Pata de vaca

(Bauhinia forficata)

Family: Leguminosae
Genus: Bauhinia
Species: forficata
Synonyms: Bauhinia candicans
Common Names:Pata de vaca, casco de vaca, mororó, pata de boi, unha de boi, unha de vaca, unha-de-anta
Phytochemicals: astragalin, bauhinoside, beta-sitosterol, flavonols, flavonoids, glycosides, guanidine, heteroglycosides, kaempferitrin, organic acids, quercitrosides, rhamnose, and saponins.
Part Used: Leaves

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: lowers blood sugar improves diabetes cleanses blood increases urination lowers cholesterol lowers triglycerides fights free radicals

Other Actions: expels worms kills snails tones body systems

Standard Dosage Leaves Infusion: 1 cup 2-3 times daily Capsules: 2 g 2-3 times daily

Pata de vaca is a small tree that grows 5-9 m tall. Its leaves are 7-10 cm long and shaped like a cow's hoof. Its Brazilian name, pata de vaca, translates to cow's foot. It can be found in the rainforests and tropical parts of Peru and Brazil, as well as in tropical zones of Asia, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina. It is quite prevalent in Rio de Janeiro and Brazil's Atlantic rainforest to the south.

Scientists have studied the constituents of pata de vaca and quantified them, however; little research has been done to determine which novel chemicals have biological activity. The leaves do contain a well-known antibacterial chemical called astragalin as well as flavonoids, alkaloids, and glycosides. The leaves are also a good source of a flavonoid called kaempferitrin. This chemical has been reported to help repair kidney cell damage, and to have a diuretic effect. 

Pata de vaca's ability to lower blood sugar was first reported by a Brazilian researcher in a 1929 and a 1931 clinical studies. The same Brazilian researcher published another study in 1941, reporting the blood sugar-lowering effects of pata de vaca. A study was funded in 1945 to determine the active constituents responsible for its activity. Since a simple leaf tea was shown to help balance sugar levels, it became a popular natural remedy, however, no subsequent studies were done for many years due to a lack of funding for nonproprietary remedies and drugs.

In the mid-1980s, however (when herbal remedies again were popular), pata de vaca's continued use as a natural insulin substitute was reiterated in two Brazilian studies. Chilean research in 1999 determined that pata de vaca was found to "elicit remarkable hypoglycemic effects". In 2002, two studies on the blood-sugar-lowering effects of pata de vaca were conducted by two separate research groups in Brazil. The first study reported "a significant blood glucose-lowering effect in normal and diabetic." In the second study,  a dosage of 150 g of the leaf (per liter of water) given to diabetic rats for one month reported  a reduction in serum and urinary glucose and urinary urea.

In 2004, a research group reported that pata de vaca again lowered blood sugar in rats and also reduced triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels. Other Brazilian researchers reported in 2004 that pata de vata, as well as a single chemical extracted from the leaves called kaempferitrin, significantly lowered blood sugar in diabetics at all dosages but lowered blood sugar in normals only at the highest dosages.

Pata de vaca continues to be a popular natural medicine in South America for diabetes and clinical research there supports its use. A standard infusion is brewed and drunk after each meal, and pata de vaca is often combined with pedra hume caá for this after-meal tea. North American practitioners and herbalists are now using it for diabetes, hyperglycemia, and polyuria.

Follozing-up a brief summary of ethnomedical uses of pata de vaca:

Region	Uses
Amazonia	for diabetes, diarrhea, and as a tonic
Brazil	for blood cleansing, central nervous system disorders, cystitis, diabetes, diarrhea, elephantiasis, hyperglycemia, intestinal worms, kidney problems, kidney stones, leprosy, obesity, polyuria, skin disorders, snakebite, syphilis, urinary diseases, and as an astringent, and diuretic
Chile	for diabetes
Peru	for diabetes and as a tonic
Elsewhere	for diabetes and as a uterine relaxant

PATA DE VACA PLANT SUMMARY

Main Preparation Method:	infusion or capsules
Main Actions (in order):	antidiabetic, hypoglycemic, diuretic, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions), hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol)
Main Uses:	for diabetes as a diuretic for kidney and urinary disorders (including polyuria, cystitis and kidney stones) as a blood cleanser and to build blood cells for high cholesterol
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	antidiabetic, antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol), diuretic, hypoglycemic
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	antivenin, astringent, blood cleanser, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions), uterine relaxant, vermifuge (expels worms)
Traditional Preparation:	In South America, 1 cup of a standard leaf infusion is taken three times daily with meals for diabetes. If desired, 2 g in tablets or capsules three times daily can be substituted.
Contraindications:	Pata de vaca lowers blood sugar levels. It is contraindicated in those with hypoglycemia. Diabetics who wish to use this plant should seek the advice and supervision of a qualified health care practitioner while using this plant as blood sugar levels will need to be monitored carefully and medications may need adjustments.
Drug Interactions:	Might potentiate antidiabetic medications and insulin drugs.

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