inflammation

Eleocharis interstincta

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Haiti:

  • jon
Significant uses found by the TRAMIL surveys

  entire plant, natural, applied locally1

Recommendations Preparation and Dosage References

According to published and other information:

External use for edema and inflammation is classified as REC, based on the significant traditional use (OMS/WHO)2 documented in the TRAMIL surveys.

For topical application, strict hygiene measures should be observed in order to avoid contamination or additional infection.

Should there be a notable worsening of the patient’s condition, or should edema or inflammation persist, seek medical attention.

For edema and inflammation:

There is no available information establishing a means of preparation and dosage other than that referred to by traditional use.

1 WENIGER B, ROUZIER M, 1986
Enquête TRAMIL. Service Oecuménique d'Entraide SOE, Port au Prince, Haïti.

2 SOLIS PN, RODRIGUEZ N, ESPINOSA A, GUPTA MP, 2004
Estudio fitoquímico de algunas plantas TRAMIL con usos en Martinica. Informe TRAMIL. Centro de Investigaciones Farmacognósticas de la Flora Panameña CIFLORPAN, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Panamá, Panamá, Panamá.

3 HERRERA J, 1992
Determinación de parámetros farmacológicos usados en medicina tradicional popular en la Cuenca del Caribe. Informe TRAMIL. Dep. de Farmacología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.

4 MAGALHAES AF, RUIZ AL, FARIA AD, MAGALHAES EG, AMARAL MC, 2001
Avaliação fitoquímica e biológica de Eleocharis interstincta (Vahl) Roem. & Schult. Poços de Caldas, Brasil: Científico Nacional, Reunião Anual da Sociedade Brasileira de Química - SBQ (1):7.

5 PAZOS L, COTO T, CAIZA F, 2009
Irritación dérmica, piel sana en conejos, porción de la planta entera fresca de Eleocharis interstinca. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos, LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

Musa sp.

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Barbados:

  • banana

Haiti:

  • bannan matenten

Dominican Republic:

  • rulo
Significant uses found by the TRAMIL surveys

  leaf, decoction, bath4

Recommendations Preparation and Dosage References

According to published and other information:

There is no available information in scientific literature to validate the effects attributed to the fruit pulp, broth with salt, or cooked fruit pulp, taken orally for asthenia and weakness.

Use for diarrhea is classified as REC, based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys and on available published scientific information.

In case of diarrhea, the use of this resource can be considered complementary to oral re-hydration therapy.

Should there be a notable worsening of the patient’s condition, or should diarrhea last more than 3 days in adults or 2 days in children older than 3, seek medical attention.

Use for injury, sore, inflammation and rheumatism is classified as REC, based on the significant traditional use (OMS/WHO)4 documented in the TRAMIL surveys.

For topical application, strict hygiene measures should be observed in order to avoid contamination or additional infection.

Should there be a notable worsening of the patient’s condition, seek medical attention.

Not for use by children under 6 months of age.

The fruit of Musa xparadisiaca is widely used for human consumption and the leaf of the plant is used for producing foodstuffs.

TRAMIL Research16

For inflammation:

Prepare a decoction with 100-200 grams of ground leaf in 1 liter (4 cups) of water.  Boil for at least 10 minutes in a covered pot. Filter, leave to cool down and soak affected area.

For injury and sore:

Wash injury with boiled water and soap.  Apply the grated mesoderm (pulp) of the fruit or the sap of the fruit peel to affected area16.  Cover injury with dressing or clean cloth, and replace 2 times a day.

For asthenia, weakness, diarrhea and rheumatism:

There is no available information establishing a means of preparation and dosage other than that referred to by traditional use.

Any medicinal preparation must be preserved cold and used within the 24 hours.

1 SIMMONDS NW, 1962
The evolution of the bananas. London, England: Longmans, Green & Co. Ltd. p170.

2 WENIGER B, ROUZIER M, 1986
Enquête TRAMIL. Service Oecuménique d'Entraide SOE, Port au Prince, Haïti.

3 FAUJOUR A, MURREY D, CHELTENHAM-CORBIN B, CARRINGTON S, 2003
TRAMIL survey. enda-caribbean, IICA & UAG, Saint Thomas, Barbados.

