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Abuta

What is abuta?

Abuta (Cissampelos pareira) is a plant whose root, bark and remaining parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Abuta (Cissampelos pareira) should not be confused with Abuta grandifolia, which is also known as abuta. Abuta grandifolia grows in South America and is used by the locals to make arrow poison. Abuta is used medicinally for a wide range of ailments. It is used for digestive problems such as diarrhea, dysentery, colic, upset stomach and abdominal pain; respiratory problems such as colds, coughs, bronchitis and asthma; skin problems such as acne, wounds, scalds, burns, ulcers and erysipelas; and urinary tract problems such as bladder and kidney infections. Other uses include the treatment of dog bites, snake bites, chills, cholera, convulsions, delirium, diabetes, water retention, fever, bleeding, high blood pressure, jaundice, malaria, palpitations, rabies, rheumatic pains, toothache, sexually transmitted diseases and eye infections. Women use abuta to treat menstrual problems, to improve fertility, to treat vaginal discharge and to facilitate childbirth. Abuta is also used as a diuretic to increase urine flow, as an expectorant, as a hemostatic, to improve well-being and as an aphrodisiac.

How does Abuta work?

There is not enough information to be able to make a statement about how Abuta might work.

How effective is abuta?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of abuta for acne, asthma, diarrhea, high blood pressure, malaria, rabies, menstrual problems, wounds and toothache, as well as for promoting fertility. Further scientific research is required for this.

Are there any safety concerns?

There is not enough reliable information to say whether Abuta is safe and harmless.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of Abuta during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid Abuta to be on the safe side.

Interactions

At this time, there is no information on interactions of Abuta with medications or other supplements.

Dosage

There is not yet sufficient scientific data available to determine a standard dosage for Abuta. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label or consult a doctor or pharmacist.

References

  1. Anwer F, Popli SP, Srivastava RM, Khare MP. Studies in medicinal plants. 3. protoberberine alkaloids from the roots of Cissampelos pareira Linn. Experientia 1968;24:999.
  2. Basu DK. Studies on curariform activity of hayatinin methochloride, an alkaloid of Cissampelos pareira. Jpn J Pharmacol 1970;20:246-52.
  3. Bhatnagar AK, Popli SP. Chemical examination of the roots of Cissampelos pareira Linn. V. Structure and stereochemistry of hayatidin. Experientia 1967;23:242-3.
  4. Raintree tropical plant database, Amazon plants. www.rain-tree.com/plants.htm (Accessed July 30, 1999).
  5. Ramirez I, Carabot A, Melendez P, et al. Cissampeloflavone, a chalcone-flavone dimer from Cissampelos pareira. Phytochemistry 2003;64:645-7.
  6. Schultes RE, Raffauf RF. The Healing Forest, Medicinal and Toxic Plants of the Northwest Amazonia. Portland, OR: Dioscorides Press, 1990.