Anamu

(Petiveria alliacea)

Family: Phytolaccaceae
Genus: Petiveria
Species: alliacea
Synonyms: Mapa graveolens, P. corrientina, P. foetida, P. graveolens, P. hexandria, P. paraguayensis
Common Names: Anamu, Apacin, Apacina, Apazote De Zorro, Aposin, Ave, Aveterinaryte, Calauchin, Chasser Vermine, Congo Root, Douvant-douvant, Emeruaiuma, Garlic Guinea Henweed, Guine', Guine, Guinea, Guinea hen leaf, Gully Root,Herbe Aux Poules, Hierba De Las Gallinitas, Huevo De Gato, Kojo Root, Kuan, Kudjuruk, Lemtewei, Lemuru, Mal Pouri, Mapurit, Mapurite, Mucura-caa, Mucura, Mucuracaa, Ocano, Payche, Pipi, Tipi, Verbena Hedionda, Verveine Puante, Zorrillo
Phytochemicals: Allantoin, Arborinol, Arborinol,iso Astilbin, Benzaldehyde, Benzoic-acid Benzyl-2-hydroxy-5-ethyl-trisulfide, Coumarin, Dibenzyl Trisulfide, Engeletin, Friedelinol,alpha, Isoarborinol, Isoarborinol-acetate, Isoarborinol-cinnamate, Isothiocyanates, Kno3, Leridal, Leridol, Leridol-5-methyl Ether, Lignoceric Acid, Lignoceryl Alcohol, Lignoceryl Lignocerate, Linoleic Acid Myricitrin, Nonadecanoic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Pinitol, Polyphenols, Proline,trans-n-methyl-4-methoxy, Senfol, Sitosterol,beta, Stearic Acid, Tannins,Trithiolaniacine
Part Used: whole herb

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: reduces pain kills bacteria kills cancer cells kills fungi reduces inflammation kills leukemia cells reduces free radicals prevents tumors kills viruses kills Candida increases urination enhances immunity

Other Actions: reduces spasms reduces anxiety reduces fever lowers blood sugar kills insects promotes menstruation sedates increases perspiration expels worms

Standard Dosage: Whole herb. Infusion: 1/4 to 1/2 cup 2-3 times daily; Capsules: 1-3 g daily

Anamu is an herbaceous perennial that is indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and tropical areas of Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Africa. It is sometimes called "garlic weed," as the plant, and especially the roots, have a strong garlic odor.

Many biologically active compounds have been discovered in anamu, including flavonoids, triterpenes, steroids, and sulfur compounds. Anamu contains a specific sulfur compound named dibenzyl trisulfide. In a plant-screening program at the University of Illinois at Chicago that evaluated more than 1400 plant extracts as novel therapies for the prevention and treatment of cancer, anamu was one of 34 plants identified with active properties against cancer. The researchers reported that dibenzyl trisulfide was one of two of the active compounds in anamu with anticancerous actions.

The researches published by Italians (in 1990) and Germans (in 2002) on anamu (and the plant chemicals described above) reveals that it has a broad range of therapeutic properties, including antileukemic, antitumorous, and anticancerous activities against several types of cancer cells.
In addition to its documented anticancerous properties, anamu has also been found in a sweden studie to be an immunostimulant, and having pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties thanks to its content of COX-1 inhibitors.
Furthermore, many clinical reports and studies document that anamu shows broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties against numerous strains of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeast, including Candida.
While anamu has not been used widely employed for diabetes, it has been clinically documented to have hypoglycemic actions. Researchers in 1990 demonstrated the hypoglycemic effect of anamu, showing that anamu decreased blood sugar levels by more than 60% one hour after administration.

Anamu has a long history in herbal medicine in all of the tropical countries where it grows.
Following- up, a brief summary of worldwide ethnomedicla uses of anamu.

