Distribución
Cultivado. Amazonas, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Cuzco, Huánuco, Junín, La Libertad, Loreto, Madre de Dios, San Martín.

Usos
Semillas
Cefaleas: se trituran las semillas y se forma una pasta que se aplica sobre la zona adolorida.

Hojas
Fiebres, antidiarreico: infusión de las hojas. Tornar caliente, una taza dos veces al día.
Gases: infusión de tres hojas en una taza con agua hirviendo. Se torna tres veces al día.
Hemorroides: se prepara un emplasto con las hojas y se aplica.
Heridas: se hace un emplasto con las hojas y semillas trituradas. Se aplica directamente en la lesión (heridas, rozaduras, escaldaduras).
Estimulante del parto: beber una infusión de las hojas ayuda a dilatar el útero en la parturienta.

Historical background
Cotton, the world's most important and oldest fiber plant, has been planted, gathered and used on various continents for thousands of years. Remains of well-preserved cotton tissues have been recovered from the ruins of Mojendjo-Daro, Pakistan, which date back to 2500 years B.C., and in abundance from ancient Egypt. The vernacular name cotton is a misspelling of the Arabian word katun. As already mentioned above, many thousands of years ago, a combination followed by polyploidy of the Old World A genome with a New World D-genome took place. The tetraploid species are considered neotropical. Cotton was already cultivated in Mexico 3400 B.C. and in central Peru 3600 B.C. In central America, G. hirsutum was cultivated. Along the South American Pacific coast line, G. vitifolium (Synonym: G. barbadense) was grown. Thousands of years ago, the inhabitants of both Americas had innumerable applications for cotton fiber, besides spinning and weaving. The techniques of dyeing and weaving were improved in the course of thousands of years. In the Chavin culture spectacular developments are observed which culminated in the Inca time. Although the Spaniards destroyed most of the marvellous cloth and artefacts, some of the remains are well preserved in local museums in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. Archeological excavations of lea and Huaca Prieta indicate that the colour of the fibers was brown (not white), similar to the existing primitive algodon pardo which grows in West-Peru and Ecuador (BRUCHER 1989).

Occurrence
Of the 2 most important American species, G. hirsutum and G. vitifolium, the latter is better adapted to a humid and hot environment. Today, the species is cultivated in all tropical regions.

Ethnobotanical and general use

Nutritional use
The seeds have been ground and eaten or used as a cooking oil by the ancient Indians (BRUCHER 1989). Nowadays, cotton-seed oil is a by product of fiber winning. Cotton seed contains 15-24 % oil which, when freshly extracted, is deep red. When refined, it is used mainly for edible purposes, as salad oil, shortening or margarine and, to a lesser extent, in packing of fish and cured meats. Cotton seed contains 16-28% protein, and the cake or meal is one of the best protein supplements for dairy cows, beef cattle, and sheep, but must be controlled in pig and poultry rations because of the presence of gossypol. In India, cotton seed is fed directly to cattle, and the cake has been used as a human food. Cotton seed could be an important source of vegetable protein for supplementary nourishment of humans in developing countries (VAUGHAN 1970). The oil as well as the gossypol cavities are located in the embryo (cotyledons). The large flowers are the source of a mild honey.

Economical utilization

Besides the culinary utilization, the plant also serves other purposes. The fibers are certainly the most important part of the plant. Gossypium barbadense has the longest fiber of any cotton species (up to 5 cm long) which is also strong and of excellent quality (UPHOF 1968). About 22% of the seed is crude fiber. Raw cotton consists of 91 o/o cellulose, 7 o/o water, 0.4% fat, and 0.3 % ash. To produce a good and absorbent cotton wool quality, the fat has first to be removed from the surface of the fiber. As already mentioned, two types of hair are distinguished: the long hair which supplies the lint,and the short hair, called fuzz or linters. The long hair is the valuable product. The short fuzz supplies the raw material for the fabrication of felt, paper and synthetic silk, for the production of pure cellulose and of nitrocotton, for rubber-tire fabrics, stuffing cushions and pillows, manufacture of twine and ropes. The lint is used in numerous cotton goods, such as carpets, mercerized cotton, rayon, any kind of cotton cloth, yarn or textile fabric. Absorbent cotton which has been cleaned from oily covering substances, being almost pure cellulose, is used, when sterilized, in surgial dressings, for wadding, gauze dressings and sanitary napkins. The cotton-seed oil is also used for manufacture of soap and soap powders. Oil cake is not only used as fodder for cattle, but also as fertilizer and dyestuff. Hulls of the seeds are furthermore used for lining oil-wells, and production of xylose which can be converted into alcohol or explosives. Stalks of the plant can be employed in paper manufacture or used as fuel. The petals of the flowers are the source of a yellow or brown dye in some parts of India.

