate herb {Ilex paraguariensis St. H.)."
hydrate metabolism." Phytother. Res. 2002; 24. jayatilak, P. G., et al. "Effect of in-
16(3): 236-243. digenous drug (speman) on accessory re- Arch. Latinoam. Nutr. 1991; 41(3): 441-454.
"Mucuna pruriens decoc- productive functions in mice." Indian J. 9. Pomilio, A. B., et al. "High-performance
12. lauk, L., et al.
Exp. Biol. 1976; 14: 170. capillary electrophoresis analysis of mate
tion lowers cholesterol and total lipid plas-
Mesko, C. A. "Composition for poten- infusions prepared from stems and leaves
ma levels in the rat." Phytother. Res. 1989; 25.
method of Ilex paraguariensis using automated mi-
3(6): 263-264. tiating a growth hormone and a
preparation of said composition. cellar electrokinetic capillary chromatog-

for
13. Pant, M. C., et al. "Blood sugar and to-
United States Patent 6,340,474; 2002. raphy." Phytochem. Anal. 2002; 13(4): 235-
tal cholesterol lowering effect of glycine
241.
"Experimental as-
soya (Sieb and Zucc.), Mucuna pruriens 26. Mitra, S. K., et al.
sessment of relative efficacy of drugs of 10. Samuelsson, Gunnar. Drugs of Natural
(D.C.) and Dolichos biflorus (Linn.) seed di-
A Textbook of Pharmnco^nosy, 3rd ed. on contraction of rabbit aorta and

salicifolia 33. Kalousova, M., "Advanced glyca-
et al.
Stockholm, Sweden: Swedish Pharmaceu- guinea-pig left atrium." Natural Med. 1997; tion end-products and advanced oxida-
tical Press, 1992. 51(5): 478-481. tion protein products in patients with dia-
11. Duke, J. A. Handbook of Phytochemical 22. Gorzalczany, S., et al. "Choleretic effect betes mellitus." Physiol. Res. 2002; 51(6):
' '
Constituents of GRAS Herbs ami Other Eco- and intestinal propulsion of 'mate' {Ilex 597-604.
nomic Plants. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, paraguariensis) and its substitutes of adul- 34. De Stefani, E., et al. "Black tobacco,
1992. terants." Ethnopharmacol. 2001; 75(2-3): wine and mate
/. in oropharyngeal cancer."
12. Vasquez, A., et al. "Studies on mate 291-294. Rev. Epidemiol. Sante. Publique. 1988; 36(6):
drinking." Ethnopharmacol. 1986; 18: 389-394.

/. 23. Muccillo Baisch, A. L., et al. "Endothe-
267-272. lium-dependent vasorelaxing activity of 35. De Stefani, E., et al. "Black tobacco,
13. Collomp, K., et al. "Effects of salbuta- aqueous extracts of Ilex paraguariensis on mate and bladder cancer. A case-control
mol and caffeine ingestion on exercise me- mesenteric arterial bed of rats." /.
study from Uruguay." Cancer 1991; 67(2):
tabolism and performance." Ethnopharmacol. 1998; 60(2): 133-139. 536-540.
Int. /. Sports
Med. 2002; 23(8): 549-554. 24. Williams, R., et al. "Treating depres- 36. De Stefani, E., et al. "Meat intake,
J.
14. Lieberman, H. R., et al. "Effects of caf- sion with alcohol extracts of tobacco." U.S. 'mate' drinking and renal cell cancer in
feine, sleep loss, and stress on cognitive patent no. 6,350,479; 2002. Uruguay: a case-control study." Br. J. Can-
cer 1998; 78(9): 1239-1243.
performance and mood during U.S. Navy 25. Filip, R., et al. "Antioxidant activity of
SEAL training." Psychopharmacology (BerlL Ilex paraguariensis and related species." 37. Castellsague, X., et al. "Influence of
2002; 164(3): 250-261. Nutr. Res. 2000; 20(10): 1437-1446. mate drinking, hot beverages and diet on
15.National Toxicology Program. "NTP esophageal cancer risk in South America."
26. Schinella, G. R., et al. "Antioxidant ef-
Int. J. Cancer 2000; 88(4): 658-664.
toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of fects of an aqueous extract of Ilex paraguar-
theophylline (CAS No. 58-55-9) in F344/N iensis.'' Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.
rats and B6C3F1 mice (feed and gavage 2000; 269(2): 357-60. General References
studies)." Natl. Toxicol. Program Tech. Rep.
27. Actis-Goretta, L., et al.
"Comparative
Ser. 1998; 478: 1-326. Tribal/Herbal Medicine Uses
study on the antioxidant capacity of wines
16. Martinet, A., et
"Thermogenic ef-
al. and other plant-derived beverages." Ann. Acero, D. Principales Plantas Utiles De La
fects of commercially available plant N. Y. Acad. Sci. 2002; 957: 279-83. Amazonia Colombiana. Bogata: Proyecto
preparations aimed at treating human Radargrametrico Del Amazonas, 1979.
28. Gugliucci, A. "Antioxidant effects of
obesity." Phytomedicine 1999; 6(4): 231-238.
Ilex paraguariensis: induction of decreased Agromidia Software. Plantas Medicinais
Anderson, T, et al. "Weight loss and
17. oxidability of human LDL in vivo."
(CD-ROM). Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2002.
delayed gastric emptying following a Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 1996; Almeida, de, E. R. Plantas Medicinais
South American herbal preparation in 224(2): 338-344.' Brasileiras, Conhecimentos Populares E Cien-
overweight patients." /. Hum. Nutr. Diet. tificos. Sao Paulo: Hemus Editora Ltda.,
29. Gugliucci, A. "Low-density lipoprotein
2001; 14(3): 243-250. 1993.
oxidation is inhibited by extracts of Ilex
18. Matsunaga, K., et al. "Inhibitory action paraguariensis." Biochem. Mol. Biol. Int. Alves, T. M. A, et al. "Biological Screening
of Paraguayan medicinal plants on 5- 1995; 35(1): 47-56. of Brazilian Medicinal Plants." Mem. Inst.
lipoxygenase." Natural Med. 2000; 54(3): Oswaldo Cruz. 2000; 95 (3): 369-373.
30. Heinecke, J. W. "Clinical trials of vita-
151-154.
min E in coronary artery disease: Is it time Arvigo, Rosita and Michael Balick. Rain-
19. Marr, K., et al. "Pharmacokinetics and to reconsider the low-density lipoprotein forest Remedies, One Hundred Healing Herbs
pharmacodynamics of fenleuton, a 5- oxidation hypothesis?" Curr. Atheroscler. of Belize. Twin Lakes, WI: Lotus Press,
lipoxygenase inhibitor, in ponies." Res. Rep. 2003; 5(2): 83-87. 1993.
Vet. Sci. 1998; 64(2): 111-117.
31. Leborgne, L., et al. "Oxidative stress, Asprey, G. F. and P. Thornton. "Medicinal
20. Yasukawa, K., et al. "Inhibitory effect atherogenesis and cardiovascular risk fac- Plants of Jamaica. III." West Indian Med. j.
of edible plant extracts on 12-o-tetrade- tors." Arch. Mai. Coeur. Vaiss. 2002; 95(9): 1995 4: 69-92.
canoylphorbol-1 3-acetate-induced ear 805-814. Ayensu, E. S. "Medicinal Plants of the
oedema in mice." Phytother. Res. 1993; 7(2):
32. Gugliucci, A., et al. "The botanical ex- West Indies." Unpublished Manuscript:
185-189.
tracts of Achyrocline satureoides and Ilex 110 Pages. Washington, D.C: Office of Bio-
21. Matsunaga, K., et al. "Excitatory and paraguariensis prevent methylglyoxal-in- logical Conservation, Smithsonian Institu-
inhibitory effects of Paraguayan medicinal duced inhibition of plasminogen and an- tion, 1978.
plants Equisetum giganteum, Acanthosper- tithrombin III." Life Sci. 2002; 72(3): Balee, William. Footprints of the Forest Ka'a-
mum australe, Allopylus edulis and Cordia 279-292. pmr Ethnobotany—the Historical Ecology of
References for Part Three 51 I
Plant Utilization by an Amazonian People. nais E Industrials Do Brazil, Vol. 2, 1st Ed. Peru). Chicago, IL: University of Chicago
New York: Columbia University Press, Brazil: Belo Horizonte, 1965. Press, 1993.
1994. Dennis, P "Herbal Medicine Among the Giron, L M., et al. "Ethnobotanical Survey
Bartram, Thomas. Encyclopedia of Herbal Miskito of Eastern Nicaragua." Econ. Bot. of the Medicinal Flora Used by the Caribs
Medicine. Dorset, England: Ed Grace Pub- 1988; 42(1): 16-28. of Guatemala." /. Ethnopharmacol. 1991: 9.
lishers, 1995.
Duke, James. Handbook of Phytochemical Grenand, P, C. Moretti, and H. Jacquemin.
Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and Constituents of Gras Herbs and Other Eco- Pharmacopees Traditionelles En Guyane:
James A. Duke. "The Phytochemical Data- nomic Plants. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Creoles, Palikur, Waypi. (Coll. Mem No.
base." (Acedb Version T3 data Version — 1992. 108.) Paris, France: Editorial L-Orstrom,
July 1994). National Germplasm Re- CRC Handbook 1987.
Duke, James. of Medicinal
sources Laboratory (Ngrl), Agricultural CRC New
Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: Press, 1985. Grieve, Maude. A Modern Herbal.
Research Service (Ars), U.S. Department
Duke, James. Handbook York, NY: Dover Publications, 1971.
of Northeastern In-
of Agriculture.
dian Medicinal Plants. Boston, MA: Quar- Heinerman, John. Heinerman's Encyclopedia
Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., James
terman Publications, 1986. of Healing Herbs & Spices. New York, NY:
A. Duke, and K. K. Wain. "The Ethnob-
Duke, James and K. K. Wain. Medicinal Parker Publishing Co., 1996.
otany Database." (Acedb Version 4.3-data
Plants of the World. Computer Index with Hirschmann, G., et "A Survey of Medi-
Version July 1994). National Germplasm al.
More than 85,000 Entries. 3 Vols., 1981, P cinal Plants of Minas Gerais." Brazil.
Resources Laboratory (Ngrl), Agricultural J.
1654. Ethnopharmacol. 1990; 29 (2): 159-172.

