Guinea Hen Wood (Petiveria Allicacea) Rare Herbal Medicinal Plant

Guinea Hen Weed (Petiveria alliacea), anamu, apacin, guine, mapiurle, garlic weed (2) and besides other common names is a deep routed perennial herb shrub known as medicinal plant that treat many ailments. The herbal plant grows in tropical areas of South and Central America, Africa, and the Caribbean. 1 Guinea Hen Weed leaves are dark green leathery appear near the ground and tall spikes lined with small white flowers that are above the leaves. The roots of the herb plant have a strong garlic odor attributed to the name garlic weed. Guinea Hen Weed grows up to one metre in height. 7

According to folk law and tribes the Guinea Hen Weed provides medicinal remedies."In the Amazon rainforest, anamu is used as part of an herbal bath against witchcraft by the Indians and local jungle herbal healers called curanderous." The Garifuna native people of Nicaragua use leaf of the Guinea Hen Weed to cure coughs, colds, aches, pains and magic rituals. Caribs indigenous people in Guatemala crush the root of the herbal plant and inhale it to treat sinusitis (Within the nose inflammation of the nasal cavities. 3) 2 In Brazil Petriveria alliacia treat arrow poison. 7 The Tikuna tribe (Native Americans Indian culture of the Brazilian Amazon 14) uses pieces of Petiveria alliacea leafs in a teaspoon combined with a drop of lemon juice and drop of kerosene, applied to treat an ear that aches. 15 In the rainforest the root of the anamu used as a pain reliever and insecticide. Native Indian groups applied the leaves to treat headache, rheumatic pain and other types of pain. Herbalist practitioner's knowledgeable of the use of anamu to treat arthritis, malaria, poor memory, and anti-inflammatory for skin afflictions. "Throughout Central America, women use anamu to relieve birthing pain and facilitate easy childbirth as well as to induce abortions (Methanol extracts of the herb plant cause uterus contractions leading to an abortion. 9)." 2 Petiveria alliacea known to reduce anxiety, spasms, and expels worms. 8 Also, the herb extracts effectively manage the pain associated with Fibromyalgia ("Boil 5 to 10 Leaves of Petiveria alliacea in 250 ml of water for 30 minutes. Strain and rink the extracts twice daily for a month. The symptoms of Fibromyalgia are resolved in a month."10) Roots of the Petiveria alliacea used in Dominican Republic to treat internal parasites in livestock. 9 Cuban herbalists boil Guinea Hen Weed and us it treat - cancer and diabetes. Many published reports confirmed the medicinal results of the Guinea Hen Weed, including study published in vitro in 2001 reported anamu retarded the growth of brain cancer cells and 2002 (documented in vitro) reported to treat liver cancer cell line. Cuban herbal practitioners use the herb as an aid for diabetes which is confirmed as a hypoglycemic effect by decreasing blood sugar level by more than 60 percent in one hour after administered to mice, researchers confirmed their findings and published report in vivo (1990). 2

In September 2008, Oakland Nature Preserve (Located in Central Florida Orange County 12) identified the botanical Guinea Hen Weed, which was discovered ten years earlier by a volunteer worker. The Oakland Nature Preserve intends to propagate the rare plant and other rare species found on the preserve order to maintain permanent establishment. 13

Guinea Hen weed or Anamu is available for purchase from online web-sites, garden stores, nurseries, and other plant dealers and distributors. 11. Recommended usage of Guinea Hen Weed: "For optimal benefits, take one capsule with a meal three times daily. Pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant should not use this product (During a research study the herb inhibited fertilization in rats.)." 5 Hemophiliacs and people with blood disorders should avoid taking Anamu because it contains low concentration of coumarin (among other chemical ingredients) which an anticoagulant or slow the process of blood clotting. 6 When purchasing the correct herbal species make certain the anamu is clearly described otherwise intended affect will not be realized. 4 The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated the efficacy or approved the use of anamu. 5

References:

1.) Petiveria alliacea - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petiveria_alliacea

2.) ANAMU - http://www.rain-tree.com/anamu.htm

3.) Sinus Infection - http://www.medicinenet.com/sinusitis/article.htm

4.) Anamu (400mg) - http://www.soulhealer.com/39-8.htm

5.) ANAMU - http://www.greatestherbsonearth.com/nsp/anamu.htm

6.) Anami by Raintree Nutrition - https://www.naturalhealthconsult.com/Monographs/Anamu.html

7.) Petiveria alliacea - http://www.answers.com/topic/petiveria-alliacea

8.) Peiveria alliacea 10 X Extract - http://psychoactiveherbs.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=166

9.) Petiveria alliacia - http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/medicinal/anamu.html

10.) Treating Fibromyalgia with Petiveria alliacea extracts - http://www.mamaherb.com/Treatments/View.aspx?id=5885

11.) Guinea Henweed - Plant information - http://www.gardenguides.com/plants/plant.asp?symbol=PEAL7

12.) Welcome to ONP (Oakland Nature Preserve) - http://www.oaklandnaturepreserve.org/

13.) Another rare plant found at Oakland Nature Preserve - http://www.westorangetimes.com/articles/2008/09/12/news/top_stories/news03.txt

14.) The Ticuna Indians - http://indian-cultures.com/Maps/Tikuna%20map.html

15.) ANAMU - http://www.raintree-health.co.uk/cgi-bin/getpage.pl?/plants/anamu.html