Dorstenia contrajerva is a plant species in the family Moraceae. It is native to Northern South America,Central America with Some parts of South America and is cultivated elsewhere. The species name "contrajerva" is the Latinized form of the plant's Spanish name, "contrahierba", a name for plants used for treating poisoning and venomous bites and stings, and for which its rootstocks are used in folk medicine (as contrayerva).[1] It is the type species of the Dorstenia genus and was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.[2]
Description
Dorstenia contrajerva is a small evergreen perennial plant with a creeping rhizome from which emerges a rosette of leaves with long petioles. Leaves are variably shaped, with plants with lobed and unlobed leaves co-occurring in the same populations.[3] Leaves are up to 20cm long on petioles up to 25cm long. When damaged the plant exudes a white latex. Tiny male and female flowers are distributed intermixed on a discoid receptacle of convoluted shape. The fruits are small and contained in a quadrangular container. The tiny seeds are explosively expelled.
Plants acaulescent or nearly so. The stems, if any, are very short and covered with persistent petiole bases. Leaves are often very numerous and crowded. Stipules persistent; petiole 8–25cm. Leaf blade long-petiolate, oblong-ovate, deltate-ovate, or orbiculate, entire or deeply pinnately or almost palmately lobed, 6-20 × 7–22cm, sparsely scabrous or pubescent. The lobes acute to acuminate, narrow or broad. Inflorescences: receptacle flat, curved, or undulate, quadrangular or irregularly lobed, accrescent in age and 2–5cm. wide, scaberulous beneath. On long slender peduncle, 7–25cm. Drupes somewhat globose, 0.25–1cm in diameter. Seeds yellowish. 2 n = 30.[4][5][6]
In the United States Pharmacopoeia and the National Formulary (1927), the rhizome of Dorstenia contrajerva or Contrayera is described as fusiform, 1–2 headed, 5–7.5cm long, 12mm thick, reddish, with an unpleasant odor and acrid, bitter taste.[7]
Distribution
Dorstenia contrajerva is native to southern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America including Peru.[8] It is cultivated in Indonesia (Java) and Malaysia (Malacca), and locally in Africa and South America.[9] In North America Dorstenia contrajerva has been introduced to Florida and is a weed in greenhouses and nurseries. It is sometimes cultivated as a house plant.[10][11]
Dorstenia contrajerva
Habitat
It grows in shady places in disturbed vegetation in mangroves, savannahs, thickets, and tropical forests.[12][13]
Cultivation
Dorstenia contrajerva requires part to full shade and a rich soil that should be kept moist but not saturated. Fertilize weekly using a balanced fertilizer diluted to half of the recommended strength. It can become very weedy if the old receptacles are not picked off. The seeds are very viable and germinate on any soil. Repotting can be done at any time of the year. Easily propagated from seed or by division. Fresh seed will germinate in 7 to 14 days.[14]
In folk medicine in Honduras, the boiled root is used for diarrhea, dysentery, and stomach ache. The slightly roasted and ground root is used to treat intestinal worms and parasites. The crushed root is mixed with water to treat the bites of snakes. In Nicaragua the boiled root is used to prevent diarrhea; minced raw rhizomes are used to treat diarrhea, sickness, stomach upset, indigestion, and worms. In El Salvador it is used for stomachache and to prevent vomiting. In Costa Rica the boiled root is used for diarrhea, and an infusion to lower fever. It is considered useful for diarrhea as well as an emmenagogue. In Mexico the latex is used to heal wounds and the inflorescences are given to teething children. In the Amazon region of Peru it is used as a tonic, against gangrene, and as an antidote for bee and wasp stings. In Argentina, the whole plant is used to treat snakebite. In Venezuela it is used as a sudorific and as a cure for dysentery.[15]
Duke's Handbook of Medicinal Plants of Latin America lists the following medicinal activities: alexiteric, anti-HIV, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenaggogue, febrifuge, leihmanicide, orexigenic, stimulant, tonic.[16]
The United States Pharmacopoeia and the National Formulary of 1927 says that the root of this plant was used for low fevers, typhoid, diarrhea, dysentery, serpent bites; in decoction, tincture.[17]Maud Grieve writes in her Modern Herbal (1931) that contrayerva given as a powder or decoction is a “Stimulant, tonic, and diaphoretic; given in cases of low fevers, typhoid, dysentery, diarrhoea, and other illnesses needing a stimulant.” [18][19] In folk medicine it is used to treat bites of poisonous animals.