4 GERMOSEN-ROBINEAU L, GERONIMO M, AMPARO C, 1984
Encuesta TRAMIL. enda-caribe, Santo Domingo, Rep. Dominicana.

5 PALMER J, WYMAN H, 1965
Organic acids in banana leaves. Phytochemistry 4(2):305-309.

6 WONG W, 1976
Some folk medicinal plants from Trinidad. Econ Bot 30:103-142.

7 DUTTA PK, DAS AK, BANERJI N, 1983
A tetracyclic triterpenoid from Musa paradisiaca. Phytochemistry22(11):2563-2564.

8 WILLAMAN JJ, HUI-LIN L, 1970
Alkaloid-bearing plants and their contained alkaloids, 1957-1968. Lloydia33(3A)Supp.

9 FRIESE FW, 1934
Plantas medicinais brasileiras. Sao Paulo, Brasil: Inst Agro do Estado Sao Paulo. p252-494.

10 DUKE JA, ATCHLEY AA, 1986
Handbook of proximate analysis tables of higher plants.Boca Raton, USA: CRC Press.

11 MORON FJ, GARCIA AI, VICTORIA MC, MOREJON Z, LOPEZ M, BACALLAO Y, FUENTES V, 2008
Acción analgésica oral de la decocción de hojas frescas de Musa x paradisiaca L. (plátano) en ratones. Trabajo TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana, Cuba.

12 FRIAS AI, GARCIA N, MOREJON Z, MORON F, VICTORIA MC, 2009
Efecto antiinflamatorio tópico de la decocción de hojas frescas de Musa x paradisiaca L. (plátano) en el edema de la oreja inducido por aceite de Croton en ratones. Trabajo TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana, Cuba.

13 MORON FJ, MOREJON Z, VICTORIA MC, BACALLAO Y, FUENTES V, 2009
Acción sobre el tránsito intestinal del zumo fresco del fruto maduro de Musa x paradisiaca L. (plátano) en ratones. Trabajo TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana, Cuba.

14 RICHTER E, VORE L, 1989
Antimicrobial activity of banana puree. Food Microbiol 6(3):179-187.

15 ALONSO J, 1998
Tratado de fitomedicina: bases clínicas y farmacológicas. Buenos Aires, Argentina: ISIS ediciones SRL. p125-126.

16 NEGWER M, 1987
Organic chemical drugs and their synonyms (an international survey). 6th ed. Berlin, Germany: Akademie Verlag.

17 CARBALLO A, 1995
Plantas medicinales del Escambray cubano. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio provincial de producción de medicamentos, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba.

18 PAZOS L, COTO T, CAIZA F, 2009
Irritación dérmica, piel lesionada en conejos, de la savia del fruto verde de Musa paradisiaca. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos, LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

19 PAZOS L, COTO T, CAIZA F, 2009
Irritación dérmica, piel lesionada en conejos, del mesodermo del fruto maduro de Musa paradisiaca. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos, LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

20 PAZOS L, COTO T, CAIZA F, 2009
Irritación dérmica, piel sana en conejos, porción de hoja calentada de Musa paradisiaca. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos, LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

21 CARBALLO A, 1995
Cálculo de concentración y dosis de las drogas vegetales TRAMIL: Mensuraciones farmacognósticas y aproximaciones técnico-clínicas. Laboratorio provincial de producción de medicamentos, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba.

Musa sp.

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Barbados:

  • banana

Haiti:

  • bannan matenten

Dominican Republic:

  • rulo
Significant uses found by the TRAMIL surveys

  leaf, decoction, bath4

Recommendations Preparation and Dosage References

According to published and other information:

There is no available information in scientific literature to validate the effects attributed to the fruit pulp, broth with salt, or cooked fruit pulp, taken orally for asthenia and weakness.

Use for diarrhea is classified as REC, based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys and on available published scientific information.

In case of diarrhea, the use of this resource can be considered complementary to oral re-hydration therapy.

Should there be a notable worsening of the patient’s condition, or should diarrhea last more than 3 days in adults or 2 days in children older than 3, seek medical attention.

Use for injury, sore, inflammation and rheumatism is classified as REC, based on the significant traditional use (OMS/WHO)4 documented in the TRAMIL surveys.

For topical application, strict hygiene measures should be observed in order to avoid contamination or additional infection.

Should there be a notable worsening of the patient’s condition, seek medical attention.

Not for use by children under 6 months of age.

The fruit of Musa xparadisiaca is widely used for human consumption and the leaf of the plant is used for producing foodstuffs.

TRAMIL Research16

For inflammation:

Prepare a decoction with 100-200 grams of ground leaf in 1 liter (4 cups) of water.  Boil for at least 10 minutes in a covered pot. Filter, leave to cool down and soak affected area.

For injury and sore:

Wash injury with boiled water and soap.  Apply the grated mesoderm (pulp) of the fruit or the sap of the fruit peel to affected area16.  Cover injury with dressing or clean cloth, and replace 2 times a day.

