Cordia ecalyculata
| Cordia ecalyculata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Boraginales |
| Family: | Boraginaceae |
| Genus: | Cordia |
| Species: | C. ecalyculata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cordia ecalyculata | |
Cordia ecalyculata, also called Cordia salicifolia and chá de bugre, is a species of evergreen flowering tree in the borage family, Boraginaceae, that occurs mainly in Brazil and is used as a medicinal plant. Its red fruit, which resembles a coffee bean and contains caffeine, is roasted and brewed as a coffee substitute.
The small tree grows 8-12 meters tall with a trunk 30-40 centimeters in diameter.[1] Birds that feed on the fruits of Cordia ecalyculata include guans, trogons, pigeons, tanagers, and aracaris.
The leaves and fruit contain compounds such as caffeine, allantoin, allantoic acid, and spathulenol.[2] The plant has been used as a diuretic, as an appetite suppressant, and to promote skin healing.[3][4] It also shows activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in vitro.[5][6]
Names
Dried leaves of the tree are commonly sold under the Portuguese name "chá de bugre." In Brazil, the tree is botanically classified as Cordia salicifolia, while in Paraguay it is classified as Cordia ecalyculata. Brazilians also call it "café do mato" ("coffee of the woods") because of its similar red fruit with caffeine and usefulness as a coffee substitute.[7] Other names in use include Cordia digynia, Cordia coffeoides, claraiba, porangaba (Tupi porã'gaba, "beauty"), bugrinho, café de bugre, chá de frade, bois d'ine, café de la forêt, café des bois, cafezinho, cha de negro mina, coquelicot, grao do porco, laranjeira do mato, louro salgueiro, louro mole, rabugem, and coffee of the woods.
Distribution and habitat
It is indigenous to Brazil, growing predominantly in the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia, Acre, and Goias. It is also found in the tropical forests of Argentina and Paraguay.[8]
References
- ^ Taylor, Leslie (2005). The Healing Power of the Rainforest Herbs.
- ^ Taylor, Leslie (2005). The Healing Power of the Rainforest Herbs.
- ^ Fern, Ken (2019). Useful Tropical Plants Database.
- ^ Menghini, Luigi; Epifano, Francesco; Leporini, Lidia; Pagiotti, Rita; Tirillini, Bruno (March 2008). [link.gale.com/apps/doc/A179772543/AONE?u=anon~886ea660&sid=googleScholar&xid=b1bef225 "Phytochemical investigation on leaf extract of Cordia salicifolia cham"]. Journal of Medicinal Food. 11 (1): 193+.
{{cite journal}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Hayashi, K; Hayashi, T; Morita, N; Niwayama, S (October 1990). "Antiviral activity of an extract of Cordia salicifolia on herpes simplex virus type 1". Planta Med. 56 (5): 439–443. doi:10.1055/s-2006-961006.
- ^ Caparroz-Assef, Silvana Martins (2005). "Toxicity studies of Cordia salicifolia extract = Estudo da toxidade do extrato de Cordia salicifolia". Acta Scientiarum - Health Sciences. 27 (1): 41–44.
- ^ "Chá de Bugre". WebMD.
- ^ Menghini, Luigi; Epifano, Francesco; Leporini, Lidia; Pagiotti, Rita; Tirillini, Bruno (March 2008). [link.gale.com/apps/doc/A179772543/AONE?u=anon~886ea660&sid=googleScholar&xid=b1bef225 "Phytochemical investigation on leaf extract of Cordia salicifolia cham"]. Journal of Medicinal Food. 11 (1): 193+.
{{cite journal}}: Check|url=value (help)