Research Service (Ars), U.S. Department
of Agriculture. Duke, James and Rudolfo Vasquez. Ama- Hoffman, David. The Herbal Handbook.
zonian Ethnobotanical Dictionary. Boca Ra- Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1987.
Bernardes, Antonio. A Pocketbook of Brazil-
ian Herbs. Rio de Janeiro: a Shogun Edito-
ton, FL: CRC Press Inc., 1994.
Hoffman, David. The Nezc Holistic Herbal.
ra E Arta Ltda, 1984. Elkins, Rita. Medicinal Herbs of the Rain For- Rockport, MA: Element Books, Inc., 1991.
Bruce Holst, and Kay est. Pleasant Grove, UT: Woodland Pub-
Berry, Paul E.,
Joyce, Christopher. Earthly Goods: Medi-
Venezuelan lishing, 1997.
Yatskievych. Flora of the cine-Hunting in the Rainforest. New York:
Guayana. Missouri Botanical Garden, 1995. Feo, de, V. "Medicinal and Magical Plants Little, Brown, & Company, 1994.
and M. Da Silva. "Folk in the Northern Peruvian Andes." Fitoter-

Branch, L. C. I. F.
Lawrence Review of Natural Products. St.
apia 1992; 63: 417-440.
Medicine of Alter Do Chao, Para, Brazil." Louis, Mo: Facts and Comparisons Inc.
Acta Amazonica 1983; 13 (5/6): 737-797. Flynn, Rebecca and Mark Roest. Your
Lecta Rei’ista De Farmacia. E Biologia. Vol 11,
Guide to Standardized Herbal Products.
Bruneton, Pharmacognosy, Phytochem-
J. No. 1. Universidade Sao Francisco. Edito-
istry, Medicinal Plants. Hampshire, Eng- Prescott, Az: One World Press, 1995.
ra Da. Jan-dez 1993.
land Intercept, Ltd., 1995. Forero, "Ethnobotany of the Cuna
P. L.
Lewis, Walter H., and Memory Lewis.
Caribe, Dr, Jose, and Dr. Jose Maria Cam- and Waunana Indigenous Communities."
Medical Botany. New York: John Wiley &
Que Ajiidam 0 Homem: Guia Cespedesia 1980; (9) 33: 115-202.
pos. Plantas
Sons, 1977.
Prdtico Para a Epoca Atual, 5th Ed. Sao Franco, Lelington. As Sensacionais 50 Plan-
List, P. H. and L. Horhammer. Hager's
Paulo, Brazil: Editora Pensimento, Ltda., tas Medicinais: Campe_ De Poder Ciirativo,
Handbuch Der Pharmazeutischen Praxis,
1997. Vol. 1, 4th Ed. Brazil: Editora Naturista,
Vols. 2-6. Berlin: Springer- Verlag, 1969-
"Ethnobotany of the Garifu- 1999.
Coee, F, et al.
1979.
na of Eastern Nicaragua." Econ. Bot. 1996; Valdizan, H. and A. Maldonado. Li Medic-
Los Productos Natureles. Anvario Naturista.
50(1): 71-107. ina Popular Peruana. Lima, Peru: Imp. Tor-
5th Ed. Ecuador: Internacional. Mundo
Coimbra, Raul. Manual de Fitoterapia, 2nd res Aquirre, 1982.
Naturista, 1992.
Ed. Sao Paulo, Brazil: Dados Interna- Garcia-Barriga, H. Flora Medicinal De
De Catalogacao Na Pulicacao, Lucas, Richard. Miracle Medicine Herbs.
cionais Colombia, Botanica-Medica. 3 Vols. Bogata,
1994. Colombia: Ins. Cein. Nat. Bogota, 1974- West Nyak, NY: Parker Publishing, 1991.
De Plantas Uteis Do 1975. Lung, A. and S. Foster. Encyclopedia of Com-

