kidney pain

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.