Maytenus krukovii
Maytenus krukovii is a tree species native to the Amazon rainforest; it grows in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. With a maximum recorded height of about 30 metres (98 ft), and leaves that span up to 30 centimetres (12 in) wide, this large tree contributes significantly to the forest canopy.
| Maytenus krukovii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Celastrales |
| Family: | Celastraceae |
| Genus: | Maytenus |
| Species: | M. krukovii |
| Binomial name | |
| Maytenus krukovii A.C.Sm. | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
In the Quechua languages the tree is called chuchuhuasi (alternately spelled chuchuasi) or chuchuhuasha (alternately spelled chucchu huashu, and sometimes shortened to chuchasha). This name in all its permutations means "trembling back", due to the bark's effectiveness in relieving back pain, as well as the discomforts of arthritis and rheumatism.[1] Indigenous peoples of the Amazon drink decoctions and tinctures of the bark as an herbal tonic.[1] Extracts of the bark of M. krukovii are antioxidant and somewhat antimutagenic.[2] A person can chew the bark, but it tastes very bitter.
References
- Taylor, Leslie. "Chuchuhuasi (Maytenus krukovii)". Tropical Plant Database. Retrieved 20 June 2013. External link in
|work=(help) - Bruni, R; Rossi, D; Muzzoli, M; Romagnoli, C; Paganetto, G; Besco, E; Choquecillo, F; Peralta, K; Lora, W. S.; Sacchetti, G (2006). "Antimutagenic, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Maytenus krukovii bark". Fitoterapia. 77 (7–8): 538–45. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2006.06.009. PMID 16963198.