Chuchuhuasi: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Chuchuhuasi is a tree. The bark, root, and leaf are used to make medicine.

Chuchuhuasi is used for joint and back pain, diarrhea, complications after childbirth, and sexual arousal, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its use for any condition.

As a food, chuchuhuasi is used as a flavoring agent.

Some chemicals in chuchuhuasi might slow cancer growth.

How does it work ?

Some chemicals in chuchuhuasi might slow cancer growth.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

Arthritis.
Back pain.
Broken bones.
Diarrhea.
Complications after childbirth.
Joint pain.
Sexual arousal.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of chuchuhuasi for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chuchuhuasi is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chuchuhuasi is safe or what the side effects might be.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chuchuhuasi is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Chuchuhuasi overview.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of chuchuhuasi depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for chuchuhuasi. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Melo AM, Jardim ML, De Santana CF, et al. First observations on the topical use of Primin, Plumbagin and Maytenin in patients with skin cancer. Rev Inst Antibiot (Recife) 1974;14(1-2):9-16.

Perez-Victoria JM, Tincusi BM, Jimenez IA, et al. New natural sesquiterpenes as modulators of daunomycin resistance in a multidrug-resistant Leishmania tropica line. J Med Chem 1999;42(21):4388-93.

Nakagawa H, Takaishi Y, Fujimoto Y, et al. Chemical constituents from the Colombian medicinal plant Maytenus laevis. J Nat Prod 2004;67(11):1919-24.

Shirota O, Sekita S, Satake M, et al. Two cangorosin A type triterpene dimers from Maytenus chuchuhuasca. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2004;52(9):1148-50.

Shirota O, Sekita S, Satake M, et al. Nine new isoxuxuarine-type triterpene dimers from Maytenus chuchuhuasca. Chem Biodivers 2004;1(9):1296-1307.

Shirota O, Sekita S, Satake M, et al. Nine regioisomeric and stereoisomeric triterpene dimers from Maytenus chuchuhuasca. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2004;52(6):739-46.

Chavez H, Estevez-Braun A, Ravelo AG, Gonzalez AG. Friedelane triterpenoids from Maytenus macrocarpa. J Nat Prod 1998;61(1):82-5.

Chavez H, Rodriguez G, Estevez-Braun A, et al. Macrocarpins A-D, new cytotoxic nor-triterpenes from Maytenus macrocarpa. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2000;10(8):759-62.

Torpocco V, Chavez H, Estevez-Braun A, Ravelo AG. New dammarane triterpenes from Maytenus macrocarpa. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2007;55(5):812-4.

Chavez H, Callo N, Estevez-Braun A, et al. Sesquiterpene polyol esters from the leaves of maytenus macrocarpa. J Nat Prod 1999;62(11):1576-7.

Gonzalez JG, delle Monache G, delle Monache F, Marini-Bettolo GB. Chuchuhuasha - a drug used in folk medicine in the Amazonian and Andean areas. A chemical study of Maytenus laevis. J Ethnopharmacol 1982;5(1):73-7.

Morita H, Hirasawa Y, Muto A, et al. Antimitotic quinoid triterpenes from Maytenus chuchuhuasca. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2008;18(3):1050-2.

Piacente S, Tommasi ND, Pizza C. Laevisines A and B: two new sesquiterpene-pyridine alkaloids from maytenus laevis. J Nat Prod 1999;62(1):161-3.

Salazar A, Loja B, Rabanal A, et al. Comparación de los usos del chuchuhuasi (Maytenus macrocarpa) entre indígenas Bora-Bora de Loreto y chamanes de Lima (Perú). Revista de Fitoterapia 2013;13(1):61-69.

Patel D, Kaur G, Sawant MG, Deshmukh P. Herbal Medicine - A natural cure to arthritis. Indian J Nat Prod Resources 2013;4(1):27-33.

Simons A. The Healing Power of Plants. Medicinal Plants from Abuta and Acerola to Yohimbe and Yucca: a Practical Selection. Coburg, Germany: MayaMedia Publishing, 2013.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Copyright © 1995-2025 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.