kidney pain

Cocos nucifera

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Nicaragua:

  • 'kukus

St Vincent and Grenadines:

  • coco-tree
  • coconut tree

Dominica:

  • coco-tree
  • coconut tree

Guatemala:

  • cocotero

Honduras:

  • cocotero

Dominican Republic:

  • cocotero
Significant uses found by the TRAMIL surveys

fruit water, natural, orally1-2

Recommendations Preparation and Dosage References

According to available information:

Uses for asthma and joint pain (arthritis) are classified as REC based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys and the validation and toxicity studies.

If deterioration of the patient is observed or if the asthma symptoms persist for more than 2 days or the asthma attacks for more than 1 hour, seek medical attention.

Due to the health risk of asthma, an initial medical assessment is recommended. The use of this resource must be considered complementary to medical treatment, unless contraindicated.

The use for flu (fruit) is classified as REC based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys, the toxicity studies and the scientific information published.

If deterioration is observed in the patient or the flu symptoms persist for more than 7 days, or the boils for more than 5 days, seek medical attention.

The use for burns is classified as REC based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys and the toxicity studies.

Traditional use should be limited to superficial burns (epidermal damage) that are minor (less than 10% of the body surface) and located outside high-risk areas such as the face, hands, feet and genitals.

All topical application must follow strict hygiene measures in order to prevent contamination or additional infection.

The use for kidney stones, kidneys and urinary infections is classified as REC based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys and the scientific information published.

If deterioration is observed in the patient or the urinary symptoms persist for more than 3 days, seek medical attention.

Due to the health risk of urinary infections and kidney stones, an initial medical assessment is recommended. The use of this resource must be considered complementary to medical treatment, unless contraindicated.

Not for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding or in children under 5 years.

The fruit (seed, mesoderm) and juice (water) of Cocos nucifera is a food of relatively widespread human consumption.

For asthma:
TRAMIL Work37
drink 1 teaspoon (5 millilitres) of coconut oil a day for 15 to 21 days.

For kidney stones or urinary infection:
drink 1 cup (250 millilitres) of fresh coconut water, 4-6 times a day37.

For flu and joint pain (arthritis):
apply a sufficient amount of coconut oil locally to cover the area, rubbing the chest in cases of flu or massaging the joint in cases of joint pain (arthritis), 3 to 4 times a day.

For boils (furuncles) or burns:
wash the injury with boiled water and soap, apply a sufficient amount of the coconut oil to cover the affected area twice a day. Cover with a dressing or clean cloth and change every 12 hours.

For diarrhoea:
prepare a decoction with 30 grams of leaves in 4 cups (1 litre) of water, boil for 10 minutes in an closed vessel. Leave to cool, strain (filter) and drink 4 cups a day. The consumption of coconut water is recommended for remineralisation in cases of diarrhoea.

Preparations must never be stored for more than 24 hours, even if refrigerated.

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

2 LAGOS-WITTE S, 1988-89, 1996
Encuesta TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Histología Vegetal y Etnobotánica, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras UNAH, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

3 AKER CH, GARMENDIA M, DEVES R, FERNANDEZ P, FRITHZ E, HERNANDEZ M, SIMEON A, 2003
Encuesta TRAMIL-GEF Bosawas. Departamento de Biologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua UNAN-León, León, Nicaragua.

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

5 GIRON L, 1988
Encuesta TRAMIL (Costa atlántica). Centro Mesoamericano de Tecnología CEMAT, Guatemala, Guatemala.

6 BALLAND V, GLASGOW A, SPRINGER F, GAYMES G, 2004
TRAMIL survey. enda-caribbean, IICA, UAG & U.PARIS XI, Saint Vincent.

7 MOURA FE JA, BROWN WH, WHITING FM, STULL JW, 1975
Unsaponifiable matter of crude and processed coconut oil. J Sci Food Agr 26(4):523-531.

8 PARIS R, MOYSE H, 1981
Précis de matière médicale. Paris, France: Ed. Maloine.

9 SAITTAGAROON S, KAWAKISHI S, NAMIKI M, 1985
Generation of mannitol from copra meal. J Food Sci 50(3):757-760.

10 TAKEUCHI K, 1961
Amino acids in the endosperm of some Amazonian Palmae. Chiba Daigaku Buurii Gakuba Kiyo Shizen Kagaku 3:321-325.

