Piri-piri

(Cyperus articulatus L.)

Family: Cyperaceae
Taxon: Cyperus articulatus L.
Synonyms: Cyperus corymbosus Rottb., Chlorocyperus articulatus Rikli., Cyperus diphyllus Retz., Cyperus niloticus Forssk., Cyperus nodosus Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd., Cyperus subnodosus Nees & Meyen.
Common names: adrue, andek, chintul, guinea rush, hadrue, huaste, ibenki, ibenkiki, jointed flat sedge, kajiji, kamaleji, karihi, mandassi, masho huaste, nihue huaste, nuni, piriprioca, piri-piri, piri piri, piripiri, priprioca, piripiri de sangre, piripiri de vibora, savane tremblante, shakó, waste, yahuar piripiri, zacoo
Phytochemicals: alpha-corymbolol, alpha-cyperone, alpha-pinene, carophyllene oxide, corymbolone, cyperotundone, iso-patchoul-4(5)-en-3-one, mandas- sidione, and mustakone.
Parts Used: Rhizome

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: stops vomiting aids digestion eases diarrhea relieves gas calms & sedates reduces seizures expels worms prevents convulsions

Other Actions: kills bacteria kills yeast contraceptive

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

Piri-piri is a type of reed-like tropical grass called a "sedge-grass." It can attain the height of 6 feet and grows in damp, marshy and flooded areas along the rivers and streams (where it can help control soil erosion) in the Amazon basin.

Piri-piri is in the Cyperaceae plant family which include approximately 36 genera and about 128 species of Cyperus. Although native to the Amazon, piri-piri can be found in many other tropical areas and countries, including the southern United States, Africa, Asia, Australia, and across the South American continent. It can be found growing alongside the Nile River in Africa just as it grows alongside the Amazon River in South America.

Piri-piri contains flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, tannins, terpenes and sugars. Many of its biological actions are attributed to various sesquiterpenes called cyperones which are also found in other Cyperus plants in the family. Two of these chemicals, called cyperotundone and alpha-cyperone, have been reported with antimalarial actions, as well as the ability to inhibit nitric oxide synthesis (a pro-oxidant), and prostaglandin synthetase (aspirin and ibuprofen are prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors).

Some of the more recent research on piri-piri has focused on its traditional uses to treat epilepsy and convulsions. Researchers in Africa have published several studies which suggest that piri-piri can mediate many of the brain chemical reactions which are required in epilepsy and report that the rhizome has anti-epileptic actions. In addition, other laboratory research with animals reports that piri-piri also has anti-convulsant actions, as well as sedative actions. Piri-piri was also reported with antioxidant actions, antibacterial actions against Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas, and anti-yeast actions against Candida. It passed a preliminary screening test to predict antitumor actions in other research.

The indigenous Indian tribes of the Amazon region ascribe magical properties to piri-piri. The tall stems and/or the rhizomes are dried and powdered, or are prepared as a tea and used as a good luck charm or a love potion (called a pusanga). Women will cultivate the plant and bathe their children with it to prevent sickness and injury, and give it to their husbands to bring good luck in hunting and fishing. Piri-piri is also well used as a medicine by the indigenous people and the rhizome is the part of the plant which is used.

Piri-piri also has a long history of use in herbal medicine systems in South America. It is a very common remedy to treat nausea, vomiting, stomachaches, and intestinal gas throughout the continent. Its use for epilepsy and convulsions is rather new in comparison to its long history of use for stomach complaints and no human trials exist yet for this purpose. People with epilepsy should not attempt to replace their prescribed drugs for epilepsy with this natural remedy until further research is available.

Following-up a brief summary of worldwide ethnomedical uses of piri-piri

Region	Uses
Africa	as a fumigant; for diarrhea, coughs, headaches, indigestion, malaria, and toothaches
Brazil	for dysentery, fevers, headaches
Colombia	as an antivenin; for snakebite
Guyana	for stomachaches
Jamaica	for diarrhea, pain in the bowels, and vomiting
Peru	as an abortifacient, anticonvulsant, anti-epileptic, antivenin, carminative, contraceptive, hemostat, nervine, stomachic, tonic and vulnerary; for baldness, childbirth, conjunctivitis, convulsions, coughs, diarrhea, digestive disorders, dysentery, dyspepsia, epilepsy, fevers, flu, gastrointestinal disorders, good luck, hemorrhages, intestinal infections, love-charm, mental disorders, nausea, nervous disorders, rheumatic pain, snakebite, spasms, stress, throat cancer, tumors, vomiting, wounds
United States	as an anthelmintic, anti-emetic, carminative, demulcent, nervine, stomachic, tonic and sedative; for aches, breast pain, digestive disorders, epilepsy, headaches, intestinal gas, menstrual irregularity, morning sickness, nausea, ophthalmia, stomach pain, urinary disorders, vaginal discharge, vomiting

PIRI-PIRI PLANT SUMMARY

Main Preparation Method:	fluid extract or maceration
Main Actions (in order):	anti-emetic (stops vomiting), stomachic (aids digestion), carminative (expels gas), nervine, anticonvulsant
Main Uses:	for vomiting and nausea for digestive and intestinal disorders for stress, anxiety, and nervousness for intestinal worms for epilepsy and convulsions
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	antibacterial, anticandidal, anticonvulsant, anti-epileptic, antimalarial, antioxidant, sedative
Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	abortifacient, anthelmintic, anticonvulsant, anti-epileptic, antivenin, carminative, contraceptive, demulcent, hemostat, nervine, stomachic, tonic and vulnerary
Traditional Preparation:	While locals in the Amazon simply grind up or juice the rhizome in a little water to administer it, piri-piri is usually sold in pharmacies and stores as a fluid extract or in capsules. The suggested dosage is 30 drops (2 ml) of a rhizome extract or 1-2 grams in capsules, as needed, to stop vomiting and to aid digestive and intestinal functions.
Contraindications:	This plant has been traditionally used as a contraceptive aid. While no clinical studies exist to support this traditional use, women seeking to get pregnant should probably avoid the use of this plant.
Drug Interactions:	None reported.

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