Bellaco-caspi

(Himatanthus sucuuba)

Family: Apocynaceae
Taxon: Himatanthus sucuuba (Spruce ex Müll. Arg.) Woodson
Synonyms: Himatanthus lancifolius (Müll. Arg.) Woodson, Plumeria floribunda Müll. Arg., Plumeria sucuuba (Spruce ex Müll. Arg.), Plumeria tarapotensis (K. Schum. ex Markgr.)
Common names: agoniada, agonium, anaguba, arapue, bashi pasha, bellaco-caspi, bellaku-caspi, caracucha, caracuchu, caracuchu blanco, ceneiwe, kanraw-muni, mabwa, na'aypere, platanete, platanote, quina-mole, sanago, shipotma, socoba, succuba-verdadeira, suche, sucoba sanago, sucova, sucuba, sucuuba da Amazonia, sucuuba
Phytochemicals: 2'-O-methyl-perlatolic acid, 4-hydroxy-benzoic acid, amyrin, alpha-amyrin, alpha-amyrin cinnamate, beta-dihydro-plumbericinic acid, beta-phenyl-propionate lupeol, cis-polyisoprene, confluentic acid, demetho-oxy-aspidospermine, fulvoplumierin, iso-plumericin, iso-uleine, lupeol acetate, lupeol cinnamate, para-coumaric acid, plumericin, plumeride, uleine, and vanillic acid.
Parts Used: fruit, seeds, leaves

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: relieves pain reduces inflammation kills bacteria kills fungi/candida kills cancer cells heals wounds prevents ulcers aids menstruation cleanses lymph glands

Other Actions: reduces fever calms coughs cleanses blood expels worms

Standard Dosage: Bark. Decoction: 1 cup twice daily; Capsules: 1 g 2 – 3 times daily; Tincture: 2-4 ml twice daily

Bellaco-caspi is a tropical rainforest tree that can be found from Central America to Northern South America. The tree produces white perfumed flowers and bright green leaves 25 - 30 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. When the leaves are broken off their stems, and the stems are broken from the branches, a milky white latex is exuded. Wounding the tree bark will also exude the latex.

A review of some of the chemicals found in bellaco-caspi might explain some of the many traditional uses of this tropical rainforest tree. An antitumor iridoid compound and two depsides showing inhibitory activity of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) have been isolated from bellaco-caspi bark. In addition, two iridoid chemicals called plumericin and isoplumericin have been found in the tree bark and the latex. These two chemicals have been reported with cytotoxic, anticancerous, antifungal and antibacterial actions in laboratory research. The latex also contains a polymeric material called cis-polyisoprene as well as calcium, magnesium, arabinose, glucose, xylose, rhamnose and glalctose.

Many of bellaco-caspi's traditional uses are being verified in preliminary studies and laboratory research. In 2005, Brazilian researchers verified bellaco-caspi's traditional use for stomach ulcers and digestion problems. The anti-inflammatory and pain relieving action of the tree's latex was verified by Peruvian researchers d in 1997, and confirmed by Brazilian researchers.
In 2001, researchers in the United States reported that the bark of bellaco-caspi was significantly cytotoxic in vitro to 5 different human cancer cell lines which may help explain why the tree has been used against cancer and tumors for many years in South America. They related this anti-cancerous action to the iridoids and triterpenoids in the tree bark.
Furthermore, bellaco-caspi's uses for infected wounds, tuberculosis, syphilis, and even mange might be explained by the tree's antimicrobial actions documented by several researches by Barzilians (in 1998, 2004, 2005 and 2006).

Besides these uses documeted by research, bellaco- caspi has a huge range of uses as a folk remedy throughout centuries. It was used for arthritis, to purify blood, and even topically and internally for sick dogs. Bellaco-caspi is also found in The Dispensatory of the United States of America which was published in 1918 and asserted febrifuge, anthelmintic and emmenagogue actions to the tree.

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

Region	Uses
Amazonia	as an analgesic, anthelmintic, antitumoral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory; for back pain, boils, bot-fly infections, fractures, gastritis, hemorrhoids, hernias, lung ailments, stomachaches, stomach ulcers, tumors, and wounds
Brazil	as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, antifungal, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac, emmenagogue, emollient, febrifuge, purgative, tonic, vermifuge, and vulnerary; for adenoid gland inflammation, anemia, arthritis, asthma, cancer, constipation, coughs, digestion problems, endometriosis, fractures, gastritis, gastric ulcers, headaches, hemorrhoids, hypertension, intermittent fevers, intestinal disorders, kidney pain, lymphatic disorders and inflammation, lung disorders, menstrual pain, menstrual irregularity, ovarian cysts, ovarian inflammation, rashes, rheumatism, skin eruptions, skin ulcers, stomach problems, syphilis, tumors, uterine fibroids, uterine inflammation, ulcers, and weakness
Ecuador	used for bot-fly infections
Guyana	as an anthelmintic (bot-fly) and to treat liver disorders
Peru	as an analgesic, anthelmintic, antitumoral, astringent, depurative, febrifuge, laxative, purgative; for abscesses, arthritis, back pain, blood cleanser, boils, bowel cleanser, fever, gastric ulcers, hernias, inflammation, pain, rheumatism, skin problems, sores, swellings, tuberculosis, tumors, ulcers, worms, wounds

BELLACO-CASPI PLANT SUMMARY

Main Preparation Method:	decoction, tincture, capsules
Main Actions (in order):	antimicrobial, antitumorus, anti-inflammatory, vulnerary, analgesic
Main Uses:	as a wound healer and broad spectrum antimicrobial (bacteria, fungi, candida) for tumors and cancer for lymphatic cleansing, inflammation, and infections for endometriosis, uterine fibroid tumors, menstrual irregularities and pain, ovarian cysts and ovarian inflammation as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic for arthritis, back pain, and muscle injury
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-yeast, anti-ulcerogenic, cicatrizant, cytotoxic (cancer cell lines), smooth muscle relaxant, vulnerary
Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	analgesic, anthelmintic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, antifungal, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac, astringent, depurative, emmenagogue, emollient, febrifuge, laxative, purgative, tonic, vermifuge, vulnerary
Traditional Preparation:	In traditional Indian medicine systems the bark is prepared as a decoction or infusion and the straight latex is applied to the skin topically and ingested in a small amount of water. In herbal medicine systems in the cities of South America, various tinctures, fluid extracts, and capsules are sold in the market place for easier use and longer storage.
Contraindications:	None reported.However, high dosages may have a laxative or purgative effect.
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 disesase treatment. Please see a doctor when needed.