11 JANSZ BR, JEYARAJ EE, PIERIS N, ABEYRATNE DJ, 1974
Cyanide liberation from linamarin. J Natl Sci Counc Sri Lanka 2:57-65.

12 KINDERLERER JL, KELLARD B, 1987
Alkylpyrazines produced by bacterial spoilage of heat-treated and gamma-irradiated coconut. Chem Ind (London) 16:567-568.

13 MANNAN A, AHMAD K, 1966
Studies on vitamin E in foods of East Pakistan. Pak J Biol Agr Sci 9:13.

14 DUKE JA, ATCHLEY AA, 1986
Handbook of proximate analysis tables of higher plants. Boca Raton, USA: CRC Press. p47.

15 CAMBAR P, ALGER J, 1989
Efectos broncopulmonares del aceite de coco en conejos. Informe TRAMIL. Unidad de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Medicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras UNAH, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

16 BOUCOURT E, MARTINEZ M J, MOREJON Z, 2010
Evaluación de la actividad antimicrobiana del agua de fruto fresco de Cocos nucifera L. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas “Dr. Salvador Allende”, C. Habana, Cuba.

17 BOUCOURT E, MARTINEZ M J, MOREJON Z, 2010
Evaluación de la actividad antimicrobiana de la pulpa tierna del fruto fresco de Cocos nucifera L. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas “Dr. Salvador Allende”, C. Habana, Cuba.

18 OLMEDO D, RODRIGUEZ N, ESPINOSA A, VASQUEZ Y, Gupta MP, 2005
Ensayo antimicrobiano de algunas especies con usos significativos TRAMIL-Centroamérica. Informe TRAMIL. Centro de Investigaciones Farmacognósticas de la Flora Panameña CIFLORPAN, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Panamá, Panamá, Panamá.

19 GarcIa-GONZÁLEZ M, BARBOZA CJ, 2005
Velocidad del tránsito intestinal en ratones, del extracto acuoso del fruto fresco de Cocos nucifera. Informe TRAMIL. PRONAPLAMED. Depto de Fisiología, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

20 PAZOS L, COTO T, REYES L, 2007
Antiinflamatorio tópico, en ratones, del aceite del fruto de Cocus nucifera. Informe TRAMIL, Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos, LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

21 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.

22 VENKATARAMAN S, RAMANUJAN T, VENKATASUBBU V, 1980
Antifungal activity of the alcoholic extract of coconut shell Cocos nucifera L. J Ethnopharmacol 2(3):291-293.

23 JAIN SK, AGRAWAL SC, 1992
Sporostatic effect of some oils against fungi causing otomycosis. Indian J Med Sci 46(1):1-6.

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

25 RODRÍGUEZ M, SÁNCHEZ C, 1982
Diuresis del agua de pipa (Cocos nucifera) en ratas. Rev Méd Panamá 7(3):186-19l.

26 KETUSINH O, 1954
Risks associate with intravenous infusion of coconut juice. J Med Ass Thailand 37(5):249-271.

27 MORTON J, 1981
Atlas of medicinal plants of Middle America. Springfield, USA: III: Charles C. Thomas Publisher.

28 BOOTH AN, BICKOFF EM, KOHLER GO, 1960
Estrogen-like activity in vegetable oils and mill by-products. Science 131:1807-1808.

29 GARCIA-GONZÁLEZ M, BARBOZA CJ, 2005
Toxicidad aguda dosis repetida, en ratones, del extracto acuoso del aceite del fruto de Cocos nucifera. Informe TRAMIL. PRONAPLAMED. Depto de Fisiología, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

30 GARCIA-GONZÁLEZ M, BARBOZA CJ, 2005
Toxicidad aguda (5000 mg/kg) dosis repetida, en ratones, del extracto acuoso (decocción) del fruto fresco de Cocos nucifera. Informe TRAMIL. PRONAPLAMED. Depto de Fisiología, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

31 PAZOS L, COTO T, GONZALEZ S, 2006
Toxicidad oral subcrónica, dosis repetida, en ratón, de aceite del fruto fresco de Cocus nucifera. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos, LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

32 PAZOS L, COTO T, GONZALEZ S, 2006
Irritabilidad dérmica, piel lesionada en conejos, del aceite del fruto puro de Cocus nucifera. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos, LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

33 SALERNO JW, SMITH DE, 1991
The use of sesame oil and other vegetable oils in the inhibiting of human colon cancer growth in vitro. Anticancer Res 11(1):209-215.

