Bitter Melon (Sorosi)

Momordica charatia

Cholesterol, diabetes, gastritis, colitis, healing, liver problems

Presents tetraterpenoids substances (Lycopene) in its seeds. This found its use as hypoglycemic Activity. In the Pacific and India are used for diabetes mellitus. Have Sorosi Both pancreatic and extra pancreatic effects and offer Therapeutic Potential for diabetic patiens. (Hoffman, 2003).

Senna (Saragundi)

Senna reticulata

Laxative, arthritis, rheumatism, fungus, kidney stones

In Centralamerica infusions is taken for problems of Diabetes Type 2 (Stella, 2008)

Stella, L. 2008. Preiliminar study of hypoglycemic effects in diabetic rats Senna reticulata. Accessed December 26, 2011. http://200.21.104.25/biosalud/downloads/Revista% 208_4.pdf

This proven antibacterial and fungicide use. The best results were obtained with a fluid extract 70%

Anamu (Ajillo,Zorrillo,Apacin)

Petiveria alliacea

Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, immunostimulant, diabetes 2

We used leaf tea for high blood pressure. Experiments with rats have shown this plant property. (Mario, 2001)

Use as a plant immune system stimulation has also tested positive for use. (Batista, 2011)

Antimicrobial, antibacterial that can cause respiratory and digestive, hepatic stimulant, anticonvulcionante. (Bremda, 2005)

Bremda, C. 2005. Characterization of five extracts of medicinal plants native to Guatemala, scientifically validated. University of San Carlos Guatemala Faculatad of Chemistry and Pharmacy. Retrieved on December 28, 2011. http://biblioteca.usac.edu.gt/tesis/06/06_2373.pdf

Bastista, A. 2011. Protecting effect of Petiveria alliacea (Anamu) on the immunosppression induced by 5-fluorouracil in Balb / c mice. Retrieved on December 28, 2011. http://www.revistas.usach.cl/ojs/index.php/blacpma/article/view/260

Mario, J. 2001. Of the adrenal cortex morphometry and serum potassium was and Petiveria alliacea treated rats. Accessed December 28, 2011. http://scielo.sld.cu/pdf/ibi/v20n2/ibi05201.pdf

Cuban Oregano ( Oregano Cubano )

Plecranthus amboinicus

Asthma

Antioxidant effect associated with epilepsy. (Daniel, 1996)

Presents antimicrobial action (Menéndez, 1999)

As a prophylactic (Figueroa, 2006).

Asthma (Tramil, 2000)

Daniel, J. 1996. Antioxidant effects of fluid extracts and flavonoids amboinicus Plectranthus (Oregano French). Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery. Accessed December 28, 2011. http://scielo.sld.cu/pdf/pla/v1n2/pla08296.pdf

Menendez, R. 1999. Plecranthus amboinicus. Retrieved on December 28, 2011. http://www.bvs.sld.cu/revistas/pla/vol4_3_99/pla06399.pdf

  Figuereoa, N. 2006. Effect of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. tablets on passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, histaminergic and adrenergic transmission. Rev Cubana Plant Med [serial on the Internet]. 2006 Dec [cited 2011 Dec 28], 11 (3-4). Available at: http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1028-47962006000300005&lng=es.

Tramil, 2000. Caribbean Pharmacopoeia.

Niples fruit (Pichichio)

Solanum mammosum

Sinusitis, used as a drop using two drops in each nostril, poisonous

Yarrow (Milenrama)

Achillea millefolium

It is a plant contains the highest amount of melatonin, stop bleeding, regulate menstruation

Presents flavonoids in flowers and leaves with photoprotective activity (Santos, 2005)

The flowers have moderate antioxidant activity in ethylene acetate extract. (Lopez, 2012)

Lopez, V, 2012. Antioxidant activity of plants used in traditional medicine Navarre. Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Navarra. Retrieved on January 3, 2012. http://www.fitoterapia.net/revista/pdf/RF7-1-Navarra.pdf

Santos, L, 2005. Photoprotective activity Validation of Achillea millefolium L. Asteraceae.
Retrieved on January 3, 2012. http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbfar/v15n1/a08v15n1.pdf

Plantain (Llanten mayor)

Plantago major

Disinfectant, digestive ulcers, conjunctivitis, liver

This tested their effects as a fungicide (Parga, 1996)

Presents gastroprotective activity. (Davalos, 2008)

Studies at the University of Costa Rica have comrpobado its use for problems with conjunctivitis

Davalos, P, 2008. Evaluation of the gastroprotective activity of extracts of plantain (Plantago major). Retrieved on January 10, 2012. http://www.scielo.org.bo/scielo.php?script=sci_isoref&pid=S1813-53632008000100007&lng=es

Pargas, R, 1996. In vitro antifungal activity of Plantago major cream. Retrieved on January 10, 2012. http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1028-47961996000300002

Lantana (Cinco negritos)

Lantana camara

External use for skin problems

Lemon verbena (Juanilama de liomon)

Lippia alba

Menstrual cramps, stomach problems, colds, arthritis

Essential oil of the leaves was found antiparasitic effect against Leishmania protozoan known as papalomoyo Costa Rica. (Arevalo, 2009)

