Go Back or Go Forward or Send a Friend this Page!

ABUTA Family: Menispermaceae Genus: Cissampelos Species: pareira Common names: Abuta, Abutua, Barbasco, Imchich masha, Butua, False Pareira, Pareira, Aristoloche Lobee, Bejuco De Raton, Feuille Coeur, Liane Patte Cheval, Gasing-gasing Part Used: Whole Vine, Seed, Bark, Leaf DESCRIPTION Properties/Actions: Analgesic, Anti-carcinomic, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-leukemic, Anti-spasmodic, Anti-septic, Aperient, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Febrifuge, Hepatoprotective, Hypotensive, Piscicide, Purgative, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic Phytochemicals: (+)-Curine, (++)-Curine-4''-Methyl-Ether, 4-O-Methylcurine, Alkaloids, Bebeerine, Cissamine, Cissampareine, Cyclanoline, Cycleanine, D-quercitol, EO, Hayatidine, Hayatine, Hayatinine, Isochondodendrine, Menismine, Parierine, Pelosine, Quercitol, Saponin, Tetrandrine, Tetrandrine-N-2'-Oxide Traditional Remedy: One-half cup bark decoction 2-3 times daily or 2-4 ml of a 4:1 tincture twice daily. 1 to 2 grams of powdered bark in tablets or capsules twice daily can be substituted if desired. See Traditional Herbal Remedies Preparation Methods page if necessary for definitions. ETHNOBOTANY WORLDWIDE USES Elsewhere Anecbolic, Antiecbolic, Aphrodisiac, Asthma, Bite(Snake), Cough, Cystitis, Diarrhea, Diuretic, Dropsy, Dyspepsia, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Febrifuge, Fever ,Hemorrhage, Hypertension, Itch, Lithontriptic, Malaria, Menorrhagia, Piscicide, Purgative, Sore, Styptic, Tonic, Urogenital, Stimulant, Parturition, Piscicide Guatemala Anti-dote, Bite(Snake), Erysipelas, Fever India Ache(Stomach), Bite(Dog), Boil, Bronchitis, Burn, Chill, Cholera, Cold, Convulsion, Delirium, Diarrhea, Dysentery, Epilepsy, Eye, Gravel, Hematuria, Madness, Pimples, Rabies Mexico Bite(Snake), Bladder, Diuretic, Dropsy, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Fever, Jaundice, Leucorrhea, Nephritis, Poultice, Rheumatism, Tonic, Urogenital Panama Bite(Snake) Trinidad Boil, Diabetes, Hypertension, Palpitation Venezuela Bite(Snake), Bladder, Calculus, Diuretic, Kidney Abuta is a woody climbing vine with leaves up to one foot long. It belongs to genus Cissampelos, in which there are 30 to 40 species of vines.(1) It produces inedible, dark, grape-sized berries. Abuta vine is blackish brown with beautiful knotty ridges that resemble a ruffled ribbon winding it's way up to the canopy . The vine is hard, heavy, tough, and when freshly cut has a waxy luster.(2) Abuta is found throughout the Amazon in Peru, Brazil, Ecuador and Columbia and is cultivated by many people to beautify their gardens.(3) Abuta is commonly referred to as the "midwives' herb" by indigenous peoples due to its analgesic properties and its many years of use for women's ailments.(3) It has been used by indigenous peoples throughout the South American Rainforest for thousands of years and is still in use today. In their book "Medical Botany," Walter and Memory Lewis state, "Cissampelos pareira roots are used in tropical countries to prevent a threatened miscarriage. The herb is also used to stop uterine hemorrhages."(17) Midwives in the Amazon still carry Abuta with them for menstrual cramps and pre- and postnatal pain.(4) It is also believed to be helpful for menstrual cramps, difficult menstruation, pre and post-natal pain and aids poor digestion, drowsiness after meals and constipation.(5) Indigenous uses of Abuta are well documented. The leaves, bark, and roots are macerated with rum by the Créoles in Guyana and used as an aphrodisiac.(15) The Wayãpi Indians use the decoction of leaf and stem as an oral analgesic.(15) Another indigenous tribe, the "Sionas," use the leaf decoction for fever.(6) Ecuadorian "Ketchwas" tribes use the leaf decoction for conjunctivitis and snake bites.(1) The indigenous tribes in Peru use the seeds of Abuta for snakebite, as a diuretic, an expectorant, and for fevers and venereal disease.(16) Herbal healers and Shamans called Curanderos in Peruvian Amazon toast the seeds of Abuta then brew it into tea to treat hemorrhages internally and external bleeding, brew a leaf tea for rheumatism and a vine wood and bark tea to treat irregular heart beat.(26, 27) The Genus Cissampelos contains alkaloids characteristic of other members of the family Menispermaceae.