The first description of this plant and its medical usage in Mexico is said[20][21] to have been made by the Spanish naturalist and physician Francisco Hernández de Toledo in the 16th century: “The herb called Tozpàtli has a round root about the size of a hazelnut, with thin fibrous roots, and of an azure color, from which are born delicate petioles, on which are curved leaves, almost similar to those of the Polypodium, but smaller and more green. It is said that it carries no flower at all. It grows in high and flat, but hot places. The root is sharp and fragrant to taste, hot and dry almost in the fourth degree, and of subtle parts. This herb cures rashes/eruptions (empeynes),[22] boils, whitlow, and also the so-called French illness (mal frances = syphilis), and clears up tumors and abscesses. The root applied externally or taken by the mouth alleviates many diseases that can be easily understood using the Method … considering the qualities and properties described (above). Finally, this is an important and noteworthy plant, without which our apothecaries cannot do without, and so those who spend in them.” .[23][24]
In the entry “Contra-yerva” in Chambers Cyclopedia of 1728, it is said that its root “brought from Peru” is “esteem'd an Alexiterial, and a sovereign Antidote against Poison.” [25] It also says that the root and the recipe Lapis Contrayerva (see below) are of great efficacy in smallpox, measles, fevers and in “all Cases where either a Diaphoresis or Perspiration is required.”[26]
The 18th–19th century Spanish Mexican physician and botanist Vicente Cervantes describes it as: "a plant with an aromatic smell, an acrid taste, somewhat bitter and persistent. Its virtue is stimulating, tonic and diaphoretic, it is recommended in putrid or adynamic fevers."[27]
Other uses
In North America powder made from the rootstocks and leaves is mixed with tobacco for improving the taste of cigarettes.[28][29]
Chemical constituents
The United States Pharmacopoeia and the National Formulary (1927) states that the root of Dorstenia contrajerva contains contrayerbine (contrajervin, a peptide), cajapine, volatile oil, resin, a bitter principle, and starch.[30] A 2016 study isolated the following 11 compounds from Dorstenia contrajerva: dorsjervin A, dorsjervin B, psoralen, dorstenin, squalene, γ-sitosterol, cycloartocarpesin, 1-O-linolenoyl-2-O-stearoyl-3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl glycerol, bergapten, dorsteniol, and xanthoarnol.[31] The cardenolide syriogenin was isolated from the root.[32]
Vernacular names
English: snakewort, tusilla
French: herbe aux serpents, racine de charchis
German: bezoarwurz, schlangenwurz
Spanish: contra de cobra, contrahierba, barbudilla (Mexico), hierba de sapo, higuerilla (Argentina), mano de leon (Venezuela)
Boesenbergia rotunda, commonly known as Chinese keys, fingerroot, lesser galangal or Chinese ginger, is a medicinal and culinary herb from China and Southeast Asia. In English, the root has traditionally been called fingerroot, because the shape of the rhizome resembles that of fingers growing out of a center piece.
Contrayerva, or contrajerva, is the medicinal rhizome of various tropical Central American and South American species of Dorstenia in the family Moraceae, mainly Dorstenia contrajerva and the closely related Dorstenia drakena but also Dorstenia brasiliensis. The word contrayerva means “counter herb” in Spanish. It was given this name since a 16th-century description claimed that the leaves of a herb were used by South American Indians to counter the deadly poisonous effect of the same herb when used as an arrow poison. Seventeenth century herbalists and botanists identified this herb as the aromatic root that had been brought from Peru to England by Francis Drake, and claimed that it was an antidote against all kinds of poison. By the late 18th century contrayerva had lost its reputation as an antidote, but it continued to be listed in European and American pharmacopoeias and herbals until the 1920s as a gentle stimulant, tonic and diaphoretic. It is still used in folk medicine in Central and South America.