For asthenia, weakness, diarrhea and rheumatism:

There is no available information establishing a means of preparation and dosage other than that referred to by traditional use.

Any medicinal preparation must be preserved cold and used within the 24 hours.

1 SIMMONDS NW, 1962
The evolution of the bananas. London, England: Longmans, Green & Co. Ltd. p170.

2 WENIGER B, ROUZIER M, 1986
Enquête TRAMIL. Service Oecuménique d'Entraide SOE, Port au Prince, Haïti.

3 FAUJOUR A, MURREY D, CHELTENHAM-CORBIN B, CARRINGTON S, 2003
TRAMIL survey. enda-caribbean, IICA & UAG, Saint Thomas, Barbados.

4 GERMOSEN-ROBINEAU L, GERONIMO M, AMPARO C, 1984
Encuesta TRAMIL. enda-caribe, Santo Domingo, Rep. Dominicana.

5 PALMER J, WYMAN H, 1965
Organic acids in banana leaves. Phytochemistry 4(2):305-309.

6 WONG W, 1976
Some folk medicinal plants from Trinidad. Econ Bot 30:103-142.

7 DUTTA PK, DAS AK, BANERJI N, 1983
A tetracyclic triterpenoid from Musa paradisiaca. Phytochemistry22(11):2563-2564.

8 WILLAMAN JJ, HUI-LIN L, 1970
Alkaloid-bearing plants and their contained alkaloids, 1957-1968. Lloydia33(3A)Supp.

9 FRIESE FW, 1934
Plantas medicinais brasileiras. Sao Paulo, Brasil: Inst Agro do Estado Sao Paulo. p252-494.

10 DUKE JA, ATCHLEY AA, 1986
Handbook of proximate analysis tables of higher plants.Boca Raton, USA: CRC Press.

11 MORON FJ, GARCIA AI, VICTORIA MC, MOREJON Z, LOPEZ M, BACALLAO Y, FUENTES V, 2008
Acción analgésica oral de la decocción de hojas frescas de Musa x paradisiaca L. (plátano) en ratones. Trabajo TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana, Cuba.

12 FRIAS AI, GARCIA N, MOREJON Z, MORON F, VICTORIA MC, 2009
Efecto antiinflamatorio tópico de la decocción de hojas frescas de Musa x paradisiaca L. (plátano) en el edema de la oreja inducido por aceite de Croton en ratones. Trabajo TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana, Cuba.

13 MORON FJ, MOREJON Z, VICTORIA MC, BACALLAO Y, FUENTES V, 2009
Acción sobre el tránsito intestinal del zumo fresco del fruto maduro de Musa x paradisiaca L. (plátano) en ratones. Trabajo TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana, Cuba.

14 RICHTER E, VORE L, 1989
Antimicrobial activity of banana puree. Food Microbiol 6(3):179-187.

15 ALONSO J, 1998
Tratado de fitomedicina: bases clínicas y farmacológicas. Buenos Aires, Argentina: ISIS ediciones SRL. p125-126.

16 NEGWER M, 1987
Organic chemical drugs and their synonyms (an international survey). 6th ed. Berlin, Germany: Akademie Verlag.

17 CARBALLO A, 1995
Plantas medicinales del Escambray cubano. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio provincial de producción de medicamentos, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba.

18 PAZOS L, COTO T, CAIZA F, 2009
Irritación dérmica, piel lesionada en conejos, de la savia del fruto verde de Musa paradisiaca. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos, LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

19 PAZOS L, COTO T, CAIZA F, 2009
Irritación dérmica, piel lesionada en conejos, del mesodermo del fruto maduro de Musa paradisiaca. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos, LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

20 PAZOS L, COTO T, CAIZA F, 2009
Irritación dérmica, piel sana en conejos, porción de hoja calentada de Musa paradisiaca. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos, LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

21 CARBALLO A, 1995
Cálculo de concentración y dosis de las drogas vegetales TRAMIL: Mensuraciones farmacognósticas y aproximaciones técnico-clínicas. Laboratorio provincial de producción de medicamentos, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba.

Plantago major

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Dominican Republic:

  • llantén

Guadeloupe:

  • miyé
  • plantain

Martinique:

  • miyé
  • plantain

Trinidad and Tobago:

  • miyé
  • plantain

Haiti:

  • planten

Dominica:

  • planten
Significant uses found by the TRAMIL surveys

  leaf, infusion, orally2

Recommendations Preparation and Dosage References

Use against "bad blood" is a traditional cultural use and is not classified in the TRAMIL program.

