Herbs of Paraguay and Uruguay

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Herbs of Paraguay and Uruguay An
Overview Rhonda R. Janke, KSU
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-- Uruguay sustainable ag tour, March 11-21,
2004 -- Paraguay Partners grant to teach
water/soil quality, March 22-April 6, 2004.
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Sustainable Agriculture Tour of Uruguay
Organized by Valentin Picasso, Charles Brummer
(Iowa State University) and Marta Chiappe,
Universidad de Agronomia, Monte Video, Uruguay.
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Two local medicinal herbs in front yards and
gardens in Monte Video, the capital city.
Schinus molle, Anacahuita Used as a tea.
Povelaria sp. Yerba lucera
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Another view of Shinus molle, seeds taste like
peppercorns.

• Common Names Brazilian peppertree, Peruvian
  peppertree, California peppertree, aroeira,
  aroeira salsa, escobilla, Peruvian mastic tree,
  mastic-tree, aguaribay, American pepper,
  anacahuita, castilla, false pepper, gualeguay,
  Jesuit's balsam, molle del Peru, mulli, pepper
  tree, pimentero, pimientillo, pirul Parts Used
  Fruit, bark, leaf

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Brazilian Peppertree, Schinus molle

• PLANT DESCRIPTION Brazilian peppertree is a
  shrubby tree with narrow, spiky leaves. It grows
  4 to 10 m tall, with a trunk 25 to 35 cm in
  diameter. It produces an abundance of small
  flowers formed in panicles which bear a great
  many small, flesh-colored, berry-like fruits in
  December and January. It is indigenous to South
  and Central America, and can be found in
  semitropical and tropical regions of the United
  States and Africa. Three separate species of
  trees are used interchangeably (all called
  "peppertrees") in both North and South America
  Schinus molle, Schinus aroeira, and Schinus
  terebinthifolius.
• All parts of the tree have high oil and essential
  oil contents that produce a spicy, aromatic
  scent. The leaves of the Brazilian peppertree
  have such a high oil content that leaf pieces
  jerk and twist when placed in hot water as the
  oil is released. The berries, which have a
  peppery flavor, are used in syrups, vinegar, and
  beverages in Peru are added to Chilean wines
  and are dried and ground up for a pepper
  substitute in the tropics. The dried berries have
  also been used as an adulterant of black pepper
  in some countries.
• Documented Properties Actions
• Analgesic, antibacterial, antidepressant,
  antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial,
  antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, balsamic,
  cytotoxic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant,
  hypotensive, insecticide, purgative, stomachic,
  tonic, uterine stimulant, vulnerary.
• Plant Chemicals Include
• 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, sitosterol, spathulene,
  terpinene, terpineol, terpinolene, tricosanoic
  acid
• The above text has been reprinted from The
  Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs by Leslie
  Taylor, http//rain-tree.com

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Tour of the Emmanuel Center, a joint project of
the Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic and Mennonite
churches. Research on organic methods,
composting methods, compost tea for disease
control
Sweet sorghum breeding program, as a sugar
alternative.
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Research also includes medicinal herbs,
especially Stevia. Multiple harvests, like
alfalfa.
Contact Information for Centro Emmanuel Eduardo
Cuelho Martinez Director
Internino
Colonioa Valdense, Uruguay emmauel_at_adinet.com.uy
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Stevia rebaudiana

• Family Asteraceae
• Synonyms Eupatorium rebaudianum
• Common Names Stevia, sweet leaf of Paraguay,
  caa-he-éé, kaa jheéé, ca-a-jhei, ca-a-yupi,
  azucacaa, eira-caa, capim doce, erva doce,
  sweet-herb, honey yerba, honeyleaf, yaa waan,
  candy leaf
• Part Used Leaves
• PLANT DESCRIPTION Stevia is a perennial shrub
  that grows up to 1 m tall and has leaves 2-3 cm
  long. It is indigenous to the northern regions of
  South America it is still found growing wild in
  the highlands between Brazil and Paraguay. It is
  estimated that as many as 200 species of Stevia
  are native to South America however, no other
  Stevia plants have exhibited the same intensity
  of sweetness as S. rebaudiana. It is grown
  commercially in many parts of Brazil, Paraguay,
  Uruguay, Central America, Israel, Thailand, and
  China.
• For hundreds of years, indigenous peoples in
  Brazil and Paraguay have used the leaves of
  stevia as a sweetener. The Guarani Indians of
  Paraguay call it kaa jheéé and have used it to
  sweeten their yerba maté 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.
• Documented Properties Actions
• Antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory,
  antimicrobial, antiviral, antiyeast, cardiotonic,
  diuretic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, tonic,
  vasodilator
• The above text has been reprinted from The
  Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs by Leslie
  Taylor, http//rain-tree.com

