AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONER
| Jaborandi, ©2008 Todd Caldecott |
Botanical Name: Pilocarpus jaborandi, Rutaceae Common names: Jaborandi, Pilocarpus, Indian Hemp. Similar species: P. microphyllus, P. pennatifolius, P. trachylophus Plant description: P. jaborandi is small shrub 120-150 cm in height, but in some species can the height of a medium-sized tree. P. jaborandi has dull green leaves finely marked with small, transparent oil-cells that are visible when held up to the light. The leaves are almost sessile, pinnate, one to nine leaflets, ovate-oblong, entire, about 10-12 cm long. and 3-5 cm wide. The upper surface is glabrous, slightly pubescent below. The small pink flowers are borne on an erect raceme, the calyx reduced to a rim. Habitat, ecology and distribution: Various species of Jaborandi are native South America, occurring most densely in Brazil, and to a much lesser extent in Central America. Part used: Leaves. History: The earliest record of the use of Jaborandi is attributed to Gabriel Soares de Souza, who in 1570 observed the Guarani Indians using the plant to treat mouth ulcers. In the 1630's two Dutch West Indian Company scientists documented Brazilian Indians using Jaborandi as a treatment for colds and flu, as a remedy against gonorrhea and kidney stones, and found that it was often used as an antidote to various poisons or toxins due to it's ability to promote sweating, urination and salivation. This particular ability to promote diaphoresis made Jaborandi highly prized in the treatment of many different diseases. The introduction of Jaborandi into clinical medicine occurred in 1873 with Symphronio Coutinho, a doctor from Brazil who traveled to Paris for a European doctoral degree, taking a sample of the leaves with him. The particular activity of Jaborandi attracted the attention of French physicians who began clinical research, publishing first studies that showed Jaborandi "…increases enormously the perspiration and saliva, and, in a much less degree, the secretion from the mucous membranes of the nose, the bronchial tubes, and the stomach and intestines." In 1875, both Hardy and Gerrard independently discovered the alkaloid pilocarpine and its use to lower the intraocular pressure in glaucoma and act as a miotic. By 1876, Jaborandi leaves were being employed in the treatment of many diseases and was introduced into the ophthalmological therapy (Holmstedt et al 1979). Constituents: The primary constituent of note in Jaborandi is the alkaloid pilocarpine and related imidazole alkaloids (0.7-0.8%) including isopilocarpine, pilosine, and isopilosine. Other constituents include a volatile oil (0.5%) (Evans 1989, 626). Bertrand et al report flavonoids, terpenoids and polyprenols in the leaves of P. trachylophus (2001). Medical Research: Despite the fact that Jaborandi has been an important herb of commerce since the late 1800's, there has been almost no investigation upon the whole, crude herb. It appears that the relatively early isolation of the alkaloid pilocarpine, and its designation as the active constituent diminished any interest in the crude drug. Pilocarpine is an M1 muscarinic agonist, promoting the typical symptoms of parasympathetic stimulation including nausea, vomiting, vertigo, perspiration, and pupil contraction. Toxicity: Symptoms of toxicity begin with nausea, vomiting, vertigo, hiccough, heaviness of the head, and contraction of the pupils. Coffee is stated as an antagonist to Jaborandi, and if taken concurrently may prevent nausea and vomiting (Felter and Lloyd 1893). Duke reports an oral LD50 for pilocarpine in rats as 911 mg/kg (1985, 370). Chronic use may promote myopia due to ciliary muscle contraction with short focal length accommodation. Atropine and pilocarpine are antagonists to one another. Herbal action: diaphoretic, stimulant, antispasmodic Indications: fever, mucosal dryness, edema, ascites, pleurisy, nephritis, inflammatory joint disease, asthma, pertussis, glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, senile dementia Contraindications and cautions: pregnancy, lactation, weakness of the heart (Felter and Lloyd 1893). Medicinal uses: Jaborandi is stated by Weiss as the only true diaphoretic, stimulating both the sweat glands and salivary secretions independent of heat (1988, 226). Felter and Lloyd state that as little as 2 or 3 grams of the powdered leaf infused in a cupful of boiling water will "…occasion a tingling sensation with redness of the cutaneous surfaceŠ first experienced in the face, but soon extends over the whole surface, and is quickly followed by an abundant perspiration, which is apt to continue for 4 or 5 hours" (1893). Simultaneous with its diaphoretic action is its great ability to promote salivary secretion, sometimes occasioned by the enhancement of bronchial and lacrimal secretions, and may even promote diarrhea in significant doses (Felter and Lloyd 1893). As a diaphoretic Jaborandi is an important remedy to enhance mechanisms of non-specific resistance in viral infections, enhancing the secretion of IgA in mucosal secretions (Mitchell 1996, 109). As a diuretic Jaborandi was used by the Eclectics in the symptomatic treatment of serous effusions, as in ascites or pleurisy, and in the treatment of nephritis, by which it relieves the burden on the kidneys by promoting perspiration (Felter and Lloyd 1893). This diaphoretic activity may even extend to efficacy in a poorly progressing labour, based on the traditional indication that diaphoretics are useful in such cases, overcoming a rigid, hard os uteri. The Eclectic considered Jaborandi to be a powerful sedative and antispasmodic agent, specific to sthenic conditions indicated in by hot, dry skin, fever, a dry mouth, a full, strong, hard and sharp pulse, diminished renal secretion with reddish urine, restlessness, and pain (Felter and Lloyd 1893). It is considered useful in acute joint inflammation and acute pain, with redness and swelling. Jaborandi is used in cough when the throat is very dry and secretions diminished, recommended in bronchial asthma and whooping-cough with dryness. As a diaphoretic, Jaborandi has particular affinity for skin disorders, including eczema. In a homeopathic fashion, very small doses of Jaborandi are stated as being helpful in night sweats. Pilocarpine of course is well known as a miotic agent, applied in solution as a topical treatment for the eye, acting as a parasympathetic agent to reduce intraocular eye pressure. A similar effect however will also occur with the internal use of the herb, although not as dramatic. In the treatment of glaucoma Jaborandi can be combined with Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis), Ginkgo, and Vaccinium, in combination with antioxidants rich foods such as blueberries, mustard greens, carrots, kale and cooked tomatoes. Jaborandi may also be of benefit in senile dementia and Alzheimer's, and in particular the latter, which is marked by a loss of cholinergic neurons in the nucleus basalis of Maynard (Mitchell 1996, 107-109). Jaborandi, through its ability to bind with MI receptors, may improve or delay symptoms of dementia. Pharmacy and dosage:
REFERENCESBertrand C, Fabre N, Moulis C. 2001. Constituents of Pilocarpus trachylophus. |