(1) Saponins and sterols are common; occasional triterpenes, ethereal oils, polyterpenes, and polyphenols also are present.(1) Abuta contains tetrandrine, which is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and febrifuge(6) and has recently been shown to have anti-tumor and anti-leukemic properties as well.(18) In reviews of the alkaloids in general, the aporphine alkaloids, and their role in the preparation of curares have been published.(6, 8, 9, 10, 19) Abuta is rich in alkaloids which western scientists have shown the most interest in even as far back as 1965 to 1968.(20, 21, 22, 23) In addition to tetrandrine, Cissampelos pareira contains palmatine, hayatinin and other berbine derivatives.(14) In more recent research, the bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids have been found to be anti-inflammatory constituents of Abuta. In clinical experiments, the alkaloids suppressed the production of nitric oxide, a critical mediator in inflammation, which explain some aspects of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms present in the alkaloids of Abuta.(11) Additionally, according to two studies in 1993,(12 & 13) Abuta contains tropoloisoquinoline alkaloids, Pareirubrines A and B, which have been isolated as alkaloids with anti-leukemic properties. Cissampeline is another bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid which is found in Abuta that is sold as a drug in Ecuador and related areas in the American tropics as a skeletal muscle relaxant.(24) Today, Abuta is still used in the Amazon and outlying areas for the same purposes that it has been traditionally used for. In addition, South and North American natural health practitioners use Abuta to help relieve symptoms associated with menstruation and to help balance female hormones.(4) Other recent reported uses include relief for inflammation of the testicles and minor kidney problems.(7) Leaf, vinebark or root decoctions or macerations mixed with other ingredients is how Abuta has been traditionally prepared. It can be administered orally or applied directly to affected areas (e.g. snakebites). Documented uses in traditional medicine show that Abuta is used for diuretic, expectorant, emmenagogue, and febrifuge purposes, and to prevent threatened abortion, relieve menorrhagia, and arrest uterine hemorrhages.(24) It is also used in homeopathy in the form of a mother tincture.(3) Footnotes: Schultes, R.E., and Raffauf , The Healing Forest, R.F. Dioscorides Press, 1990. Grieve, Mrs. M. 1971. A MODERN HERBAL, Dover Publications. Bernardes, Antonio, 1984 A Pocketbook of Brazilian Herbs, Editora e Arta Ltda. Brazil. Schwontkowski, Dr. Donna, 1993. HERBS OF THE AMAZON, Traditional and Common Uses, Science Student BrainTrust Publishin, Utah. Powerful and Unusual Herbs from the Amazon and China, 1993. The World Preservation Society, Inc. Duke, James and Vasquez, Rudolfo, 1994 Amazonian Ethnobotanical Dictionary, CRC Press Inc., Boca Raton, FL "Herbal Treasures from the Amazon," Schwontkowski, Dr. Donna, (A series of three articles published in Healthy & Natural Journal) Kametani, T., M. Ihara and T. Honda, Heterocycles 4 (1976) 483 Guinaudeau, H., M. Leboeuf and A. Cave, Lloydia 38 (1975) 275 Marini-Bettolo, G.B., K. Acad. Geneeskund. Belg. 43 (1981) 185 (C.A. 96:129624t). Kondo Y, et al. Inhibitory effect of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids on nitric oxide production in activated macrophages. Biochem Pharmacol 46: 1887-92 (1993) Morita, H. Matsumoto, K, Takeya, K, Itokawa, H., 1993. Conformation of Tropolone Ring in Anti-leukemic Tropoloisoquinoline, Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 41:8, Aug, 1478-80. Morita, H, Matsumoto, K. Takeya, K, Itokawa, H. Iitaka, Y., 1993. Structures and solid State Tautomeric Forms of Two Novel anti-leukemic Tropoloisoquinoline alkaloids, Pareirubrines A and B, from Cissampelos pareira, Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 41:8, Aug, 1418-22. Basu DK. Studies on curariform activity of hayatinin methochloride, an alkaloid of Cissampelos pareira. Jpn J Pharmacol, 1970 Jun Grenand, P., Moretti, C., Jacquemin, H., 1987. Pharmacopees taditionnels en Guyane: Créoles, Palikur, Wayãpi. Editorial l-ORSTROM, Coll. Mem No. 108. Paris 569 pp. Rutter, R.A. 1990. Catalogo de Plantas Utiles de la Amazonia Peruana. Instituto Linguistico de Verano. Yarinacocha, Peru. 349. Lewis, Walter H., Lewis Memory, 1977. Medical Botany. