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Cumaseba Bark Powder


This product is no longer sold by Raintree Nutrition, Inc. See the main product page for more information on why. Click on one of the product search links in the left margin of this page to find other available products. You can also see the rainforest products page to find other companies selling rainforest herbal supplements or rainforest plants in general.

Cumaseba is a tropical rainforest tree that grows up to 15 meters high. It can be found in lower elevations throughout the Amazon basin area in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela and the three Guianas. Cumaseba has a long history of use among the Indians and local people in the Amazon for muscle and joint pain.* For more information about cumaseba (Swartzia polyphylla), please refer to the Database File for Cumaseba in the Tropical Plant Database. More information can also be found in the new Antimicrobial Guide. To see photographs of cumaseba click here.

Traditional Uses:* for rheumatism and arthritis; for painful and/or inflamed joint, muscle and/or bone conditions; as a female hormonal tonic and aphrodisiac; for candida, yeast infections and fungal infections; for colds, flu, tuberculosis and other upper respiratory bacterial infections

Suggested Use: Cumaseba is best prepared as an alcohol tincture. Combine 1 part bark powder with 4 parts 90 proof alcohol (everclear or vodka). Allow to macerate for 2 weeks while agitating solution daily. Strain into a clean bottle and seal. It is traditionally taken in dosages of 2-4 ml (60-120 drops) twice daily or as needed. Can also be used externally by applying to the skin twice daily and letting dry completely. For more complete instructions on preparing herbal tinctures see the Methods for Preparing Herbal Remedies Page.

Contraindications: None reported

Drug Interactions: None reported.

Published Research on Cumaseba


All available third-party research on cumaseba can be found at PubMed. A partial listing of the published research on cumaseba is shown below:

Antibacterial & Antiviral Actions:
Sithisarn, P., et al. "Differential antiviral and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the flavonoids biochanin A and baicalein in H5N1 influenza A virus-infected cells." Antiviral Res. 2012 Oct 23.
Rojas, R., et al. "Anti-mycobacterium tuberculosis activity of Peruvian plants." Plant Med. 2004: 101.
Rojas, R., et al. "Larvicidal, antimycobacterial and antifungal compounds from the bark of the Peruvian plant Swartzia polyphylla DC." Chem. Pharm. Bull. 2006; 54(2): 278-279.
Herforth, A., et al. "Antifungal plants of the Peruvian Amazon: A survey of ethnomedical uses and biological activity." Cornel University Publication 2002.
Osawa, K., et al. "Isoflavanones from the heartwood of Swartzia polyphylla and their antibacterial activity against cariogenic bacteria." Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1992; 40(11): 2970-2974.
Du Bois, J. L., et al. "Dihydrolicoisoflavone, a new isoflavanone from Swartzia polyphylla." J. Nat. Prod. 1995: 58(4): 629-632.

Antifungal & Anticandidal Actions:
Rojas, R., et al. "Larvicidal, antimycobacterial and antifungal compounds from the bark of the Peruvian plant Swartzia polyphylla DC." Chem. Pharm. Bull. 2006; 54(2): 278-279.
Herforth, A., et al. "Antifungal plants of the Peruvian Amazon: A survey of ethnomedical uses and biological activity." Cornel University Publication 2002.
Du Bois, J. L., et al. "Dihydrolicoisoflavone, a new isoflavanone from Swartzia polyphylla." J. Nat. Prod. 1995: 58(4): 629-632.

Protein Kinase C Inhibition Actions:
Du Bois, J. L., et al. "Dihydrolicoisoflavone, a new isoflavanone from Swartzia polyphylla." J. Nat. Prod. 1995: 58(4): 629-632.
Du Bois, J. L., et al. "Fereirinol, a new 3-hydroxyisoflavanone from Swartzia polyphylla." J. Nat. Prod. 1996; 59(9): 902-903.

Anti-inflammatory Actions:
Kole, L., et al. "Biochanin-A, an isoflavon, showed anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities through the inhibition of iNOS expression, p38-MAPK and ATF-2 phosphorylation and blocking NF?B nuclear translocation." Eur J Pharmacol. 2011 Feb 25;653(1-3):8-15
Sithisarn, P., et al. "Differential antiviral and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the flavonoids biochanin A and baicalein in H5N1 influenza A virus-infected cells." Antiviral Res. 2012 Oct 23.

Cytotoxic Actions:
Noel, R., et al. "Anti-tumour screening of Brazilian plants." Pharma. Biol. 2002; 40(8): 603-616.


This is an informational site only and no products are sold. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information contained herein is intended for education, entertainment and information purposes only. This information is not intended to be used to diagnose, prescribe or replace proper medical care. Please refer to our Conditions of Use or using this plant database file and web site.