Medical use
Leaves, flowers, seeds and roots are used medically. The leaves are used for flu, fever, cough, consumption, cold in the chest and against constipation. The leaf juice is applied against ear ache. Shoots in decoction are used for prostatitis. ALBORNOZ (1993) states that the drugs are anticolic, emmenagogic, galactogogic and abortive. Leaf The leaves are also used against diarrhoea, dysentery, haemorrhoids, cough, bronchitis, colics of the uterus, calculus and strangury. Shoots in decoction are used for prostatitis; 2-3 doses are taken a day. Flower. The flowers are used against diarrhoea and dysentery. According to WONG (1976), flowers in teas are used for flu and colds. Seed. The seeds contain up to 25% lipids (predominantly olein), 20 o/o protein, 23 o/o nitrogenated substances, 7% gossypol and phenol. The oil extracted from the seeds is nourishing and has laxative, expectorant, antidysenteric, emollient, abortive, aphrodisiac, tonic, and galactogogue effects. Root. The root in general contains gossypol (polyphenols), olein, salicylic acid, betaine, and sugar. The cortex of the root contains hydroxybenzoic acid, salicylic acid, ceryl alcohol and phytosteroles. It has abortive effects.

Method of use
Leaves, flowers and seeds are applied in the form of a 1 % infusion against cough and menstrual disorders. A bath with an infusion of leaves, flowers and seeds is used against diarrhoea, dysentery and strangury 1/4 ounces of the sap of leaves or the infusion of the leaves mixed with lemonade is taken against diarrhoea, dysentery, haemorrhoids, strangury and calculus. A 1 g infusion of the leaves is taken against cold in the chest, and menstrual disorders. A hot infusion is used as a hip-bath against uterine colic. The leaves are used as a cataplasm for wounds. A 4 g infusion of leaves or flowers in 360 g of boiling water is also used in a bath for diarrhoea and dysentery. The seeds contain an oil which is nourishing and laxative at the same time. To cure cough, 25 g of the shredded seeds together with 30 g of sugar and 20 g of arabic gum are mixed with 175 ml water, and strained. A spoon full (or 1/2 spoonful for children) is taken every 3 hours. In case of deficient lactation, 30 g of pulverized seeds are macerated for 15 days in 100 g of pure alcohol. 10 drops are taken 3 times a day after meals. A 1 % decoction of the root cures strangury. Against disorders of the uterus, 20-60 g of the powdered root cortex or 1-2 ounces of the decoction are taken every half hour.

Healing properties
The seeds are said to be laxative, expectorant, antidysenteric, aphrodisiac, emollient, tonic (for nervous tonicity: 2-8 dry seeds without endosperm), a galactogogue, and are abortive. The root cortex is an emmenagogue and a haemostatic due to the presence of ergotine.

Chemical contents
After being destilled the extract of the cortex supplies a volatile oil which contains furfural and acetovanillone; the active principle of the cortex is a resinous phenolic substance, gossypol, of a yellowish colour which turns red through oxidation, losing its activity at the same time. The cortex contains 8 o/o gossypol. The following substances are obtained from the
alcoholic extract of the cortex: Salicylic acid, hydroxybenzoic
acid, as well as 2 phenolic substances, such as betaine and phytosterol, ceryl alcohol and fatty acids. The seeds contain 20-25% lipids, 19-29% proteins, 23% non-nitrogenous substances, and gossypol which occurs in the secretory cavities and which corresponds to a mixture of toxic polyphenols. Gossypol has been associated with antifertility activity in men and also with antiviral activity (SEAFORTH, ADA~S & SYLVESTER 1983). The pressed seed cake (after the oil is removed) is a rich source of L-glutamic acid (sEAFORTH, ADAMS & SYLVESTER 1983).

