Chuchuhuasi

(Maytenus krukovii)

Family: Celastraceae
Genus: Maytenus
Species: krukovit, laevis, macrocarpa, ebenifolia
Synonyms: Maytenus ebenifolia, M. laevis, M. macrocarpa, M. multiflora, M. terapotensis, Celastrus macrocarpus, Haenkea macrocarpa, H. multiflora
Common Names: Chuchuhuasi, Chucchu huashu, Chuchuasi, chuchasha
Phytochemicals: 22-hydroxytingenone, 6-Benzoyl-6-deacetylmayteine, Catechin tannins, Maytansine, Mayteine, Maytenin, Mebeverine, Phenoldienones, Pristimeran, Proanthocyandins, Tingenone
Parts Used: Bark, root, leaves

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: reduces inflammation relieves pain relaxes muscles enhances immunity increases libido supports adrenals

Other Actions: kills cancer cells prevents tumors stimulates digestion

Standard Dosage: Bark. Decoction: 1 cup 2-3 times daily; Tincture: 3-5 ml 2-3 times daily

Chuchuhuasi is an enormous canopy tree of the Amazon rainforest that grows to 30 m high that is is indigenous to the tropical rainforests of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Several botanical names have been given to this species of tree; all botanical names refer to the same tree.

Chuchuhausi is a powerhouse of plant chemicals-mostly triterpenes, favonols, and sesquiterpene alkaloids. Two of the more well-known chemicals in chuchuhuasi are mayteine and maytansine - alkaloids long documented (since the 1960s) with antitumor activitity and which occur in other Maytenus plants as well. While these chemicals are found in chuchuhuasi, they don't occur in high enough amounts to really be therapeutic for cancer however. Another rainforest Maytenus plant, espinheira santa (also featured in this book), is a much better source of these anticancerous chemicals. Other novel compounds found only in chuchuhuasi thus far include dammarane- and friedelane-type triterpenes, which are considered to be some of the plant's active constituents.

Chuchuhuasi's long history of use has fueled much clinical interest in the research community. In the 1960s, an American pharmaceutical company discovered potent immune-stimulating properties of a leaf extract and a bark 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 activities 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 antitumor properties) were at least partially linked to triterpenes and antioxidant chemicals isolated in the trunk bark.

In 1993, a Japanese research group isolated another group of novel alkaloids in chuchuhuasi that may be responsible for its effectiveness in treating arthritis and rheumatism. In the United States, a pharmaceutical company studying chuchuhuasi's anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties determined that these alkaloids can effectively inhibit enzyme production of protein kinase C (PKC). PKC inhibitors have attracted much interest worldwide, as there is evidence that too much PKC enzyme is involved in a wide variety of disease processes (including arthritis, asthma, brain tumors, cancer, and cardiovascular 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 to two chemicals in chuchuhuasi called tingenone and pristimerin. Three groups found new and different sesquiterpene compounds in 1999, two of which showed marginal antitumor 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.

Indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest have been using the bark of chuchuhuasi medicinally for centuries. Its Peruvian name, chuchuhuasi, means "trembling back," which refers to its long-standing use for arthritis, rheumatism, and back pain. One local Indian remedy for arthritis and rheumatism calls for one cup of a bark decoction taken three times a day for more than a week. Local people and villagers along the Amazon believe that chuchuhuasi is an aphrodisiac and tonic, and the bark soaked in the local sugarcane rum (aguardiente) is a popular jungle drink that is even served in bars and to tourists (its often called "go-juice" to relieve pain and muscle aches and to "keep going" during long treks in the rainforest). Local healers and curanderos in the Amazon use chuchuhuasi as a general tonic, to speed healing and, when combined with other medicinal plants, as a synergist for many types of illnesses. In Colombia, the Siona Indians boil a small piece of the bark (5 cm) in 2 liters of water until 1 liter remains, and drink it for arthritis and rheumatism. In the Ecuadorian rainforest, the Quijos Quichua Indians prepare a bark decoction for general aches and pains, rheumatism, sore muscles, menstrual pain, and stomachaches.

In the Peruvian Amazon, chuchuhuasi is still considered the best remedy for arthritis among both city and forest dwellers. It is also used as a muscle relaxant, aphrodisiac, and pain-reliever, for adrenal support, as an immune stimulant, and for menstrual balance and regulation. In Peruvian herbal medicine systems, chuchuhuasi alchohol extracts are used to treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bronchitis, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and menstrual irregularities and pain.

If the constituents in chuchuhuasi responsible for inhibiting PKC can be synthesized, it is possible that a new arthritis drug will be developed. In the meantime, 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 3-4 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.

Following up, a brief summary of worldwide ethnomedical uses of chuchuhuasi.

Region	Uses
Colombia	as a pain-reliever and aphrodisiac and for arthritis, rheumatism
Ecuador	for aches (menstrual, muscles), arthritis, fever, pain, rheumatism, stomachache, tumors (skin), and as an aphrodisiac
Peru	for aches (back, muscles), influenza, arthritis, bronchitis, cancer, diarrhea, dysentery, gastrointestinal disease, hemorrhoids, impotency, inflammation, menstrual disorders, nausea, osteoarthritis, pain, rheumatism, tumors, virility, and as an aphrodisiac

CHUCHUHUASI PLANT SUMMARY

Main Preparation Method:	tincture
Main Actions (in order):	muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-reliever), menstrual stimulant, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions)
Main Uses:	as an analgesic (pain-reliever), a muscle relaxant, and an anti-inflammatory for arthritis, rheumatism, and back pain as an aphrodisiac for loss of libido (male and female) to cool and balance adrenal function to tone, balance, and strengthen female hormonal systems and for menstrual disorders, libido loss, menstrual pain and cramps as a general tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions) and mild immune stimulant
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	aldose reductase inhibitor (linked to diabetic complications), analgesic (pain-reliever), anticancerous, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumorous, immune stimulant, protein kinase C inhibitor (linked to inflammation processes)
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	adrenal tonic (tones, balances, strengthens the adrenals), antidysenteric, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, digestive stimulant, febrifuge (reduces fever), menstrual stimulant, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions)
Traditional Preparation:	Traditionally, 2-3 cups daily of a standard bark decoction or 3-5 ml of a standard tincture three times daily is used for this rainforest remedy.
Contraindications:	None reported.
Drug Interactions:	None reported.

WARNINGS: Information, statements and products on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. The natural properties of the botanicals are only referred to their common uses among folk and herbal traditions. Our products are not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease as well. It's not meant to give any suggestion of diagnosis or disease treatment. Please see a doctor when needed.