Erythrina mulungu
Encyclopedia
Erythrina mulungu is a Brazil
ian ornamental
tree and medicinal plant native to the cerrado
and caatinga
ecoregion
s in Brazil
, South America
.
Studies show that the herb is a sedative
, and has anxiolytic
and anticonvulsant
properties, with the active components thought to be the tetrahydroisoquinoline
alkaloid
s erythravine
and (+)-11α-hydroxy-erythravine.
Typical preparation is to make an infusion of the bark or root and drink the infusion as a calmative. Other methods include preparing a tincture, which is then consumed in small amounts.
Some sites include warnings about mulungu's potency as a sedative and also compare it to kava
, a natural plant medicine already in common, widespread use as an herbal sedative.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian ornamental
Ornamental plant
Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape design projects, as house plants, for cut flowers and specimen display...
tree and medicinal plant native to the cerrado
Cerrado
The Cerrado, is a vast tropical savanna ecoregion of Brazil, particularly in the states of Gioas and Minas Gerais...
and caatinga
Caatinga
Caatinga is a type of vegetation, and an ecoregion characterized by this vegetation in the northeastern part of Brazil. The name "Caatinga" is a Tupi word meaning "white forest" or "white vegetation"...
ecoregion
Ecoregion
An ecoregion , sometimes called a bioregion, is an ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than an ecozone and larger than an ecosystem. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas of land or water, and contain characteristic, geographically distinct assemblages of natural...
s in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
.
Studies show that the herb is a sedative
Sedative
A sedative or tranquilizer is a substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or excitement....
, and has anxiolytic
Anxiolytic
An anxiolytic is a drug used for the treatment of anxiety, and its related psychological and physical symptoms...
and anticonvulsant
Anticonvulsant
The anticonvulsants are a diverse group of pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants are also increasingly being used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, since many seem to act as mood stabilizers, and in the treatment of neuropathic pain. The goal of an...
properties, with the active components thought to be the tetrahydroisoquinoline
Tetrahydroisoquinoline
Tetrahydroisoquinoline is a secondary amine with the chemical formula C9H11N.-Reactions:Like other secondary amines, tetrahydroisoquinoline can be oxidized to the corresponding nitrone using hydrogen peroxide, catalyzed by selenium dioxide....
alkaloid
Alkaloid
Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Also some synthetic compounds of similar structure are attributed to alkaloids...
s erythravine
Erythravine
Erythravine is a tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid found in the plant Erythrina mulungu. It has anxiolytic effects in animal models of anxiety....
and (+)-11α-hydroxy-erythravine.
Medicinal uses
Mulungu is not very widely known or used in North America; mostly appearing as an ingredient in only a few herbal formulas for anxiety or depression.Typical preparation is to make an infusion of the bark or root and drink the infusion as a calmative. Other methods include preparing a tincture, which is then consumed in small amounts.
Some sites include warnings about mulungu's potency as a sedative and also compare it to kava
Kava
Kava or kava-kava is a crop of the western Pacific....
, a natural plant medicine already in common, widespread use as an herbal sedative.