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Pata de vaca has long been used for diabetes in the Amazon and in South America.* Numerous researchers have published preliminary animal studies indicating pata de vaca has hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic actions as well as reported which chemicals in the plant are responsible for this activity.* For more information about pata de vaca (Bauhinia forficata), please refer to the Database File for Pata de Vaca in the Tropical Plant Database. To see pictures of pata de vaca, click here.

Traditional Uses: for diabetes; as a diuretic for kidney and urinary disorders (including polyuria, cystitis and kidney stones); as a blood cleanser and to build blood cells; for high cholesterol

Suggested Use: This plant is best prepared as an infusion (tea). Use one teaspoon of powder for each cup of water. Pour boiling water over herb in cup and allow to steep 10 minutes. Strain tea (or allow settled powder to remain in the bottom of cup) and drink warm. It is traditionally taken in 1 cup amounts, 2-3 times daily. For more complete instructions on preparing herbal infusions see the Methods for Preparing Herbal Remedies Page.

Contraindications: Pata de vaca has demonstrated in animal and human studies to lower blood sugar levels. It is contraindicated in those with hypoglycemia. Diabetics wishing to use this natural remedy need to monitor their blood sugar levels closely and seek the help of a practitioner as insulin drugs may need to be adjusted.

Drug Interactions: Will potentiate antidiabetic medications and insulin drugs.

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Published Research on Pata de Vaca

All available third-party research on pata de vaca can be found at PubMed/Medline. A partial listing of the third-party published research on pata de vaca updated through Feb 2019 is shown below:

