Pata de Vaca small tree growing from 5 to 9 meters in height with large divided leaves resembling a cow's hoof, that are distinctive to the Bauhinia genus. It produces large drooping white flowers and a brown seed pod which looks like the mimosa seed pod. It can be found in the rainforests and tropical parts of Peru and Brazil, as well as tropical zones of Asia, eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina. It is quite prevalent in Rio de Janeiro and Brazil's Atlantic rainforest in the South.

The indigenous uses of Pata de Vaca is not well documented but it has long held a place in Brazilian herbal medicine. It is described as hypoglycemic, depurative, and diuretic⁽¹⁾ and has been used for over 60 years to balance blood sugar levels in diabetics. It is considered a good blood cleanser and a leaf decoction is used internally and externally for elephantitis and snakebite⁽¹⁾ as well as other skin problems including those of a syphilitic nature.⁽²⁾ It is well established in Brazilian herbal medicine and highly regarded treatment for diabetes, even being called "Vegetable Insulin."⁽²⁾ It is widely used in South America by diabetics to help balance blood sugar levels as well as help with other symptoms produced by diabetes like polyuria, renal disorders, and other urinary problems.^{(2, 3)} Pata de Vaca leaves and teabags are a common item on pharmacy shelves in South America and normally a leaf tea is drunk after each meal to help balance sugar levels.⁽⁴⁾

Pata de Vaca's hypoglycemic activity was first reported in a 1929 clinical study and was followed by another study in 1931.^{(5, 6)} Another study was funded in 1945 to try and determine the active constituents responsible for its activity.⁽⁷⁾ However, since a simple leaf-tea was shown to help balance sugar levels, it became a popular natural remedy and no other studies were done for many years due to a lack of funding for non-proprietary remedies and drugs. In the mid-80's when herbal remedies were again popular, Pata de Vaca's continued use as a natural insulin substitute were reported once again in two new studies.^{(8, 9)}

Pata de Vaca continues to be a popular natural medicine in South America for diabetes. North American practitioners and herbalists are now using it for diabetes, hyperglycemia and polyuria as well.^{(10, 11)}

1 "The Brazilians discovered that Pata de Vaca can be used as an insulin substitute for diabetics. It combats the polyuria (frequent urination) that accompanies diabetes and normalizes the frequency of urination. It also prevents hyperglycemia, (high blood sugar). Pata de Vaca may have diuretic properties in non-diabetics." 2 "Pata-de-vaca has been widely used in Brazil for treatment of diabetes." 3 "Pata-De-Vaca is widely used in Brazil to combat diabetes." "Brazilian uses and Folklore: In his book, "Cura com Yoga e Plantas Medicinais" Chiang Sing recounts the experience of one Friar Luiz Maria. This priest was a diabetic. In the early 1950's, Friar Luiz Maria heard about a plant that could cure the symptoms of diabetes. He travelled to Campo Grande in search of a doctor named Christophe, who made preparations from this plant. Dr. Christophe himself had learned about this plant from the Indians and local farmers. The Friar met Dr. Christophe, took the extract made from Pata-de-Vaca, and in 40 days he was in fine condition (p. 160). Pata-de-Vaca has been widely used for years, but it is only recently that clinics and pharmacologists have begun to study the plant that has so long received public praise. As an herbal tea Pata-de-Vaca is often taken together with Pedra Hume Caa. Uses: Helpful in treating diabetes. Used in homeopathy as a mother tincture." 19 "Bauhinia sp.
MED08: Medicinal uses: treats diarrhea
MED29: Medicinal uses: Tonic
FUE03: Fuel Sources: resin/latex used for incandescense
MIS05: Miscellaneous uses: leaves for trail marker
General tonic. Plants used as tonics (i.e., therapies for general well-being and strength) are called he-o-ha-puhan ‘weary-agentive-remedy'. Five folk species are used as tonics, Bauhinia, Drypetes, Laetia, Clarisia, and several water vine species of the dillenia family. As tonics, a root decoction of [bauhinia] is taken orally; . . ." 21 "Bauhinia Linnaeus
The armed or unarmed shrubs, small trees and lianas in this genus of more than 500 species are cosmopolitan in the tropics.Many of the lianas have oddly flattened or twisted stems. There is considerable variety in floral structure, and several groups of species are occasionally assigned to other genera.
Tannins are known in the genus (El Sherbeiny, 1971); flavonoid glycosides have been isolated from several species (Duret, 1977; Chen, 1984); catechols have been obtained from B. glauca (Dzhemukhadze, 1972), chalcones from B. purpurea (Bhartiya, 1981) and alkaloids from B. pauletia (Saenz, 1970).
REFERENCES:
El Sherbeiny, A. E. A., N. A. M. Saleh and H. 1. El Sissi, Qual. Plant. Mater. Veg. 20 (1971) 285 (C. A. 76:83513n).
Duret, S. and R. R. Paris, Plant. Med. Phytother. 11 (1977) 213.
Chen, C. C., Y. P. Chen et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull. 32 (1984) 166.
Dzhemukhadze, K. M. and T. S. Mgaloblishvili, Prikl. Biokhim. Mikrobiol. 8 (1972) 207 (C. A. 77:2810c).
Bhartiya, H. P. and P. C. Gupta, Phytochemistry 20 (1981) 2051.
Saenz R., A. J. and M. Nassar C., Rev. Biol. Trop. 18 (1970) 129 (C. A. 76:138176n)."