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 364 pp. Bruneton, Jean, 1995. Pharmaognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. Intercept Limited, Andover, England UK pp 726 Plotkin, Mark, J., 1993. Tales of Shaman's Apprentice. Penguin Books, Middlesex, England Anwer F, et al. Studies in medicinal plants. 3. Protoberberine alkaloids from the roots of Cissampelos pareira Linn. Experientia, 1968 Oct 15 Bhatnagar AK, et al. Chemical examination of the roots of Cissampelos pareira Linn. V. Structure and stereochemistry of hayatidin. Experientia, 1967 Apr 15 Bhatnagar AK, et al. Chemical examination of the roots of Cissampelos pareira linn. IV. Structure and stereochemistry of hayatin. J Org Chem, 1967 Mar Kupchan SM, et al. Tumor inhibitors. VI. Cissampareine, new cytotoxic alkaloid from Cissampelos pareira. Cytotoxicity of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids. J Pharm Sci, 1965 Apr Blumenthal, Mark, 1997. "Plant Medicines from the New World," Whole Foods Magazine April 1997 Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen; Duke, James; Ethnobotany Database, USDA Leslie Taylor, Personal field notes with Curandero Jose Guerra Cabrerra near the village of Tam Hisaco. September, 1997 Leslie Taylor, Personal field notes with Curandero Don Antonio Montero at ACEER, Peru. REFERENCED QUOTES ON ABUTA 1 "Abuta has been traditionally used by women who have problems with their menses. Midwives in the Amazon carry Abuta with them for menstrual cramps and pre- and postnatal pain. They report that it prevents threatened miscarriages. In Ecuador, it has been known to stop uterine hemorrhages during childbirth and it is used by men for inflammation of the testicles. Abuta is helpful for kidney stones, other minor kidney problems, and acts as a diuretic." 2 "South American Indian women have used abuta for centuries to relieve symptoms associated with menstruation and to balance female hormones. It is commonly referred to as the "midwives' herb" and has been believed to help prevent miscarriage and stop uterine hemorrhaging." 3 "Brazilian Indian women have used Abuta for centuries to ease the symptoms associated with menses. Commonly referred to as the "midwives herb", believed to aid in preventing miscarriage and to stop uterine hemorrhages." 4 "Medicinal Action and Uses: Tonic, diuretic, aperient; acts as an anti-septic to the bladder, chiefly employed for the relief of chronic inflammation of the urinary passages, also recommended for calculus affections, leucorrhoea, rheumatism, jaundice, dropsy, and gonorrhea." 8 "Brazilian uses and Folklore: Abuta is a very useful herb for women's affections. It's anti-spasmodic action makes it influential in treating cramps, painful menstruation and pre and post-natal pain. Brazilian Indian women have for centuries valued its analgesic powers, and satchels of almost all midwives contain the root of this plant. In their book, "Medical Botany" (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1977) Walter H. Lewis and Memory Lewis state, "Cissampelos Pareira roots are used in tropical countries to prevent a threatened miscarriage. The herb is also used to stop uterine hermorrhages" (p. 324) Uses: Helpful for menstrual cramps and difficult menstruation, pre and post-natal pain. Aids poor digestion, drowsiness after meals and constipation. Also used in homeopathy, in the form of a mother tincture." 9 "Cissampelos pareira L. Menispermaceae. "Imchich masha", "Barbasco". "Palikur" use the leaf poultice as an analgesic (GMJ). Seeds used for snakebite; diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, piscicide, POISON, for venereal disease (RAR). Contains tetrandrine, which is analgesic, anti-nflammatory, and febrifuge." 10 "Cissampelos pareira L. Menispermaceae. "Imchich masha", "Barbasco", "Palikur" use the leaf poultice as an analgesic (GMJ). Seeds used for snakebite; diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, piscicide, POISON, for venereal disease (RAR). Contains tetrandrine, which is analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and febrifuge." 