Viburnum prunifolium is a species of Viburnum native to eastern North America, from Connecticut west to eastern Kansas, and south to Alabama and Texas.
Emilia sonchifolia, also known as lilac tasselflower or cupid's shaving brush, is a tropical flowering species of tasselflower in the sunflower family. It is widespread in tropical regions around the world, apparently native to Asia and naturalized in Africa, Australia, the Americas, and various oceanic islands.
Nymphaea odorata, also known as the American white waterlily, fragrant water-lily, beaver root, fragrant white water lily, white water lily, sweet-scented white water lily, and sweet-scented water lily, is an aquatic plant belonging to the genus Nymphaea. It can commonly be found in shallow lakes, ponds, and permanent slow moving waters throughout North America where it ranges from Central America to northern Canada. It is also reported from Brazil and Guyana.
Dorstenia is a genus within the mulberry family, Moraceae. Depending on the author, there are said to be 100 to 170 species within this genus, second only in number to the genus Ficus within Moraceae. Plants of the World Online currently accepts 122 species. Dorstenia species are mainly known for their unusual inflorescences and growth habits. Dorstenia is named in honor of the German physician and botanist Theodor Dorsten (1492–1552). The type species is Dorstenia contrajerva.
Gaultheria insipida, called chichaja in Spanish, is a flowering shrub of the plant genus Gaultheria. The species is native to the Andes; specimens have been found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Morus celtidifolia, the Texas mulberry, is a plant species native to South America, Central America, Mexico, and the southwestern United States, ranging from Argentina north as far as Arizona and Oklahoma. In the US, it grows in canyons and on slopes, usually near streams, from 200–2,200 metres in elevation. It is very often referred to as "Morus microphylla," including in Flora of North America, but recent studies suggest that these names are synonymous with M. celtidifolia holding priority.
Artemisia gorgonum is a species of flowering plants of the family Asteraceae, endemic to Cape Verde. Its local name is losna or lasna. The plant plays a role in traditional medicine.
Echium hypertropicum is a species of flowering plants of the family Boraginaceae. The species is endemic to Cape Verde. It is listed as an endangered plant by the IUCN.
Echium stenosiphon is a plant species of the family Boraginaceae. The species is endemic to Cape Verde. Its local name is língua-de-vaca, a name that may also refer to the related species Echium vulcanorum and Echium hypertropicum. The plant is used in traditional medicinal for a cough syrup.
Micromeria forbesii is a species of flowering plants of the genus Micromeria. The species is endemic to Cape Verde. It is listed as endangered by the IUCN. It was first described by George Bentham in 1834. Its local name is erva-cidreira, or cidreirinha. In traditional medicine, it is used as an infusion for the treatment of indigestion, diarrhea, cough and to stimulate labour.
Echium vulcanorum is a species of flowering plants of the family Boraginaceae. The species is endemic to Cape Verde. It is listed as an endangered plant by the IUCN. The species was first described in 1935 by Auguste Chevalier. Its local name is língua-de-vaca, a name that may also refer to the related species Echium hypertropicum and Echium stenosiphon. The oil of its seeds contains γ-linolenic acid, and is used for medicinal and dietary purposes.
Erysimum caboverdeanum is a species of flowering plants of the family Brassicaceae. The species is endemic to Cape Verde. It is listed as a critically endangered plant by the IUCN. The species was first described by Auguste Chevalier in 1935 as Matthiola caboverdeana; it was placed into the genus Erysimum by Per Øgle Sunding in 1974. Its local name is cravo-brabo. It is used in traditional medicine.
Conyza feae is a species of flowering plant that belongs to the family Asteraceae. The species is endemic to Cape Verde. It is listed as an endangered plant by the IUCN. First described as Nidorella feae, it was placed in the genus Conyza by Hiram Wild in 1969. The specific name feae refers to the Italian naturalist Leonardo Fea. Its local name is losna-brabo or losna-bravo. The plant plays a role in traditional medicine.
