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| CHÁ DE BUGRE |
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Cordia
Species: salicifolia, escalyculata
Common
Names: Chá de Bugre, Porangaba, Cafezinho, Café do Mato,
Claraiba, Café de Bugre, Cha de Frade, Louro-salgueiro, Louro-mole, Boid
D'Inde, Bois D'Ine, Coquelicot
Part Used: Leaves,
Fruit, Bark
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| DESCRIPTION |
| Properties/Actions: |
Antiviral, Diuretic, Cardiotonic, Febrifuge, Stimulant |
| Phytochemicals: |
Allatoin, Caffeine, Potassium |
| Traditional Remedy: |
One-half cup leaf infusion 2-3 times daily 30 minutes prior to a
meal or 2-3 ml of a 4:1 leaf tincture twice daily. 2 to 3 grams of
powdered leaf in tablets or capsules 1-3 times daily can be
substituted if desired.
See Traditional Herbal Remedies
Preparation Methods page if necessary for definitions. |
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| COUNTRY |
ETHNOBOTANY WORLDWIDE USES |
Brazil |
Diuretic, Cardiotonic, Circulatory Stimulant, Cough, Febrifuge,
Obesity |
Haiti |
Bechic, Pectoral, Stomachic |
Japan |
Antiviral, Herpes |
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Chá de Bugre is a small tree growing 8-12 meters in height
with a trunk 30-40 cm in diameter It is indigenous to Brazil. It can be
found in large quantities in the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais,
Bahia, Acre and Goias. It is also found in tropical forest areas of
Argentina and Paraguay. In Brazil the tree is classified as Cordia
salicifolia and in Paraguay the same tree is classified at Cordia escalyculata. In Brazil, it is commonly called Café
do Mato or Coffee of the Woods because it produces a red fruit
resembling a coffee bean which is roasted and brewed into tea as a
coffee substitute. And like coffee, Chá de Bugre berries or fruits
contain caffeine. |
Chá de Bugre products are highly commercialized in Brazil where
teabags, fluid extracts and tinctures of Cha de Bugre are commonly seen
in pharmacies and stores. It is a common weight loss product which is
popular as a diuretic, appetite suppressant, and believed to help
prevent or reduce fatty deposits and cellulite.(1) Dr. C.L.
Cruz in his book, Dictionary of the Plants Used in Brazil,
recommends Chá de Bugre as an excellent diuretic and weight loss aid as
well as a good general heart tonic which can help stimulate
circulation.(2) It is also used in Brazil and Haiti as a tea
to help relieve coughs. |
Since Chá de Bugre is a commonly sold and popular natural product,
very little clinical research or interest in Brazil has been shown in
studying the plant. A Japanese university however has discovered some
money1 uses for Cha de Bugre. In 1990, they demonstrated that 2.5 mcg/ml of
an ethanol leaf extract reduced Herpes Virus Type I virus penetration by
99% when they pretreated Hela cells with the extract.(3) In
1994, they demonstrated that the Herpes I virus yield was reduced by 33%
with as little as .25 mcg/ml and also discovered that it had cytotoxic
activity against cancer cells, demonstrating a 40% inhibition with a 50
mcg/ml methanol extract of the branches and leaves.(4) Then
in 1997, research with rabbits and guinea pigs indicated cardiotonic and
increased cardiovascular properties of Chá de Bugre
leaves.(5) |
| Footnotes |
- Bernardes, Antonio, A Pocket Book of Brazilian Herbs,
Editora e Arta Ltda, 1984
- Cruz, G.L. Dicionario Das Plantas Uteis Do Brasil, 5th
ed., Bertrand: 1995. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Hayashi K, et.al., Antiviral activity of an
extract of Cordia salicifolia on herpes simplex virus type 1. Planta Med, 56: 5, 1990 Oct, 439-43
- Arisawa, M., et.al., Cell growth inhibition of KB Cells by Plant
Extracts. Natual Medicines, 48 4: 338-347 (1994)
- Matsunaga, K., et.al., Excitatory and inhibitory effects of
paraguayan medicinal plants Equisetum giganteum, Acanthpspermum
australe, Allophylus edlis and Cordia salicifolia on contraction of
rabbit aorta and giunea-pig left atrium. Natural Medicines,
51, 478-481 (1997).
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| Quoted References |
"Features: Chá de Buge is a small bush with white
flowers. It produces small red fruits, similar in appearance to coffee
beans, and for this reason the plant is also called "Coffee of the
Woods." It grows in the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Goias and
Bahia. A herbal tea is made from the complete
plant.
Brazilian uses and Folklore: Chá de bugre is
a very popular herb in Brazil, used by the whole population - from city
dwellers to rual people. The tea sells especially well in the summer
months, when people want to be in shape for the beach. It is helpful in
cases of obesity because it gently reduces the appetite. Chá de Bugre
contains natural caffeine. It is a mild diuretic and is useful in
relieving water retention. It also helps avoid the formation of fatty
deposits.. Uses: Influential in weight loss
programs, mild diuretic and appetite controller." |
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