The Healing Power of Rainforest Plants
The Tropical Plant Database
Manacá
Genus: Brunfelsia
Species: uniflora
Synonyms: Brunfelsia hopeana, Franciscea hopeana, Belsleria bonodora
Common Names: Manacá, manacán, chiric sanango, chuchuwasha, manaka, vegetable mercury, managá caa, gambá, jeratacaca, bloom of the lent, camgaba, Christmas bloom, chuchuwasha, gerataca, geratacaca, good night, jerataca, moka pari, Paraguay jasmine, santa maria, umburapuama, white tree
Part Used: Root, bark, leaf
The following text has been reprinted from: The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs © 2005 by Leslie Taylor.
MAIN ACTIONS | OTHER ACTIONS | STANDARD DOSAGE |
| Root | ||
| Decoction: 1/2 cup twice daily | ||
| Capsules: 1 g twice daily | ||
| Tincture: 1-2 ml twice daily | ||
Manacá is a medium-sized, shrubby tree that grows to 8 m in height. It is often cultivated as an ornamental tree in the tropics as it produces highly-fragrant, pretty, white and purple flowers (which are sometimes employed in perfumes). It can be found in the Amazon regions of Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela. In Brazil, manacá is known by several botanical names, including Brunfelsia uniflora, B. hopeana, and Franciscea uniflora. In Europe the plant is known and sold in herbal commerce as Brunfelsia hopeana. All refer to the same plant. Other plant relatives from Colombia and Ecuador include Brunfelsia chiricaspi (from its local name, chiricaspi, which means "tree of chills"), and Brunfelsia grandiflora both of which are used by rainforest Indians as hallucinogens. However, due to the toxicity and unpleasant side effects, use of these plants appears to be on the wane. They are different plants than manacá - but sometimes are confused with manacá for their similar look, growth, and habit.
TRIBAL AND HERBAL MEDICINE USES
Manacá has a long history of indigenous use for both medicine and magic. Its Brazilian common name, manacá, originated with the Tupi Indians in Brazil; they named it after the most beautiful girl in their tribe, Manacán, for its lovely flowers. It is a sacred and spiritual plant used by shamans and curanderos in the potion ayahuasca (a sacred hallucinogen), in special initiation ceremonies, and for bad luck (the chiricaspi and grandiflora species are preferred for ayahuasca brews).
In the Amazon, manacá root is prepared into a tincture with aguardiente (rum) for rheumatism and venereal disease. In Peru (where the local name of the plant is chiricsanango), indigenous peoples apply a decoction of leaves externally for arthritis and rheumatism; they also employ a root decoction for chills. One Amazonian curandero (near Pucallpa, Peru) uses a root tea for adult fevers, arthritis and rheumatism, back pain, common colds, bronchitis, lung disease and tuberculosis, snakebite, and as an enema for kidney disorders and ulcers. Indigenous tribes in the northwest Amazon utilize manacá to increase urination and perspiration in detoxification rituals. They also use it for fever, rheumatism, snakebite, syphilis, and yellow fever. Curanderos and herbal healers along the Amazon River in Ecuador use a root decoction to treat arthritis, rheumatism, colds and flu, uterine pain and cramps, venereal diseases, and to purify the blood - while using a poultice of the leaves as a topical pain-reliever.
In South American herbal medicine, the root of manacá is said to stimulate the lymphatic system. It has long been used for syphilis, earning the name vegetable mercury (mercury was once used to treat syphilis many years ago). In South American medicine systems today, manacá is considered to be an abortive, a lymph and blood cleanser, a topical anesthetic, diuretic, menstrual promoter, laxative, sweat promoter, and narcotic. It is employed for arthritis, rheumatism, scrofula, and syphilis. In Brazil herbalists use the root as a laxative and blood cleanser, for syphilis, rheumatism, scrofula, dermatosis, and to promote menstrual flow. Practitioners and herbalists in the United States use manacá as a diuretic, laxative, and anti-inflammatory to treat arthritis and rheumatism, sexually-transmitted diseases, and to stimulate the lymphatic system and disperse uric acid. In Europe the plant is used for arthritis, rheumatism, bronchitis, fevers, and snakebite.
