Embauba

(Cecropia sp)

Family: Cecropiaceae
Genus: Cecropia
Species: palmata, peltata, obtusifolia
Synonyms: Cecropia schreberiana, C. amphichlora, C. arachnoidea, C. asperrima, C. concolor, C. dielsiana, C. hondurensis, C. mexicana, C. pachystachya, C. scabrifolia, C. surinamensis, Ambaiba palmata
Common Names: Embauba, imbauba, umbauba, trumpet tree, bois canon, bois trompette, grayumbe, grayumbo, trompette, trompettier, yagruma, yagrumo, akowa, chancarpo, chancarro, guarumbo, guarumo, hormigo, hormiguillo, snakewood tree, pop-a-gun, tree-of-laziness, trompetenbaum, yaluma, certico, ambiabo, ambai, tree-of-sandpaper, palo lija
Phytochemicals: ambain, arachidic acid, behenic acid, cecropin, cerotic acid, chlorogenic acid, isoorientin, leucocyanidin, lignoceric acid, polysaccharides, proanthocyanidins, stearic acid, and ursolinic acid.
Part Used: Leaves

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: relieves asthma reduces spasms reduces inflammation kills bacteria kills fungi fight free radicals relieves pain stregthens heart lowers blood pressure reduces blood sugar

Other Actions: dries secretions increases urination stimulates emnstruation midly laxative depresses central nervous system

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

Embauba is native to Central and South America and the West Indies. It is a fast-growing, short-lived tree that springs up along riverbanks (where its seeds are deposited after annual flooding). There are many closely-related Cecropia species (including C. peltata, C. palmata, and C. obtusifolia) that may have different geographical locations yet all are very similar in appearance, chemical makeup, and traditional medicinal uses.

Little research has been done to determine individual phytochemicals in embauba. In general, it is known to contain glycosides, lipids, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, cardenolids, triterpenes, polyphenols, steroids, and resins. A recent (2002) U.S. patent named ambain (a glycoside) and cecropin (an alkaloid) as the active plant chemicals in embauba that have cardiotonic and diuretic properties. The flavonoids and proanthocyanidins in embauba recently were reported to inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in vitro. (ACE-inhibitors represent a class of pharmaceutical drugs used for hypertension which promote vasodilation and act as a diuretic.) The traditional use of embauba for high blood pressure might be explained if these chemicals can be demonstrated to inhibit ACE in humans and animals.

Preliminary research is just beginning to explain and verify some of embauba’s many uses in traditional medicine. Animal studies (with mice, rats, and guinea pigs) have shown that leaf extracts have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic activities — which may explain, in part, its widespread traditional use in respiratory disorders. Cuban researchers, however, reported that leaf infusions did not evidence any bronchodilator activity (in guinea pigs. Other animal research has indicated that the plant can increase urination and lower blood pressure. One study reported that it increased urine flow in rats by 20 percent — without affecting the excretion of sodium and potassium. Two different research groups (in Costa Rica and Mexico) reported that leaf extracts reduced blood pressure in rats.

Another of embauba’s traditional uses has been for diabetes. This use also has been studied verified by researchers. One of these research groups attributed the hypoglycemic effect of the leaf, in part, to two flavone chemicals in embauba (isoorientin and chlorogenic acid) which, when tested individually, also demonstrated hypoglycemic activity.

Embauba has been reported to have in vitro antibacterial activity against various bacteria (such as Staphylococcus, E. coli, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, and Shigella). Water extracts seemed to have much more biological activity against bacteria than methanol or ethanol extracts in vitro. An ethanol extract of the leaf and stem was reported to have in vitro antifungal activity, but water extracts were inactive (which suggests that antibacterial actions are derived from different chemicals than those providing antifungal actions). Embauba has also shown antioxidant activity with potent free-radical scavenging action. In 2002 a U.S. patent was filed on various embauba extracts for use in cosmetics and dermatology. The patent reported the extracts had “pronounced action on lipolysis (fat-burning) which make them useful in slimming preparations, but also owing to their tightening effect, their smoothing properties and the improvement of the radiance of the skin.”

Indian tribes in the Amazon use embauba for its anti-inflammatory properties-typically for rheumatic, kidney and lung inflammations. The leaf is made into a tea and used widely for asthma and other upper respiratory complaints, as well as for diabetes. It also has been used for sores on the mouth and tongue.