Correa, Pio. Dicionario
Brazil e Exoticas Cultivadas, Vols. 1-6, Gentry, Alwyn H. A Field Guide to the Fam- mon Natural Ingredients. New York: John
Brazilia: IBDF, 1984. and Genera Woody Plants of Northwest Wilev &c Sons, 1996.
ilies of
Das Plantas Uteis Do South America. Chicago, IL: University of Matos, Abreu. Farmacias Vivas: Sistema
Cruz, G. L. Dicionario F. J.
Brazil, 5th Ed. Rio de Janeiro: Bertrand, Chicago Press, 1993. De iltilizaco De Plantas Medicinais Projetado
1995. Alwvn H. Woody Plants of North- Para Pequenas Comunidades. Fortaleza,

Gentry,
west South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil: Edicoes UFC, 1994.
Cruz, G. L. Livro Verde Das Plantas Medici-
Maxwell, Nicole. Witch Doctor's Apprentice: the Life and Times of an Urban Shaman. Gar- Smith, Nigel, Williams, Donald Pluck-
J.
Hunting for Medicinal Plants in the Amazon, den City Park, NY: Avery Publishing nett, and Jennifer Talbot. Tropical Forests
3d Ed. New York: Citadel Press, 1990. Group, 1992.
and Their Crops. New York: Comstock Pub-
Mejia, Kember and Elsa Rengifo. Plantas Robineau, L., Ed. Towards a Caribbean Phar-
lishing, 1992.
Medicinales De Llso Popular En La Amazonia macopoeia. Enda Caribe, Santo Domingo:
Peruana. Lima: AECl and II AP, 1995. Tramil-4 Workshop, UNAH, 1991. Soukup, J. Vocabulary of the Common Names
Mindell, Earl. Earl Mindell’s Herb Bible. Rodrigues, of the Peruvian Flora and Catalog of the Gen-
V. E. G., et al., "Ethnobotanical
New York: Simon & Shuster, 1992. Survey of the Medicinal Plants in the Do- era. Lima: Editorial Salesiano, 1970.
Moreira, Frederico. Plantas De Curam: Cud- minion of Meadows in the Region of the
Sousa, De, M^ P, and F. J. Matos, et al. Con-
ie Da Sua Saiide Atraves De Natureza, 5th Alto Rio Grande - Minas Gerais." Cienc.
stituintes Quimicos Ativos De Planta Medici-
Ed. Sao Paulo, Brazil: Hemus Editora Agrotec. Lavras. 2001; 25 (1): 102-123.
Ltda., 1996. nais Brazileiras. Fortaleza, Brazil: Laborato-
Roig, J. T. Plantas Medicinales, Aromaticas O
Mors, W. B.and C. T. Rizzini. Usefid Plants Venenosas De Cuba. Havana, Cuba: Cien- rio De Produtos Naturals, 1991.
of Brazil. San Francisco: Holden-Day, Inc., tifico-Tecnica, 1988. Taylor, Leslie. Personal Field Notes from
1966.
Ruiz, Rodolfo B. Plantas Utiles De La Ama- Interviews of Curanderos, Shamans, and
Mors, W. B., C. T. Rizzini, and N. A. zonia Peruana: Caracteristicas, Usos, Y Posi- Herbalists in Peru, Brazil, and Ecuador,
Pereira. Medicinal Plants of Brazil. Algonac, bilidades. Trujillo, Peru: Editorial Liberdad
1994-2003.
Michigan: Reference Publications, Inc., E.I.R.L, 1994.
2000 . Valdizan, H. and A. Maldonado. La Medic-
Rutter, R. A. Catalogo De Plantas Utiles De
Morton,]. F. Major Medicinal Plants: Botany, La Amazonia Peruana. Yarinacocha, Peru: ina Popular Peruana. Lima: Imp. Torres
Culture and Uses. Springfield, IL: Charles Institute Linguistico De Verano, 1990. Aquirre, 1982.
C. Thomas Publishing, 1977.
Samuelsson, Gunnar. Drugs of Natural Ori- Van Den Berg, E. Plantas Medicinais Na
Mowrey, Daniel. Herbal Tonic Therapies. gin. Stockholm: Swedish Pharmaceutical
Amazonia. Belem: Museu Goeldi, 1983.
New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, Inc., Press, 1992.
1993. Vasquez, M. R. Useful Plants of Amazonian
Schauenberb, Paul, and Ferdinand Paris.
Mowrey, Daniel. The Scientific Validation of Guide to Medicinal Plants. Cambridge, Eng- Peru. Second Draft. Filed with USDA's Na-
Herbal Medicine. New
Canaan, CT: Keats land: Keats Publishing, 1977. tional Agricultural Library, 1990.
Publishing, Inc., 1986.
Schultes, R. E. "Gifts of the Amazon Flora Werbach, Melvyn R., and Michael T. Mur-
Murray, Michael. The Healing Power of to the World." Arnoldia 1990;
Herbs. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing,
(2) 50: 21-34.
ray. Botanical Influences on Illness —
Schultes, R. E. and Raffauf. The Healing Sourcebook of Glinical Research. Tarzana,
1995.
Forest: Medicinal and Toxic Plants of the
CA: Third Line Press, 1994.
Panizza, Sylvio, and Cherio De Mato. Nortlnoest Amazonia. Portland, OR:
Plantas Que Curam:, 11th Ed. Sao Paulo, Dioscorides Press, 1990. Wichtl, M. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharma-
Brazil: Ibrasa, 1997.
Schwontkowski, Donna. "Herbal Trea- ceuticals. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1994.
Plotkin, Mark, J. Shaman's Ap-
Tales of a sures from the Amazon," Parts 1, 2, and 3.
World Preservation Society. Poioerfiil and
prentice. Middlesex, England: Penguin Healthy & Natural Journal (1996).
Unusual Herbs from the Amazon and Ghina.
Books, 1993.
Schwontkowski, Donna. Herbs of the Ama-
Gainesville, FL: The World Preservation
Ramirez, V., et al.. Vegetales Empleados En zon: Traditional and Common Uses. Utah:
Medicina Tradicional Norperuana. Trujillo, Society, Inc., 1993.
Science Student Braintrust Publishing,
Peru: Banco Agrario Del Peru and Na-
cional Universidad Trujillo, June, 1988.
1993. Zadra, De, Adriana Alarco. Peru — el Libro
Silva, M. Catalogo De Lxtractos Fluidos. Rio De Las Plantas Mdgicas, 2nd Ed. Lima:
Rios, De, Marlene Dubkin. Amazon Healer: de Janeiro: Araija E Cia, Ltd., 1930. Concytec, 2000.
Index
Abdominal pain, 95 Anacardium occidentalis. See Antiprotozoal, 74-75

Abortifacient, 68-69 Cashew. Antipyretic. See Febrifuge.
Abrasions, 95 Anal warts, 96 Antiseptic, 74-75
Abscesses, 95 Analgesic, 68-69 Antispasmodic, 74-75

Abuta, 112-113, 152-155 Anamu, 114-115, 166-170 Antitumorous, 74-75
Abutua. See Abuta. Anaphylactic, 68-69 Antitussive. See Cough
ACE inhibitor, 68-69 Anapsos, 404, 405 suppressant.
Acerola, 112-113, 156-158 Andiroba, 114-115, 171-175 Anti-ulcer. See Anti-ulcerogenic.
Achiote. See Annatto. Anemia, 96 Anti-ulcerogenic, 74-75
Achyrocline satureoides. See Macela. Anesthetic, 68-69 Antivenin, 74-75

