Guinea Hen Weed

Scientific Name(s): Petiveria alliaceae.
Common Name(s): Anamu, Apacin, Guine, Guinea hen weed, Mucura, Tipi

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 21, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Guinea hen weed plant extracts are used for anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antispasmodic, emmenagogic, analgesic, antileukemic, antirheumatic, anthelmintic, antimicrobial, and depurative purposes. Due to its activity on the CNS, P. alliaceae is also used as an anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, anesthetic, and sedative. However, there are no clinical trials to support these uses.

Dosing

Little clinical data are available to provide dosing recommendations in humans.

Contraindications

Data are limited. Use in pregnancy is contraindicated. Caution is advised in patients with blood disorders and in patients with hypoglycemia and diabetes.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy of P. alliaceae in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Methanol extracts of anamu can cause uterine contractions, which can lead to abortion.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Potential adverse reactions of P. alliaceae are unknown; no adverse reactions have been reported.

Toxicology

There are no data regarding toxicity in humans.

Scientific Family

• Phytolaccaceae

Botany

P. alliaceaeis a perennial herbaceous or shrubby plant that grows 5 cm to 1.5 m in height.1, 2 The roots are fusiform, the stem is straight and rigid, and the branches are slender with longitudinal stripes. The simple leaves have an alternating phyllotaxy of elliptic and acuminate shape and an acute apex and base with a slightly wavy margin 7 to 12 cm long and 3 to 6 cm wide.2 P. alliaceae flowers are white, sessile, and bisexual with spikes or inflorescences. The cylindrical, achene-type fruits have longitudinal stripes and similar seed dimensions.1 The roots and leaves have a strong, garlic-like odor that taints the milk and meat of animals that graze on it.1

History

P. alliaceae is native to tropical regions of Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Caribbean islands.3

In South American folk medicine, P. alliaceae is speculated to have curative and mysterious properties. In Brazil, the plant has been used in religious ceremonies since the time of slavery. Due to its sedative properties and potential to alter brain function, female slaves also used preparations of P. alliaceae to seduce their masters or to protect themselves from harassment; thus the plant is popularly known as the "remedy to tame the master."1, 3 The plant has traditionally been used for the following conditions: edema, arthritis, malaria, rheumatism, poor memory, skin disorders, GI disorders, fever, cold, cough, influenza, respiratory and pulmonary infections, cancer, and diabetes. Throughout Central America, P. alliaceae has been used to relieve pain during childbirth and as an abortifacient.

Chemistry

The main compounds from P. alliaceae include lipids, flavonoids, and triterpenes. Sulphur compounds known as azufre derivatives are unique to this species.1 Dibenzyltrisulphide, originally thought to be a synthetic compound, was revealed to be a natural product when isolated as a viscous and pungent-smelling oil from Petiveria.4 Several flavonoids (eg, engeletin, astilbin, myricitrin) have been isolated. P. alliaceae root extract contains a large a...