Clavillia

(Mirabilis jalapa)

Family: Nyctaginaceae
Genus: Mirabilis
Species: jalapa
Synonyms: Mirabilis lindheimeri, M. dichotoma, M. odorata
Common Names: Clavillia, four-o’clocks, jalap, maravilla, bonina,
boa-noite, bonita, a’bbass, beauty of the night, belle de nuit, bella di notte, buenas tardes, bunga pukul empat, dondiego de noche, false jalap, flower of a’bbas, gecesefase, geje safa, gulabbas, gulbank, gulbas, isabelitta, morning rose, marvel of Peru, nodja, noche buena, numera, pathrachi, sanji phuli, segerat, slavelilla, tiare moe, tzu mo li, ubat jerawat, zi mo li
Phytochemicals: 12-triaconsanone, arabinose, beta-amyrin, beta-amyrin-alpha-l-rhamnosyl-o-beta-d-glucoside, beta-sitosterol-beta-d-glucoside, n-hexacosanol, trigonelline,
Parts Used: Leaves, root, flowers

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: kills viruses kills bacteria kills fungi

Other Actions: kills parasites reduces spasms increases urination strongly laxative aids digestion

Standard Dosage: Roots. Infusion: 1/2 cup twice daily; Tincture: 1-2 ml twice daily; Capsules: 1 g twice daily

Clavillia is a perennial herb that reaches a height of 50-100 cm from a tuberous root. Some cultivated hybrid species also can grow up to a meter in height. It produces beautiful flowers that usually open around 4 o'clock in the afternoon-hence its common name, four o'clocks. There is some disagreement about where it came from originally: Mexico, Chile, or India. Today, clavillia is naturalized throughout the tropics of South America, Latin America, France, and India.

Chemical analysis of clavillia shows that it is rich in many active compounds including triterpenes, proteins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroids. Of particular interest to researchers is a group of amino acid-based proteins, called mirabilis antiviral proteins (MAPs). These chemicals have shown specific antiviral and antifungal actions. They are produced in the seeds, roots, and young shoots, and help the plant protect against various plant viruses and soil-borne fungi. In 1994, a Japanese tobacco company was awarded a U.S. patent on the MAPs in clavillia as being effective in protecting economically-important crops (such as tobacco, corn, and potatoes) from a large variety of plant viruses (such as tobacco mosaic virus, spotted leaf virus and root rot virus). Researchers in Hong Kong isolated another MAP in the roots of clavillia with the same antiviral actions, and also noted, "The MAP demonstrated to possess abortifacient [abortion-causing] activity in pregnant mice, inhibitory effects on cell-free protein synthesis, and antiproliferative effects on tumor cells." The MAPs found in clavillia have shown to inhibit cellular processes in viral cells.

The highest concentration of MAPs are found in the seeds of the plant, followed by the roots, then leaves. The seeds, however, are a significant source of other peptide chemicals with actions similar to the neurotoxic peptides found in spider venom. These peptides are in the same classification as (and act similarly to) another plant-derived toxic peptide, ricin (now being employed as a biological weapon). As compared with ricin, though, clavillia's peptides are only about 1/30th as toxic. Because of this toxicity, though, the seeds are not generally used in herbal medicine systems (despite researchers' documentation of the significant antimicrobial actions attributed to them).

The plant and root have demonstrated other biological activities in addition to the antiviral actions of the MAPs. In 2001, researchers found new phenolic compounds in clavillia which demonstrated in vitro action against the yeast Candida albicans. A hot water extract of the flower, leaf, and root of clavillia has shown antifungal activity in another in vitro study. Other research on the leaf and branches of clavillia did not confirm any antimicrobial actions, therefore, these properties are probably attributed only to the root of the plant. In early research, the root of the plant (in water and ethanol extracts) also demonstrated mild uterine stimulant actions in rats, and antispasmodic actions in guinea pigs.

The indigenous people of the Amazon enjoy the beauty of clavillia's flowers as much as city dwellers, and often plant it in their gardens. They employ the plant medicinally as well.

Following-up a brief summary of worldwide ethnomedical uses.

Region	Uses
Brazil	for candida, chagas disease, colic, constipation, contusions, diarrhea, dysentery, earache, edema, eczema, freckles, herpes, hives, itch, intestinal parasites, liver problems, pain, skin problems, skin infections, syphilis, vaginal discharge, urinary insufficiency, wounds, worms
Cuba	for herpes, intestinal parasites
Guatemala	for abscesses, aches, boils, bruises, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, fungal infections, gonorrhea, inflammation, mucosal lesions, ringworm, scrofula, skin problems, sores, ulcers (skin), vaginal discharge, vaginitis, wounds
India	for conjunctivitis, edema, fungal infections, inflammation, pain, swellings
Mexico	for bee stings, dysentery, scorpion stings, vaginal discharge, wounds
Perù	for constipation, dermatitis, earaches, herpes, urinary insufficiency
U.S.A.	for abortions, bone fractures, childbirth, mumps
Elsewhere	for abscesses, arthritis, boils, bowel cleansing, burns, bruises, colic, constipation, diabetes, digestion stimulation, dropsy, dyspepsia, fungal infections, gonorrhea, hepatitis, herpes, hypochondria, intestinal gas, intestinal parasites, libido stimulation, liver problems, menstrual irregularities, muscle pains, piles, pimples, sores, splenitis, strains, syphilis, thrush, tonic, tumors, urinary insufficiency, urogenital inflammation, urticaria, wounds

CLAVILLIA PLANT SUMMARY

Main Preparation Method:	infusion or capsules
Main Actions (in order):	antiviral, antibacterial, anticandidal, antifungal, antispamodic
Main Uses:	as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial for bacterial, fungal, and viral infections for Candida and yeast infections as a bowel cleanser and laxative for skin problems (eczema, dermatitis, acne, rashes, liver spots, skin fungi, ringworm) for vaginal discharge, infections, and sexually transmitted diseases
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	abortive, antibacterial, anticandidal, antifungal, antiviral, antispasmodic, uterine stimulant
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	antidysenteric, antiparasitic, carminative (expels gas), detoxifier, digestive stimulant, diuretic, purgative (strong laxative), tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions), vermifuge (expels worms), wound healer
Traditional Preparation:	For viruses and candida generally one-half cup of a standard root infusion or 1-2 ml of a 4:1 tincture is taken twice daily. 1 gram of powdered root in capsules or tablets twice daily can be substituted if desired.
Contraindications:	The seeds of the plant contain neurotoxic chemicals and should not be ingested. Chemicals found in clavillia have been documented to have abortive actions. Clavillia itself has been documented with a mild uterine stimulant effect, therefore; its use during pregnancy is not advised.
Drug Interactions:	None known.

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