Anamu: Uses, Benefits, and Dangers

Anamu is a perennial herbaceous shrub that’s scientifically often known as Petiveria alliacea. It additionally goes by different names, together with tipi, mucura, apacin, guine, and guinea hen weed.

Whereas it thrives in tropical climates and is native to the Amazon rainforest, it could possibly develop in numerous areas, together with Central America, the Caribbean, and Southern United States (1).

Anamu’s leaves — and particularly its roots — are recognized for his or her robust garlic-like odor, which comes from the shrub’s chemical parts, primarily sulfur compounds (2).

Historically, its leaves and roots have been utilized in folks medication for numerous functions, together with boosting immunity, preventing cancers, and reducing inflammation and ache (1).

Its potential advantages are believed to stem from its number of plant compounds, together with flavonoids, triterpenes, lipids, coumarin, and sulfur compounds (1).

Though analysis remains to be rising, test-tube and animal research have linked anamu to varied advantages, together with decreased irritation, improved mind operate, and cancer-preventive properties (1, 3, 4).

It may be bought in well being shops and on-line, and it’s obtainable in a number of types, resembling capsules, powders, tinctures, and dried leaves.

Abstract

Anamu is an herbaceous shrub that has lengthy been utilized in folks medication. Take a look at-tube and animal research have linked it to varied potential advantages, together with decreased irritation, improved immunity, and anticancer results.

Research have linked anamu to quite a few potential well being advantages.

Could have antioxidant properties

Anamu accommodates numerous plant-based compounds with antioxidant properties.

These embody flavonoids, triterpenes, coumarins, sulfur compounds, and lots of others (1, 5).

Antioxidants are molecules that may neutralize probably dangerous molecules referred to as free radicals, which might trigger mobile harm when their ranges change into too excessive in your physique.

Injury brought on by extra free radicals is linked to elevated dangers of many power circumstances, together with coronary heart illness, most cancers, mind issues, and diabetes (6).

Could cut back irritation and alleviate ache

In folks medication practices, anamu was historically used to assist cut back irritation and alleviate ache.

Extra lately, animal and test-tube research have demonstrated that anamu leaf extract reduces markers of irritation, resembling tumor necrosis issue alpha (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (3, 7).

The truth is, animal research have discovered that anamu extracts considerably alleviate ache (8, 9).

Nonetheless, a small human examine in 14 individuals with osteoarthritis noticed that consuming an anamu-based tea was no simpler than a placebo at relieving ache (10).

Extra human analysis is required earlier than recommending anamu for irritation and ache.

Could improve psychological efficiency

Animal analysis means that anamu might enhance brain function.

One examine gave rats anamu leaf extract and located that they confirmed enhancements in learning-based duties and short- and long-term reminiscence (4).

One other animal examine famous that anamu extract improved long-term reminiscence and decreased indicators of tension. Nonetheless, anamu didn’t seem to reinforce short-term reminiscence (11).

Whereas these findings are promising, human research are wanted earlier than recommending anamu for psychological efficiency.

Could have anticancer properties

Some proof means that anamu has potential anticancer properties.

Take a look at-tube research have demonstrated that anamu extracts might suppress most cancers cell progress and induce cell dying in lung, colon, prostate, breast, and pancreas most cancers cells, amongst others (1, 12, 13, 14).

These potential anticancer properties could also be linked to varied compounds in anamu, together with flavonoids, coumarins, fatty acids, and sulfur compounds (14).

That stated, human research are wanted to verify these results.

Different potential advantages

Anamu might supply different potential advantages, together with:

• Could have antimicrobial properties. Anamu accommodates sulfur compounds, which test-tube research have proven might have antibacterial and antifungal properties (15, 16).
• Could enhance immunity. Take a look at-tube research point out that a number of anamu compounds might assist stimulate the immune system, although analysis on this space is restricted (17).
• Could cut back nervousness. Some animal research have noticed that anamu extract might reduce signs of anxiety. Nonetheless, different animal research present combined results (11, 18, 19).

Abstract

Anamu has been linked to a number of potential well being advantages, resembling improved psychological efficiency and immunity, in addition to decreased irritation, ache, and nervousness. It might even have antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties.

Anamu may be bought in well being shops, in addition to on-line.

It is available in a number of types, together with capsules, powders, tinctures, and as dry leaves.

On account of restricted human analysis, there may be not sufficient info to present dosage suggestions. Most anamu complement labels suggest dosages between 400–1,250 mg per day, although it’s unknown if these suggestions are protected or efficient.

As well as, there may be at present restricted human analysis on its security and potential uncomfortable side effects.

A number of animal research have proven that short-term anamu use has low toxicity. Nonetheless, extended use at excessive doses has been linked to uncomfortable side effects like drowsiness, restlessness, confusion, tremors, impaired coordination, seizures, and extra (2).

Anamu isn’t advisable for kids or girls who’re pregnant or breastfeeding, as there’s not sufficient analysis to assist its security in these populations.

It’s additionally value noting that dietary dietary supplements like anamu will not be examined for security and largely unregulated, so they could include completely different doses than specified on the label.

Furthermore, there may be not sufficient info on the security of taking anamu alongside medicine. It accommodates small quantities of coumarin, a pure blood thinner, so it might work together with blood-thinning medicines and different medicines for coronary heart circumstances.

As with every dietary complement, it’s greatest to seek the advice of your healthcare supplier earlier than taking anamu.

Abstract

Given the dearth of human analysis on anamu, there may be not sufficient info to present dosage suggestions or guarantee its security in people.

Anamu is an natural treatment that has been linked to varied well being advantages.

Take a look at-tube and animal research have related it with improved psychological operate and immunity, decreased ranges of irritation, ache, and nervousness, in addition to antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties.

Nonetheless, there are only a few human research on its potential well being advantages or uncomfortable side effects. This makes it troublesome to present dosage suggestions and guarantee its security.