Erva Tostao

Other Common Names:
Erva Tostão, Erva Toustao, Pega-pinto, Hog Weed, Pig Weed, Atikamaamidi, Biskhapra, Djambo, Etiponia, Fowl's Lice, Ganda'dar, Ghetuli, Katkatud, Mahenshi, Mamauri, Ndandalida, Oulouni Niabo, Paanbalibis, Patal-jarh, Pitasudu-pala, Punar-nava, Punerva, Punnarnava, Purnoi, Samdelma, San, Sant, Santh, Santi, Satadi Thikedi, Satodi, Spreading Hog Weed, Tellaaku, Thazhuthama, Thikri, Touri-touri, Tshrana, Yoegbe

Parts Used:
Herb, Roots

Erva Tostao:
Erva tostão is a vigorous, low-growing, spreading vine with a long, tuberous taproot. It produces yellow and white flowers and is sometimes considered an invasive weed. It can be found in many tropical and warm-climate countries. Indigenous to Brazil, it is found in abundance along roadsides and in the forests in and near São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais. Erva tostão is also indigenous to India, where it is found in abundance in the warmer parts of the country. The roots of erva tostão have held an important place in herbal medicine in both Brazil and India for many years. G. L. Cruz, one of Brazil’s leading medical herbalists, reports erva tostão is “a plant medicine of great importance, extraordinarily beneficial in the treatment of liver disorders.” It is employed in Brazilian herbal medicine as a cholagogue and diuretic, for all types of liver disorders (including jaundice and hepatitis), gallbladder pain and stones, urinary tract disorders, renal disorders and calculi, cystitis, and nephritis. Erva tostão is called punarnava in India, where it has a long history of use by indigenous and tribal people and in Ayurvedic herbal medicine systems. There, the roots are employed as a diuretic, stomachic, laxative, and emmenagogue to treat gonorrhea, internal inflammation of all kinds, dropsy, jaundice, menstrual problems, anemia, and liver, gallbladder, and kidney disorders. Throughout the tropics erva tostão is considered an excellent natural remedy for guinea worms, a bothersome tropical parasite that lays its eggs underneath the skin of humans and livestock; the eggs later hatch into larvae or worms that eat the surrounding tissue. The roots of the plant are normally softened in boiling water and then mashed up and applied as a paste or poultice to the affected areas to kill the worms and express them from the skin.

Uses:
Erva tostão has long been used in traditional medicine systems as a diuretic for many types of kidney and urinary disorders. The diuretic action of erva tostão has been studied and validated by scientists in several studies. Researchers showed (in the mid-1950s) that low dosages (10 mg/kg to 300 mg/kg) produced strong diuretic effects, while higher dosages (>300 mg/kg) produced the opposite effect—reducing urine output. Later research verified these diuretic and antidiuretic properties, as well as the beneficial kidney and renal effects of erva tostão in animals and humans. Research indicates that a root extract can increase urine output by as much as 100% in a 24-hour period at dosages as low as 10 mg/kg of body weight. The worldwide use of erva tostão for various liver complaints and disorders was validated in three separate studies. These indicate that a root extract provides beneficial effects for the liver in animals, protecting the liver from numerous introduced toxins and repairing chemical-induced liver damage. In other clinical studies with animals, erva tostão extracts demonstrated smooth muscle and skeletal muscle stimulant activities in frogs and guinea pigs; anti-inflammatory actions in rats; hypotensive actions in dogs as well as in vitro hypotensive actions; antispasmodic actions in frogs and guinea pigs; analgesic activities in mice; antiamoebic actions in rats; and hemostatic, antihemorrhaging and anti-fibrinolytic properties in monkeys with IUDs. The traditional use of erva tostão for convulsions was verified by scientists in two studies, demonstrating that a root extract provided anticonvulsant actions in mice. In vitro testing of erva tostão confirmed its antibacterial properties against gonorrhea (another traditional use), and Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Salmonella and Staphylococcus. It was also shown to possess antiviral actions against several viral plant pathogens.

Contraindications:
Both in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated the hypotensive properties of erva tostão. Those with heart problems such as low blood pressure, or those taking medications to lower their blood pressure should not use this plant without the advice and supervision of a qualified health care practitioner. This herb has demonstrated myocardial depressant activity and should therefore not be taken by anyone with heart failure or those taking heart depressant medications unless under the direction and care of a qualified health care practitioner.


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