Antidiabetic & Hypoglycemic Actions:
Córdova Mariángel, P., et al. "Effects of Bauhinia forficata Link tea on lipid profile in diabetic patients." J. Med. Food. 2019 Feb 28.
Franco, R., et al. "Antioxidant and anti-glycation capacities of some medicinal plants and their potential inhibitory against digestive enzymes related to type 2 diabetes mellitus." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Apr; 215: 140-146.
de Souza, B., et al. "Bauhinia forficata in the treatment of diabetes mellitus: a patent review." Expert Opin. Ther. Pat. 2018 Feb; 28(2): 129-138.
Santos, M., et al. "Analysis of flavonoid glycosides with potential medicinal properties on Bauhinia uruguayensis and Bauhinia forficata subspecies pruinosa." Nat. Prod. Res. 2018 Apr; 5:1-5.
Ku, W., et al. "A comparative proteomic study of secretomes in kaempferitrin-treated CTX TNA2 astrocytic cells." Phytomedicine. 2017 Dec; 36: 137-144.
Ecker, A., et al. "High-sucrose diet induces diabetic-like phenotypes and oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster: Protective role of Syzygium cumini and Bauhinia forficata." Biomed. Pharmacother. 2017 May; 89: 605-616.
Farag, M., et al. "Phytochemical, antioxidant and antidiabetic evaluation of eight Bauhinia L. species from Egypt using UHPLC-PDA-qTOF-MS and chemometrics." Phytochemistry. 2015 Nov; 119: 41-50.
Salgueiro, A., et al. "The influence of Bauhinia forficata Link subsp. pruinosa tea on lipid peroxidation and non-protein SH groups in human erythrocytes exposed to high glucose concentrations." J Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Jun; 148(1): 81-7.
Cazarolli, L., et al. "Insulin signaling: A potential signaling pathway for the stimulatory effect of kaempferitrin on glucose uptake in skeletal muscle." Eur. J. Pharmacol. 2013; 712: 1–7.
Ferreres, F., et al. "Bauhinia forficata Link authenticity using flavonoids profile: Relation with their biological properties." Food Chem. 2012 Sep; 134(2): 894-904.
Curcio, S., et al. "Hypoglycemic effects of an aqueous extract of Bauhinia forficata on the salivary glands of diabetic mice." Pak. J. Pharm. Sci. 2012 Jul; 25(3): 493-9.
Trojan-Rodrigues, M., et al. "Plants used as antidiabetics in popular medicine in Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Jan; 139(1): 155-63.
Pereira, D., et al. "Effects of flavonoids on α-glucosidase activity: potential targets for glucose homeostasis." Nutrition. 2011 Nov-Dec; 27(11-12): 1161-7.
da Cunha, A., et al. "Hypoglycemic activity of dried extracts of Bauhinia forficata Link." Phytomedicine. 2010 Jan; 17(1): 37-41.
Tzeng, Y., et al. "Kaempferitrin activates the insulin signaling pathway and stimulates secretion of adiponectin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes." Eur. J. Pharmacol. 2009 Apr; 607(1-3): 27-34.
Vishnu Prasad, C., et al. "Kaempferitrin inhibits GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes." Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 2009 Feb; 380(1): 39-43.
Volpato, G., et al. "Effect of Bauhinia forficata aqueous extract on the maternal-fetal outcome and oxidative stress biomarkers of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Feb; 116(1): 131-7.
Menezes Sousaminto, F., et al. "Hypoglycemic activity of two Brazilian Bauhinia species: Bauhinia forficata L. and Bauhinia monandra Kurz." Rev. Bras. Farmacogn. 2007; 17: 8–13.
Pinheiro, T., et al. "Comparative assessment of kaempferitrin from medicinal extracts of Bauhinia forficata " J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 2006 May; 41(2): 431-6.
Cazarolli, L., et al. "Follow-up studies on glycosylated flavonoids and their complexes with vanadium: their anti-hyperglycemic potential role in diabetes." Chem. Biol. Interact. 2006 Nov; 163(3): 177-91.
Estrada, O., et al. "Evaluation of flavonoids from Bauhinia megalandra leaves as inhibitors of glucose-6- phosphatase system." Phytother. Res. 2005; 19(10): 859-63.
Vasconcelos, F., et al. "Insulin-like effects of Bauhinia forficata aqueous extract upon Tityus serrulatus scorpion envenoming." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Dec; 95(2-3): 385-92.
Jorge, A., et al. "Insulinomimetic effects of kaempferitrin on glycaemia and on 14C-glucose uptake in rat soleus muscle." Chem. Biol. Interact. 2004 Oct; 149(2-3): 89-96
Fuentes, O., et al. "Hypoglycemic activity of Bauhinia candicans in diabetic induced rabbits." Fitoterapia. 2004 Sep; 75(6): 527-32.
Pepato, M., et al. "Evaluation of toxicity after one-months treatment with Bauhinia forficata decoction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats." BMC Complement. Altern. Med. 2004 Jun 8; 4: 7.
de Sousa, E., et al. "Hypoglycemic effect and antioxidant potential of kaempferol-3,7-O-(alpha)-dirhamnoside from Bauhinia forficata leaves." J. Nat. Prod. 2004; 67(5): 829-32.
Lino, S., et al. "Antidiabetic activity of Bauhinia forficata extracts in alloxan-diabetic rats." Biol. Pharm. Bull. 2004; 27(1): 125-7.
Pepato, M., et al. "Anti-diabetic activity of Bauhinia forficata decoction in streptozotocin-diabetic rats." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2002 July; 81(2): 191-97.
Silva, F., et al. "Acute effect of Bauhinia forficata on serum glucose levels in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2002; 83(1-2): 33-7.
Lemus, I., et al. "Hypoglycemic activity of four plants used in Chilean popular medicine." Phytother. Res. 1999; 13(2): 91-4.
Miyake, E., et al. "[Pharmacognostic characterization of pata-de-vaca (Bauhinia fortificata)]." Rev. Bras. Farmacogn. 1986; 1(1): 56-68.
Almeida, R., et al. "[Survey of medicinal flora used in the treatment of diabetes and some experimental results]." VIII Simposio de Plantas Medicinais do Brasil, Manaus-AM, Brazil. September 4-6, 1984, 23.
Costa, O. A. "Estudo farmacoquimico da unha-de-vaca." Rev. Flora Medicinal. 1945; 9(4): 175-89.
Juliani, C. "Hypoglycemic action of bauintrato (Bauhinia forficata preparation) new clinical and experimental study." J. Clin. 1941; 22: 17.
Juliane, C. "[Hypoglycemic action of Bauhinia forficata. New experimental studies.]" Rev. Sudam. Endocrin. Immol. Quimiot. 1931; 14: 326-34.
Juliane, C. "[Hypoglycemic action of unha-de-vaca.]" Rev. Med. Pharm. Chim. Phys. 1929; 2(1): 165-69.

Cholesterol-Lowering Actions:
Córdova Mariángel, P., et al. "Effects of Bauhinia forficata Link tea on lipid profile in diabetic patients." J. Med. Food. 2019 Feb 28.
Ferreres, F., et al. "Bauhinia forficata Link authenticity using flavonoids profile: Relation with their biological properties." Food Chem. 2012 Sep; 134(2): 894-904.
Lino, S., et al. "Antidiabetic activity of Bauhinia forficata extracts in alloxan-diabetic rats." Biol. Pharm. Bull. 2004; 27(1): 125-7.
Miyake, E., et al. "[Pharmacognostic characterization of pata-de-vaca (Bauhinia fortificata)]." Rev. Bras. Farmacogn. 1986; 1(1): 56-68.

