Dear Health Conscious Reader,
My guide hacked a narrow path for me through the underbrush. It was the second day of our journey, deep into the jungles of the Amazon.
I was on my way to speak to a curandero, a native healer, about a plant the locals believe has magical healing properties. They use this herb in many rituals.
When we finally arrived at the small village, the curandero prepared a bath infused with the herb. It smelled a little like garlic, and he said it would protect me from witchcraft.
I was happy to wash away the grime. But I noticed my scratches, scrapes, and bites seemed to heal as the herb took effect.
Afterward, the curandero described other ways they use this magical plant. It brings down fever and helps with parasites and fungus. They use it for aches and pain, colds, coughs, and skin diseases. He had me rub it on my skin to protect against insects.
The plant they gave me turned out to be Anamu. Its real name is Petiveria alliacea, and it grows throughout Central and South America, in the Caribbean, and in Africa.
Once I returned from my trip, I read plenty of research to support the folklore claims. Anamu contains many active compounds that protect your body against bacteria, fungus, and even diseases like cancer.
In one review, more than 1,400 plant extracts were evaluated as therapies to protect and prevent cancer. Anamu was one of only 34 plants identified. And anamu contains two properties that kill cancer cells but do no damage to healthy cells.1
Anamu also stimulates your immune system. In one study, anamu increased natural killer cells by 100%.2 These are the cells that kill disease throughout your body. But it also increases chemicals such as interleukin and interferon. These help protect you against future infection and disease.3
The more I looked, the more scientific research I found to support the claims of the curandero.
Anamu protects against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeast.4 It guards against urinary problems and diabetes. In fact, in one animal study, blood sugar levels dropped more than 60 percent in one hour.5
The curandero I met used anamu as a pain reliever. I later learned it contains COX-1 inhibitors. This is the active ingredient in the new arthritis drugs sold by pharmaceutical companies.6
I’m so impressed with anamu; I’m hard at work doing further research on how it will benefit my patients, and to try to import the herb from a reliable source.
Traditional healers make an infusion using 30 grams (slightly more than one ounce) dried anamu in a liter of water. You drink 1/4 to 1/2 cup, one to three times daily. Or you put it on your skin, depending on the condition.
You can also take the dried, powdered herb as a capsule. I suggest taking 500 to 1000 mg per day in divided doses.
Anamu can cause uterine contractions, so don’t use it if you’re pregnant. And it contains a low concentration of natural coumarin, which has a blood-thinning effect. So if you’re already on blood-thinning medication, check with your doctor before using it.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD
- Williams, LA, Rosner, H., Levy, HG, Barton, EN. “A critical review of the therapeutic potential of dibenzyl trisulphide isolated from Petiveria alliacea L. (guinea hen weed, anamu).” West Indian Med 2007 Jan; 56(1):17-21.
- Jovicevic, L., “In vitro antiproliferative activity of Petiveria alliacea L., on several tumor cell lines.” Pharmacol Res 1993;27(1):105-106.
- Queiroz , M., Quadros, M. et al. “Cytokine Profile and Natural Killer Cell Activity in Listeria Monocytogenes Infected Mice Treated Orally with Petiveria Alliacea Extract.” Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology 2000, Vol. 22, No. 3, Pages 501-518.
- Kim, S., et al. “Antibiacterial and antifungal activity of sulfur-containing compounds from Petiveria alliacea L.” J. Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Mar;104(1-2):188-92.
- Lans, CA., “Ethnomedicines used in Trinidad and Tobago for urinary problems and diabetes mellitus.” J. Ethnobiol. Ethnomedicine. 2006 Oct ;2:45.
- DunstanC. Et al. “Evaluation of some Samoan and Peruvian medicinal plants by prostaglandin biosynthesis and rat ear oedema assays.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 1997; 57(1):35-56.