According to published and other information:

Use for "malozie" (eye injuries) including conjunctivitis is classified as REC, based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys, toxicity studies and available published scientific information.

For application in the eyes, strict hygiene measures should be observed in order to avoid contamination or additional infection, and contact with conjunctiva-irritating substances should be avoided.

In the event of conjunctivitis, there is the risk of increasing irritation by applying the leaf juice.

To avoid eye irritation, the aqueous preparation should be filtered before application.

Should there be a notable worsening of the patient’s condition, or should eye injuries or conjunctivitis persist for more than 3 days, seek medical attention.

Use for inflammation and "nervous breakdown" is classified as REC, based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys, toxicity studies and available published scientific information.

Should there be a notable worsening of the patient’s condition, or should "nervous breakdown" persist for more than 7 days, seek medical attention.

Not for use during pregnancy, during lactation or by children under 5 years old.

For conjunctivitis:

Prepare a decoction or infusion with 20 grams (2-3 spoonfuls) of fresh leaf in 1/2 liter (2 cups) of water.  For decoction, boil for at least 10 minutes in a covered pot.  For infusion, add boiling water to 20 grams (2-3 spoonfuls) of fresh leaf, cover pot and leave to settle during 5-10 minutes.  Filter, allow to cool and wash eye with the content of a dropper (3 mL) every 2 hours42.

All home-made preparations with medicinal herbs for eye use must be preserved cold and should be disposed of 24 hours after preparation.

For inflammation and nervous breakdown: There is no available information establishing a means of preparation and dosage other than that referred to by traditional use.

1 WENIGER B, ROUZIER M, 1986
Enquête TRAMIL. Service Oecuménique d'Entraide SOE, Port au Prince, Haïti.

2 DELAIGUE J, 2005
TRAMIL survey. UAG & PRDI, Tobago House of Assembly, Scarborough, Tobago.

3 CHARLES C, 1988
TRAMIL survey. Movement for Cultural Awareness MCA, Roseau, Dominica.

4 LONGUEFOSSE JL, NOSSIN E, 1990-95
Enquête TRAMIL. Association pour la valorisation des plantes médicinales de la Caraïbe AVPMC, Fort de France, Martinique.

5 GERMOSEN-ROBINEAU L, GERONIMO M, AMPARO C, 1984
Encuesta TRAMIL. enda-caribe, Santo Domingo, Rep. Dominicana.

6 EDOUARD JA, 1992
Enquête TRAMIL. Lycée agricole, Baie-Mahault, Guadeloupe.

7 LEBEDEV-KOSOV VI, 1980
Flavonoids and iridoids of Plantago major L. and P. asiatica L. Rast Resur 16(3):403-406.

8 MAKSYUTINA NP, 1971
Baicalein and scutellarein derivatives in Plantago major leaves. Khim Prir Soedin 7(3):374-375.

9 HARBORNE JB, WILLIAMS CA, 1971
Comparative biochemistry of flavonoids. XIII. 6-hydroxyluteolin and scutellarein as phyletic markers in higher plants. Phytochemistry 10(2):367-378.

10 ANDRZEJEWSKA-GOLEC E, SWIATEK L, 1984
Chemotaxonomic investigations on the genus plantago. I. Analysis of iridoid fraction. Herba Pol 30(1):9-16.

11 PAILER M, HASCHKE-HOFMEISTER E, 1969
Components of Plantago major. Planta Med 17(2):139-145.

12 MAKSYUTINA NP, 1971
Hydroxycinnamic acids from Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata. Khim Prir Soedin 7(6):824-825.

13 NORO Y, HISATA Y, OKUDA K, KAWAMURA T, KASAHARA Y, TANAKA T, SAKAI E, NISIBE S, SASAHARA M, 1991
Pharmacognostical studies of plantagins herba (VII) on the phenylethanoid contents of Plantago spp. Shoyakugaku Zasshi 45(1):24-28.

14 JANSSON O, 1974
Hylloquinone (vitamin k-1) levels in leaves of plant species differing in susceptibility to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Physiol Plant 31:323.

15 OBOLENTSEVA GV, KHADZHAI YI, 1966
Pharmacological testing of plantaglucide. Farmakol Toksikol 29(4):469-472.

16 DUKE JA, ATCHLEY AA, 1986
Handbook of proximate analysis tables of higher plants. Boca Ratón, USA: CRC Press. p131.

17 SIDDIQUI M, HAKIM M, 1991
Crude drugs and their nutrient values. J of the National Integrated Med Assoc 33(1):8-10.

18 CARBALLO A, 1995
Plantas medicinales del Escambray cubano. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio provincial de producción de medicamentos, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba.

