Calaguala combines two species of rainforest ferns (Polypodium leucotomos and Polypodium decumanum) that are known locally as kalawalla, calaguala, and samambaia in South American countries.
These ferns are commonly used among Amazon tribes for psoriasis and other skin conditions; Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and memory problems; autoimmune disorders.
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Ingredients: 100% pure calaguala rhizome (Polypodium leucotomos) and samambaia rhizome and leaf (Polypodium decumanum) or chemical additives or preservatives are used.
Suggested Use: As dietary supplement, take 2 capsules 3 times daily.
Contraindications: Some laboratory studies have shown that these two ferns may enhance the effects of the heart drug digitalis (a medication commonly used to increase the force of heart contractions in those diagnosed with certain heart conditions). It is therefore recommended not to use Calaguala Extract in combination with digitalis; and persons with any heart condition should seek the advice of a qualified health practitioner prior to using this product.
Drug Interactions: Calaguala may potentiate the effects of digitalis and/or other digitalis-type prescription heart drugs.
Also Suggested:
- Amazon Vitality, a proprietary blend of Rainfroest botanicals (calaguala included) used as folk remedies to protect and tonify brain and skin cells
- Brain Support, a proprietary blend of Rainforest botanicals (calaguala included) used by shamans to support brain functions
- Skin-P Support, 100% natural blend of Rainforest botanicals used by Shamans for skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, rosacea, and as support to damaged and sensitive skins
References on Samambaia/Kalawalla/Calaguala
Anti-psoriasis Actions:
Navarro-Blasco, F. J., et al. “Modification of the inflammatory activity of psoriatic arthritis in patients treated with extract of Polypodium leucotomos (Anapsos).” Br. J. Rheumatol. 1998; 37(8): 912.
Vasange, M., et al. “A sulphonoglycolipid from the fern Polypodium decumanum and its effect on the platelet activating factor receptor in human neutrophils.” J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1997; 49(5): 562–617.
Vasange, M., et al. “Flavonoid constituents of two Polypodium species (Calaguala) and their effect on the elastase release in human neutrophils.” Planta Med. 1997; 63(6): 511–17.
Vasange, M., et al. “The fern Polypodium decumanum, used in the treatment of psoriasis, and its fatty acid constituents as inhibitors of leukotriene B4 formation.” Prostaglandins Leukotrienes Essent. Fatty Acids 1994; 50: 279–284.
Tuominen, M., et al. “Effects of calaguala and an active principle, adenosine, on platelet activating factor.” Planta Med. 1992; 58(4): 306–10.
Jimenez, D., et al. “Anapsos, an antipsoriatic drug, in atopic dermatitis.” Allergol. Immunopathol. 1987; 15(4):185–9.
Jimenez, D., et al. “Anapsos modifies immunological parameters and improves the clinical course in atopic dermatitis.” Dermatologica 1986; 173(3):154–5.
Pineiro Alvarez, B. “2 years personal experience in anapsos treatment of psoriasis in various clinical forms.” Med. Cutan. Ibero. Lat. Am. 1983; 11(1): 65–72.
Vargas, J., et al. “Anapsos, an antipsoriatic drug which increases the proportion of suppressor cells in human peripheral blood.” Ann. Immunol. 1983; 134C(3):393–400.
Del Pino Gamboa, J., et al. “Comparative study between 120 mg. of anapsos and a placebo in 37 psoriasis patients.” Med. Cutan. Ibero. Lat. Am. 1982; 10(3): 203–8.
Capella Perez, M. C., et al. “Double-blind study using ‘anapsos’ 120 mg. in the treatment of psoriasis.” Actas Dermosifiliogr. 1981; 72(9-10): 487-94.
Mercadal Peyri, O., et al. “Preliminary communication on the treatment of psoriasis with anapsos.” Actas Dermosifiliogr. 1981; 72(1–2): 65–8.
Padilla, H. C. “A new agent (hydrophilic fraction of Polypodium leucotomos) for management of psoriasis.” Int. J. Dermatol. 1974; 13(5): 276–82.
Sunscreen & Skin Cellular Repair Actions:
Reyes, E., et al. “Systemic immunomodulatory effects of Polypodium leucotomos as an adjuvant to PUVA therapy in generalized vitiligo: A pilot study.” J. Dermatol. Sci. 2006 Jan 16;
Capote, R., et al. “Polypodium leucotomos extract inhibits trans-urocanic acid photoisomerization and photodecomposition.” J. Photochem. Photobiol. B. 2005 Dec 30;
Middelkamp-Hup, M. A., et al. “Oral Polypodium leucotomos extract decreases ultraviolet-induced damage of human skin.” J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2004 Dec; 51(6): 910-8.
Middelkamp-Hup, M. A., et al. “Orally administered Polypodium leucotomos extract decreases psoralen-UVA- induced phototoxicity, pigmentation, and damage of human skin.” J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2004; 50(1): 41-9.
Philips, N., et al. “Predominant effects of Polypodium leucotomos on membrane integrity, lipid peroxidation, and expression of elastin and matrixmetalloproteinase-1 in ultraviolet radiation exposed fibroblasts, and keratinocytes.” J. Dermatol. Sci. 2003 Jun; 32(1): 1-9.
Alonso-Lebrero, J. L., et al. “Photoprotective properties of a hydrophilic extract of the fern Polypodium leucotomos on human skin cells.” J. Photochem. Photobiol. B. 2003 Apr; 70(1): 31-7.
Alcaraz, M. V., et al. “An extract of Polypodium leucotomos appears to minimize certain photoaging changes in a hairless albino mouse animal model. A pilot study.” Photodermatol. Photoimmunol. Photomed. 1999; 15(3–4): 120–26.