Region	Uses
Argentina	for colds, diarrhea, fever, headache, menstrual problems, respiratory tract infections, rheumatism, swellings, toothache, urinary infections, urinary insufficiency
Brazil	for abortions, asthma, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, fever, headache, inflammation, increasing perspiration, intestinal parasites, malaria, menstrual disorders, osteoarthritis, pain, rheumatism, spasms, toothache, urinary insufficiency, venereal disease, worms and as a insecticide and sedative
Colombia	for cavity prevention, childbirth, snakebite
Cuba	for abortions, cancer, diabetes, inflammation
Guatemala	for abscesses, blood disorders, boils, dermatitis, diarrhea, erysipelas, fever, headache, menstrual problems, pimples, ringworm, sinusitis, skin disease, skin eruptions, skin fungus, stomach cramps
Latin America	for abortions, absence of menses, cleansing blood, hysteria, increasing perspiration, nerves, reducing phlegm, spasms, urinary insufficiency
Mexico	for abortions, boils, catarrh, childbirth, cleansing blood, colds, delayed menses, epilepsy, fever, headache, heat rash, hives, hysteria, increasing perspiration, influenza, nerves, paralysis, pimples, rabies, repelling insects, rheumatism, reducing phlegm, spasms, toothache, tumor, urinary insufficiency, venereal diseases, worms
Nicaragua	for aches, colds, coughs, heart problems, kidney disorders, liver support, pains, pulmonary disorders, respiratory disorders, snakebite
Paraguay	for abortions, digestive diseases, fever, flu, menstrual disorders, pain (muscular), sinusitis, skin disease, toothache, and as an insecticide
Puerto Rico	for abortions, cholera, childbirth, fever, menstrual problems
Peru	for colds, flu
Trinidad	for abortions, cleansing blood, cystitis, flu, head cold, irritations, menstrual disorders, thinning blood, venereal disease
Venezuela	for abortions, cavities, cleansing blood, intestinal parasites, menstrual difficulties, root canal problems, spasms, worms
Elsewhere	for abortions, asthma, cancer, childbirth, colds, coughs, fever, headache, increasing perspiration, inflammation, intestinal parasites, lung disorders, menstrual problems, nervousness, pain, reducing phlegm, rheumatism, snakebite, spasms, toothache, urinary insufficiency, venereal disease, worms and as an aphrodisiac, insecticide, and sedative

ANAMU PLANT SUMMARY

Main Actions (in order):	anticancerous, antiviral, anticandidal, antibacterial, immune stimulant
Main Uses:	for cancer and leukemia for immune disorders (to stimulate immune function and immune cell production) for colds, flu, and viruses for Candida and other yeast infections for urinary tract infections
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	abortive, analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-inflammatory, antileukemic, antibacterial, anticancerous, anticandidal, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antitumorous, antiviral, COX-inhibitor (linked to inflammation), hypoglycemic, immune stimulant, uterine stimulant
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	anti-anxiety, antioxidant, anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), diuretic, febrifuge (reduces fever), insecticide, menstrual stimulant, sedative, vermifuge (expels worms)
Traditional Preparation:	Decoction or infusion: 30 grams of dried anamu whole herb in a liter of water; 1/4 cup to 1/2 dosages are taken one to three times daily or used topically, depending on the condition treated. Tablets or capsules: 1-3 grams of dried anamu whole herb powder daily.
Contraindications:	Methanol extracts of anamu cause uterine contractions, which can lead to abortion. As such, anamu is contraindicated for pregnant women. Anamu contains a low concentration of coumarin, which has a blood thinning effect. People with blood disorders such as hemophilia and, people on blood-thinning medications should not use this plant without the supervision and advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner. This plant has been shown to have hypoglycemic effects in mice. People with hypoglycemia and diabetes should not use this plant unless they are under the care of a healthcare practitioner to monitor their blood sugar levels
Drug Interactions:	None published. However, due to anamu's natural coumarin content, it is conceivable that it may potentiate the effects of coumadin (Warfarin®).

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 disesase treatment. Please see a doctor when needed.