Erva Tostão

(Boerhaavia diffusa)

Family: Nyctaginaceae
Genus: Boerhaavia
Species: diffusa, hirsuta
Synonyms: Boerhavia adscendens, B. caribaea, B. coccinea, B. erecta, B. paniculata, B. repens, B.viscosa
Common Names: Erva tostão, erva toustao, pega-pinto, hog weed, pig weed, atikamaamidi, biskhapra, djambo, etiponia, fowl’s lice, ganda’dar, ghetuli, katkatud, mahenshi, mamauri, ndandalida, oulouni niabo, paanbalibis, patal-jarh, pitasudu-pala, punar-nava, punerva, punarnava, purnoi, samdelma, san sant, santh, santi, satadi thikedi, satodi, spreading hog weed, tellaaku, thazhuthama, thikri, touri-touri, tshrana
Phytochemicals: Alanine, Arachidic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Behenic Acid, Beta-Sitosterol, Boeravinone A - F, Boerhaavic Acid, Borhavine, Borhavone, Campesterol, Daucosterol, Beta-Ecdysone, Flavone,5-7-dihydroxy-3'-4'-dimetho, Xy-6-8-dimethyl, Galactose, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Glycerol, Glycine, Hentriacontane,N, Heptadecyclic Acid, Histidine, Hypoxanthine-9-l-arabinofuranoside, Leucine, Liriodendrin, Methionine, Oleaic Acid, Oxalic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Proline, Proline,hydroxy, Punarnavine, Serine, Sitosterol Oleate, Sitosterol Palmitate, Stearic Acid, Stigmasterol, Syringaresinol-mono-beta-d-glucoside, Threonine, Triacontan-1-OL, Tyrosine, Ursolic Acid, Valine, Xylose
Part Used: whole herb, roots

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: protects liver supports liver reduces inflammation relieves pain reduces spasms supports kidneys increases urination stops bleeding lowers blood pressure mildly laxative kills parasites

Other Actions: detoxifies expels worms increases bile cleanses blood stops convulsions kills bacteria kills amebas kills viruses stimulates milk flow

Standard Dosage: Leaves, Root. Decoction: 1 cup 1-3 times daily; Tincture: 2 ml 1-3 times daily; Capsules: 500 mg - 1 g 1-3 times daily.

Erva tostão is a vigorous, low-growing, spreading vine with a long, tuberous tap root. It produces yellow and white flowers and is sometimes considered an invasive weed. It can be found in many tropical and warm-climate countries. Indigenous to Brazil, it is found in abundance along roadsides and in the forests in and near São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais. Erva tostão is also indigenous to India, where it is found in abundance in the warmer parts of the country. Erva tostão is called punarnava in India, where it has a long history of use by indigenous and tribal people and in Ayurvedic herbal medicine systems.

Novel plant chemicals have been found in erva tostão, including flavonoids, steroids, and alkaloids, many of which drive its documented biological activities. The novel alkaloids found in erva tostão have been documented with immune modulating effects. In one study, the alkaloid fraction of the root evidenced a dramatic effect in reducing an elevation of cortisol levels under stressful conditions (cortisol is an inflammatory chemical produced in the body in an immune response). Simultaneously, the alkaloids (and a whole root extract) also prevented a drop in immune system performance indicating an adaptogenic immune modulation activity, which might suggest it could be helpful in preventing adrenal exhaustion.
Erva tostão has long been used in traditional medicine systems as a diuretic (to increase urination) for many types of kidney and urinary disorders. The diuretic action of erva tostão has been studied and validated by scientists in several studies. Researchers showed that low dosages (10–300 mg per kg of body weight) produced strong diuretic effects, while higher dosages (more than 300 mg/kg) produced the opposite effect—reducing urine output. Later research verified these diuretic and antidiuretic properties, as well as the beneficial kidney and renal effects of erva tostão in animals and humans. Research indicates that a root extract can increase urine output by as much as 100 percent in a twenty-four-hour period at dosages as low as 10 mg per kg of body weight.

The worldwide use of erva tostão for various liver complaints and disorders was validated in three separate studies. These indicated that a root extract provided beneficial effects by protecting the liver from numerous introduced toxins and even repairing chemical-induced liver and kidney damage. In other clinical studies , erva tostão extracts demonstrated smooth muscle and skeletal muscle stimulant activities, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, antispasmodic actions, analgesic activities and antiamebic actions. In two studies, a root extract was reported to reduce bleeding and uterine hemorrhaging commonly associated with wearing contraceptive IUDs. The traditional use of erva tostão for convulsions was verified by scientists in two studies, demonstrating that a root extract provided anticonvulsant actions . In vitro testing of erva tostão confirmed its antibacterial properties against gonorrhea (another traditional use), as well as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Salmonella and Staphylococcus. It was also shown to possess antiviral actions against several viral plant pathogens.

