Petivera alliacea / Mucura / Phytolaccaceae (Pokeweed family)

Information

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Other Names

Anamu (Dominican Republic), Apacin (Guatemala), Feuilles Ave, Herbe Aux Poules, Mucura (Peru), Petivere A Odeur Ail.

Other Common Names:

Apacin, Apacina, Apazote De Zorro, Aposin, Ave, Aveterinaryte, Calauchin, Chasser Vermine, Congo Root, Douvant-douvant, Emeruaiuma, Garlic Guinea Henweed, Guine', Guine, Guinea, Guinea hen leaf, Gully Root,Herbe Aux Poules, Hierba De Las Gallinitas, Huevo De Gato, Kojo Root, Kuan, Kudjuruk, Lemtewei, Lemuru, Mal Pouri, Mapurit, Mapurite, Mucura-caa, Mucuracaa, Ocano, Payche, Pipi, Tipi, Verbena Hedionda, Verveine Puante, Zorrillo.

Scent

It is sometimes called "garlic weed," as the plant, and especially the roots, have a strong garlic odor.

Contents

P. alliacea contains several biologically active compounds. The quantity of compounds varies in the plant parts. Primary compounds in the essential oil of the roots include: benzaldehyde, dibenzyl disulfide, dibenzyl trisulfide, and cis- and trans-stilbene. Other compounds in P. alliacea are benzoic acid (root), benzyl-2-hydroxyethyl-trisulfide (leaf), coumarin (root), isoarborinol, isoarborinol acetate, isoarborinol cinnamate, isothiocyanates (seed), polyphenols (leaf), senfol (leaf), tannins (leaf), trithiolaniacine (root). (3)

Historical

Petiveria alliacea has been widely used to treat an astounding range of medical conditions both in humans and in animals. Anamu has a long history in herbal medicine in all of the tropical countries where it grows. In the Amazon rainforest, anamu is used as part of an herbal bath against witchcraft by the Indians and local jungle herbal healers called curanderos. The Ka'apor Indians call it mikur-ka'a (which means opossum herb) and use it for both medicine and magic. Usually root or leaf infusion is used. Other indigenous Indian groups beat the leaves into a paste and use it externally. This same jungle remedy is also used as an insecticide. In the Dominican Republic, the roots of Petiveria alliacea are used in treatments in livestock and as an insect repellent. (1)(2)(3)

Plant Description

Petiveria alliacea is a deeply rooted herbacious perennial shrub growing in tropical areas of Africa, South and Central America and the Caribbean. It grows up to 1 metre in height and has small greenish piccate flowers. The roots and leaves have a strong acrid, garlic-like odour which taints the milk and meat of animals that graze on it. (1)

References

(1) Petiveria alliacea, Wikipedia
(2) Anamu, Raintree Plant Database
(3) Treating Livestock with Medicinal Plants: Beneficial or Toxic? - Petiveria alliacea, Cornell University