Culen

(Otholobium glandulosum)

Family: Moraceae
Taxon: Otholobium glandulosum (L.) J. W. Grimes
Synonyms: Culen glandulosum ined., Psoralea glandulosa L., Psoralea lutea Molina
Common names: congonha, culén, gualgua, hierba de San Agustin, hualhua, huashua, kalisaya, wallua
Parts Used: Leaves

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: reduces fever reduces inflammation kills viruses kills bacteria kills fungi dilates bronchials expels worms aids digestion

Other Actions: relieves gas helps psoriasis heals wounds increases appetite balances menstruation

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

Culen is a deciduous shrubby bush found in the warmer humid valleys of the mid Andes Mountains in Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. Culen produces aromatic leaves that are about 2-5 cm long and small yellow to cream flowers on bracts.

The plant is thought to originate in Chile, but it has been cultivated as a medicinal plant for many years all along the Andes Mountains. It can be found growing wild alongside the roads in the Junin District in Peru.

Culen contains two well known furanocoumarin chemicals called psoralen and angelicin. These chemicals have long been documented with UV light-induced photosensitizing activity and have been used in various drugs for the photodynamic destruction of tumor cells and in other skin diseases like psoriasis and vitiligo. In addition, angelicin has been documented with anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing actions and has shown some promise in the possible treatment of sickle-cell anemia. Another main constituent in culen is a well known chemical called bakuchiol. Many of culen's traditional uses can be explained by the documented properties and actions researched and verified for this particular chemical found in culen. Bakuchiol has been documented with liver-protecting, cholesterol-lowering, fever-reducing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimutagenic, and anticancerous actions in various animal and test tube studies. In addition, bakuchiol has been reported with broad-spectrum antimicrobial actions against numerous types of bacteria, mycobacteria, fungus, and viruses.

Much of the research on culen follows closely with the reported actions of the plant's main active constituents. In laboratory testing culen was reported with fever-reducing actions as well as anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor actions. In test tube studies, culen has demonstrated antibacterial, and antiviral actions.

With culen's documented antiviral actions against influenza and well as its fever reducing and bronchodilator actions, it makes a great natural cold and flu remedy. It is also well used in South America as a digestive tonic for many types of digestive disorders. The aromatic leaves makes a tasty, refreshing, and cooling tea or beverage to settle the stomach, and relieve gas and indigestion. Culen has also long been used for intestinal worms and parasites.

Following-up a brief summary on culen ethnomedical uses:

Region	Uses
Bolivia	as an emmenagogue
Brazil	as an antiasthmatic, antidiabetic, diaphoretic, emollient and vulnerary; for enteritis
Chile	as an anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, appetitive, bronchodilator, carminative, diaphoretic, emetic, emollient, febrifuge, purgative, stomachic, and vulnerary; for enteritis, digestive disorders, hemorrhoids, intestinal worms, skin problems, syphilis, and wounds
Peru	for diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, hemorrhoids, indigestion, intestinal worms, menstrual disorders, and wounds
United States	as an anthelmintic, emetic, tonic and vulnerary; for anorexia, debility, diarrhea, dyspepsia, fatigue, intestinal worms, and wounds

CULEN PLANT SUMMARY

Main Preparation Method:	infusion or fluid extract
Main Actions (in order):	febrifuge (reduces fever), antiviral, bronchodilator, vulnerary (heals wounds/skin), stomachic, anthelmintic (expels intestinal worms)
Main Uses:	for fevers, colds, and flu for other upper respiratory problems (bronchitis, asthma, coughs, etc) for psoriasis, vitiligo, wounds, and other skin problems as a digestive aid for anorexia, indigestion, intestinal gas, etc. for intestinal worms and parasites
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	antibacterial, antifungal, antihyperlipemic, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antioxidant, antipsoriatic, antitumorous, antiviral, cytotoxic, febrifuge, hepatoprotective
Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	anti-asthmatic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, appetitive, bronchodilator, carminative, diaphoretic, emetic, emmenogogue, emollient, febrifuge, purgative, stomachic, tonic, and vulnerary
Traditional Preparation:	infusions, capsules, or liquid extracts
Contraindications:	Culen contains furanocoumarin chemicals which might cause photosensitivity in some people. May cause photosensitivity in high dosages.
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 disease treatment. Please see a doctor when needed.