Tonic, fortifier and aphrodisiac: adaptogens in the Brazilian folk medicine
Rev. bras. farmacogn
; 21(4): 754-763, jul.-ago. 2011. ilus, tab
Article
in En
| LILACS
| ID: lil-596221
Responsible library:
BR1.1
ABSTRACT
In Brazil, many plants are used as tonic, fortifier, aphrodisiac, anti-stress, among other uses that are similar to the indications of an adaptogen. In general, such plants are used unspecifically, in situations of stress and fatigue, in the recovery after a previous pathological or debilitating state, or simply aiming at the maintenance of a healthy state. This article discusses the popular terms employed in the Brazilian folk medicine for the plants with this profile, their particularities and limitations. The article also discusses the possible mechanisms of action of an adaptogen and compares the main Brazilian plants used for that purpose:
guarana (Paullinia cupana Kunth, family Sapindaceae), muirapuama (Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth., Olacaceae), catuaba (Anemopaegma arvense (Vell.) Stellfeld & J.F. Souza, Bignoniaceae, and Trichilia catigua A. Juss., Meliaceae), nó-decachorro (Heteropterys aphrodisiaca O. Mach, Malpighiaceae), damiana (Turnera diffusa Willd. ex Schult., Turneraceae) and pfaffia or Brazilian ginseng (Pfaffia sp, Amaranthaceae).
Full text:
1
Index:
LILACS
Country/Region as subject:
America do sul
/
Brasil
Language:
En
Journal:
Rev. bras. farmacogn
Journal subject:
FARMACIA
Year:
2011
Type:
Article