Acid reflux. See Heartburn. Angina, 96 Antiviral, 76-77
Acne, 95 Annatto, 114-115, 175-178 Anxiety, 96
Adaptogen, 68-69, 429 Annona muricata. See Graviola. Apacin. See Anamu.
Adiantum capillus-veneris. See Anorexia, 96 Aperient, 76-77
Avenca. Antacid, 68-69 Aphrodisiac, 76-77

Adrenal gland disorders, 95 Anti-allergy. See Anti- Appetite stimulant, 76-77
Aging, 95 anaphylactic. Appetite suppressant, 76-77
Aguardiente, 53, 240, 249, 313, Anti-amebic. See Amebicide. Aracruz, 20
Anti-anaphylactic, 68-69 Arranca-pedras. See Chanca
334, 349
Antianxiolytic, 68-69 piedra.
AIDS and HIV, 95
Air plant. See Kalanchoe. Antibacterial, 70-71 Arrhythmia, 96
Anticandidal, 70-71 Arrow poison, 255, 256-257
Alcachofra. See Artichoke.
Anticarcinomic, 70-71 Arteriosclerosis /atherosclerosis,
Alchornea castaneifolia. See Iporuru.
Anticoagulant, 70-71 96
Alcohol, 53-54
Anticonvulsant, 70-71 Arthritis, 96
Aldose reductase inhibitor, 68-69
Antidepressant, 70-71 Artichoke, 35, 114-115, 178-181
Allergies, 96
Alopecia, 96 Antidysenteric, 70-71 Asthma, 96
Adaptogen. Antifungal, 70-71 Astringent, 76-77
Alterative. See
Antihelmintic. See Vermifuge. Atherosclerosis. See
Alzheimer's disease, 96
Antihemorrhagic, 70-71 Arteriosclerosis/
Amargo, 112-113, 158-162
Antihepatotoxic, 72-73 atherosclerosis.
Amazon River, 16-17
Antihistamine, 72-73 Athlete's foot, 96
Amebic infections, 96
Anti-inflammatory, 72-73 Autoimmune disorders, 96
Amebicide, 68-69
Antileukemic, 72-73 Aveloz, 114-115, 182-185
Amenorrhea, 96
Antilithic,72-73 Avenca, 116-117, 185-188
American Herbal Products
Antimalarial, 72-73 Ayahuasca, 249, 313, 349, 357
Association, 427
Antimicrobial, 72 Azucar huayo. See Jatoba.
Amor seco, 112-113, 162-165. See
also Picao preto. Antimutagenic, 72-73
Antioxidant, 72-73 Baccliaris ê)iisteUoides. See
Amor-do-campo. See Amor seco.
Antiparasitic, 74-75 Carqueja.
Amvloidosis, 96
513
Back injuries, 97 Cafe do mato. See Cha de bugre. extraction of, 47-48, 49
Bacterial infections, 97 Caffeine, 304-305, 448-449, 450 Chenopiodium ambrosioides. See
Balick,Michael ]., 29 Calaguala. See Samambaia. Epazote.
Balsam, 116-117, 189-191 Cali/copIn/lJum spniceammi. See Chickenpox, 98
Balsam of Peru. See Balsam. Mulateiro. Childbirth, 98
Balsam of tolu. See Balsam. Camu-camu, 118-119, 208-209 Chiricsanango. See Manaca.
Barbasco. See Abuta. Cancer, 24, 25, 97 Cholecystitis. See Gallbladder and
Bartram, Thomas, 430 Candida, 97 bile duct diseases.
Bathing remedies, 55-56 Capirbna. See Mulateiro. Cholelithiasis. See Gallstones.
Bnuhmia forficnta. See Pata de vaca. Carapia guianensis. See
Andiroba. Cholera, 98
Bedsores, 97 Cardiodepressant, 78-79 Choleretic. See Bile stimulant.
Benign prostatic hypertrophy Cardiotonic, 78-79 Cholesterol, elevated, 98
(BPH), 97 Carminative, 78-79 Choliokinetic, 78-79
Bernabe Cobo, P, 407 Carpal tunnel syndrome, 98 Chologogue. See Bile stimulant.
Bertholletia excelsia. See Brazil nut. Carqueja, 118-119, 210-213 Chondrodendron tomentosum. See
Bertoni, Moises 425
S., Carrapicho. See Picao preto. Curare.
Bidens pvlosa. See Picao preto. Cartilage disorders, 98 Chorea, 98
Bile stimulant, 76-77 Casearia sylvestris. See Guacatonga. Chronic fatigue syndrome, 98
Bioprospecting, 25-27, 28, 29 Cashew, 118-119, 214-217 Chronic obstructive pulmonary
Bitter, 76-77 Cassia occideutalis. See Fedegoso. disease (COPD), 98
Bitter melon, 116-117, 192-196 Castanheiro do para. See Brazil Chuchuhuasi, 122-123, 239-242
Bixa orellaun. See Annatto. nut. Cicatrizant. See Wound healer.
Bladder disorders, 97 Cat's claw, 42, 120-121, 217-224, Cinchona. See Quinine.
Blennorrhagia, 97 326, 417 Cifichona sp. See Quinine.
Bloating, 97 Cataract, 98 Cipo cabeludo, 122-123, 242-244
Blood cleanser, 78-79 Catarrh, 98 Cipo cravo. See Clavo huasca.
Blood thinner. See Anticoagulant. Catechin tannins, 42 Cirrhosis, 98
Blumberg, Bamch, 234, 235 Cathartic. See Purgative. Cissampielos pmreim. See Abuta.
Boerhnavin diffusa. See Erva tostao. Catuaba, 120-121, 224-227 Clavillia, 124-125,245-248
Boils, 97 Cavities, dental, 98 Clavo huasca, 124-125, 248-250
Boldo, 116-117, 196-201 Cayapwnia tayuya. See Tayuya. Clove vine. See Clavo huasca.
Bolsa mullaca. See Mullaca. Cecropia peltata. See Embauba. Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Research
Bone cancer, 97 Celiac disease, 98 Group, 236
Bonina. See Clavillia. Cellular protector. See Coffee senna. See Fedegoso.
Bowel disorders, 97 Antimutagenic. Coimbra, Raul, 301
BPH. See Benign prostatic Cellulite, 98 Coirama. See Kalanchoe.
hyperplasia. Cellulitis, 98 Cold sores. See Herpes simplex.
Brazil nut, 118-119, 201-203 Central nervous system (CNS) Colds and flu, 99
Brazilian ginseng. See Suma. depressant, 78-79 Colic, 99
Brazilian peppertree, 118-119, Central nervous system disorders, Colitis, 99
204-207 98 Colon polyps, 99
Breathing problems, 97 Central nervous system (CNS) Committee of AIDS and
Bronchitis, 97 stimulant, 78-79 Transmissible Diseases, 326
Bronchodilator, 78-79 Cervical dysplasia, 98 Compresses, 55
Bnuifelsia luiiflora. See Manaca. Cha de bugre, 120-121, 227-229 Conjunctivitis, 99
Burns, 97 Chagas disease, 98 Constipation, 99
Bursitis, 97 Chanca piedra, 122-123, 229-239 Contraceptive, 80-81
Chemicals, plant, 35, 36, 38-40, Contraindications and
Cabieses, Fernando, 218 41-43, 44-45, 47 interactions, 38-40
Index 515
Convulsions, 99 Diabetic neuropathy, 100 Epazote, 126-127, 267-271

