Ptychopetalum Explained

Ptychopetalum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Olacaceae, native to the Amazon rainforest. Indigenous name for the genus include marapuama, muirapuama and mirantã, translating roughly to 'potency wood'.[1] [2] The species are shrubs or small trees growing to about in height. Its leaves are short-petioled, up to 3inches in length and 2inches in breadth light green on upper surface, dark brown on lower surface. The inflorescences consist of short axillary racemes of four to six flowers each. The root is strongly tough and fibrous, internally light brown with thin bark and broad wood, has a faint odor, and tastes slightly saline and acrid.[3]

Species

Uses

Ptychopetalum olacoides has been studied for treatment of dark pigmentation around the eyes.[4] The root and bark are used for a variety of ailments by indigenous peoples in the Rio Negro area of South America; on the other hand, Western society is mostly unfamiliar with this medicine and has not invested much in exploring its potential usefulness using the scientific method.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tropical Plant Database file for Muira Puama . Raintree Nutrition Incorporated . 2006-04-21.
  2. Howes . MJ . Houghton . PJ . Ethnobotanical treatment strategies against Alzheimer's disease. . Current Alzheimer Research . January 2012 . 9 . 1 . 67–85 . 22329652. 10.2174/156720512799015046 .
  3. Youngken, H.W . Observations on Muira-Puama . Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association. 1921 . 10 . 9 . 690 - 692 . 10.1002/jps.3080100910.
  4. Alsaad . SM . Mikhail . M . Periocular hyperpigmentation: a review of etiology and current treatment options. . Journal of Drugs in Dermatology . February 2013 . 12 . 2 . 154–7 . 23377386.
  5. Web site: Muira-Puama . PDR health . 2006-04-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060405021416/http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/herbaldrugs/101970.shtml . April 5, 2006 .