PLANT CHEMICALS
A 1996 phytochemical study on the aerial parts of manacá revealed it contained such active compounds as benzenoids, terpenes, alkaloids, lactones, and lipids. It is the root, though, that has been used primarily by indigenous peoples throughout the Amazon and by herbalists throughout the world. The root of manacá contains coumarins, alkaloids, lignans and sapogenins. Active constituents include two alkaloids, manaceine and manacine, as well as scopoletin and aesculetin (types of coumarin chemicals). Manaceine and manacine are thought to be responsible for stimulating the lymphatic system, while aesculetin has demonstrated pain-relieving, liver detoxification, and anti-inflammatory activities in laboratory tests. Scopoletin is a well-known phytochemical that has demonstrated analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumor, cancer-preventive, antifungal, and antispasmodic activity in many different laboratory experiments. It occurs in significant amounts in manacá. A U.S. patent was awarded in 2002 for scopoletin's ability to inhibit nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide is a reactive radical produced in the body and involved in inflammatory processes and in diseases such as asthma, heart disease, and erectile dysfunction. These chemicals and their reported biological activities could help to explain many of manacá's uses in traditional herbal medicine systems.
Manacá's main plant chemicals include: aesculetin, alpha-ionone, alpha-terpineol, benzylbenzoate, benzylsalicylate, beta-bisabolene, beta-cyclocitralbrunfelsene, beta-damascenone, beta-eudesmol, beta-safranal, brunfelsene, brunfelsamidine, elemol, 2-ethylfuran, farnesol, farnesyl, geraniol, geranyl hopeanine, ionones, isobutylsalicylate, lavandulal, limonene, linalool, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, manaceine, manacine, mandragorine, methylfurans, methylanisoles, myrcene, myristic acid, n-decane, n-heneicosane, n-heptadecane, n-heptane, n-hexadecane, nerolidol, n-nonadecane, nonanes, n-octane, n-pentacosane, n-pentadecane, neophytadiene, n-tricosane, ocimene, pentadecanoic acid, palmitic acid, pinoresinols, salicylic acid esters, scopoletin, scopolin, and terpinolene.
BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND CLINICAL RESEARCH
Much more research is published on various chemicals found in manacá, rather than the plant itself. However, several animal studies do confirm some of its traditional uses - especially for pain and inflammation. In a 1991 clinical study with mice, manacá demonstrated pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. An earlier (1977) study reported that manacá root extracts evidenced marked anti-inflammatory actions in rats - as well as central nervous system depressant and fever-reducing actions. Other root extracts administered to rats showed anti-inflammatory actions. Leaf and root extracts of manacá also showed insecticidal actions (which may be attributed to naturally-occurring insecticidal chemicals nerolidol and farnesol). Extracts of the twigs also have been documented to prevent cellular mutations.
CURRENT PRACTICAL USES
In South America manacá is respected as an important sacred and medicinal plant - mainly employed by shamans, healers, curanderos, herbal practitioners, and professionals. Due to its sedative effects and toxicity in large dosages, inexperienced non-professionals should refrain from self-treating or freely consuming this plant as a natural remedy; there are some contraindications and drug interactions which should be considered. This plant is best left in the hands of trained professionals (who can obtain the right species from reliable sources), taken only in very small amounts and/or in proper combination with other plants.
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Main Preparation Method: tincture or decoction
Main Actions (in order): Main Uses:
analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant (blood thinner), antimutagenic (cellular protector), antispasmodic, central nervous system depressant, febrifuge (reduces fever), insecticide, refrigerant (lowers body temperature) Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use: Cautions: Use with caution in combination with MAO inhibitors, sedatives, and blood thinners. Avoid if allergic to aspirin/salicylates. Do not exceed recommended dosages. | |
Traditional Preparation: One-half cup root decoction 1-2 times daily, or 1-2 ml of a 4:1 tincture twice daily.
Contraindications:
- 1. Manacá has a traditional use as an abortive. No clinical studies have been performed to indicate its safety during pregnancy; therefore, it is contraindicated for pregnant women.
- 2. Manacá root is reported to have toxicity in large doses - causing excessive salivation, vertigo, general anesthesia, partial paralysis of the face, swollen tongue, and disturbed vision. Avoid dosages higher than the traditional remedy indicates.
- 3. Those allergic to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) should avoid using manacá. Manacá contains salicylate and several of its derivatives. Salicylate occurs naturally in plants; for some people, too much salicylate causes problems (known as "salicylate sensitivity" or "salicylate intolerance") without being allergic to aspirin. Do not use manacá if sensitive to salicylate.