Copaiba, 124-125, 250-255 Diaper rash, 100 Epilepsy, 101
Copaifera officiimlis. See Copaiba. Diaphoretic, 80-81 Epstein-Barr virus, 101, 183
Coral flower. See Mulungu. Diarrhea, 100 Erectile dysfunction. See
Cordia salicifolia. See Cha de bugre. Dictionary of the Plants Used in Impotence.
Correa, Pia, 210 Brazil, 228 Erva tostao, 126-127, 272-275
Cough, 99 Digestion stimulant, 80-81 Erva-de-santa-maria. See Epazote.
Cough suppressant, 80-81 Digestive disorders, 100 Erva-jararaca. See Jergon sacha.
Coumadin, 38, 40 Diphtheria, 100 Erysipelas, 101
Coumarin, 38, 39, 40 Diseases and disorders, herbal Erythrina mulungu. See Mulungu.
Coutinho, Symphronio, 317 treatment of, 93-110 Erythroxlyum catuaba. See Catuaba.
COX inhibitor, 80-81 Disinfectant, 80-81 Escobilla. See Vassourinha.
Crohn's disease, 99 Diuretic, 82-83 Espinheira santa, 128-129,

Croton lechleri. See Sangre de Diverticulitis, 100 276-279
grado. Dosage amounts, 37-38 Ethnobotany, 93
Croup, 99 Dracontium loretense. See Jergon Euphorbia tirucalli. See Aveloz.
Cruz, G.L., 228, 272, 331, 389 sacha. Expectorant, 82-83

Culantrillo. See Avenca. Dragon's blood. See Sangre de Eye diseases, 101
Culpepper, Nicholas, 186 grado.
Curare, 124-125, 255-258 Drogas do certao, 93 Fatigue, 101
Cuts and wounds, 99 Drugs, resistance to, 43, 45 Fatty liver, 101
Cynara scolymus. See Artichoke. Dry eye syndrome, 100 Febrifuge, 82-83
Cynarin, 35, 36 Duke, James, 197, 408, 409 Fedegoso, 128-129, 279-283
Cystic fibrosis, 99 Dysentery, 44, 60-61, 100 Fer-de-lance. See Jergon sacha.
Cystitis. See Interstitial cystitis. Dysentery bark. See Simarouba. Fever, 101
Dysmenorrhagia, 100 Fibroids. See Uterine fibroids.
Damiana, 124-125, 259-262 Dyspepsia. See Indigestion. Fibromyalgia, 101

Dandruff, 99 Fire bush. See Scarlet bush.
Davis, Brent, 219 E. coli infections, 100 Fistulas, 101
de 446
Solis, Juan, Ear infections, 100 Four o'clocks. See Clavillia.
Decoctions, 52-53 Earaches, 100 Fox Chase Cancer Center, 235
Decongestant, 80-81 Eating disorders, 100 Flatulence, 101
Deforestation. See Rainforest, Economic Botany, 29 Fractures, 101
destruction of. Eczema, 100 Fungal infections, 101

Degenerative nerve diseases, 99 Edema, 100
Dementia. See Memory disorders. Elephantiasis, 101 Galactagogue. See Lactation
Embauba, 126-127, 262-266 stimulant.
Demulcent. See Emollient.
Emetic, 82-83 Gallbladder and bile duct
Dengue fever, 99
Emollient, 82-83 diseases, 101
Depression, 99
Emphysema, 101 Gallstones, 101
Dermatitis, 99
Amor Encephalitis, 101 Garlic weed, 166
Desmodium adscendens. See
Encyclopedia of Common Natural Gastritis/ gastroenteritis, 102
seco.
Iny^redients, The, 252 Gastroenteritis. See
Destruction. See Rainforest
Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, Gastritis/gastroenteritis.
destruction.
430 Gastrointestinal bleeding, 102
Detoxifier, 80-81
Endocrine disorders, 101 Gastrotonic, 82-83
Diabetes, 100
Endometriosis, 101 Gavilan. See Simarouba.
Diabetic kidney problems, 100
Enteritis. See Genital warts. See Human
Diabetic macular degeneration,
Gastritis/Gastroenteritis. papilloma virus (HPV).
100
Geraniin, 232, 233 Herbal supplements, access to, 36 Interactions of prescription drugs
Gervao, 128-129, 283-287 Hernia, 103 and plants, 39, 40
Giardia infections, 102 Herniated disk, 103 Interstitial cystitis, 104
Gibbons, Euell, 371 Herpes simplex (I & II), 103 Intestinal parasites, 104
Glaucoma, 102 Herpes zoster, 103 Ipe roxo. See Pau d'arco.
Goiaba. See Guava. Hiatal hernia, 103 Iporuru, 132-133, 313-315
Gonorrhea, 102 High blood pressure, 103 Irritable bowel syndrome, 104
Goodland, Robert, 28 HIV. See AIDS and HIV. Itching, 104
Gout, 102 Hives, 103. See also Allergies. Ix-canan. See Scarlet bush.
Gra viola, 130-131, 288-294 Hodgkin's disease, 103
Grieve, Maude, 256 Hoffman, David, 159 Jaborandi, 132-133, 316-320
Guaca tonga, 130-131, 295-298 Hoja del aire. See Kalanchoe. Jalapa. See Clavillia.
Guacima. See Mutamba. Hormonal, 84-85 Jatoba, 132-133, 320-324
Guaco, 38, 130-131, 299-302 Hot flashes, 103 Jaundice, 104
Guanabana. See Graviola. Human papilloma virus (HPV), Jergon sacha, 132-133, 324-328
Guarana, 130-131, 303-307 103 Jesuit's balsam. See Copaiba.
Guaranine. See Caffeine. Huntington's disease, 103 Jesuits' tea. SeeYerba mate.
Guasima. See Mutamba. Hymenaea courbaril. See Jatoba. Jock itch. See Fungal infections.
Guava, 132-133, 308-312 Hyperglycemic, 84-85 Juazeiro, 134-135, 328-330
Guayaba. See Guava. Hypertension. See High blood Jurubeba, 134-135, 331-333
Guazuma ulmifolia. See Mutamba. pressure.
Guine. See Anamu. Hypocholesterolemic, 84-85 Kaa jhee. See Stevia.
Gum diseases, 102 Hypoglycemic, 84-85 Kalanchoe, 134-135, 334-337
Hypotensive, 84-85 Kalanchoe pmmata. See Kalanchoe.
Hair loss. See Alopecia. Hypothermal. See Refrigerant. Keplinger, Klaus, 219
Hnmelia pmteus. See Scarlet bush. Kidney disorders, general, 104
Hangover, 102 Ilex paraguariensis. See Yerba Kidney failure and dialysis, 104
Hay fever. See Allergies. mate. Kidney stones, 104
Head lice, 102 Immune modulator, 84-85
Headache, 102 Immune stimulant, 84-85 Lactagogue. See Lactation
Heart diseases, general, 102 Immune suppressant, 84-85 stimulant.
Heart palpitations, 102 Immune system disorders, 103 Lactation stimulant, 86-87
Heart tonic. See Cardiotonic. Impetigo, 103 Lapacho. See Pau d'arco.
Heart valve diseases, 102 Impotence, 103 Larvicidal, 86-87
Heartburn /reflux, 102 Inchuastegui Gonzales, Roberto, Laryngitis, 104
Heat stroke, 102 326, 327 Laxative, 86-87
Helicobacter pn/Iori stomach ulcers, Indigenous knowledge, 27-28, 29, Leishmaniasis, 105
102 30, 93, 94 Leite de castanha, 202
Hemochromatosis, 102 Indigenous people, destruction Lepmiiwi me\/euii. See Maca.
Hemorrhages, 102 of, 29-30 Leprosy, 105
Hemorrhagic fevers, 102 Indigestion, 103 Leukemia, 105
Hemorrhoids, 103 Infertility, 104 Lice. See Head lice.
Hemostatic. See Antihemorrhagic. Inflammatory conditions, 104 Licorice weed. See Vassourinha.
Hepatitis, 103 Influenza. See Colds and flu. Life leaf. See Kalanchoe.
Hepatoprotective, 82-83 Infusions, 51-52 Lipomas, 105
Hepatotonic, 84-85 Insect bites and stings, 104 Listeria infections, 105
Herb Research Foundation, 428 Insect repellant, 84-85, 104 Liver disorders, general, 105
Herbal remedies, preparation of, Insecticide, 84-85 Livro Verde das Planfas Medicinais e
47-56 Insomnia, 104 hidiistriais do Brasil, 389
Index 517
Logging, 18-19, 386-387 Migraine, 105 Nephritis, 106

