Gentianella alborosea
| Gentianella alborosea | |
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| Gentianella alborosea | |
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| Species: | G. alborosea
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| Binomial name | |
| Gentianella alborosea (Gilg) Fabris
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Gentianella alborosea is a species of plant in the Gentianaceae family. It is one of two types of hercampuri, which is traditionally used in herbal medicine as an infusion, the other type of hercampuri being Gentianella nitida.[1] It has been used in Peruvian folk medicine since before the time of the Incas. These small shrubs are native to the high Andes of Peru. The Junin Province is a region of Peru that grows hercampuri.
Traditional use
The whole plant is used as an infusion. The roots are thin and yellow in color and the infusion of hercampuri also has a yellow color.
Traditional uses of hercampuri include:[2]
- digestive
- treatment of hepatitis
- treatment of varicose veins
- reduction of blood cholesterol
- treatment of hypertension
Chemical constituents
The infusion of hercampuri is one of the most bitter flavors of all herbs. The beneficial compounds that give hercampuri its unique taste contribute to the bitterness of the infusion.
References
- ^ Nobuo Kawahara; Masato Nozawa; Diana Flores; Pablo Bonilla; Setsuko Sekita; Motoyoshi Satake (2000). "Sesterterpenoid from Gentianella alborosea". Phytochemistry. 53 (8): 881–884. doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00518-X. PMID 10820797.
- ^ "The Future of Products of the Andean High Plateau and Central Valley", p. 213 (United Nations, 2006): "Hepatoprotective, depurative, hypoglycemiant, diuretic"
Further reading
- Acero N, Llinares F, Galán de Mera A, Oltra B, Muñoz-Mingarro D (2006). "Apoptotic and free radical scavenging properties of the methanolic extract of Gentianella alborosea". Fitoterapia. 77 (6): 475–477. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2006.05.020. PMID 16814959.
Gentianella alborosea ("Hercampure") is a Peruvian species used in folk medicine for the treatment of a variety of health disorders. We tested the free radical scavenging (DPPH) and induction of apoptosis on a human uterus tumor cell line (HeLa) by its methanolic extract. The results showed a noticeable radical scavenging activity and a dose-dependent apoptotic effect.
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