Jurubeba

(Solanum paniculatum)

Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solanum
Species: paniculatum
Synonyms: None
Common Names: Jurubeba, jubeba, juribeba, juripeba, jupela, juripeba, juuna, juvena, jurubebinha, jurubeba-branca, jurubeba-verdadeira
Plant chemicals: isojurubidin, isopaniculidin, jurubin, jurubidin, jurubilin, paniculin, paniculidin, paniculonin A, paniculonin B, painculogenin, solanin, solanidin, solasodine, and neochlorogenin.
Parts Used: Leaves, roots, fruit

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: reduces acid stimulates bile expels gas supports heart supports liver lowers blood pressure

Other Actions: reduces inflammation decongests increases urination reduces fever clears obstructions

Standard Dosage: Leaves Infusion: 1 cup 2-3 times daily Fluid Extract: 3-4ml 2-3 times daily Capsules: 1-2g 2-3 times daily

Jurubeba is a small tree that grows up to 3 m high. Both male and female jurubeba trees exist; the female grows slightly taller, has larger leaves, and bears fruit. The leaves and roots of both female and male specimens (as well as the fruit) are used interchangeably for medicinal purposes with equal effectiveness. Jurubeba is indigenous to Brazil as well as Paraguay and Argentina.

Jurubeba's active constituents were first documented in the 1960s, when German researchers discovered novel plant steroids, saponins, glycosides, and alkaloids in the root, stem, and leaves. The alkaloids were found more abundantly in the root, although also present in the stem and leaves. Solanidine and solasodine were discovered in the leaves and fruit of jurubeba, which probably accounts for its liver-protective properties. The compound solanin, also found in the plant, has been documented in clinical research to possess analgesic activity (possibly through its ability to block pain impulses in the nervous system). The steroids and saponins were found in higher quantities in the root, while the leaves had the greatest amount of glycosides. The plant also has been found to contain a large proportion of bitter properties, which were thought to contribute to its ability to stimulate digestion.

All of the clinical research on jurubeba has been done in Brazil - as the plant and its medicinal uses are not well known outside of Brazil. A recent (2002) study sought to validate the traditional use of the plant as a digestive aid. The root, stem, flower, leaf, and fruit of the plant were found to have anti-ulcer activity.

Some studies documented that water extracts and alchohol extracts of jurubeba lowered blood pressure. The plant also has been documented to have cardiotonic activity.

Jurubeba is listed as an official drug in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia as a specific for anemia and liver disorders. Jurubeba has long been used for liver and digestive disorders. In 1965, Dr. G. L. Cruz wrote that ". . . the roots, leaves, and fruit are used as a tonic and decongestive. It stimulates the digestive functions and reduces the swelling of the liver and spleen. It is a good remedy against chronic hepatitis, intermittent fever, uterine tumors, and hydropsy." The leaves and roots are used in Brazilian medicine today as a tonic and for fevers, anemia, erysipelas, hepatitis, liver and spleen disorders, uterine tumors, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic gastritis, and other such digestive problems as sluggish digestion, bloating, and flatulence. Jurubeba leaf tea is a very common household remedy throughout Brazil for hangovers due to overeating as well as too much alcohol. It is also sometimes employed externally in poultices to heal wounds and ulcers.

Other ethnomedical uses of jujureba comprehend:

Region	Uses
Amazonia	for alcohol excess, digestive problems, liver disorders, liver tonic, inflammation, spleen inflammation, uterine tumors, water retention
Brazil	for abscesses (internal), anemia, anorexia, bile insufficiency, bladder problems, blood cleansing, bloating, boils, catarrh, congestion, contusions, constipation, convalescence, cystitis, debility, diabetes, digestive sluggishness, dyspepsia, edema, erysipelas, fever, flatulence, gallbladder inflammation, gastric disorders, hangover, headache, heartburn, hepatitis, hives, irritable bowel syndrome, itch, jaundice, liver problems, liver tonic, malaria, menstrual disorders, nausea, skin disorders, spleen inflammation, tumors (uterine/abdominal), ulcers (stomach/skin), water retention, wounds
U.S.A.	for alcohol excess, digestive sluggishness, gastric disorders, inflammation, liver tonic, spleen inflammation, stomach ulcers, water retention

 
 

JURUBEBA

Main Preparation Method:	infusion or fluid extract
Main Actions (in order):	gastroprotective (protects the gastric tract), digestive stimulant, antiulcerous, carminative (expels gas)
Main Uses:	to speed digestion and stimulate digestive function to provide relief from sour stomach, gas, bloating, and general dyspepsia for stomach ulcers to tone, balance, strengthen and protect the liver to tone, balance, and strengthen the heart
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	analgesic (pain-reliever), antacid, antiulcerous, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart), digestive stimulant, gastrototonic (tones, balances, strengthens the gastric tract), gastroprotective (protects the gastric tract), hepatotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the liver), hypotensive (lowers blood pressure)
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	anti-inflammatory, antilithic (prevents or eliminates kidney stones), antitumorous, aperient (mild laxative), bile stimulant (liver), blood cleanser, carminative (expels gas), decongestant, diuretic, febrifuge (reduces fever), nervine (balances/calms nerves), tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions)
Traditional Preparation:	Infusion: 1 cup 1-3 times daily Fluid Extract: 3-4ml 1-3 times daily Powder: 2g of powdered leaves in tablets/capsule or stirres into water/juice with meals
Contraindications:	The phytochemical solasodine has been documented to reduce sperm count and have an antifertility effect in male. While jurubeba itself has not been documented to have this action, males undergoing fertility treatment should probably avoid using this plant. This plant has been documented to have mild hypotensive activity as well as a stimulating action on the heart. Those with cardiovascular disorders, hypotension, or those on blood-pressure-lowering medications should only use this plant under the care and direction of a qualified health care professional. Herbalists in Brazil report that prolonged or chronic use of this plant may irritate the stomach lining in some individuals. Do not use chronically (daily) for longer than 30 days.
Drug Interactions:	None known. May possibly potentiate hypotensive medications

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