Conyza varia is a species of flowering plants of the family Asteraceae. The species is endemic to Cape Verde. It is listed as an endangered plant by the IUCN. First described as Erigeron varius by Philip Barker Webb, it was placed in the genus Conyza by Hiram Wild in 1969. Its local name is marcelinha or tabua, tabuinha. The plant plays a role in traditional medicine: crushed and heated leaves are used to treat external inflammations.
Cynanchum daltonii, synonym Sarcostemma daltonii, is a species of flowering plants of the family Apocynaceae. The species is endemic to Cape Verde. The specific name refers to Joseph Dalton Hooker. The species was named by Joseph Decaisne, as Sarcostemma daltonii, in 1849. Its local name is gestiba. The plant is used in traditional medicine to relieve and treat dental problems.
Asparagus squarrosus is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae. The species is endemic to Cape Verde. The species was named by Johann Anton Schmidt in 1853. Its local name is espargo. The plant is used in traditional medicine.
Dorstenia indica is a small plant species in the family Moraceae native to Southern India and Sri Lanka. It was first described by Robert Wight in 1853.
Dorstenia barteri is a West African plant species belonging to the family Moraceae.
References
↑ Standley, Paul Carpenter & Steyermark, Julian A, Flora of Guatemala, Chicago, 1946: 28–29.
↑ Berg, Cornelis C. (2001). "Moreae, Artocarpeae, and Dorstenia (Moraceae), with Introductions to the Family and Ficus and with Additions and Corrections to Flora Neotropica Monograph 7". Flora Neotropica. 83: 1–346.
↑ See Rozier, François. Curso completo ó Diccionario universal de agricultura teórica, práctica, económica, y de medicina rural y veterinari, Volume 8, Imprenta Real, 1800: 439.
↑ “A yerza llamada Tozpàtli, tiena la rayz redoda del tamaño de un auellana, con unas hebras delgadas, y de un color açul, de donde nacen unos peçoncillos delicados, y en ellos las ojas cymbossas/cymbrossas, y casi semejantes a les del polipodio, pero menores y mas verdes, segun dizen no lleua flor ninguna. Nace en lugares altos y llanos, pero calientes, la rayz es aguda y olorosa al gusto, caliente y seca casi enel quarto grado, y de partes sutiles, cura esta yerua los empeynes y los diuiessos, y panarriços, y tambien el que llaman mal frances, y resuelbe los tumores y apostemas, la rayz aplicada por defuera, o tomada por la boca, aproueccha aotras muchas enfermedades que facilmente podra entender el que usando de Methodo, y buen discurso, considerando las dichas virtudes y facultades, finalmente esta es una principal y notable planta, sin la qual no deuian estar nuestras boticas y que todos lo gastaran.” Hernández, Francisco.Quatro libros de la naturaleza, y virtudes de las plantas, y animales, 1615: 79Archived 2017-10-24 at the Wayback Machine –80. Later edition: J. R. Bravo, 1838: 115.
↑ Modern translation: “cura los salpullidos, los lamparones, los forúnculos y el llamado mal gálico, resuelve los demás tumores y alivia otras enfermedades que por las propiedades dichas, fácilmente puede conocerse cuáles sean”, Atlas de las Plantas de la Medicina Tradicional Mexicana, “Contrayerba Dorstenia contrajerva L. MoraceaeArchived 2017-10-14 at the Wayback Machine ”. Retrieved 14.10.2017.
↑ Chambers, Ephraim. Cyclopaedia: or, An Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, Vol. 1, London 1728: 318.
↑ Chambers, Ephraim. Cyclopaedia: or, An Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, Vol. 1, London 1728: 319.
↑ "es una planta de olor aromático, sabor acre, algo amargo y persistente. Su virtud es estimulante, tónica y diaforética, se recomienda en las fiebres pútridas o adinámicas". Atlas de las Plantas de la Medicina Tradicional Mexicana, “Contrayerba Dorstenia contrajerva L. MoraceaeArchived 2017-10-14 at the Wayback Machine ”. Retrieved 14.10.2017.
↑ Díaz, J.L. Índice y sinonimia de las plantas medicinales de México, Instituto Mexicano para el Estudio de las Plantas Medicinales. Editorial Libros de México, 1976.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
