Justicia Pectoralis
OTHER NAME(S): Achillée Millefeuille, Achillée Mille-Feuille, Anador, Carmentine, Carpenter's Bush, Carpenter's Grass, Chachamba, Chamba, Clover Cumaru, Clover Tree, Curía, Death Angel, Freshcut, Herbe charpentier, Justicia pectoralis, Death-Angel, Tilo, Justicia Pectoralis
Overview
Justicia pectoralis is a flowering herb that grows in tropical areas of the Americas, including South and Central America. It also grows in some Caribbean islands, including Trinidad and Tobago.
Justicia pectoralis is used for symptoms of menopause, wound healing, anxiety, lung problems, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its use.
Justicia pectoralis might have many different effects in the body. Justicia pectoralis seems to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. It may also affect the activity of hormones.
Justicia pectoralis might have many different effects in the body. Justicia pectoralis seems to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. It may also affect the activity of hormones.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Symptoms of menopause.
- Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
- Prostate problems.
- Anxiety.
- Pain.
- Allergies.
- Asthma.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the main airways in the lung (bronchitis).
- Excessive crying in infants (colic).
- Cough.
- Common cold.
- Congestion.
- Diabetes.
- Seizure disorder (epilepsy).
- Fever.
- High blood pressure.
- Insomnia.
- Pneumonia.
- Nausea.
- Rickets.
- Tuberculosis.
- To induce labor.
- Rash.
- Bruising.
- Wound healing.
- Insect repellent.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate Justicia pectoralis for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Justicia pectoralis is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Justicia pectoralis is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Justicia pectoralis is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Justicia pectoralis is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Justicia pectoralis is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Justicia pectoralis overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of Justicia pectoralis depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Justicia pectoralis. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- MacRae, W. D. and Towers, G. H. Justicia pectoralis: a study of the basis for its use as a hallucinogenic snuff ingredient. J Ethnopharmacol 1984;12(1):93-111.
- Locklear, T. D., Huang, Y., Frasor, J., Doyle, B. J., Perez, A., Gomez-Laurito, J., and Mahady, G. B. Estrogenic and progestagenic effects of extracts of Justicia pectoralis Jacq., an herbal medicine from Costa Rica used for the treatment of menopause and PMS. Maturitas 2010;66(3):315-322.
- Chariandy, C. M., Seaforth, C. E., Phelps, R. H., Pollard, G. V., and Khambay, B. P. Screening of medicinal plants from Trinidad and Tobago for antimicrobial and insecticidal properties. J Ethnopharmacol 1999;64(3):265-270.
- Leal, L. K., Ferreira, A. A., Bezerra, G. A., Matos, F. J., and Viana, G. S. Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator activities of Brazilian medicinal plants containing coumarin: a comparative study. J Ethnopharmacol 2000;70(2):151-159.
- Joseph, H., Gleye, J., Moulis, C., Mensah, L. J., Roussakis, C., and Gratas, C. Justicidin B, a cytotoxic principle from Justicia pectoralis. J Nat Prod 1988;51(3):599-600.
- de Vries, J. X., Tauscher, B., and Wurzel, G. Constituents of Justicia pectoralis Jacq. 2. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of simple coumarins, 3-phenylpropionic acids and their hydroxy and methoxy derivatives. Biomed Environ Mass Spectrom 1988;15(8):413-417.
- de Smet, P. A. A multidisciplinary overview of intoxicating snuff rituals in the western hemisphere. J Ethnopharmacol 1985;13(1):3-49.
- Nunes TRS, Cordeiro MF, Beserra FG, et al. Organic extract of Justicia pectoralis Jacq. leaf inhibits interferon-γ secretion and has bacteriostatic activity against Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018;2018:5762368.