Maytenus krukovii (chuchuhuasi)
Maytenus krukovii (chuchuhuasi)Latin name: Maytenus krukovii Common name: chuchuhuasi |
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Other names: chucchu huashu, chuchuasi, chuchasha, chuchuhuasha
What it is: canopy tree that can grow up to 30 meters high, large leaves, small white flowers, reddish-brown bark
Habitat: Amazon rainforest
History/traditional use: used medicinally for centuries by the indigenous people of the Amazon to treat arthritis pain, rheumatism, back pain, bronchitis, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and menstrual irregularities and pain, skin cancer, and as an aphrodisiac
Parts used: bark
Constituents: 22-hydroxytingenone, 6-benzoyl-6-deacetylmayteine, beta-dihydroagarofuran sesquiterpene polyol esters, canophyllol, catechin tannins, friedelan triterpenes, friedelin, 3-oxo-29-hydroxyfriedlelane, 3-oxofriedelan-25-al, laevisines A and B, macrocarpins A-D, maytansine, mayteine, maytenin, mebeverine, phenoldienones, pristimeran, proanthocyanidins, tingenone
Actions/Uses: documented actions include adrenal support, analgesic, anodyne, anti-arthritic, antidiarrheic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antitumorous, aphrodisiac, immunostimulant, muscle relaxant, stimulant, stomachic, tonic
Preparation method: decoction made from tincture
Side Effects: none known
Interactions: none known
Animal Studies : a 1960's study indicated the immune-stimulating properties of both the leaf and bark, as they increased phagocytosis in mice. Studies in the 70's showed the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the bark extract in various studies with mice.