11 "Abuta is used by men in the Amazon for inflammation of the testicles. It is also helpful for kidney stones and other minor kidney problems. Other herbs from the Amazon which help establish balance during the menstrual cycle or during menopause include Abuta, Maracuja, Marapuama, Star anise and Una de gato. Many of these herbs do this indirectly by regulating the nervous system. Abuta is always carried by midwives in the Amazon for menstrual cramps and pain before and after childbirth. They report that it prevents miscarriages. In Ecuador, it has also been known to stop uterine hemorrhages" 21 "MENISPERMACEAE Moonseed Family The Menispermaceae comprises 65 genera and approximately 400 species native to the tropics and subtropics of both hemispheres; a few are found in temperate regions of North America and Asia. They are mostly lianas, sometimes small trees or shrubs and occasionally perennial herbs. The family is divided into eight tribes based on characters of the fruit and seeds. Alkaloids of several structural types are found in the family along with well characterized isoprenoid bitter principles. Saponins and sterols are common; occasional triterpenes, ethereal oils, polyterpenes, and polyphenols also are present. Reviews of the alkaloids in general (Kametani, 1976), the aporphine alkaloids (Guinaudeau, 1975) and their role in the preparation of curares (Martini-Bettolo, 1981) have been published. One of the alkaloids, isoboldine, is said to have insecticidal activity. Cissampelos Linnaeus The 30 or 40 species of vines occur in the tropics of both hemispheres. The genus contains alkaloids characteristic of other members of the family. Cissampelos pareira Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. (1753) 1031. Garcia-Barriga (1974) This woody climber, according to Garcia-Barriga, is "one of the principal components of curare." It occurs widely in Colombia, including the Amazon region. The Ketchwas of Ecuador use it as an arrow poison. REFERENCES Da Rocha, A. I., M. L. Da Silva et al., Inst. Nac. Pesq. da Amaz6nia, Publ. no. 12 (1968) (C. A. 72:63608m). Da Rocha, A. I., A. I. R. Luz and M. F. Da Silva, Acta Amazonica 14 (1984) 244 (C. A. 104:203926v). Guinaudeau, H., M. Leboeuf and A. Cave, Lloydia 38 (1975) 275. Kametani, T., M. Ihara and T. Honda, Heterocycles 4 (1976) 483. Marini-Bettolo, G. B., K. Acad. Geneeskund. Belg. 43 (1981) 185 (C. A. 96:129624t)." From Medicinal Plants Information of Orissa (India): "Local Names: Akanabindu, Akalbindu (Oriya), Chantimal, Ghodakhuri (Batra, Rana), Kidikidikanda (Paroja) Description of the Plant: Climber. Flower colour white. Flowers in January. Fruits in February. Occurs in every parts of the Orissa. Plant Parts Used: Root / Leaf / Tuber / Bark Healthcare Properties: Abdominal pain: Grind the root of Cissampelos pareira with 5 black pepper and administer it orally in a single dose. (S-3), (K-14) [OR-2-1-1083] [OR-1-4-538] (or) Grind the root of Cissampelos pareira and administer 15 ml of the powdered parts in one dose orally. (B-16) [OR-1-1-156] (or) Grind the root of Cissampelos pareira into paste and applied on the belly. Then warmed stem used for fomentation on the pain area. The colic pain will cure. (K-13) [OR-1-6-688] (or) Grind into powder all following parts of the plant; root of Cissampelos pareira, root of Rauvolfia serpentina, root of Cassia fistula, root of Clausena excavata, 5 g of dried ginger, 5 g of Piper longum, 5 g clove, 5 g of Piper nigrum, 5 g of cumin seeds, 4 number of fruit of Terminalia chebula, 2 number of fruits Terminalia bellerica. Take one teaspoonful for 3 days with warm water. (S-14) (or) Grind together the roots of Cissampelos pareira Kasendri (Oriya, tribal) and Tarajibha (tribal) with 21 black pepper each root about 2 g. The above preparation for 1 dose. (K-2) (or) Grind together the roots of Cissampelos pareira, 2 1/2 black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of rock salt with a part of the fruit of Terminalia chebula into powder. Take the powder twice daily one teaspoon at each time for two days. (D-7) (or) Grind the root of Cissampelos pareira mixed with leaves of Andrographis paniculata, black pepper (number of black pepper varies with age from 3, 7, 9, 11) and make into paste which is orally taken to get relief from abdominal pain. (D-11) (or) Grind the root of Cissampelos pareira with black pepper (7 or 9) and leaf of Monordica charantia to make into paste. Administer paste orally. (R-9) (or) Grind the root of Cissampelos pareira mixed with tuber of Garuda (Rauvolfia serpentina) to make a paste. Take the paste orally with water to cure abdominal pain. (K-12, H-2) (or) Grind the root of Cissampelos pareira into paste. Take orally for curing spasmodic pain on