- 4. Manacá root contains coumarins - plant chemicals known to thin the blood. Those taking blood-thinning medications such as coumadin should use manacá only under the direction and supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner to monitor these effects.
- 5. The plant chemical scopoletin has been documented to inhibit monoamine oxidase. Those taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors should consult their healthcare practitioner before taking manacá.
Drug Interactions: None reported; however, manacá may potentiate blood-thinning medications such as Warfarin® and heparin. It may potentiate monoamine oxidase inhibitor drugs also.
| | |
| Amazonia | for arthritis, colds, detoxification, fever, flu, lymphatic disorders, rheumatism, snakebite, syphilis, uterine cramps, urinary insufficiency, uterine disorders, venereal disease, yellow fever, and to increase perspiration |
| Brazil | for abortions, blood cleansing, constipation, dermatosis, fever, menstrual disorders, nausea, rheumatism, scrofula, snakebite, syphilis, urinary disorders, urinary insufficiency, venereal disease, yellow fever, and to increase perspiration |
| Ecuador | for abortions, arthritis, cold, flu, lymph glands (swollen), malaria, pain, rheumatism, snakebite, uterine problems, venereal disease, yellow fever |
| Europe | for arthritis, blood cleansing, bronchitis, fever, rheumatism, scrofula, snakebite, urinary insufficiency |
| Peru | for arthritis, back pain, bronchitis, chills, colds, diuretic, fever, hallucinogen, impotence, inflammation, kidney, lung disease, malaria, pain, rheumatism, snakebite, syphilis, tuberculosis, ulcers, uterine cramps, venereal disease, yellow fever, as a sedative and to increase perspiration |
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South America |
for abortions, colds, fever, impotence, malaria, rheumatism, snakebite, yellow fever |
| U.S. | for menstrual disorders, pain, rheumatism, and to increase perspiration |
| Elsewhere | for abortions, arthritis, back pain, blood cleansing, bronchitis, cold, constipation, eczema, fever, gout, heat stroke, hypertension, inflammation, kidney problems, laxative, lung, lymphatic disorders, menstrual cramps, pain, rheumatism, scrofula, skin problems, snakebite, syphilis, tuberculosis, ulcers, urinary insufficiency, yellow fever |
The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs by Leslie Taylor, copyrighted 2005
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Referenced Quotes on Manacá
1. "Manaca has anti-rheumatic and diuretic properties and is also used as a purgative (causing bowel evacuation). It has been used to treat syphilis, snakebites, and Yellow Fever."
2. "Manaca has one of the most beautiful flowers in the Amazon rainforest. The root is said to stimulate the lymphatic system. In folk remedies it has been used for arthritis, rheumatism, scrofula, and syphilis. Some extracts show marked anti-inflammatory tendencies."
3. "Manaca has been used to treat conditions associated with sexually transmitted infections. It also disperses uric acid."
10. "Brunfelsia grandiflora D. Don ssp. schultesii Plowman. Solanaceae. "Chiric sanango", "Chuchuwasha", "Moca pari". Sometimes cultivated as an ornamental or medicinal plant. Curanderos add it to ayahuasca or to prepare special initiations. Also used for bad luck. Around Pucallpa, the leaf decoction is used internally for arthritis and rheumatism (VDF). Root infusion with aguardiente for rheumatism and venereal diseases. "Boras" take the root decoction for chills (RVM). Amazonians take the plant, regarded as diaphoretic and diuretic, for fever, rheumatism, snakebite, syphilis and yellow fever (SAR). The main phytochemical is scopoletin, which induces psychopharmacologic effects. Also: tartaric acid, lactic acid, quinic acid, etc. (RVM)."
20. "This woody shrub is a multipurpose plant found only in the wild. It is employed as an addition to the yaje' drink, and in a wide spectrum of therapeutic uses ranging from the treatment of yellow fever to snake bite; like other species, it is valued highly as a febrifuge because of the sensation of chills that follow ingestion. The Siona-Secoyas of Ecuador employ it as an abortifacient."