Lupus. See Autoimmune Mikania cordifolia. See Guaco. Nervine, 86-87
disorders. Mikania glomerata. See Guaco. Nervousness. See Anxiety.
Lymphatic diseases, 105 Mikania hirsutissima. See Cipo Nescafe. See Velvet bean.
cabeludo. Nettle, 138-139, 140-141, 371-376
Maca, 134-135, 338-344 Mirabilis jalapa. See Clavillia. Neuralgia, 106

Macela, 136-137, 345-348 Miracle leaf. See Kalanchoe. Neurasthenic, 86-87
Macerations, 54-55 Modern Herbal, A, 256 Neurologic diseases, general, 106
Macular degeneration. See Molds, 105 Neuromuscular disorders, 106
Diabetic macular Molluscicidal, 86-87 Neuropathy, 106
degeneration. Molluscum contagiosum, 105 Neuroprotective, 86-87
Madagascar periwinkle, 24-25 Momordica charantia. See Bitter Notas Sobre Plantas Brasileiras, 354
Maidenhair fern. See Avenca. melon. Nutritional value, 339-340
Malaria, 36-37, 43, 44, 105, Mononucleosis, infectious, 104
397-399, 400 Monteiro Silva, J., 321, 434 Obesity, 106
Malpighia glabra. See Acerola. Morning sickness, 106 Opodeldo de Guaco, 300
Manaca, 136-137, 348-352 Mouth ulcers, 106 Osteoarthritis, 106
Manayupa. See Amor seco. Mucuna beans. See Velvet bean. Osteomyelitis, 106. See also
Maracuja. See Passionflower. Mucuna pruriens. See Velvet bean. Bacterial infections, general.
Marajo Island, 17 Mucura. See Anamu. Otitis media. See Ear Infections;
Maravilha. See Clavillia. Muira puama, 49, 136-137, Earaches.
Maravilla. See Clavillia. 353-356
Marcela. See Macela. Mulateiro, 136-137, 357-359 Paico. See Epazote.
Mastrugo. See Epazote. Mullaca, 138-139, 359-363 Pancreatitis, 106
Maytenus ilicifolia. See Espinheira Multi-drug resistance, 289-290 Para toda. See Suma.
Santa. Multiple myeloma, 106 Paraguay tea. See Yerba mate.
Maytenus krukovii. See Multiple sclerosis, 106 Parasites, skin, 107
Chuchuhuasi. Mulungu, 138-139, 363-366 Parkinson's disease, 107

Mumps, 106 Passiflora incarnata. See
Maxwell, Nicole, 232
Muscle aches, 106 Passionflower.
McCaleb, Rob, 428
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 405 Muscle cramps/spasms, 106 Passionflower, 140-141, 377-380
Measles, 105 Muscle relaxer. See Pata de vaca, 140-141, 380-382

Antispasmodic. Pau d'arco, 140-141, 383-389
Medicine
Mutamba, 138-139, 367-370 Paulista School of Medicine, 231
comparison of herbal and
Mycoplasma pneumonia. See Paullina cupana. See Guarana.
pharmaceutical, 36-45, 94
plant-derived, 24, 25, 27-28, 29 Pneumonia, mycoplasmal. Pau-mulato. See Mulateiro.
Myrcia salicifolia. See Pedra hume Pectoral, 86-87
use of multiple types of, 44-45
caa. Pediculicide, 86-87
Meloxicam®, 298
Myrciaria See Camu-camu. Pedra hume caa, 140-141,
Memory disorders, 105 diibia.
Myroxylon balsarnum. See Balsam. 389-391

Men's health, general, 105
Penna, Meira, 225, 226, 354
Mendelsohn, Robert, 29
National Biodiversity Institute Peptic ulcers, 107
Menopause, 105
(INBio), 26 Pertussis. See Whooping cough.
Menorrhagia, 105
National Cancer Center Research Petiveria alliacea. See Anamu.
Menstrual cramps, 105
435 Petrobas, 182
Merck Pharmaceutical Company, Institute,
National Cancer Institute, 25, 277, Petroleum plant, 182
26
Peumus boldus. See Boldo.
Metrorrhagia, 105 290, 292, 297, 384-385, 422
Nausea and vomiting, 106 Pfaffia paniculata. See Suma.
Mid wives' herb, 152. See also
Negrito. See Simarouba. Pharmaceuticals. See Medicine.
Abuta.
Pharyngitis, 107 Psidium guajava. See Guava. Rutter, Richard, 313-314