34 LOCNISKAR M, BELURY MA, CUMBERLAND AG, PATRICK KE, FISCHER SM, 1991
The effect of dietary lipid on skin tumor promotion by benzoyl peroxide, comparison of fish, coconut and corn oil. Carcinogenesis 12(6):1023-1028.

35 BERTON TR, FISCHER SM, CONTI CJ, LOCNISKAR MF, 1996
Comparison of ultraviolet light-induced skin carcinogenesis and ornithine decarboxylase activity in sencar and hairless SKH-1 mice fed a constant level of dietary lipid varying in corn and coconut oil. Nutr Cancer 26(3):353-363.

36 CHINDAVANIG A, 1971
Effect of vegetable oils in plasma cholesterol in man and dog. Master Thesis, Dept. Biochemistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

37 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.

Xanthium strumarium

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Cuba:

  • guisazo de caballo
Significant uses found by the TRAMIL surveys

root, decoction, orally1,10

Recommendations Preparation and Dosage References

According to published and other information:

Use for kidney pain is classified as REC, based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys, toxicity studies, 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 can be considered complementary to medical treatment for diuretic effects.

For kidney pain:

Prepare a decoction with 15–20 grams of fresh or dry root (15 roots, 10 cm long)in 1 liter of water (4 cups), boil at least 10 minutes in a covered pot. Leave to cool down and drink 1 cup, 3 to 4 times a day.

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

1 CARBALLO A, 1990
Encuesta TRAMIL. Centro de investigación de fitoterapia y medicina tradicional de Topes de Collantes, Trinidad, Cuba.

2 MOREJON Z, LOPEZ M, GARCIA MJ, BOUCOURT E, VICTORIA M, FUENTES V, MORON F, BOULOGNE I, ROBINEAU L, 2009
Encuesta TRAMIL preliminar a grupos de vecinos en los municipios 10 de Octubre, Lisa, Marianao, Habana del Este (Cojímar) en la Ciudad de la Habana. Laboratorio Central de Farmacología, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana, Cuba.

3 BISHT NP, SINGH R, 1979
Chemical constituents of the stem and roots of Xanthium strumarium. J Indian Chem Soc 56:108-109.

4 CARVAJAL D, CASACO A, GONZALEZ R, 1986
Actividad diurética e hipotensora de cuatro especies de plantas con reportes en medicina popular. Rev CENIC 17(1-2):34-36.

5 JIMENEZ L, LEON MC, HERRERA R, GARCIA G, CADENAS JL, 1999
Efecto diurético de Xanthium strumarium L (guisazo de caballo). Rev Cubana Plantas Med 4(1):22-25.

6 HERRERA R, AGUERO ME, 2000
Efecto diurético de Xanthium strumarium L. en ratas. Archivo Médico de Camagüey (Supl. Med Nat y Trad).

7 KUO YC, SUN CM, TSAI WJ, OU JC, CHEN WP, LIN CY, 1998
Chinese herbs as modulators of human mesangial cell proliferation: preliminary studies. J Lab Clin Med 132(1):76-85.

8 JIMENEZ L, LEON MC, HERRERA R, GARCIA G, CADENAS JL, LOPEZ C, 1999
Toxicidad aguda oral del Xanthium strumarium L (guisazo de caballo). Rev Cubana. Plantas Med 4(1):40-43.

9 DHAR ML, DHAR MM, DHAWAN BN, MEHROTRA BN, RAY C, 1968
Screening of Indian plants for biological activity: part I. Indian J Exp Biol 6(4):232-247.

10 DIAZ GARCIA GM, 2002
Evaluación del efecto genotóxico del Xantium strumarium L (guisazo de caballo) (Tesis). Instituto Superior de Ciencias Médicas “Carlos J. Finlay”, Camagüey, Cuba.

 

Zea mays

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Dominican Republic:

  • maíz

Haiti:

  • mayi
Significant uses found by the TRAMIL surveys

styles and/or seed, decoction, orally2 (frequently with Spermacoce assurgens “Juana la blanca”)

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.