Macela

(Achyrocline satureoides)

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Achyrocline
Species: satureoides
Synonyms: Achyrocline candicans, Egletes viscosa, Gnaphalium candicans, G. satureioides
Common Names: Macela, marcela, birabira, marcela-da-mata, hembra marcela, Juan blanco, macela-do-campo, marcela hembra, camomila-nacional, marcelita, mirabira, perpétua do mato suso, viravira, wira-wira, yatey-caa, yerba de chivo
Phytochemicals: Alnustin, Auricepyrone,6-o-demethyl-23-methyl, Cadinene,delta, Caffeic Acid, Callerianin,caffeoyl, Calleryanin, Caffeoyl, Calleryanin, Protocatechuoyl, Caryatin, Caryophyllene, Caryophyllene Oxide, Caryophyllene,beta, Caryophyllene-1-10-epoxide, Chlorogenic Acid, Cineol,1-8, Coumarin, Flavone,5-8-dihydroxy-3-7-dimethoxy, Flavone,3-5-7-8-tetramethoxy, Flavonoids, Galangin, Galangin-3-methyl Ether, Germacrene D, Gnapahaliin,ISO, Gnaphaliin, Italidipyrone, Lauricepyrone,6-o-demethyl-23-methy, Luteolin, Ocimene,beta, Pinene,alpha, Pyrone,alpha, 6-(4'-hydroxy-trans-s, Tyryl)-4-methoxy, Quercetagetin, Quercetin, Quercetin-3-methyl Ether, Quercetin-3-methyl ether, Scoparol, Scoparone, Tamarixetin, Tamarixetin-7-glucoside
Parts Used: Aerial parts, leaves, flowers

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: enhances immunity kills viruses kills bacteria relieves pain reduces inflammation fights free radicals reduces spasms stimulates bile relaxes muscles lowers blood sugar stimulates digestion mildly sedative

Other Actions: protects liver prevents tumors expels worms supports heart kills insects promotes perspiration regulates menstruation

Standard Dosage: Whole herb. Infusion: 1 cup 2-3 times daily; Capsules: 1-2 g 2-3 times daily; Tincture: 2-3 ml twice daily

Macela is a medium-sized aromatic annual herb that grows up to 1-1/2 m high. It is indigenous to much of tropical South America including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. It often springs up on disturbed soils and some consider it a weed.

Phytochemical analysis of macela, which began in the mid-1980s, shows that it is a rich source of flavonoids - including novel ones never seen before. Many of its active properties are attributed to these flavonoids as well as to other chemicals (called terpenes) isolated in the plant.

Macela has been the subject of western research and many of its long-time uses in herbal medicine have been validated by scientists. In animal studies with mice and rats, macela demonstrated pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and smooth-muscle (gastrointestinal) relaxant properties internally without toxicity, in addition to anti-inflammatory and pain-relief actions externally. This may explain why macela has long been used effectively for many types of pain, gastrointestinal difficulties, menstrual cramps, and asthma. In vitro studies have demonstrated that macela is molluscicidal (in a test used to ascertain its effectiveness against the tropical disease schistosomiasis), and active against Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus. This could explain its long history of use for dysentery, diarrhea, and infections. It also has shown to be a strong antioxidant, to increases the flow of bile from the gallbladder, to help protect against liver damage and to lower liver enzymes levels. Again, this certainly supports its traditional uses for liver and gallbladder problems of various kinds.

Some of the in vitro antioxidant testing performed suggested that macela interfered in the degenerative processes of arteriosclerosis (it reduced blood stickiness, blood fats, and blood oxidation). Macela has been used traditionally for diabetes throughout the tropics where it grows. Not until 2002 did researchers validate this use: a water extract of the entire plant exhibited blood sugar-lowering activity in a mouse model of Type 2 diabetes. This hypoglycemic action was attributed to a novel plant chemical found in macela called achyrofuran.

