Ubos

(Spondias mombin)

Family: Anacardiaceae
Taxon: Spondias mombin L.
Synonyms: Spondias lutea, S. aurantiaca, S. axillaris. S cytherea, S. dubia, S. graveolens, S. lucida, S myrobalanus, S. nigrescens, S. pseudomyrobalanus, S purpurea, S. radlkoferi, S. venulosa, S. zansee
Common names: acaiba, acaja, acaja, acajaiba, acaju ajuela, agria, binbish-sheshon, caja, caja-mirim, caja-pequeno, cajazeira, cajazeiro, cajazeiro-miudo, cancharana, cansa boca, canyarana, ciruela amarilla, diji, ciruela, ciruelo, hog plum, hubas, hubo, hubus, imbu, imbuzeiro, itahuba, Jamaica-plum, jobo, jocote, joshin heshon, marope, metsoqui, mombin, mompe, serigiiela, sheshon, sheson, shungi ushun, shungo, shungu, tapareba, tapereba, taperiba, taperiba ubo, tobo de la raontana, tronador, tsiyoroqui, ubos Colorado, ubos, ushum, ushun, uvo, xuxoon), yellow mombin, ylopo
Parts Used: bark, leaves, flowers, fruit, root

UBOS LEAF                                               HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: kills bacteria kills viruses reduces anxiety aids digestion kills candida stimulates uterus expels worms stops convulsions

Other Actions: calms and sedates kills parasites relieves pain suppress cough

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

UBOS BARK                                              HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: reduces inflammations relieves pain reduces spasms kills fungi heals wounds heals rashes stops bleeding

Other Actions: contraceptive kills bacteria

Standard Dosage Bark Decotion: 1 cup 2-3 times daily Tincture: 2ml twice daily

Ubos is the Peruvian name for this tropical fruit tree. In the English-speaking tropics it is often called "hog plum." This deciduous tree is erect and grows to 20 meters tall with a trunk 60-75 cm in diameter.

Ubos is native to the lowland moist forests of the Amazon in Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, the three Guianas, as well as southern Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, and the West Indies. It is strictly tropical and rarely occurs above about 1,000 meters in elevation.

Ubos leaves and bark contains tannins, saponins, flavonoids, sterols, quinones, and antioxidant chemicals. The leaves have been reported to contain several salicylic acid derivatives (aspirin is a type of salicylic acid) which probably explains the traditional use of the leaves for various types of pain. The bark and leaves also contains a well known chemical with pain-relieving actions called caryophyllene. The leaves are also a significant source of another chemical called chlorogenic acid. This natural plant chemical has been reported with antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory actions.

Ubos was reported with uterine stimulant actions as well as abortive effects in three studies. Ubos leaves were also reported with smooth muscle relaxant actions, uterine antispasmodic, sedative and anticonvulsant actions, and anti-anxiety actions. In addition, ubos leaves have long been used traditionally to treat parasitic and intestinal worms in humans and animals.

In other test tube studies, ubos leaves have been reported with antioxidant actions, antibacterial actions, antiviral actions, anti-candidal actions, and hemostatic actions. One study indicated that ubos leaves had the ability to inhibit beta-lactamase — an enzyme produced by certain bacteria that inactivates penicillin and results in resistance to that antibiotic. Its reported antiviral actions (against herpes, HIV, cocksacie, poliovirus, and rotoviruses) might be explained by reports that ubos has the ability to inhibit reverse transcriptase — a chemical required by many viruses to replicate.

The bark and/or stembark of ubos has also been studied by scientists. It was reported with anti-inflammatory actions i which might be explained by another study reporting that ubos had COX-inhibitor actions in vitro (an enzyme involved in the creation of inflammation in the body). The bark has also been reported with antibacterial actions in test tube studies but was not as effective as the leaves. It was also reported to inhibit human rotovirus by 82% in vitro which might explain its long standing use for diarrhea. Other in vitro testing researchers also reported that ubos bark has strong antifungal and anti-candidal actions.

Ubos bark and leaves have both been studied for their antitumorous and anticancerous effects.