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Stevia rebaudiana

• ETHNOBOTANY WORLDWIDE USES
• Brazil Antiadrenergic, cardiotonic, caries,
  contraceptive, depression, diabetes, diuretic,
  fatigue, hypertension, hypoglycemic, hypotensive,
  infection, obesity, stomachic, sweet cravings,
  sweetener, tonic, vasodilator, wound
• Paraguay Contraceptive, diabetes, sweetener
• South America Diabetes, hypertension, infection,
  obesity, sweetener
• United States Candida, diabetes, hypertension,
  hypoglycemic, hypotensive, infection, vasodilator
• Plant Chemicals Include
• Apigenin-4'-o-beta-d-glucoside, austroinulin,
  avicularin, beta-sitosterol, caffeic acid,
  campesterol, caryophyllene, centaureidin,
  chlorogenic acid, chlorophyll, cosmosiin,
  cynaroside, daucosterol, diterpene glycosides,
  dulcosides A-B, foeniculin, formic acid,
  gibberellic acid, gibberellin, indole-3-acetonitri
  le, isoquercitrin, isosteviol, jhanol,
  kaempferol-3-o-rhamnoside, kaurene, lupeol,
  luteolin-7-o-glucoside, polystachoside,
  quercetin, quercitrin, rebaudioside A-F,
  scopoletin, sterebin A-H, steviol,
  steviolbioside, steviolmonoside, stevioside,
  stevioside a-3, stigmasterol, umbelliferone,
  xanthophyll
• The above text has been reprinted from The
  Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs by Leslie
  Taylor, http//rain-tree.com

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INIA Forage Research TrialsInclude plantain and
chicory, along withother more traditional
grasses and legumesMarina Castro
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A hike through a protected wildlife reserve,
PROBIDES.
A bee sting from wild bees was only a minor
setback.
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In the upland savanna area, many medicinal
plants, including Marcela (Achyrocline
satureoides) and Carqueja (Baccharis
genistelloides) are found in the wild.
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Carqueja , Baccharis genistelloides

• PLANT DESCRIPTION Carqueja is a perennial green
  herb that grows nearly vertical to a height of
  12 meters and produces yellowish-white flowers
  at the top of the plant. The bright green, flat,
  winged stalks have a fleshy, succulent
  consistency and the wings take the place of
  leaves. The Baccharis genus is composed of more
  than 400 species native to tropical and
  subtropical America. Carqueja is known by several
  botanical names in Brazil, including Baccharis
  genistelloides, B. triptera, and B. trimera. It
  is found throughout the Amazon rainforest in
  Peru, Brazil, and Colombia, as well as in
  tropical parts of Argentina, Paraguay, and
  Uruguay. Other common species called carqueja in
  Brazil include Baccharis trinervis and B.
  gaudichaudiana which look similar (smaller in
  height and smaller wings) and are sometimes used
  as substitutes for B. genistelloides. Another
  well known species in the family is a small
  shrub, B. cordifolia, which is toxic to grazing
  animals.
• Documented Properties Actions
• Abortive, analgesic, antacid, anthelmintic,
  antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antihepatotoxic,
  antirheumatic, antiulcerogenic, antiviral,
  aperient, bitter, chologogue, depurative,
  digestive, diuretic, febrifuge, gastrotonic,
  hepatic, hepatoprotective, hepatotonic,
  hypoglycemic, laxative, refrigerant, stomachic,
  sudorific, tonic, vermifuge
• Plant Chemicals Include
• 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, alpha-phellandrene,
  alpha-terpinene, alpha-ylangene,
  beta-caryophyllene, beta-phellandrene,
  beta-pinene, calacorene, camphene, carquejol,
  cirsimaritin, clerodane diterpenoids, elemol,
  eriodictyol, essential oils, eudesmol, eugenol,
  eupatorin, eupatrin, 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,
  viridiflorol
• The above text has been reprinted from The
  Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs by Leslie
  Taylor, http//rain-tree.com

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Herb shopping in Monte Video, the capital city of
Uruguay.Many Uruguayan companies package and
sell local herbs.Info on many of these can be
found on http//rain-tree.com.
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Macela/Marcela, Achyrocline satureoides

• PLANT DESCRIPTION Macela is a medium-sized
  aromatic annual herb that grows up to 1-1/2 m
  high and produces small white flowers with yellow
  centers and serrated green leaves. It is
  indigenous to much of tropical South and Central
  America and is found throughout Brazil.
• Documented Properties Actions
• Analgesic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-emetic,
  anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antimutagenic,
  antioxidant, antiproliferative, antiseptic,
  antispasmodic, antitumorous, antiviral,
  choleretic, cytotoxic, digestive, emmenagogue,
  hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, immunostimulant,
  insecticidal, molluscicidal, muscle relaxant,
  stomachic, sudorific, vermifuge
• Plant Chemicals Include
• Achyrocline polysaccharides, achyrofuran,
  auricepyrone, cadinene, caffeic acid,
  callerianin, calleryanin, caryatin,
  caryophyllene, chlorogenic acid, cineol,
  flavones, galangin, germacrene D, gnaphaliin,
  italidipyrone, lauricepyrone, luteolin, ocimene,
  pinene, pyrone, quercetagetin, quercetin,
  scoparol, scoparone, tamarixetin
• The above text has been reprinted from The
  Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs by Leslie
  Taylor, http//rain-tree.com

