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EMBAUBA
Family: Cecropiaceae
Genus: Cecropia
Species: palmata, peltata
Common Name: Embauba, Imbauba, Umbauba, Trumpet Tree, Bois Canon, Bois Trompette, Grayumbe, Grayumbo, Trompette, Trompettier, Yagruma, Yagrumo
Part Used: Leaves
DESCRIPTION
Properties/Actions:
Analgesic, Antifungal, Antiasthmatic, Astringent, Cardiotonic, Cytostatic, Diuretic, Emmenagogueue, Laxative, Purgative
Traditional Remedy:
One-half cup leaf infusion 2 times daily or 1-3 ml of a 4:1 leaf tincture twice daily. 2 to 3 grams of powdered leaf in tablets or capsules twice daily can be substituted if desired.See Traditional Herbal Remedies Preparation Methods page if necessary for definitions.
COUNTRY ETHNOBOTANY: WORLDWIDE USES
Brazil
Bronchitis, Cardiotonic, Cough, Diuretic, Respiratory
Dominican Republic
Blennorrhagia, Callus, Wart
Elsewhere
Corn, Dropsy, Dysentery, Fumitory, Liver, Wart
Haiti
Asthma, Astringent, Bronchitis, Cardiotonic, Cough, Diarrhea, Emmenagogueue, Gonorrhea, Herpes, Wound
Mexico
Asthma, Cardiotonic, Caustic, Chorea, Diabetes, Diuretic, Dropsy, Hepatitis, Nerve, Obesity, Poison, Wart
Venezuela
Astringent, Laxative, Purgative
South America
Medicine, Wart
Trinidad
Bite(Snake), Cough, Fever, Flu, Scorpion
Uruguray
Cardiotonic, Diuretic
A West Indian native, fast-growing, short-lived tree which has large leaves 1 foot across. The sap yields a latex rubber. Young buds are eaten as a cooked vegetable. The fruit is cylindrical with soft, sweet flesh and many small seeds. The tree is propagated by seed.
In Cuban Herbal Medicine, the latex is corrosive and astringent and is used against warts, calluses, herpes, ulcers, dysentery and venereal diseases. The bark is antiblenorragic, the roots antibilious and the fruit is emolient. The leaves are analgesic, ememagogue, and antiasthmatic and are used in affections of the liver and hydropsy. In general one considers that it has cardiovascular, febrifugal, diuretic, hepatic, analgesic and wound healing properties. In Colombia they consider it effective against Parkinson Disease and as a substitute of digitalis. It facilitates childbirth, and menstruations. It is widely used in Latin America for asthma and is touted as a "cure" after only a few weeks of taking a tea brewed from Embauba leaves.

Footnotes:
  1. Fernandez, J. M. Tratado de la arboricultura cubana. Ed. La Fortuna, La Habana, Cuba, 1987, 225 p.

  2. Fuentes, V. R. et al. Comparacion de la utilizacion de las plantas medicinales en la Medicina Tradicional de varios paises. Boletin de rese, Plantas Medicinales, 1986, (15):13-27.

  3. Estudio de la medicina tradicional en Cuba II. Revista de Plantas Medicinales, 1986, (5):13-40 p.

  4. Relacion de plantas medicinales cubanas, Boletin de Rese, Plantas Medicinales 1982 (3):1-62 p.

  5. Guzman, D. J. Especies utiles de la flora Salvadorena. Ed. Nacional, San Salvador, 1924, 678 p

  6. Hernando, P. Flora medica y toxica de Cuba. La propaganda Literaria, La Habana, Cuba, 1900, 1-93 p.

  7. Lopez, A. M. et al. Actividad antineoplasica potencial de extractos de plantas que crecen en Cuba. Revista Cubana de Farmacia, 1981, 15(1):71-77.

  8. Manfred, L. Siete mil recetas botanicas a base de mil trescientas plantas medicinales, Kier, Buenos Aires, 1958, 669 p.

  9. Perez, E. Plantas utiles de Colombia, Camache Roldan, Bogota, 3ra. ed., 1956, 831 p.

  10. Roig, J. T. Diccionario botanico de nombres vulgares cubanos. Consejo Nacional de Universidades, La Habana, Cuba, 3ra. ed. 1965, 1142 p.

  11. Plantas medicinales, aromaticas o venenosas de Cuba. Ed. Ciencia y Tecnica, La Habana, Cuba, 1974, 949 p.

  12. Seoane, J. El folclor medico de Cuba. Ed. Ciencias Sociales, La Habana, Cuba, 1984, 896 p.
Clinical References
  1. Lopez Abraham AM, et al. [Plant extracts with cytostatic properties growing in Cuba. I]. Rev Cubana Med Trop. 1979 May; 31(2): 97-104. Spanish.

  2. Marshall JJ, et al. Characterization of the -D-glucan from the plastids of Cecropia peltata as a glycogen-type polysaccharide. Carbohydr Res. 1973 May; 28(1): 31-37.

  3. Rickson FR. Review of glycogen plastid differentiation in Mullerian body cells of Cecropia peltata. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1973 Feb 9; 210: 104-114.
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