19 PAZOS L, COTO T, GONZALEZ S, QUIROS S, 2004
Actividad sedante-tranquilizante en ratón, dosis repetidas del extracto acuoso de hoja de Plantago major. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

20 LUCIANO-MONTALVO C, GAVILLAN-SUAREZ J, BOULOGNE I, 2013
A screening for antimicrobial activities of Caribbean herbal remedies. Informe TRAMIL. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 13:126.

21 BOUCOURT E, MARTINEZ M J, MOREJON Z, 2010
Evaluación de la actividad antimicrobiana del extracto acuoso de las hojas frescas de Plantago major L. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas “Dr. Salvador Allende”, La Habana, Cuba.

22 CACERES A, GIRON LM, ALVARADO SR, TORRES MF, 1987
Screening of antimicrobial activity of plants popularly used in Guatemala for the treatment of dermatomucosal diseases. J Ethnopharmacol 20(3):223-237.

23 LAMBEV I, MARKOV M, PAVLOVA N, 1981
Study of the antiinflammatory and capillary restorative activity of a dispersed substance from Plantago major L. Probl Nutr Med 9(3):162-169.

24 NÚÑEZ ME, DA SILVA JA, SOUCCAR C, LAPA AJ, 1997
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of Plantago major L.
Pharmaceutical Biology 35(2):99-104.

25 CAMBAR P, SANTOS A, COUSIN L, 1985
Efecto del extracto acuoso de Plantago major (Llantén) en el choque anafiláctico inducido por albúmina de huevo en el conejo. Memoria de la III Semana Científica de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras.

26 DUCKETT S, 1980
Plantain leaf for poison ivy. N Engl J Med 303(10):583.

27 BETANCOURT J, MARTINEZ MJ, LOPEZ M, MOREJON Z, BOUCOURT E, MORON F, 2000
Actividad genotóxica in vitro de partes aéreas de Plantago major L. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias. Médicas “Dr. Salvador. Allende”, La Habana, Cuba.

28 CAMBAR P, 1989
Efecto antiinflamatorio del extracto acuoso de la hoja de llantén (Plantago major). Informe TRAMIL. Unidad de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras UNAH, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

29 BETANCOURT J, MARTINEZ MJ, LOPEZ M, MOREJON Z, BARCELO H, LAINEZ A, MONTES ME, REGO R, BOUCOURT E, MORON F, 2000
Toxicidad aguda clásica de partes aéreas de Plantago major L. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias. Médicas “Dr. Salvador. Allende”, La Habana, Cuba.

30 GARCIA GM, COTO MT, GONZALEZ CS, PAZOS L, 1996
Toxicidad por vía oral en ratón, del extracto acuoso de hojas frescas de Plantago major. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

31 GARCIA GM, COTO MT, GONZALEZ CS, PAZOS L, 1996
Irritabilidad ocular en conejos, del extracto acuoso de hojas frescas de Plantago major. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

32 GUERRA MJ, LOPEZ M, BOUCOURT E, FUENTES V, 2002
Irritabilidad oftálmica de la decocción 30% de hojas secas de Plantago major L. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología. Facultad de Medicina “Dr. Salvador Allende”, La Habana, Cuba.

33 LOGARTO PARRA A, SILVA YHEBRA R, GUERRA SARDINAS I, IGLESIAS BUELA L, 2001
Comparative study of the assay of Artemia salina L. and the estimate of the medium lethal dose (LD50 value) in mice, to determine oral acute toxicity of plant extracts. Phytomedicine 8(5):395-400.

34 DUKE J, 1985
Handbook of medicinal herbs. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press.

35 KOSSMANN I, VICENTE C, 1992
Salud y Plantas Medicinales. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Ed. Planeta.

36 ALBORNOZ A, 1993
Medicina tradicional herbaria. Caracas, Venezuela: Instituto Farmacoterápico Latino S.A. p273.

Zea mays

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Dominican Republic:

  • maíz

Haiti:

  • mayi
Significant uses found by the TRAMIL surveys

  styles, decoction with salt, orally1

Recommendations Preparation and Dosage References

According to published and other information:

Uses for edema, inflammation and kidney pain are classified as REC, based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys, scientific validation and available published scientific information.

Should there be a notable worsening of the patient’s condition, or should kidney pain persist for more than 3 days, seek medical attention.

The use of this resource for kidney infection or stones can be considered complementary to medical treatment due to its diuretic effects.

