World of Peruvian Herbs

some medicinal plants of the Andes and the Amazon

Traditional use:

| | | | | | | | | | |
                                                          



CHUCHUHUASI  
 

LATIN NAME: Maytenus laevis

USED PARTS OF THE PLANT:

mainly bark

CURATIVE PROPERTIES: 

Immunomodulation, tonifying, anti-inflammation, anti-spastic, metabolic, anti-fever, painkiller, antihistaminic

 USE IN TRADITIONAL PERUVIAN MEDICINE:
  • Inflammation and degeneration of joints, osteoporosis
  • Muscle ache, spine ache, fibromyalgia
  • Nervous system, fatigue, boosting the brain efficiency
  • Asthma, bronchia
  • Immunology
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Supporting: Parkinson, SM
  • Recuperation after strokes and hemorrhages

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT AND ITS PRESENCE

A tree that grows in the Amazon Jungle. Its exceptionally hard bark contains medical substances. Chuchuhuasi is a wild growing, these days more and more often cultivated tree which can be found in both low and high Amazon Jungle. It likes highly sunny locations on hilltops, away from flooded areas. In Peru, it can be found at the altitude of 400 meters above the sea level, in the lowest part of the Andes. It grows to 30 meters high. The trunk is covered with thick, smooth, brown and green/red shades of bark. The leaves are oval, dermatoid, and shiny. They are 10-20 cm long, and grow on elevated branches. The wood is exceptionally hard.

MORE INFORMATION

The decoction of the Chuchuhuasi bark has anti-inflammation and antalgic properties. It is successfully used for treating kidney inflammation, hepatitis, rheumatism, arthritis,  rheumatic arthritis, osteoporosis, bone ache, muscle ache and fibromyalgia.
It has a stimulating effect on the immune system. It helps with cancer, especially skin cancer, when it is used for drinking as decoction, and external rinsing of the ill places. Additionally, it is used for bronchitis asthma, flu, diarrhea, and helminthiasis. 
It also has antihistaminic properties, tonifying, relaxing, unclenching. It is useful for cardiovascular illnesses and blood circulation disorders.
Chuchuhuasi boosts the efficiency of the brain, it is used for fatigue, after brain strokes, in order to strengthen the nervous system, as support while treating Parkinson and SM.
In Peru the alcohol maceration is popular, and drunk for detoxifying of the organism.
The Peruvians also consider this plant to be aphrodisiac.

USE AND MOST COMMON DOSAGE

1-5 g of bark pour over with cca 700-800ml of water, cook over small fire 20 minutes since boiling. Drain. Drink tepid three times a day one hour before or after a meal. In case of cancer or skin illness it can also be used externally. 
WARNING
is not recommended for children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
The brew used in large amount can speed up the heart beat. If so, lower the dose and drink less of an essence. 
Chuchuhuasi can be used for making liquor. You can use Chuchuhuasi itself, or mix it with Vilcacora and Tahuari, ant pour over with alcohol for at least 3-4 weeks.