The roots of erva tostão have held an important place in herbal medicine in both Brazil and India for many years.

Following-up a brief summary of worldwide ethnomedical uses of erva tostão.

Region	Uses
Brazil	for albuminuria, beri-beri, bile insufficiency, cystitis, edema, gallbladder problems, gallstones, gonorrhea, guinea worms, hepatitis, hypertension, jaundice, kidney disorders, kidney stones, liver disorders, liver support, nephritis, renal disorders, sclerosis (liver), snakebite, spleen (enlarged), urinary disorders, urinary retention
Guatemala	for erysipelas, guinea worms
India	for abdominal pain, anemia, ascites, asthma, blood purification, cancer, cataracts, childbirth, cholera, constipation, cough, debility, digestive sluggishness, dropsy, dyspepsia, edema, eye problems, fever, gonorrhea, guinea worms, heart ailments, heart disease, hemorrhages (childbirth), hemorrhages (thoracic), hemorrhoids, inflammation (internal), internal parasites, jaundice, kidney disorders, kidney stones, lactation aid, liver disorders, liver support, menstrual disorders, renal insufficiency, rheumatism, snakebite, spleen (enlarged), urinary disorders, weakness, and as a diuretic and expectorant
Iran	for edema, gonorrhea, hives, intestinal gas, jaundice, joint pain, lumbago, nephritis, and as an appetite stimulant, diuretic and expectorant
Nigeria	for abscesses, asthma, boils, convulsions, epilepsy, fever, guinea worms, and as an expectorant and laxative
West Africa	for abortion, guinea worms, menstrual irregularities, and as an aphrodisiac
Elsewhere	for childbirth, guinea worms, jaundice, sterility, yaws

ERVA TOSTÃO PLANT SUMMARY

Main Preparation Method:	decoction or capsules
Main Actions (in order):	hepatotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the liver), antilithic (prevents or eliminates kidney stones), hepatoprotective (liver protector), diuretic, menstrual stimulant
Main Uses:	for liver disorders (jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis, anemia, flukes, detoxification, chemical injury, etc) for gallbladder disorders (stones, sluggish function, low bile production, emptying, and detoxification) for kidney and urinary tract disorders (stones, nephritis, urethritis, infections, renal insufficiency/injury, etc) for menstrual disorders (pain, cramps, excessive bleeding, uterine spasms, water retention) to tone, balance, and strengthen the adrenals (and for adrenal exhaustion and excess cortisol production
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	ACE-inhibitor (typically lowers blood pressure), analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-inflammatory, antiamebic, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, antihemorrhagic (reduces bleeding), antispasmodic, antiviral, liver and gallbladder bile stimulant, diuretic, hepatoprotective (liver protector), hepatotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the liver), hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), immune modulator (selectively lowers overactive immune cells)
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	antihistamine, antilithic (prevents or eliminates kidney stones), aperient (mild laxative), blood cleanser, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart), carminative (expels gas), detoxifier, digestive stimulant, kidney tonic (tones, balances, strengthens the kidneys), lactagogue (promotes milk flow), menstrual stimulant, uterine stimulant, vermifuge (expels worms)
Traditional Preparation:	For a general liver tonic: 1 cup of a whole herb or root decoction or 2 ml of a 4:1 tincture is taken once daily. For various liver and kidney disorders: 1 cup of a whole herb or root decoction or 2 ml of a 4:1 tincture two to three times daily. For a natural diuretic: 500 mg of the root in capsules or tablets ctwice daily. As a menstrual aid (to reduce menstrual pain, cramping, and excessive bleeding): 1 cup of a whole herb or root decoction or 1–2 g in tablets or capsules can be taken two to three times daily as needed.
Contraindications:	Both in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated the hypotensive properties of erva tostão. Those with heart problems such as low blood pressure, or those taking medications to lower their blood pressure should not use this plant without the advice and supervision of a qualified health care practitioner as blood pressure levels should be monitored closely. This herb has also demonstrated myocardial depressant activity and should therefore not be taken by anyone with heart failure or those taking heart depressant medications unless under the direction and care of a qualified health care practitioner.
Drug Interactions:	Erva tostão may interfere with prescription diuretics and may potentiate cardiac depressant medications. Erva tostão has been documented in one in vitro study to have angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition action. Therefore, this plant may potentiate ACE inhibitor drugs for high blood pressure. In one study, an oral dosage of 500 mg/kg (leaf extract) in mice inhibited barbiturates and decreased sleeping time. Therefore, the use of this plant may decrease the effect of barbiturates.

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