In the event of edema and inflammation, an initial medical evaluation is recommended because of the possible health risks involved.

Not for use during pregnancy, during lactation or by children under 5 years old.

The grains of the fruit of Zea mays are widely used for human consumption.

For edema, inflammation and kidney pain:

Prepare a decoction, infusion or maceration with 10 grams of fresh style or 2 grams of dried style (beard or silage, also called cornsilk) in 1 liter of water.

For decoction, boil for at least 10 minutes in a covered pot.  For infusion, add boiling water to styles, cover and leave to cool down.  For maceration, add styles to 1 liter of boiled water, and leave to settle for 12 hours.

Drink several times a day27-28.

Any medicinal preparation must be preserved cold and used within the 24 hours.

1 WENIGER B, ROUZIER M, 1986
Enquête TRAMIL. Service Oecuménique d’Entraide SOE, Port au Prince, Haïti.

2 GERMOSEN-ROBINEAU L, GERONIMO M, AMPARO C, 1984
Encuesta TRAMIL. enda-caribe, Santo Domingo, Rep. Dominicana.

3 FLATH RA, FORREY RR, JOHN JO, CHAN BG, 1978
Volatile components of corn silk (Zea mays): possible Heliothis zea (boddie) attractants. J Agric Food Chem 26(6):1290-1293.

4 GUELDNER RC, SNOOK ME, WIDSTROM NW, WISEMAN BR, 1992
tlc screen for maysin, chlorogenic acid, and other possible resistance factors to the fall armyworm and the corn earworm in zea mays. J Agric Food Chem 40(7):1211-1213.

5 STYLES ED, CESKA O, 1975
Genetic control of 3-hydroxy- and 3-deoxy-flavonoids in Zea mays. Phytochemistry 14(2):413-415.

6 ELLIGER CA, RABIN LB, 1981
Separation of plant polyphenolics by chromatography on a boronate resin. J Chromatogr 216:261-268.

7 ELLIGER CA, CHAN BG, WAISS AC, LUNDIN RE, HADDON WF, 1980
C-glycosylflavones from Zea mays that inhibit insect development. Phytochemistry 19(2):293-297.

8 DOMINGUEZ XA, BUTRUILLE D, ALVAREZ E, 1976
Note on a chemical study of cabello de elote. Rev Latinoamer Quim 7:93.

9 BALANSARD J, 1951
A study of the hepato-renal diuretics. xxxv. The presence of glycolic acid in various drugs used as diuretics. Med Trop (Marseille) 11:638-639.

10 BUTTERY RG, LING LC, CHAN BG, 1978
Volatiles of corn kernels and husks: Possible corn ear worm attractants. J Agric Food Chem 26(4):866-869.

11 VANACLOCHA B, CAÑIGUERAL S, (eds.) 2003
Zea mays. En: Fitoterapia. Vademecum de Prescripción. 4ta Edición. Editorial Masson, Barcelona, España, p. 336-337.

12 DUKE JA, ATCHLEY AA, 1986
Handbook of proximate analysis tables of higher plants. Boca Raton, USA: CRC Press. p172.

13 CACERES A, MENENDEZ H, MENDEZ E, COHOBON E, SAMAYAO BE, JAUREGUI E, PERALTA E, CARRILLO G, 1995
Antigonorrhoeal activity of plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. J Ethnopharmacol 48(2):85-88.

14 MORON FJ, VICTORIA MC, MOREJON Z, 2007
Acción de la decocción de estilos frescos de Zea mays L. (maíz) sobre ileon aislado de curiel estimulado con histamina. Trabajo TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana, Cuba.

15 CACERES A, GIRON LM, MARTINEZ AM, 1987
Diuretic activity of plants used for the treatment of urinary ailments in Guatemala. J Ethnopharmacol 19(3):233-245.

16 GRASES F, MARCH JG, RAMIS M, COSTA-BAUZÁ A, 1993
The influence of Zea mays on urinary risk factors for kidney stones in rats. Phytother Res 7(2):146-149.

17 DE A RIBEIRO R, FIUZA DE MELO MMR, DE BARROS F, GOMES C, TROLIN G, 1986
Acute antihypertensive effect in conscious rat produced by some medicinal plants used in the state of Sao Paulo. J Etnopharmacol 15(3):261-270.

18 DE A RIBEIRO R, BARROS F, MARGARIDA M, MELO RF, MUNIZ C, CHIEIA S, WANDERLEY MG, GOMES C, TROLIN G, 1988
Acute diuretic effects in conscious rat produced by some medicinal plants used in the state of Sao Paulo, Brasil. J Etnopharmacol 24(1):19-29.