Kidney Protective & Diuretic Actions:
de Souza, P., et al. "Influence of prostanoids in the diuretic and natriuretic effects of extracts and kaempferitrin from Bauhinia forficata Link leaves in rats." Phytother. Res. 2017 Oct; 31(10): 1521-1528.
Hao, H., et al. "Preventive effects of rutin on the development of experimental diabetic nephropathy in rats." Life Sci. 2012; 91: 959–967.
Ni, Z., et al. "Effect of astragalin on matrix secretion and beta 1 integrin mRNA expression in human mesangial cells." Chin. Med. J. 1999; 112(12): 1063-7.
Yokozawa, T., et al. "Protective effects of some flavonoids on the renal cellular membrane." Exp. Toxicol. Pathol. 1999; 51(1): 9-14.
Hamzah, A., et al. "Kaempferitrin from the leaves of Hedyotis verticillata and its biological activity." Planta Med. 1994 Aug; 60(4): 388-9.

Antimutagenic (cancer preventative) & Antioxidant Actions:
Cechinel-Zanchett, C., et al. "Flavonoid-rich fraction of Bauhinia forficata Link leaves prevents the intestinal toxic effects of irinotecan chemotherapy in IEC-6 cells and in mice." Phytother. Res. 2019 Jan; 33(1): 90-106.
Jang, W., "Protective effects of kaempferitrin on advanced glycation end products induce mesangial cell apoptosis and oxidative stress." Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018 Oct 26; 19(11).
Sampaio, C., et al. "Alcohol extract of Bauhinia forficata link reduces lipid peroxidation in the testis and epididymis of adult Wistar rats." Microsc. Res. Tech. 2018 Dec 21.
Ecker, A., et al. "High-sucrose diet induces diabetic-like phenotypes and oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster: Protective role of Syzygium cumini and Bauhinia forficata." Biomed. Pharmacother. 2017 May; 89: 605-616.
Santos, M., et al. "Analysis of flavonoid glycosides with potential medicinal properties on Bauhinia uruguayensis and Bauhinia forficata subspecies pruinosa." Nat. Prod. Res. 2018 Apr 5: 1-5.
Franco, R., et al. "Antioxidant and anti-glycation capacities of some medicinal plants and their potential inhibitory against digestive enzymes related to type 2 diabetes mellitus." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Apr; 215: 140-146.
Salgueiro, A., et al. "Effects of Bauhinia forficata tea on oxidative stress and liver damage in diabetic mice." Oxid. Med. Cell. Longev. 2016; 2016: 8902954.
Farag, M., et al. "Phytochemical, antioxidant and antidiabetic evaluation of eight Bauhinia L. species from Egypt using UHPLC-PDA-qTOF-MS and chemometrics." Phytochemistry. 2015 Nov; 119: 41-50.
Miceli, N., et al. "Role of the flavonoid-rich fraction in the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Bauhinia forficata Link. (Fabaceae) leaves extract." Nat. Prod. Res. 2016 Jun; 30(11): 1229-39.
Ecker, A., et al. "Effect of Syzygium cumini and Bauhinia forficata aqueous-leaf extracts on oxidative and mitochondrial parameters in vitro." EXCLI J. 2015 Nov; 14: 1219-31.
Düsman, E., et al. "Antimutagenic effect of medicinal plants Achillea millefolium and Bauhinia forficata in vivo." Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2013; 2013 :893050.
Sayago, C., et al. "Chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of hydro-ethanolic extracts from Bauhinia forficata subsp. pruinosa and B. variegata." Acta Biol. Hung. 2013 Mar; 64(1): 21-33.
 Salgueiro., et al. "The influence of Bauhinia forficata Link subsp. pruinosa tea on lipid peroxidation and non-protein SH groups in human erythrocytes exposed to high glucose concentrations." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Jun; 148(1): 81-7.
Peroza, L., et al. "Bauhinia forficata prevents vacuous chewing movements induced by haloperidol in rats and has antioxidant potential in vitro." Neurochem. Res. 2013 Apr; 38(4): 789-96.
Del Carmen Juárez-Vázquez, M., et al. "Kaempferitrin induces immunostimulatory effects in vitro." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Jun; 148(1): 337-40.
Khalil, N., et al. "Free radical scavenging profile and myeloperoxidase inhibition of extracts from antidiabetic plants: Bauhinia forficata and Cissus sicyoides." Biol Res. 2008; 41(2): 165-71.
Ferreres, F., et al. "Bauhinia forficata Link authenticity using flavonoids profile: Relation with their biological properties." Food Chem. 2012 Sep; 134(2): 894-904.
de Sousa, E., et al. "Hypoglycemic effect and antioxidant potential of kaempferol-3,7-O-(alpha)-dirhamnoside from Bauhinia forficata leaves." J. Nat. Prod. 2004; 67(5): 829-32.
Damasceno, D., et al. "Effect of Bauhinia forficata extract in diabetic pregnant rats: maternal repercussions." Phytomedicine. 2004; 11(2–3): 196-201.