Respiratory infections, the leaves have properties against bacteria that cause these diseases. (Caceres,sf)

Caceres, A, sf. Screening of antibacterial activity of plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Retrieved on January 11, 2012. http://biblioteca.usac.edu.gt/libro/USAC/digi/USAC_633, 88_C118.pdf

Arevalo, Y, 2009. Vitro evaluation of the activity of essential oils from Colombian plants on Leishmania braziliensis. Retrieved on January 11, 2012. http://www.ciencias.unal.edu.co/unciencias/data-file/farmacia/revista/V38N2_01_aceites.pdf

LEAF AIR (HOJA DE AIRE)

Kalanchoe pinnata

Skin problems, bruises, headches, flu, antiseptic, stomachache, analgesic, carminative,diarrhea, vomiting

This plant has been used for various ailments including allergy, inflammatory, antitumor, regulates the immune system, cytotoxic against leukemia cells. (Cardenas, 2009)

Cardenas, C., 2009. Kalanchoes spp. A natural source of new bioactive substances revealed by ethnomedicine. Biologist and laboratory technician in the service of cell cultures. University of Malaga. Retrieved on January 14, 2012. http://www.encuentros.uma.es/encuentros124/articulos124.pdf

Guava (Guayaba)

Psidium guajava

Diarrhea

It has proven its use as an antidiarrheal. Quercetin found in leaves are responsible for this action on the system (Echemendia, 2004)

It is best to use leaf tincture to 20% in order to get results.

Echemendia, C, 2004.Tinturas Psidium guajava leaf L. in patients with simple acute diarrhea. Retrieved on January 18, 2012. http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?pid=S1028-47962004000300008&script=sci_arttext&tlng=pt

Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea

Antiviral, tonic, depurative,antibacterial, expectorant

Wild coriander (Culantro coyote)

Eryngium foetidum

Contains iron used for anemia, diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia

The leaves of the plant have the potential to treat inflammation. (Garcia, 1999).

The leaves have a high potential as antioxidant. The chemical composition of predominantly aliphatic aldehydes. (Jaramillo, 2011)

forms of use are through meals, soups and other traditional dishes.
Another way to use it is by infusions of the leaves.

The plant has a content of 24.26 mg of iron per gram of plant. (Borah,2009)

Garcia, M, 1999. Antiinflammatory activity of phytosterols Thopical insolated from Eryngium chronic and acute foetdium on Inflammation models. Retrieved on January 25, 2012.

Jaramillo, B, 2011. Volatile chemical composition of the essential oil from Colombian foetidum Eryngium L. and determination of STI antioxidant activity. Retrieved January 25, 2012. http://scielo.sld.cu/pdf/pla/v16n2/pla03211.pdf

Borah, S, 2009. Determination of mineral content in commonly consumed leafy vegetables. Consultado 25 de enero, 2012. http://www.springerlink.com/content/v8q26w9q4910tu84/fulltext.pdf

Blue bush (Azul de Mata)

Justicia tinctoria

Bronchitis, kill lice, dye, emollient, arthritis

Ayahuasca

Banisteriopsis cappi

Important ceremonial plant in South America. Considered a power plant, used by the Awas and healers for understanding the spiritual world, is a plant key, is a teacher, is a guide

Apazote o Epazote

Chenopodium ambrosioides

Intestinal parasites, stomach gas, diarrhea, digestion

Research shows that the traditional use of tea as the plant is safe and dewormer. But the pure oil casu damage plant can consume (Macdonald,2002)

Macdonal, D, 2002. Ascaridole-less infusions of Chenopodium ambrosioides contain a nematocide(s) that is(are) not toxic to mammalian smooth muscle. Consultado el 26 de enero,2012. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874104000790

Tuna

Nopalea cochenillifera

Opuntia spp

Digestive problems, skin disorders, diabetes 2, hypertenson , kidney stones

Been shown to inhibit infection by herpes virus type 1.(Bravo-Hollis,1989;Burton, 1997).

       Has anti-inflammatory. (Medina,2011)

      Presented activity Hypoglicemic (Medina,2011)

      Hypertesion and kidney stone (Medina,2011)

Bravo , H, 1989. Claves para la identificación de las cataceas de México. Sociedad Mexicana de Cactologia, A.C. Consultado el 26 de enero, 2012. http://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?q=cache:ndJFICr6tjIJ:scholar.google.com/+Nopalea+cochenillifera+farmacologia&hl=es&as_sdt=0,5 vc

Medina, R, 2011. pharmacobotanical, antiinflammatory activity and biochemical parameters of  Nopalea Cochenillifera. Consultado 26 de enero, 2012. http://cascavel.cpd.ufsm.br/tede/tde_arquivos/19/TDE-2011-05-20T105721Z-3160/Publico/NECCHI,%20RAQUEL%20MEDINA%20MARTINS.pdf

Zorrillo

Cestrum racemosum

It is a plant used as food in Costa Rica by ethnic Indians. This plant is very high in fiber, contributing to the digestive system

Nutritional properties

Protein: 8.4%

Fiber: 9.8%

Carbohydrate: 2.3%

Orac: 330

Calories (100g): 59%.