Phyllanihiis niruri. See Chanca Psoriasis, 107
piedra. Ptychopetalum olacoides. See Muira Saiao. See Kalanchoe.
Physalis angulata. See Mullaca. puama. Salivary gland disorders, 108
Picao preto, 142-143, 392-396 Pulp mills, 20 Salmonella infections, 108
Pilocarpine, 317-319 Punarnava. See Erva tostao. Samambaia, 142-143, 402-406
Pilocarpus jabormuii. See Jaborandi. Purdue University, 289 Sangre de drago. See Sangre de
Pinworms. See Intestinal parasites. Purgative, 88-89 grado.
Pirca. See Picao preto. Sangre de grado, 144-145, 407-411
Piscicide, 86-87 Quassia amara. See Amargo. Sarcoidosis, 108. See also
Pityriasis
j
rosea. See Dermatitis. Quebra-pedra. See Chanca piedra. Autoimmune disorders.
Plants, storing of, 50-51 Quinine, 36, 37, 43, 142-143, 159, Sarsaparilla, 144-145, 412-416
Pleurisy, 107. See also Bacterial 397-402 Scabies, 108
infections, general; Viral Scarlet bush, 144-145, 417-420
infections. Rainforest Scars, 108
Plotkin,Mark, 208, 252 biological diversity of, 15-18, Schimis molle. See Brazilian
PMS. See Premenstrual syndrome. 45-46 peppertree.
Pneumocyslitis carinii. See ethnic diversity of, 29-30 Schistosomiasis, 108
Pneumonia, fungal. Rainforest destruction, 13-14, Schwontkowski, Donna, 364
Pneumonia 18-24 Sciatica, 108
bacterial, 107 governmental role in, 21, 22, Scleroderma. See Autoimmune
fungal, 107 23-24 disorders.
mycoplasmal, 107 Rainforest preservation, economic Sclerosis, 108
viral, 107 incentive for, 31-32 Scoparia dulcis. See Vassourinha.
Poison ivy, 107 Raleigh, Sir Walter, 256 Scrofula, 108
Polypodium decumamim. See Recipes for specific conditions, Seborrhea, 108
Samambaia. 57-61 Sedative, 88-89
Porangaba, 228 Refrigerant, 88-89 Seizures, 108
Potency wood. See Muira puama. Remedies Selenium, 202-203
Poultices, 55 for allergy, 57 Senility. See Memory disorders.
Powders, ground, 51 for arthritis, 58 Sepsis. See Bacterial infections,
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), for calm, 58 general.
107 for Candida, 58 Sexual dysfunction, 108
Preparation methods for colds/ flu, 59 Shamans, knowledge of, 48
baths, 55-56 cough syrup, 60 Shingles. See Herpes zoster.
compresses, 55 for indigestion, 59 Sialogogue, 88-89
decoctions, 52-53 for menstrual pain, 59-60 Sickle cell anemia, 108
infusions, 51-52 for pain relief, 60 Siete Raices, 249
macerations, 54-55 parasite cleanse, 60-61 Signature plant, 325
poultices, 55 for prostate, 61 Simarouba, 146-147, 420^24
tinctures, 53-54 Respiratory disorders, general, Simaroiiba amara. See Simarouba.
types of, 51-56 107 Sinusitis, 108
Prioxicam®, 298 Rheumatism, 107 Skin rash. See Dermatitis.
Procher, Francis P, 371 Rheumatoid arthritis. See Sleep disorders, 108
Products, selecting herbal, 49-50 Autoimmune disorders. Smilax officitialis. See Sarsaparilla.
Properties and actions of plants, Rhinitis. See Allergies. Snakebite, 109
65-91 Ringworm, 108 Snake-herb. See Guaco.
Prostatitis, 107 Rompe Calzon, 249 Snake-vine. See Guaco.
Protease inhibitors, 327 Rosacea, 108 Soares de Souza, Gabriel, 316
Index
519
Solanum paniculatum. See Tagamet®, 278 Vasculitis, 110
Taiuia. See Tayuya. Vasoconstrictor, 90-91

Jurubeba.
Sore throat, 109 Tajy. See Pau d'arco. Vasodilator, 90-91
Soursop. See Graviola. Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice, 208 Vassourinha, 148-149, 437-441
Spasmolytic. See Antispasmodic. Taxol, 292 Vegetable insulin. See Pedra
Spastic colon. See Irritable bowel Tayuya, 146-147, 434-437 hume caa.
syndrome. Testicular inflammation, 109 Vegetable mercury. See Manaca.

Spleen disorders, 109 Tetanus, 109. See also Bacterial Velvet bean, 148-149, 442-445
Sprains and strains, 109 infections, general. Velvet leaf. See Curare.
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis. See Thrush. See Candida; Fungal Vermifuge, 90-91
Gervao. infections. Vinho de Jatoba, 321
Staphylococcus infections, 109. See Tick bites. See Insect bites and Viral infections, 110
also Bacterial infections, stings. Vitamin C, 156-157, 208-209

general. Tinctures, 53-54 Vitiligo. See Autoimmune
Steinmetz, E.F., 260 Tipi. See Anamu. disorders.
Stevia, 146-147, 424-428 Tokyo College of Pharmacy and von Martius, Theodore, 304
Stevia rebaudiana. See Stevia. Pharmacognosy, 296 Vulnerary. See Wound healer.
Stimulant, 88-89 Tonic, 88-89

Stinking toe. See Jatoba. 109
Tonsillitis, Walpers, Gerhard, 338
Stomach ulcers. See Helicobacter Traditional preparation, Warfarin®, 38, 39, 40, 41
pylori stomach ulcers; Peptic importance of, 48, 49, 50 Warts, 110
Trichomonas, 109 Whitaker, Julian, 219
ulcers.
Tuberculosis, 109 White Clavo huasca.
clove. See
Stomachic. See Digestive
stimulant. Turnera aphrodisiaca. See Damiana. WHO. See World Health
Tynanthus panurensis. See Clavo Organization.

Strep throat, 109
Streptococcus & Klebsiella huasca. Whooping cough, 110. See also
Bacterial infections, general.
pneumoniae. See Pneumonia,
bacterial. Ulcerative colitis, 109 Wiemann, Wolfram, 232
Ulcers. See Helicobacter pylori Williams, James E., 410
Stress, 109
stomach ulcers; Peptic ulcers. Edward O., 16, 24
Wilson,
Stretch marks, 109
Antihemorrhagic.
Styptic. See Una de gato. See Cat's claw. Women's health, general, 110
Uncaria tomentosa. See Cat's claw. World Health Organization
Subsistence farming, 22
Sudorific. See Diaphoretic. University of Sao Paulo, 297 (WHO), 43, 93
Urinary tract infections, 110 World Resources Institute, 13-14

Suma, 146-147, 429-433
Urtica dioica. See Nettle. Wormseed. See Epazote.
Sunburn, 109
Sunstroke. See Heat stroke. Urticaria. See Hives. Wound healer, 90-91
See Annatto. Wounds. See Cuts and wounds.

Sustainable harvesting, of raw Urucum.
plant materials, 50 Uterine diseases, 110
Uterine fibroids, 110 Yeast infections. See Candida.
Sustainable resources, 31, 32
Uterine relaxant, 88-89 Yellow fever, 110
Sweet broom weed. See
Uterine stimulant, 88-89 Yerba mate, 148-149, 425,
Vassourinha.
446-451
Syphilis, 109
Vaginal diseases, 110
Zantac®, 278
Tabebuia impel iginosa. See Pau van Straten, Michael, 226
Ziziplius joazeiro. See Juazeiro.
d'arco. Varicose veins, 110
OTHER SOyAREONE TITLES OF INTEREST
HOW TO FIND THE BEST ALTERNATIVE
CARE FOR YOUR HEALTH CONCERNS
Your Guide to Alternative Medicine
Understanding, Locating, and Selecting Holistic
I-
Treatments and Practitioners