19 DOAN DD, NGUYEN NH, DOAN HK, NGUYEN TL, PHAN TS, VAN DAU N, GRABE M, JOHANSSON R, LINDGREN G, STJERNSTROM NE, 1992
Studies on the individual and combined diuretic effects of four Vietnamese traditional herbal remedies (Zea mays, Imperata cylindrica, Plantago major and Orthosiphon stamineus). J Ethnopharmacol 36(3):225-231.

20 Velazquez DV, Xavier HS, Batista JE, Castro-Chaves C, 2005

Zea mays L. extracts modify glomerular function and potassium urinary excretion in conscious rats. Phytomedicine 12(5):363-369.

21 Pinheiro AC, Pais AA, Tardivo AC, Alves MJ, 2011

Effect of aqueous extract of corn silks (Zea mays L.) on the renal excretion of water and electrolytes and arterial pressure in anesthetized wistar rats. Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais 13(4):375-381.

22 Wang GQ, Xu T, Bu XM, Liu BY, 2012

Anti-inflammation effects of corn silk in a rat model of carrageenin-induced pleurisy. Inflammation 35(3):822-827.

23 LOPEZ M, MARTINEZ MJ, MOREJON Z, BOUCOURT E, FUENTES V, MORON F, 2005
Irritabilidad dérmica primaria de semilla fresca machacada de Zea mays L. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana, Cuba.

24 WANG C, ZHANG T, LIU J, LU S, ZHANG C, WANG E, WANG Z, ZHANG Y, LIU J, 2011
Subchronic toxicity study of cornsilk with rats. J Ethnopharmacol 137(1):36-43.

25 ARTECHE A (Ed.), 1998
Zea mays, Fitoterapia, Vademecum de Prescripción, Base de Datos FITOS para Windows v1.0, Editorial Masson SA, Madrid, España.

26 WICHTL M, ANTON R, 1999
Plantes thérapeutiques. Paris, France: TEC & DOC. p334.

 

Zea mays

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Dominican Republic:

  • maíz

Haiti:

  • mayi
Significant uses found by the TRAMIL surveys

  styles, aqueous maceration, orally1

Recommendations Preparation and Dosage References

According to published and other information:

Uses for edema, inflammation and kidney pain are classified as REC, based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys, scientific validation and available published scientific information.

Should there be a notable worsening of the patient’s condition, or should kidney pain persist for more than 3 days, seek medical attention.

The use of this resource for kidney infection or stones can be considered complementary to medical treatment due to its diuretic effects.

In the event of edema and inflammation, an initial medical evaluation is recommended because of the possible health risks involved.

Not for use during pregnancy, during lactation or by children under 5 years old.

The grains of the fruit of Zea mays are widely used for human consumption.

For edema, inflammation and kidney pain:

Prepare a decoction, infusion or maceration with 10 grams of fresh style or 2 grams of dried style (beard or silage, also called cornsilk) in 1 liter of water.

For decoction, boil for at least 10 minutes in a covered pot.  For infusion, add boiling water to styles, cover and leave to cool down.  For maceration, add styles to 1 liter of boiled water, and leave to settle for 12 hours.

Drink several times a day27-28.

Any medicinal preparation must be preserved cold and used within the 24 hours.

1 WENIGER B, ROUZIER M, 1986
Enquête TRAMIL. Service Oecuménique d’Entraide SOE, Port au Prince, Haïti.

2 GERMOSEN-ROBINEAU L, GERONIMO M, AMPARO C, 1984
Encuesta TRAMIL. enda-caribe, Santo Domingo, Rep. Dominicana.

3 FLATH RA, FORREY RR, JOHN JO, CHAN BG, 1978
Volatile components of corn silk (Zea mays): possible Heliothis zea (boddie) attractants. J Agric Food Chem 26(6):1290-1293.

4 GUELDNER RC, SNOOK ME, WIDSTROM NW, WISEMAN BR, 1992
tlc screen for maysin, chlorogenic acid, and other possible resistance factors to the fall armyworm and the corn earworm in zea mays. J Agric Food Chem 40(7):1211-1213.

5 STYLES ED, CESKA O, 1975
Genetic control of 3-hydroxy- and 3-deoxy-flavonoids in Zea mays. Phytochemistry 14(2):413-415.

6 ELLIGER CA, RABIN LB, 1981
Separation of plant polyphenolics by chromatography on a boronate resin. J Chromatogr 216:261-268.