In herbal medicine systems, embauba is used widely throughout Central and South America. In Brazil it is used for all types of respiratory complaints (such as asthma, bronchitis, coughs, whooping cough, and pneumonia). It is also used for diabetes, Parkinson's disease, kidney disorders, high blood pressure, and to increase the contraction strength of the heart muscle.

Following up a brief summary of ethnomedical uses:

Region	Uses
Amazonia	for asthma, bruises, childbirth, diabetes, fractures, inflammation, kidney problems, respiratory difficulties, rheumatic diseases, sores, wounds
Brazil	for asthma, bleeding, bronchitis, cancer, Chagas disease, cough, congestion, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, edema, flu, gonorrhea, heart problems, hemorrhages, hemorrhoids, hypertension, liver support, malaria, Parkinson's disease, pneumonia, respiratory disorders, rheumatism, snakebite, ulcers, urinary insufficiency, urinary tract disorders, vaginal discharge, warts, wounds, and as an expectorant
Colombia	for childbirth, heart problems, menstrual difficulties, Parkinson's disease
Costa Rica	for arterial hypertension, urinary insufficiency
Cuba	for abscesses, aches, asthma, bile diseases, calluses, coughs, digestive, diuretic, dysentery, edema, fever, gonorrhea, heart conditions, herpes, liver disorders, pains, skin problems, ulcers, venereal disease, warts
Guatemala	for asthma, atherosclerosis, heart support, diabetes, edema, fever, gonorrhea, hypertension, rheumatism, urinary insufficiency, and to promote perspiration
Mexico	for asthma, bladder problems, bites (scorpion, ants), burns, calluses, childbirth, chorea, corns, coughs, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, edema, fever, fractures, heart support, hepatitis, inflammation, liver support, nerve disorders, obesity, pulmonary problems, renal disorders, ulcers, urinary insufficiency, warts, wounds
Nicaragua	for abscesses, aches, coughs, diarrhea, digestive problems, fever, gastric, headache, intestinal disorders, liver support, pain, skin problems
Peru	for bleeding, diarrhea, energy, fever, heart support, Parkinson's disease, water retention, wounds
Trinidad	for bronchitis, cough, fever, flu, scorpion bite, snakebite
U.S.	for asthma, bronchitis, constipation, fungal infections, heart support, menstrual irregularities, pain, water retention
Venezuela	for constipation, heart support, inflammation, wounds
Elsewhere	for abscesses, aches, asthma, bronchitis, calluses, cancer, childbirth, corns, coughs, diabetes, diarrhea, digestive problems, dysentery, edema, fever, flu, fractures, gonorrhea, heart support, hematoma, hepatitis, herpes, hypertension, liver support, menstrual disorders, nerves, obesity, pain, scorpion bite, skin problems, snakebite, venereal disease, water retention, warts, wounds, and as an antiseptic

EMBAUBA PLANT SUMMARY

Main Preparation Method:	infusion
Main Actions (in order):	cough suppressant, anti-asthmatic, decongestant, antispasmodic, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart)
Main Uses:	for asthma for upper respiratory problems (coughs, bronchitis, COPD, emphysema, pulmonary sarcoidosis) for upper respiratory bacterial and viral infections for high blood pressure for Parkinson's disease
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	ACE-inhibitor (typically lowers blood pressure), analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antispasmodic, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart), diuretic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive (lowers blood pressure)
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	anti-asthmatic, antihemorrhagic (reduces bleeding), antiseptic, antivenin, antiviral, astringent, cough suppressant, central nervous system depressant, decongestant, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), digestive stimulant, expectorant, hepatotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the liver), laxative, menstrual stimulant, wound healer
Traditional Preparation:	Traditionally, 1/2 to 1 cup of a standard leaf infusion is taken two to three times daily. If desired, 2-3 grams of powdered leaf in tablets or capsules twice daily can be substituted.
Contraindications:	Embauba has a traditional use of aiding childbirth and to promote menstruation. It should not be taken during pregnancy. The plant has been reported i to have cardiotonic properties, increasing the strength of cardiac muscle contraction. It should not be used by anyone with a cardiac disorder unless monitored by a medical doctor. Embauba also has demonstrated hypotensive activity. Those with low blood pressure or those on medication to lower their blood pressure should seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional prior to using this plant. Embauba has demonstrated a hypoglycemic effect. It is contraindicated for persons with hypoglycemia. Diabetics should use this plant with caution as blood sugar levels should be monitored closely.
Drug Interactions:	None reported; however, embauba may potentiate cardiotonics (such as digitalis) as well as antihypertensive and ACE-inhibitor drugs. It may potentiate anti-diabetic and insulin drugs.

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