B 1)
Larry P. Credit. Sharon G. Hartunian, and Margaret J. Nowak

Alternative
The growing world complementary medicine offers safe and effective
of
solutions to many health disorders, from backache to headache. You may
MEDICINE already be interested in alternative care approaches, but if you're like most
people, you have a hundred and one questions you'd like answered before
UNDERSTANDING,^
^ you choose a treatment. "Will feel the acupuncture needles?" "What is a
I
LOCATING, AND
homeopathic remedy?" "Does chiropractic hurt?" Your Guide to Alternative
SELECTING HOLISTIC
Medicine provides the fundamental facts necessary to choose an effective
TREATMENTS
PRACTITIONERS
^ complementary care therapy and begin treatment.
This comprehensive reference clearly explains numerous approaches in an
Larry Sharon G. Margaret J.
CREDIT HARTUNIAN NOWAK easy-to-read format. For every complementary care option discussed, there is
a description and brief history; a list of conditions that respond; information
on the cost and duration of treatment; credentials and educational background for practitioners; and more. To
find those therapies most appropriate for a specific condition, there is even a unique troubleshooting chart.
$1 1.95 US / $17.95 CAN • 208 pages • 6 x 9-inch paperback * ISBN 0-7570-0125-4
The Whole Herb \ ( (« 1

1|
* -ic ( .1 * k li > < 1 » » wn;-;, I siij; <>i asIii,! N. lU
m '
'' I n < isi in n
For Cooking, Crafts, Gardening, Health,

and Other Joys of Life
Barbara Pleasant
Herbs are nature's pure and precious gifts. They provide

sustenance for both our bodies and our souls. They have been
our medicine and our food. Their fragrance and beauty have
warmed our hearts and delighted our senses.
The Whole Herb is a complete, practical, and easy-to-follow

guide to the many uses of these wonderful treasures of the earth.
It presents their fascinating history, as well as their many uses,
including herbs and health, herbs and cooking, herbs around Barbara Pleasant
the house, and herbs in the garden. A comprehensive A-to-Z
reference profiles over fifty commonly used and affordable herb
varieties.Each entry provides specific information on the herb's background, benefits, and uses, along with
helpful buying guides, growing instructions, preservation methods, and safety information. Whether you want
to use herbs to create better health, better meals, unforgettable fragrances, impressive crafts, or a beautiful
garden. The Whole Herb is here to help.
$14.95 US/ $22.50 CAN • 252 pages • 7.5 x 7.5-inch paperback * ISBN 0-7570-0080-0
For more information about our books,

visit our website at www.squareonepublishers.com
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 9999 05767 714 6
Faneuil Branch Library

419 Faneuil Street
Brighton, MA 02135 17
The HEALING POWER of
ainforests contain an amazing abundance of plant life — over
half of the planet's vegetation. For centuries, tribal
have successfully used these botanicdls as remedies for various
shamans 1 ^ Uses handy
tables to pinpoint
health disorders. Now, scientists and researchers have begun to appropriate treatments.
uncover the medicinal qualities of these plants, which offer new
approaches to health and healing. The result of years of research,
both traditional and clinical. The Healing Power of Rainforest
1 3 Details the
medicinal properties
Herbs is a unique guide to these herbs and their uses.
of each plant.
Detailing more than seventy rainforest botanicals, this book
presents the history of the herbs' uses by indigenous peoples and
describes current usage by natural health practitioners throughout
1 S Presents scientific
support for
the world. Discover Amazon healers' traditional knowledge as traditional uses.
well as the clinical studies that support what shamans have known
for ages. Essential dosage, preparation methods, and specific
chemical information are provided for each plant, while at-a-
1 ^ Specifies
preparation methods
glance tables help you locate the best botanicals for each disorder.
Here is a unique book that offers a blend of ancient and modern
and dosages.
knowledge in an accessible reference format.
Includes photos
Discover the herbal secrets of the rainforest. Let The Healing Power
and art of rainforest
of Rainforest Herbs guide you in your exploration.
botanicals.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR SI Shares time-tested

Leslie Taylor, ND, survived a rare form of leukemia by following alter- knowledge of
native and herbal medicinal therapies. A practicing herbalist and natur- traditional healers.
opath, Dr. Taylor has been researching, studying, and documenting
herbal medicine for almost twenty years. She is the founder of Raintree
Explains sustainable
Nutrition Inc., a company dedicated to making rainforest botanicals
available while preserving the forests from destruction. Dr. Taylor lec-
harvesting & rainforest
tures and teaches classes worldwide in naturopathic medicine, herbal preservation.

medicine, ethnobotany, and environmental and sustainability issues.
UPC ISBN D-757D-DmM-D

®
5 2 3 9 5
SQUAREONE
PUBLISHERS
Health/Herbs
$23.95 U.S. $35.95 CAN 7 80 597 001 44 3 9 780757 001 444 EAN

The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

A Guide Understanding and

iosteij E’lilic Library

Cover Designers: Phaedra Mastrocola and Jacqueline Michelus

Square One Publishers

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Copyright © 2005 by Leslie Taylor

All rights reserved. No may

of the cc^pyright owner.

Printed in the United States of America

4. How to Use This Book, 7

Rainforest Destruction and Survival, 13

Differences and Similarities of Drugs

Methods of Preparing Herbal Remedies, 47

Rainforest Remedies and Recipes, 57

Quick Guides to Medicinal Plants

Herbal Treatment of Specific Diseases and Disorders, 93

Plant Data Summary, 111

Medicinal Plants of the Amazon

Abuta, 152 Clavo Huasca, 248 Manaca, 348

Artichoke, 178 Espinheira Santa, 276 Passionflower, 377

Carqueja, 210 Jaborandi, 316 Scarlet Bush, 417

Cashew, 214 Jatoba, 320 Simarouba, 420

Catuaba, 224 Juazeiro, 328 Suma, 429

Rainforest Resources, 461

References for Part Three, 471

WE, THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, have been an integral part of the

We are concerned that the Amazon peoples, and in particular

the Indigenous Peoples, have been left out of the environmentalists'

determuiing the future of our homeland. The environmentalist community

recognition and defense of the territories of the region's Indigejums

biosphere and for managing its resources in a sustainable zvay.

Coordinating Body for the Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon

—Susan Seddon Boulet

tall, fair-skinned blonde woman traveling down the Amazon

to go back about twenty years to my most memorable journey, which start-

ed me onto this odd path where find myself today.

first became interested in herbal medicine and alternative health

when, in my was diagnosed with acute myeloblastic

leukemia (AML). Conventional medicine gave up on me after two years of

birthday. But being the odd, determined, stubborn, rebellious individual

a vengeance. With a combination of herbal medicine, diet, nutrition, and

cancer and healing my body.

chemotherapy and today's modern medicine "conventional medicine" and

was considered "successful," and that success resulted in a ballistic,

Then, in 1989, 1 took a much-needed vacation that changed the course

sonally fulfilling. So, when I returned from Africa, I sold my companies,

'"unproductive," and was obviously in dire need of a husband to make her

a great source of frustration and a committed struggle for me to try to

money than the European company was charging), I decided to go to the

That was the beginning of a group of companies that I founded in my

or healer in the jungle, I am called "jaguar-woman," white witch, shaman,

Beforebecame known as "the white witch of the Ama-

zon," was (and am) a businesswoman first and foremost.

When first arrived in the Amazon, approached the rain-

May your own journeys and adventures be prosperous!

of those plants thathave been researched and scientifically validated; and

of the rainforest herbs discussed in this book. Essential information is list-

which has been conveniently condensed, guides the reader as to which

• what the plant looks like