Anti-inflammatory & Analgesic Actions:
Santos, M., et al. "Analysis of flavonoid glycosides with potential medicinal properties on Bauhinia uruguayensis and Bauhinia forficata subspecies pruinosa." Nat. Prod. Res. 2018 Apr 5: 1-5.

Antimicrobial Actions:
Ferreira-Filho, J., et al. "Treatment of dental biofilm with a tincture of Bauhinia forficata leaves: an ex-vivo study." Nat. Prod. Res. 2018 May 21: 1-4.
Alves, E., et al. "Antimicrobial and Antiproliferative Activity of Bauhinia forficata Link and Cnidoscolus quercifolius Extracts commonly Used in Folk Medicine." J. Contemp. Dent. Pract. 2017 Aug; 18(8): 635-640. (Candida)

Antivenin Actions:
Oliveira, C., et al. "Anticoagulant and antifibrinogenolytic properties of the aqueous extract from Bauhinia forficata against snake venoms." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Apr; 98(1-2): 213-6.
Vasconcelos, F., et al. "Insulin-like effects of Bauhinia forficata aqueous extract upon Tityus serrulatus scorpion envenoming." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Dec; 95(2-3): 385-92.

Non-Toxic Actions:
Damasceno, D., et al. "Effect of Bauhinia forficata extract in diabetic pregnant rats: maternal repercussions." Phytomedicine. 2004; 11(2-3): 196-201.
Pepato, M., et al. "Evaluation of toxicity after one-months treatment with Bauhinia forficata decoction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats." BMC Complement. Altern. Med. 2004 Jun 8; 4: 7.

Antileukemic & Anticancerous Actions:
da Silva Pinto, L., et al. "Heterologous expression and characterization of a new galactose-binding lectin from Bauhinia forficata with antiproliferative activity." Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2019 May; 128: 877-884.
Lubkowski, J., et al. "Structural analysis and unique molecular recognition properties of a Bauhinia forficata lectin that inhibits cancer cell growth." FEBS J. 2017 Feb; 284(3): 429-450.
Miceli, N., et al. "Role of the flavonoid-rich fraction in the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Bauhinia forficata Link. (Fabaceae) leaves extract." Nat. Prod. Res. 2016 Jun; 30(11): 1229-39.
Silva, M., et al. "Correia, M., et al. "Bauhinia forficata lectin (BfL) induces cell death and inhibits integrin-mediated adhesion on MCF7 human breast cancer cells." Biochim. Biophys Acta. 2014 Jul; 1840(7): 2262-71.
Alonso-Castro, A., et al. "Kaempferitrin induces apoptosis via intrinsic pathwayin HeLa cells and exerts antitumor effects." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2013; 145: 476–489.
Lim, H., et al. "Inhibition of cell-cycle progression in HeLa cells by HY52, a novel cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor isolated from Bauhinia forficata." Cancer Lett. 2006 Feb; 233(1): 89-97.

Antihistamine Actions:
Kotani, M., et al. "Persimmon leaf extract and astragalin inhibit development of dermatitis and IgE elevation in NC/Nga mice." J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 2000 Jul; 106(1 Pt 1): 159-66.

Safety / Non-Toxic Actions:
Miceli, N., et al. "Role of the flavonoid-rich fraction in the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Bauhinia forficata Link. (Fabaceae) leaves extract." Nat. Prod. Res. 2016 Jun; 30(11): 1229-39.

Constituents Identified:
Ardila, J., et al. "Cluster analysis of commercial samples of Bauhinia spp. using HPLC-UV/PDA and MCR-ALS/PCA without peak alignment procedure." Phytochem. Anal. 2015 Sep-Oct; 26(5): 367-73.
Silva-Lucca, R., et al. "Unfolding studies of the cysteine protease baupain, a papain-like enzyme from leaves of Bauhinia forficata: effect of pH, guanidine hydrochloride and temperature." Molecules. 2013 Dec; 19(1): 233-46.
Ferreres, F., et al. "Bauhinia forficata Link authenticity using flavonoids profile: relation with their biological properties." Food Chem. 2012 Sep; 134(2): 894-904.
Pinheiro, T., et al. "Comparative assessment of kaempferitrin from medicinal extracts of Bauhinia forficata Link." J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 2006 May; 41(2):431-6.
Faria, R., et al. "Biochemical and chemical partial characterization of Bauhinia forficata Link seeds." Arch. Latinoam. Nutr. 2004 Sep; 54(3): 349-53.
da Silva, K., et al. "Phytochemical and pharmacognostic investigation of Bauhinia forficata Link (Leguminosae)." Z. Naturforsch. 2000; 55(5-6): 478-80.