In 2002, a U.S. patent was filed on a cosmetic product that contained an extract of ubos leaves. In the patent, the French researchers indicated that ubos leaves had de-pigmenting, antioxidant, anti-aging, cellular metabolism stimulation, and sunscreen effects for the skin.


Ubos is widely relied on for various herbal remedies for numerous conditions and virtually every part of the tree is used — from its thick corky bark, to its leaves, fruits, roots, to even its flowers. Usually different properties and actions are attributed to different parts of the tree.

In South American herbal medicine systems as well as in other parts of the world ubos leaves are widely used for female reproductive tracts issues. It is a common midwife's remedy to help induce labor, reduce bleeding and pain during and after childbirth, to bring on the flow of breast milk, and as a vaginal wash to prevent or treat uterine or vaginal infections after childbirth. The leaves are also a common remedy for various digestive problems including stomachaches, diarrhea, dyspepsia, gastralgia, colic, and constipation. The leaves are considered to be antiviral, antibacterial, anticandidal, and antiseptic and used in numerous microbial problems including colds and flu, cystitis, urethritis, sore throats, herpes, yeast infections, gonorrhea, eye and ear infections, and used externally for infected wounds, cuts, burns, and rashes. The leaves are also considered to be an excellent vermifuge and anthelmintic and often used for intestinal worms and parasites in humans as well as their livestock.

The bark of the ubos tree is also employed by midwives. It is widely used as a contraceptive and abortive, as well as for ovarian and uterine cancer. It is considered analgesic and antispasmodic and used for arthritis, rheumatism, muscle and joint pain, injuries and inflammation. The bark contains a great deal of astringent tannins and is usually prepared in decoctions for diarrhea and dysentery, blenorrhagia, hemorrhoids, and for internal and external wounds and bleeding. In addition, the bark is also used for tonsilitis, laryngitis, malaria, fever, erysipelas, bladder and kidney stones, snakebite, and intestinal ulcers . The bark is also considered to be a good topical antiseptic and healing remedy for all types of wounds, rashes, psoriasis, dermatitis, leishmaniasis, leprosy, and other skin problems.

The many small fragrant flowers of ubos are also used in herbal medicine. They are typically prepared in an infusion and used for eye infections and cataracts, as a soothing tea for sore throat, laryngitis and mouth sores, as well as a heart tonic. The root is used as an antimicrobial for tuberculosis, diarrhea and vaginal infections. The fruit is eaten as a mild laxative but in large quantities it is considered to be emetic (induces vomiting).

Following up a breif summary of ethnomedical uses of ubos:

Region	Uses
Africa	for bleeding, childbirth, chronic diarrhea, constipation, coughs, diarrhea, fever, gonorrhea, postpartum hemorrhage, stomach problems, tapeworm, and yaws
Belize	for diarrhea, dysentery, gonorrhea, inflammation, insect bites, sores, sore throat, rashes, weakness, and wounds
Bolivia	for injuries and wounds
Brazil	as an anthelmintic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory. antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, diuretic, emetic, molluscicidal, refrigerant, stimulant, stomachic, tonic, and vermifuge; for angina, blenorrhagia, childbirth complications, colic, constipation, cystitis, debility, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, erysipelas, eye problems, eye infections, fever, gastralgia, gonorrhea, heart tonic, heart palpitations, hemorrhoids, herpes, intestinal worms, laryngitis, malaria, mouth inflammation, prostatitis, sore throat, stomach pain, stomach ulcers, tonsilitis, sore throat, urethritis, uterine disorders, vaginal infections, vaginal disorders, and weakness
Colombia	as a contraceptive; for diarrhea, menstrual disorders, vaginal infections, and wounds
Cuba	for uterine cancer
Guianas	for colds, coughs, diarrhea, dysentery, eye infections, fatigue, gonorrhea, hemorrhages, mouth sores, sores, stomachache, wounds, and as an abortifacient
Haiti	as a laxative; for coughs, gonorrhea, ophthalmia, sore throat, and urethritis
Mexico	for bladder problems, dysentery, and kidney stones
Nicaragua	for diarrhea, fever, infections, skin rashes, sores, and wounds
Nigeria	as an abortifacient, anti-inflammatory, childbirth aid, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hemostat, laxative, and oxytocic (induces labor); for burns, childbirth, cholera, cough, cuts, diarrhea, dizziness, eye ailments, fever, gonorrhea, malignant tumors, nervous disorders, sore throat, sores, stomach pains, tapeworm, thrush, wounds, and yaws
Peru	as an analgesic, antibacterial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, cicatrizant, contraceptive, hemostat, stomachic, and vulnerary; for anemia, asthma, bacterial infections, blenorrhagia, cataracts, childbirth aid, childbirth, cuts, cystitis, cysts, debility, dehydration, dermatitis, diarrhea, digestive problems, dysentery, erysipelas, erythema, excessive menstrual bleeding, female reproductive tract disorders, fevers, fungal infections, gastritis, genital disorders, heat rash, hemorrhages, hemorrhoids, herpes, infections, intestinal ulcers, kidney problems, laryngitis, leishmaniasis, menstrual pain, ovarian cancer, postpartum infections, psoriasis, rashes, renal problems, skin fungi, skin eruptions, snakebite, sore throat, stomach problems, stomach pain, tonsilitis, tuberculosis, ulcers, urethritis, uterine problems, vaginal problems, vaginal infections, wounds, and yeast infections
Trinidad	as an astringent, and gargle; for colds, diarrhea, erysipelas, nephritis, sores, sore throat, and thrush
Venezuela	for coughs, diarrhea, dysentery, pertussis, skin lesions, and stomachaches
Elsewhere	for childbirth, colds, coughs, diarrhea, dysentery, edema, gonorrhea, hemorrhoids, leprosy, leucorrhea, urethritis, and wounds