Other research on macela has concentrated on its antitumorous, antiviral, and immunostimulant properties. It passed the initial screening test used to predict antitumor activity in the mid-1990s by two separate research groups. In subsequent research, macela was reported to inhibit cancer cell growth in vitro, and another research group showed that an extract of macela flowers inhibited the growth of cancer cells by 67% in vitro. Most recently (in 2002), researchers in Argentina studying macela reported a toxic effect against a human liver cancer cell line. In the mid-1980s, German researchers extracted the whole dried plant and demonstrated that, in both humans and mice, it showed strong immunostimulant activity (by increasing phagocytosis and immune cell activity). In 1996, researchers in Texas demonstrated its in vitro antiviral properties against HIV, and Argentinean researchers found it to be active against Pseudorabies (a type of animal herpes virus).

With so many active biological properties documented thus far, macela should continue to be the subject of further research. Regardless, a simple macela tea (standard infusion) is still a highly effective natural remedy for many types of gastrointestinal complaints - especially where inflammation and spasms occur. Many practitioners in South and North America use macela for spastic colon, Crohn's disease, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and as a general digestive aid. In South America it is still widely used to help regulate menstrual cycles. Although this has been done for many years with reported good results, this effect has not been studied by scientists.

Following-up here, a brief summary of worldwide ethnomedical uses of macela.

Region	Uses
Argentina	for asthma, diabetes, digestive disorders, menstrual regulation
Bolivia	for intestinal gas
Brazil	for appetite, bacterial infections, colds, colic, diabetes, diarrhea, digestive disorders, dysentery, epilepsy, flu, gallstones, gastritis, gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, inflammation, intestinal disorders, liver disorders, menstrual disorders, menstrual pain, nausea, neuralgia, pain, rheumatism, spasms, as a sedative, and to increase perspiration
Colombia	for gallbladder disorders, tumors
Paraguay	for bacterial infections, worms
Peru	for bronchitis, coughs, diabetes
Uruguay	for bacterial infections, digestive disorders, impotence, inflammation, menstrual disorders, spasms, and as a sedative
Venezuela	for diabetes, impotence, menstrual disorders

MACELA PLANT SUMMARY

Main Preparation Method:	infusion or tincture
Main Actions (in order):	antiviral, antibacterial, analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-inflammatory, bile stimulant
Main Uses:	applied externally for pain and inflammation for respiratory problems (asthma, bronchitis, flu, and upper respiratory bacterial and viral infections) for arteriosclerosis for viral infections (hepatitis, HIV, herpes, etc.) for gallbladder and liver disorders
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticoagulant (blood thinner), antioxidant, antispasmodic, antitumorous, antiviral, bile stimulant, gastrototonic (tones, balances, strengthens the gastric tract), hepatoprotective (liver protector), hepatotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the liver), hypoglycemic, immunostimulant, molluscicidal (kills snails)
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	anticonvulsant, antiseptic, cough suppressant, astringent, bitter digestive aid, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart), carminative (expels gas), diaphoretic (promotes sweating), digestive stimulant, menstrual stimulant, muscle relaxant, neurasthenic (reduces nerve pain), sedative, vermifuge (expels worms)
Traditional Preparation:	The therapeutic dosage is reported to be 1-2 g two or three times daily of dried whole herb and/or flowers. One cup of a whole herb infusion 2-3 times daily or 2-3 ml of a 4:1 tincture twice daily can be used.
Contraindications:	This plant has been documented with hypoglycemic effects; people with hypoglycemia and/or diabetes should only use this plant under the care and direction of a qualified health care practitioner who can monitor blood glucose levels. This plant has a long history of use as a menstrual promoter and regulator and its biological effects during pregnancy have not been studied or reported. While these traditional uses have not been clinically validated, pregnant women should still refrain from using this plant. One study demonstrated barbiturate potentiation activity when a hot water extract of macela was injected in mice; it remains unclear if this effect is evident when taken orally. In herbal medicine systems, the plant is used as a sedative. Natural herb capsules, teas or tinctures might potentiate the effects of other sedatives and barbiturates. Use with caution when taking other prescription sedatives and pain-killers.
Drug Interactions:	May potentiate insulin and diabetic medications. May potentiate barbiturate drugs.

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.