7 ELLIGER CA, CHAN BG, WAISS AC, LUNDIN RE, HADDON WF, 1980
C-glycosylflavones from Zea mays that inhibit insect development. Phytochemistry 19(2):293-297.

8 DOMINGUEZ XA, BUTRUILLE D, ALVAREZ E, 1976
Note on a chemical study of cabello de elote. Rev Latinoamer Quim 7:93.

9 BALANSARD J, 1951
A study of the hepato-renal diuretics. xxxv. The presence of glycolic acid in various drugs used as diuretics. Med Trop (Marseille) 11:638-639.

10 BUTTERY RG, LING LC, CHAN BG, 1978
Volatiles of corn kernels and husks: Possible corn ear worm attractants. J Agric Food Chem 26(4):866-869.

11 VANACLOCHA B, CAÑIGUERAL S, (eds.) 2003
Zea mays. En: Fitoterapia. Vademecum de Prescripción. 4ta Edición. Editorial Masson, Barcelona, España, p. 336-337.

12 DUKE JA, ATCHLEY AA, 1986
Handbook of proximate analysis tables of higher plants. Boca Raton, USA: CRC Press. p172.

13 CACERES A, MENENDEZ H, MENDEZ E, COHOBON E, SAMAYAO BE, JAUREGUI E, PERALTA E, CARRILLO G, 1995
Antigonorrhoeal activity of plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. J Ethnopharmacol 48(2):85-88.

14 MORON FJ, VICTORIA MC, MOREJON Z, 2007
Acción de la decocción de estilos frescos de Zea mays L. (maíz) sobre ileon aislado de curiel estimulado con histamina. Trabajo TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana, Cuba.

15 CACERES A, GIRON LM, MARTINEZ AM, 1987
Diuretic activity of plants used for the treatment of urinary ailments in Guatemala. J Ethnopharmacol 19(3):233-245.

16 GRASES F, MARCH JG, RAMIS M, COSTA-BAUZÁ A, 1993
The influence of Zea mays on urinary risk factors for kidney stones in rats. Phytother Res 7(2):146-149.

17 DE A RIBEIRO R, FIUZA DE MELO MMR, DE BARROS F, GOMES C, TROLIN G, 1986
Acute antihypertensive effect in conscious rat produced by some medicinal plants used in the state of Sao Paulo. J Etnopharmacol 15(3):261-270.

18 DE A RIBEIRO R, BARROS F, MARGARIDA M, MELO RF, MUNIZ C, CHIEIA S, WANDERLEY MG, GOMES C, TROLIN G, 1988
Acute diuretic effects in conscious rat produced by some medicinal plants used in the state of Sao Paulo, Brasil. J Etnopharmacol 24(1):19-29.

19 DOAN DD, NGUYEN NH, DOAN HK, NGUYEN TL, PHAN TS, VAN DAU N, GRABE M, JOHANSSON R, LINDGREN G, STJERNSTROM NE, 1992
Studies on the individual and combined diuretic effects of four Vietnamese traditional herbal remedies (Zea mays, Imperata cylindrica, Plantago major and Orthosiphon stamineus). J Ethnopharmacol 36(3):225-231.

20 Velazquez DV, Xavier HS, Batista JE, Castro-Chaves C, 2005

Zea mays L. extracts modify glomerular function and potassium urinary excretion in conscious rats. Phytomedicine 12(5):363-369.

21 Pinheiro AC, Pais AA, Tardivo AC, Alves MJ, 2011

Effect of aqueous extract of corn silks (Zea mays L.) on the renal excretion of water and electrolytes and arterial pressure in anesthetized wistar rats. Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais 13(4):375-381.

22 Wang GQ, Xu T, Bu XM, Liu BY, 2012

Anti-inflammation effects of corn silk in a rat model of carrageenin-induced pleurisy. Inflammation 35(3):822-827.

23 LOPEZ M, MARTINEZ MJ, MOREJON Z, BOUCOURT E, FUENTES V, MORON F, 2005
Irritabilidad dérmica primaria de semilla fresca machacada de Zea mays L. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana, Cuba.

24 WANG C, ZHANG T, LIU J, LU S, ZHANG C, WANG E, WANG Z, ZHANG Y, LIU J, 2011
Subchronic toxicity study of cornsilk with rats. J Ethnopharmacol 137(1):36-43.

25 ARTECHE A (Ed.), 1998
Zea mays, Fitoterapia, Vademecum de Prescripción, Base de Datos FITOS para Windows v1.0, Editorial Masson SA, Madrid, España.

26 WICHTL M, ANTON R, 1999
Plantes thérapeutiques. Paris, France: TEC & DOC. p334.