"Brunfelsia grandiflora is wide-ranging and polymorphic, occuring in western South America from Venezuela south to Boliva... Since this subspecies is widely cultivated for medicinal and ornamental purposes, some activity of man has undoubtedly influenced its present distribution. The principal use of this subspecies is as an additive to the hallucinogenic caapi drink. For this purpose, pieces of the root are preferred, but the leaves may also be employed. It is currently under investigation for possible cardiovascular activity."
"Brunfeslia is known to play a part in shamanistic practises... Shamans consider B. grandiflora a spritual guide (T. Plowman 1977)."
21."SOLANACEAE
" Brunfelsia Linnaeus
The 40 species of Brunfelsia are woody shrubs or small trees native to tropical South America and the West Indies. Several species are cultivated as ornamentals in warm regions.
Species of Brunfelsia are rich in scopoletin, a furocoumarin which is claimed to be antiinflammatory (Iyer, 1977). An alkaloid, hopeanine, has been described from B. hopeana (Gellert, 1978) and its pharmacology has been reported (Iyer, 1978). The chemistry and medicinal uses of the genus have been reviewed. (Plowman, 1977).
Brunfelsia grandiflora D. Don, Edinb. New Phil. journ. (Apr.-Oct 1829) 26 and Brunfelsia grandiflora D. Don., subsp.schultesit, Plowman, Bot. Mus. Leafl., Harvard Univ. 23 (1973) 259, t. 18.
chiricaspi picudo, chiricaspi salvaje, chiricaspi chacruco (Ketchwa); hu-ha-hai, yai-huha-hai (Siona); chi-pi-ri-tsontinba-ka (Kofin); borrachero, chiric sanango, sanango (Col., Peru) C 10795; G-B 4586; PI 2090; P 575; K 2880; U 9748; D 865; SRS 24108; AAU
32904, 33234
The type collection of Brunfelsia grandiflora subsp. schultesii -SRS 24108-is very positively alkaloidal. The subspecies is widely cultivated (in Bolivia, Peru and Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador and Venezuela), whereas B. grandiflora itself is still found wild. Both are employed as additives to the ayahuasca hallucinogen, and both have a broad therapeutic spectrum ranging from the treatment of yellow fever to snake bite. The most effective parts of the plants are considered to be the roots. The most widely employed medicinal uses are those to treat syphilis and rheumatism and for their diuretic and diaphoretic properties. Both are highly regarded as agents to treat fevers because of the curious sensation of chills which they produce. Brunfelsia grandiflora has been employed as an ichthyotoxic plant; both are toxic to cattle, and subsp. schultesii has been the source of problems to owners of cattle in the Trapecio Amazonico of Colombia. The Kofans and the Siona-Secoyas of Ecuador utilize this species as a hallucinogen, the latter group using it also as an abortifacient.
Third-Party Published Research on Manacá
All available third-party research on manacá can be found at PubMed. A partial listing of the published third party research on manacá updatedx through Feb 2019 is shown below:
Anti-inflammatory, Pain-Relieving, & Fever Reducing Actions:
Choi, R., et al. "Scopoletin supplementation ameliorates steatosis and inflammation in diabetic mice." Phytother. Res. 2017 Nov; 31(11): 1795-1804.
Nascimento, M., "Inhibition of the NF-κB and p38 MAPK pathways by scopoletin reduce the inflammation caused by carrageenan in the mouse model of pleurisy." Immunopharmacol. Immunotoxicol. 2016 Oct; 38(5): 344-52.
Sengupta, R., et al. "Analgesic and anti-inflammatory plants: An updated review." Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res. 2012 Jan-Feb; 12(2): 114-119.
Santos, C., et al. "Antinociceptive and antioxidant activities of phytol in vivo and in vitro models." Neurosci J. 2013: 949452.
Moon, P., et al. "Use of scopoletin to inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines through inhibition of the IkappaB/NF-kappaB signal cascade in the human mast cell line HMC-1." Eur. J. Pharmacol. 2007 Jan; 555(2-3): 218-25.
Rollinger, J., et al. "Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of scopolin and scopoletin discovered by virtual screening of natural products." J. Med. Chem. 2004 Dec 2; 47(25): 6248-54.
Park, J., et al. "Antiinflammatory activity of Synurus deltoides." Phytother. Res. 2004; 18(11): 930-3.
Kim, H., et al. "Scopoletin suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines and PGE2 from LPS-stimulated cell line, RAW 264.7 cells." Fitoterapia. 2004 Jun; 75(3-4): 261-6.