abdomen. (K-7, B-15) Blood dysentery: Grind the root of Cissampelos pareira and extract the root juice. Take juice twice a day, a teaspoonful at each time for 7 days. (R-13) (or) Grind the root of Cissampelos pareira mixed with 2 to 3 black pepper to make a paste. Administer the paste orally in a single dose to cure blood dysentery. (B-19) (or) Grind the root of Cissampelos pareira into paste and administer it orally. (K-7, B-15) Boil: Grind the leaves of Cissampelos pareira and smear it on the boil. In primary stage of the boil. Squeezed the leaf a little and cover it on the boil with a hole. (P-6) Boils: Grind the leaves of Cissampelos pareira and smear it on boils twice a day for five days. (P-6) Contraceptive: Grind 7 leaves of Cissampelos pareira, 21 leaves of Aegle marmelos, 21 seeds of Piper nigrum, 21 leaves of Vitex negundo, 21 flowers of Jiba (Hibiscus rosasinesis) with 3 Piper longum. Take twice a day empty stomach. One teaspoonful at each time for 21 days. (C-2) Cut wound: Grind the leaves of Cissampelos pareira to make into paste. The paste is applied on the wound to cure. (S-3) (or) Crush the root of Cissampelos pareira and applied on the cut wound. Then the bleeding will clothing. (K-2) Diarrhea: Grind the root of Cissampelos pareira with water and filtered. Take the filtrate orally. (B-17) Epilepsy: Grind the root of Cissampelos pareira and take the paste orally until cure. The root tied on the arm. (K-7, B-15) Epileptic fits: Grind the bark of Cissampelos pareira make into paste. Prepare tablets of 1 g size. Three dosage a day. One tablet in each dose. Mantras are enchanted. (J-10, M-11) Evil spirit: Grind the root of Cissampelos pareira and make into paste. Take it orally. A single dose work excellently. (S-20) Fishing preventive: The leaf juice of Cissampelos pareira applied on the affected area in fish sting. This destroys the poison and relieves the pain immediately. (T-5) For quick delivery: Grind the leaves of Cissampelos pareira and make into a pill. Enter the pill inside the vagina for quick delivery. (B-35) Leucorrhoea: Grind the root of Cissampelos pareira into paste. Take it orally. 5 g dose at each time. (K-2) Pain around umbilicus: Grind the root of Cissampelos pareira. Take it orally. 15 ml a dose. (G-7) Rheumatoid arthritis: Boil the root of Cissampelos pareira with black pepper. Take the decoction once a day for 7 days. 50 ml a dose. (G-7) > Scrofuloderma: The bark paste of Cissampelos pareira made into tablets. Take it orally for twenty one days. One tablet daily. (J-10, M-11) Tonsil: Grind the root of Cissampelos pareira and smear it over the throat. Give fomentation by palms to showing it to the fire. (B-7) Worm infection: Crush the bark of Cissampelos pareira mixed jaggery. This is prescribed to expel intestinal worms. Three doses one orally given. Once daily. (J-10, M-11)" Clinical References Morita H, et al. Conformation of tropolone ring in anti-leukemic tropoloisoquinoline alkaloids. Chem Pharm Bull Tokyo, 1993 Aug, Morita H, et al. Structures and solid state tautomeric forms of two novel anti-leukemic tropoloisoquinoline alkaloids, pareirubrines A and B, from Cissampelos pareira. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 41: 8, 1993 Aug, 1418-22 Kondo Y, et al. Inhibitory effect of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids on nitric oxide production in activated macrophages. Biochem Pharmacol 46: 1887-92 (1993) Morita H, et al. Structures and solid state tautomeric forms of two novel anti-leukemic tropoloisoquinoline alkaloids, pareirubrines A and B, from Cissampelos pareira. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 1993 Aug, Basu DK. Studies on curariform activity of hayatinin methochloride, an alkaloid of Cissampelos pareira. Jpn J Pharmacol, 1970 Jun Anwer F, et al. Studies in medicinal plants. 3. Protoberberine alkaloids from the roots of Cissampelos pareira Linn. Experientia, 1968 Oct 15 Bhatnagar AK, et al. Chemical examination of the roots of Cissampelos pareira Linn. V. Structure and stereochemistry of hayatidin. Experientia, 1967 Apr 15 Bhatnagar AK, et al. Chemical examination of the roots of Cissampelos pareira linn. IV. Structure and stereochemistry of hayatin. J Org Chem, 1967 Mar Kupchan SM, et al. Tumor inhibitors. VI. Cissampareine, new cytotoxic alkaloid from Cissampelos pareira. Cytotoxicity of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids. J Pharm Sci, 1965 Apr