Canchalagua

(Schkuhria pinnata)

Family: Asteraceae
Taxon: Schkuhria pinnata (Lam.) Kuntze ex Thell.
Synonyms: Amblyopappus mendocinus Phil., Hopkirkia anthemoides DC., Mieria virgata La Llave, Pectis pinnata Lam., Rothia pinnata (Lam.) Kuntze., Schkuhria wislizenia, Schkuhria wrightii, Schkuhria virgata (La Llave) DC., Schkuhria isopappa Benth., Schkuhria guatemalensis (Rydb.) Standl. & Steyerm., Schkuhria coquimbana Phil., Schkuhria anthemoides (DC.) J.M. Coult., Schkuhria advena Thell., Schkuhria abrotanoides Roth., Tetracarpum guatemalense Rydb.
Common names: akech, anisillo cimarron, azureta, canchalagua, canchalahua, escoba de anisillo, dwarf marigold, dwarf Mexican marigold, escobilla, jayajpichana, kanchalawa, karatataraku putsutiri, khakibush, mata-pulgas, onyalo biro, pinqui-pichana, pinnate false threadleaf, schkuhria, starry skies, tacote, yellow tumbleweed
Plant Chemicals: chromolaenide, chromolaenolide, costunolides, dithiin, eucannabinolides, germacranolides, heliangolides, hiyodorilactones, loliolide, nerols, pectolinarigenin, santhemoidin A, schkuhrianol, schkuhrins, schkuhripinnatolides, schkurianol, thiarubrine A, thiophene, tridecapentayne, and zaluzanin C.
Parts Used: Aerial parts and/or entire plant

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: cleanses blood reduces acne aids digestion eases nausea reduces inflammation increases urination reduces spasms kills bacteria

Other Actions: heals wounds antimalarial kills mold and fungi

Standard Dosage Aerial parts Infusion: 1 cup three times daily Capsules: 1-2g twice daily

Canchalagua is a weedy annual herb that grows to about 70 cm high. Canchalagua is native to South America and is usually found in drier mountainous regions at around 2000 to 3000 meters in elevation. It is found abundantly in the inter-Andean valleys of Peru. Canchalagua has been introduced into and cultivated in other countries and can be found in Latin America, Mexico, Africa, and even in parts of southern Arizona and Texas where it has escaped cultivation and flourished as an annual weed.

Canchalagua contains germacranolides, heliangolides, sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, and sulfur compounds. The plant's anti-inflammatory reputation might be attributed to a sesquiterpene found in canchalagua named costunolide which has been documented to inhibit NF-kappaB (a chemical involved in the inflammatory process in the body). Costunolide was also documented to suppress nitric oxide production which is recognized as a mediator and regulator of inflammatory responses. Canchalgua's long standing reputation in the United States as an antispasmodic might be related to a chemical called pectolinarigenin which has been reported with antispasmodic actions.

Canchalagua's traditional use as an antimicrobial remedy against various infections is beginning to be validated through various test tube studies. It was shown to be active against several fungus, yeast and mold strains and using the entire plant rather than just the leaves yielded much better activity. The leaf was shown to be active against Bacillus, but inactive against the other bacterial strains it was tested against.

Canchalgua has also been used in several countries as a traditional remedy for malaria.

Canchalagua is the Peruvian name given to this plant by the Ketchwa indigenous people of the Andes. They have long used this plant as an effective blood cleanser. Many types of skin problems, including eczema, dermatitis, and acne, are believed to cause by toxins and partially digested bacteria circulating in the bloodstream, and this canchalagua herbal remedy is used as a natural remedy for those types of skin conditions as well.

In Peruvian herbal medicine systems canchalgua is regarded as an anti-inflammatory, digestive, antitussive (stops coughing), capillary tonic, diuretic, and hypoglycemic. It is employed as an herbal remedy there for kidney, liver, and renal problems, malaria, diabetes, allergies, yeast infections, prostate inflammation, digestive disorders and intestinal gas, rheumatism, and various skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis, and eczema. When taken internally it is thought to help regulate hormones and skin oil content for juvenile acne and is also used in a topical application for blackheads, pimples and acne. It is also considered a good diuretic and used for various kidney and renal disorders including urinary tract infections and kidney pain. It is also often relied on as a soothing tea to ease nausea and stomachaches, and as a general digestive aid.

In herbal medicine systems in Argentina the plant is considered a natural antibiotic remedy and typically used for urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, and as an antiseptic wash for wounds.

Following up a brief summary of other ethnomedical uses of canchalagua:

Region	Uses
Africa	for gastrointestinal problems, malaria, and stomachaches
Argentina	as an antibiotic and vulnerary; for diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and wounds
Bolivia	for fleas and malaria
Mexico	for digestive complaints
Paraguay	as an insecticide
Peru	as an anti-inflammatory, antitussive, capillary tonic, depurative, digestive, diuretic, hypoglycemic, styptic and vulnerary; for acne, blackheads, dermatitis, detoxification, diabetes, digestive disorders, eczema, fleas, intestinal gas, kidney problems, kidney inflammation, lice, liver problems, liver stones, malaria, obesity, oily skin, pimples, prostate inflammation, renal problems, rheumatism, stomach problems, stomachaches, urinary tract problems, weight loss, wounds, and yeast infections
U.S.	as an antispasmodic

 

CANCHALAGUA PLANT SUMMARY

Main Preparation Method:	infusion or capsules
Main Actions (in order):	depurative (blood cleanser), antimicrobial, vulnerary (heals wounds/skin), anti-inflammatory, antimalarial
Main Uses:	as a blood cleanser used internally and externally for pimples, blackheads, and acne as a diuretic and antimicrobial for urinary tract problems for skin problems (eczema, dermatitis, etc.) for malaria
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antispasmodic, anti-yeast
Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	anti-inflammatory, antitussive, capillary tonic, depurative, digestive, diuretic, hypoglycemic, stomachic, styptic, and vulnerary
Traditional Preparation:	Decotion: whole palnt Infusion: leaves and/or flowers The decoctions and infusions are used both internally as well as topically for various skin issues.
Contraindications:	None reported.
Drug Interactions:	None known.

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