Gonzalez, S., et al. “Topical or oral administration with an extract of Polypodium leucotomos prevents acute sunburn and psoralen-induced phototoxic reactions as well as depletion of Langerhans cells in human skin.” Photodermatol. Photoimmunol. Photomed. 1997; 13(1–2): 50–60.
Pathak, M. A., et al. “Polypodium extract as photoprotectant.” U.S. patent no. 5, 614, 197; 1997.
Gonzalez, S., et al. “Inhibition of ultraviolet-induced formation of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, erythema and skin photosensitization by Polypodium leucotomos.” Photodermatol. Photoimmunol. Photomed. 1996; 12(2): 45
Mohammad A. “Vitiligo repigmentation with Anapsos (Polypodium leucotomos)." Int. J. Dermatol. 1989; 28(7): 479.
Anti-Alzheimer’s & Brain Cell Protection Actions:
Alvarez, X. A., et al. “Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study with anapsos in senile dementia: effects on cognition, brain bioelectrical activity and cerebral hemodynamics." Methods Find. Exp. Clin. Pharmacol. 2000; 22(7): 585–94.
Cacabelos, R., et al. “A pharmacogenomic approach to Alzheimer’s disease.” Acta Neurol. Scand. Suppl. 2000; 176: 12–19.
Alvarez, X. A., et al. “Anapsos improves learning and memory in rats with Beta-Amyloid (1-28) deposits in the hippocampus” Progress in Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s Diseases, Ed. Fisher, A., Yoshida, M. and Hannin, I., Plenum Press, New York, 1998; pp. 699-703
Nikolov, R. “Alzheimer's disease therapy - an update.” Drug News Perspect. 1998 May; 11(4): 248-55.
Alvarez, X. A., et al. “Anapsos reverses interleukin-1 beta overexpression and behavioral deficits in nbM-lesioned rats.” Methods Find. Exp. Clin. Pharmacol. 1997; 19(5): 299–309.
Fernandez-Novoa, L., et al. “Effects of Anapsos on the activity of the enzyme Cu-Zn-superoxide dismutase in an animal model of neuronal degeneration.” Methods Find. Exp. Clin. Pharmacol. 1997; 19(2): 99–106.
Quintanilla A. E., et al. “Pharmaceutical composition of activity in the treatment of cognitive and/or neuroimmune dysfunctions.” U.S. patent no. 5,601,829; 1997.
Anti-inflammatory Actions:
Punzon, C., et al. “In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Phlebodium decumanum. Modulation of tumor necrosis factor and soluble TNF receptors.” Int. Immunopharmacol. 2003; 3(9): 1293-9.
Manna, S. K., et al. ”Calagualine inhibits nuclear transcription factors-kappaB activated by various inflammatory and tumor promoting agents.” Cancer Lett. 2003; 190(2): 171-82.
Navarro-Blasco, F. J., et al. “Modification of the inflammatory activity of psoriatic arthritis in patients treated with extract of Polypodium leucotomos (Anapsos).” Br. J. Rheumatol. 1998; 37(8): 912.
Immune Modulating Actions:
Reyes, E., et al. “Systemic immunomodulatory effects of Polypodium leucotomos as an adjuvant to PUVA therapy in generalized vitiligo: A pilot study.” J. Dermatol. Sci. 2006 Jan 16;
Nogal-Ruiz, J. J., “Modulation by Polypodium leucotomos extract of cytokine patterns in experimental trichomoniasis model.” Parasite. 2003 Mar; 10(1): 73-8.
Sempere-Ortells, J. M., et al. “Anapsos (Polypodium leucotomos) modulates lymphoid cells and the expression of adhesion molecules.” Pharmacol. Res. 2002; 46(2): 185–90.
Gonzalez, S., et al. “An extract of the fern Polypodium leucotomos (Difur) modulates Th1/Th2 cytokines balance in vitro and appears to exhibit anti-angiogenic activities in vivo: Pathogenic relationships and therapeutic implications.” Anticancer Res. 2000; 20(3a): 1567–75.
Sempere-Ortells , J. M., et al. “Effect of Anapsos (Polypodium leucotomos extract) on in vitro production of cytokines.” Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 1997; 43(1): 85–9.
Bernd, A., et al. “In vitro studies on the immunomodulating effects of Polypodium leucotomos extract on human leukocyte fractions.” Arzneimittelforschung. 1995; 45(8): 901–4.
Rayward, J. et al. ”Polypodium leucotomos (PL), an herbal extract, inhibits the proliferative response of T. lymphocytes to polyclonal mitogens.” Second Intl. Cong. on Biol. Response Modifiers, San Diego, U.S.A. 1993.
Tuominen, M., et al., “Enhancing effect of extract Polypodium leucotomos on the prevention of rejection on skin transplants” Phytotherapy Research 1991; 5: 234–37.
Antioxidant Actions:
Garcia, F., et al. "Phenolic components and antioxidant activity of Fernblock, an aqueous extract of the aerial parts of the fern Polypodium leucotomos." Methods Find Exp. Clin. Pharmacol. 2006 Apr; 28(3): 157-60.
Gombau, L., et al. “Polypodium leucotomos extract: Antioxidant activity and disposition.” Toxicol. In Vitro. 2006 Jun; 20(4): 464-71.
Gomes, A. J., et al. “The antioxidant action of Polypodium leucotomos extract and Kojic acid: Reactions with reactive oxygen species.” Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. 2001; 34(11): 1487–94
WARNINGS: Information, statements and products on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. The natural properties of the botanicals are only referred to their common uses among folk and herbal traditions. Our products are not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease as well. It's not meant to give any suggestion of diagnosis or disesase treatment. Please see a doctor when needed.