UBOS LEAF

Main Preparation Method:	infusion or capsules
Main Actions (in order):	antibacterial, antiviral, anthelminthic, stomachic, anti-anxiety
Main Uses:	as a broad spectrum antiseptic and antibacterial for viruses for intestinal worms and parasites as a menstrual regulator and for menstrual pain, cramps and irregularity, vaginal infections and yeast infections. as a nervine; for stress and anxiety
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	abortifacient, anthelmintic, antibacterial, anticandidal, anticarcinogenic, anticonvulsant, antidopaminergic, antifungal, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antiviral, anti-yeast, anxiolytic, cytotoxic, smooth muscle relaxant, hemostatic, sedative, and uterine stimulant
Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	abortifacient, anthelmintic, antibacterial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitussive, antiviral, astringent, diuretic, hemostat, lactagogue, oxytocic, refrigerant, stimulant, stomachic, tonic, vermifuge, and vulnerary
Cautions:	Do not use if pregnant. Do not use if allergic to aspirin.

 

UBOS BARK

Main Preparation Method:	decoction or tincture
Main Actions (in order):	anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, vulnerary, antimicrobial
Main Uses:	as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis, muscle and joint injuries, etc. as a pain-reliever for various types of internal and external pains as an astringent and antiseptic wound healer for rashes, cuts, wounds, abrasions and other skin conditions for rotoviral diarrhea and dysentery for ovarian and uterine cancer
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	antibacterial, anti-candidal, anti-carcinomic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, COX-inhibitor, cytotoxic, and uterine stimulant
Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	abortive, analgesic, anti-arthritic, antibacterial, anticancerous, antidysenteric, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antiulcerous, antiviral, astringent, cicatrizant, contraceptive, hemostat, and vulnerary
Cautions:	Do not use if pregnant or seeking to become pregnant.

UBOS LEAF AND BARK

Traditional Preparation:	Leaves: infusion Bark: decotions or tincture
Contraindications:	Ubos leaves are traditionally used as a childbirth aid to induce labor and as an abortive.Do not use if you are pregnant unless under the direct supervision of a medical practitioner. Ubos bark is traditionally used as a contraceptive. While no studies support this traditional use, women seeking to become pregnant should probably avoid use of this plant. Ubos leaves contains salicylic acid derivatives. If allergic or sensitive to aspirin or salicylic acid, avoid use of the leaves.
Drug Interactions:	None reported. Ubos leaves may have sedative and anti-anxiety effects and as such, the leaves might enhance the effect of other sedative and anti-anxiety medications

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