Cordia salicifolia

Cordia salicifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Cordia
Species:
C. salicifolia
Binomial name
Cordia salicifolia
(Vahl, 1805)
Synonyms

Cordia ecalyculata, Cordia digynia, Cordia coffeoides

Cordia salicifolia, also called Cordia ecalyculata 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 leaves and fruit contain compounds such as caffeine, allantoin, allantoic acid, β-sitosterol, and spathulenol, as well as a significant amount of the electrolyte potassium.[1] The plant has been used as a diuretic, as an appetite suppressant, and to promote skin healing.[2][3] It shows activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in vitro.[4][5] It has also shown some usefulness as a snakebite antivenom.[6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference healing was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Fern, Ken (2019). Useful Tropical Plants Database.
  3. ^ Menghini, Luigi; Epifano, Francesco; Leporini, Lidia; Pagiotti, Rita; Tirillini, Bruno (March 2008). "Phytochemical investigation on leaf extract of Cordia salicifolia cham". Journal of Medicinal Food. 11 (1): 193+. doi:10.1089/jmf.2007.583.
  4. ^ 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. PMID 1963951.
  5. ^ 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. doi:10.4025/ACTASCIHEALTHSCI.V27I1.1439.
  6. ^ Schezaro-Ramos, Raphael; Collaço, Rita C; Cogo, José C; Dal-Belo, Cháriston A; Rodrigues-Simioni, Léa; Rocha, Thalita; Randazzo-Moura, Priscila (July 2020). "Cordia salicifolia and Lafoensia pacari plant extracts against the local effects of Bothrops jararacussu and Philodryas olfersii snake venoms". J Venom Res. 10: 32–37. PMC 7512476. PMID 33024546.