Ruppelt, B., et al. "Pharmacological screening of plants recommended by folk medicine as anti-snake venom-I. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities." Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 1991; 86: 203-5.
Iyer, R., et al. "Brunfelsia hopeana I: Hippocratic screening and antiinflammatory evaluation." Lloydia. 1977; 40(4): 356-60.
de Costa, A. "A pharmacologic study of manacá (Brunfelsia hopeana)." Bol. Assoc. Bras. Pharm. 1933; 14: 295-99.
Liver Protective Actions:
Kang, S., et al. "Hepatoprotective activity of scopoletin, a constituent of Solanum lyratum." Arch. Pharm. Res. 1998; 21(6): 718-22.
Cellular Protective & Antioxidant Actions:
Jorge, L, et al. "Antioxidant activity and chemical composition of oleoresin from leaves and flowers of Brunfelsia uniflora." Genet. Mol. Res. 2017 Aug 17 ;16(3).
Queiroz, G. "[Analysis of steroids in herbal extracts and preliminary phytochemical and biological study of Brunfelsia uniflora]." (Thesis) 2009 Nov; 45 pgs. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópol, Brazil.
Barreiro Arcos, M., et al. "Tilia cordata Mill. Extracts and scopoletin (isolated compound): differential cell growth effects on lymphocytes." Phytother. Res. 2006; 20(1): 34-40.
Kim, E., et al. "Scopoletin induces apoptosis in human promyeloleukemic cells, accompanied by activations of nuclear factor kappaB and caspase-3." Life Sci. 2005; 77(7): 824-36.
Ma, J., et al. "A coumarin from Mallotus resinosus that mediates DNA cleavage." J. Nat. Prod. 2004; 67(9): 1614-6.
Shaw, C., et al. "Antioxidant properties of scopoletin isolated from Sinomonium acutum. " Phytother. Res. 2003 Aug; 17(7): 823-5.
Liu, X., et al. "Effect of scopoletin on PC(3) cell proliferation and apoptosis." Acta. Pharmacol. Sin. 2001; 22(10): 929-33.
Wall, M., et al. "Plant antimutagenic agents, 1. General bioassay and isolation procedures." J. Nat. Prod. 1988; 51(5): 866-73.
Iyer, R. P., et al. "Brunfelsia hopeana—Pharmacologic screening: isolation and characterization of hoppeanine." Diss. Abstr. Int. B. 1978; 39: 761.
Anti-convulsant & Anti-spasmodic Actions:
Costa, J., et al. "Anticonvulsant effect of phytol in a pilocarpine model in mice." Neurosci. Lett. 2012; 523: 115-118.
Oliveira, E., et al. "Intracellular calcium mobilization as a target for the spasmolytic action of scopoletin." Planta Med. 2001; 67: 605-8.
Chiou, L., et al. "Chinese herb constituent beta-eudesmol alleviated the electroshock seizures in mice and electrographic seizures in rat hippocampal slices." Neurosci. Lett. 1997; 231(3): 171-74.
Antimicrobial Actions:
Thiesen, L., et al. "Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of Brunfelsia uniflora flower oleoresin extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide." Genet. Mol. Res. 2017 Apr; 16(2).
Martins, R., et al. "[Anatomical, chemical and antibacterial characterization of leaves of Brunfelsia uniflora (manacá) present in the Atlantic Forest]." Rev. Bras. Pharmacog. 2009; 9(1): 106-114.
Queiroz, G. "[Analysis of steroids in herbal extracts and preliminary phytochemical and biological study of Brunfelsia uniflora]." (Thesis) 2009 Nov; 45 pgs. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópol, Brazil.
Kloucek, P., et al. "Antibacterial screening of some Peruvian medicinal plants used in Calleria District." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jun; 99(2): 309-12.
Carpinella, M., et al. "Antifungal synergistic effect of scopoletin, a hydroxycoumarin isolated from Melia azedarach L. fruits." J. Agric. Food Chem. 2005 Apr 20; 53(8): 2922-7.
Kayser, O., et al. "Antibacterial activity of extracts and constituents of Pelargonium sidoides and Pelargonium reniforme." Planta Med. 1997; 63(6): 508-10.
Insecticidal Actions:
Heal, R., et al. "A survey of plants for insecticidal activity." Lloydia 1950; 13 1: 89-162.