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Macela/Marcela, Achyrocline satureoides

• ETHNOBOTANY WORLDWIDE USES
• Argentina Asthma, diabetes, digestive,
  emmenagogue, menstrual regulation
• Brazil Analgesic, antibacterial, anti-emetic,
  anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antispasmodic,
  aperient, appetitie stimulant, astringent,
  bitter, cold, colic, diabetes, diarrhea,
  digestive, dysentery, emmenagogue, epilepsy, flu,
  gallstones, gastritis, gastrointestinal
  disorders, headaches, hypoglycemic, inflammation,
  intestinal disorders, liver disorders, menstrual
  disorders, menstrual pain, neuralgia, rheumatism,
  sedative, stomachic, sudorific
• Bolivia Carminative
• Colombia Gallbladder disorders, tumors
• Paraguay Anthelmintic, antimicrobial, infections,
  vermifuge
• Uruguay Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory,
  antispasmodic, digestion, emmenagogue, impotence,
  menstrual disorders, sedative
• Venezuela Diabetes, emmenagogue, impotence
• Parts Used Aerial parts, leaves, flowers
• The above text has been reprinted from The
  Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs by Leslie
  Taylor, http//rain-tree.com

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Paraguay One paradise in the heart of America
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Asuncion, the capital city, was built on the
Paraguay River. The river divides the country
into east (more humid) and west (the dry, or
Chaco region).
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The river provides a major navigational route to
the Atlantic Ocean.
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The Chaco region is alternately very wet and very
dry. Plants, animals, and people have developed
special adaptations to this climate.
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The Chaco is home to cattle ranches, a large
community of Mennonite dairy farmers, palm trees,
and many indigenous communities.
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The trip to Paraguay was funded by Paraguay
Partners, and my hosts were Martin Burt and Jose
Luis Salomon, of the Fundacion Paraguay, and the
Escuela Agricola in Ben Aceval.
Paraguay is officially bi-lingual the two
languages are Spanish, and Guarani.
The Escuela offers a high-school degree with an
emphasis on organic agriculture production to
about 100 students.
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Historic Herbs
Jesuit Mission in Trinidad, Paraguay. Established
in the 17th century, of 30 original missions in
S. America, 8 are in Paraguay. (see Robert De
Niro in The Mission.) Up to 4000 Indians lived
in the mission with only two Jesuit priests.
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Passion Flower?
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Plants at the Mission gate
MBURUKUYA or Passionaria
Fruit made in to liquado and icecream, leaves for
sleeping and blood pressure.
GUEMBE (?) Leaves have fungicidal and
insecticidal properties?
Penicilina no tomar!
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Places to buy herbs Upscale farmers market in a
parking garage on Wednesday morning
Stevia is locally known as Kaa Hee.
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Downtown street with a daily selection of herbs,
plants, and fresh flowers. For best quality,
come early.
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SALSA PARRILLA (for urinary tract)
SANTA LUCIA (for fever)
KAPI-I-CATI (for refreshment
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Herbs for itchy skin
KA-A TAI (for itchy skin use whole plant)
YBYRA PYTA (for throat infection, itchy skin -
bark)
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Herbs packaged by species.
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Herbs packaged for various ailments, with
illustrations, etc
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Preparing the terere a combination of herbs in
a thermos of cold water, over yerba mate, in the
wamguamba made of Paulo Santo wood.
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A common way to buy herbs is from street vendors,
Yuyeras/os, who will mash the fresh herbs for
your thermos (termo).
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Lemon verbena (locally called Cedron), grows by
the roadside like willow. Bus-driver stopped for
some on the way to the falls.
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Visit to the University Chemistry Dept, where
there is active research on medicinal herbs,
botanical garden, and herbarium. Collaboration
with the Missouri Botanical Garden on some
projects, but little outside funding.
Dr. Esteban Ferro, Dept. Head, Elsa Zardini, and
Dr. Fatima Mereles, Botanists.
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Penicilini, Alternanthera brasiliensis
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Dr. Ferros lab is conducting research on Mitinus
ilisufolia. The tops are used for stomach, but
root bark has anti-cancer properties, but is also
cyto-toxic.
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Herbs for tea/terere include Koku, or
Alhphyllus edulis (for liver).
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Additional research is conducted with rats to
look at effects on blood pressure (whole herb
gets better response than extract), and other
tests for anti-anxiety and sedative effects. To
measure depression, they place rats in a tank of
water.
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The National Botanical Garden in Asuncion also
would be a good place to conduct research.
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Closing thoughts.
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Thank you!!