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Uses: malaise, pain location, inflammaion in the intestistine, uterine imflammation, infection of throath, urinary infection, kidneys.                                                 

Origin: Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Gabon, Guaatemala, Guyana, Honduras, India, Madagascar, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Suriname, USA, Venezuela.  

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Root is toxic

Stem: Stem-bark used in a preparation to strengthen the womb.

Leaf: Macerated in oil as a cataplasm to soothe an overheated person; in a remedy which is wrapped in Ischnosiphon arouma leaf to expel microfilarial worms. Infusion of leaf-juice for skin rash, children's cramps, and to alleviate urine retention. Leaves of red cotton boiled for treating high blood pressure, abdominal cramps and pain; menstrual problems, painful ovaries, difficult expulsion of afterbirth. Juice from macerated leaves is used as an anti-pruritic, by the Guyana Patamona. Juice from macerated leaves is warmed and used as a medicament for “bush yaws”, by the Guyana Patamona.

Fruit: Warmed over an open fire and the liquid dropped into the ear to remedy earache.

Flower: Flower buds are used as an auricular analgesic by the French Guiana Wayapi.

Seed: Seeds are crushed, and the juice given to babies as a treatment for thrush, by the Guyana Patamona. Cotton fibers are used for a tampon on wounds; infusion for pectoral. Used to treat diarrhea, as laxative, and for thrush in NW Guyana.

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Range. Tropical America; said to have originated in South America. Cultivated in Myanmar.

Uses.  The  seeds,  roots,  flowers,  and  leaves  are  employed. 

Whole  plant:  All  parts  used to alleviate skin problems, snakebites, scorpion stings, and shooting uterine pains.

Bark: A decoction is taken to alleviate excessive menstrual bleeding. For white vaginal discharge, a paste made of the root with water reserved from washing rice is considered a remedy.

Leaf: Preparations are used to control diseases involving gas, increase blood, promote urinary function, and protect against ear infections. Juice from crushed leaves is  taken  for  diarrhea  with  indigestion.

Flower:  The  bud,  which  is  considered  sweet,  with  cooling  properties,  is  known  for  promoting  weight  gain,  stimulating  lactation,  controlling bile and phlegm, alleviating thirst, supporting the memory, and focusing the mind. The flowers are used in a sherbet drink to alleviate mental disturbance or disease. Ash from the flower is pressed into sores to stimulate healing and new tissue formation.

Seed: Used to increase lactation and virility. An ointment made from the crushed seed kernel is applied to soothe burns. Seed kernels stewed in milk are given for weakness of the brain. A paste made with the seeds, dried ginger, and water is used for inflammation of the testes. A decoction is used as a mouthwash or rinse to soothe toothaches. Roasted, pressed seeds are applied as a poultice to cure calluses and boils.

Root:  A  decoction  is  given  to  clear  urinary  infections  causing  symptoms  of  burning  sensation during urination and pain in passing urine.
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Origin:
Native to South America, particularly its north-western parts. Also cultivated in India.

Action:
Root—emmenagogue, oxytocic, abortifacient, parturient, lactagogue.
Seed and leaf— antidysenteric.
Seed—galactogogue, pectoral, febrifuge.
Seed oil—used externally for clearing spots and freckles from the skin.
Leaf—hypotensive, antirheumatic.
Flower—used in hypochondriasis and bronchial inflammations.

Toxicity:
Root---oxytocic, abortifacient, parturient,

1) South American medicinal plants : botany, remedial properties, and general use / I. Roth, H. Lindorf. Berlin ; New York : Springer, c2002. -- p. 492.

2) Geraldini , Isanete, Journal of Ethnopharmacology v. 173, 2015 . -- p. 383-423

3) Robertt, A., et al.. Medicinal Plants of the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana)/Smithsonian NMNH. cited online: 17-08-2017

4) Mejía, Kember; Rengifo, Eisa /Plantas medicinales de uso popular en la Amazonía Peruana.-- Lima : Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional, 2000. -- p. 286

5) DeFilipps, Robert A.; Krupnick, Gary A. / PhytoKeys, v. 102. - - p. 1 - 314,  2018.

6) Khare, C.P./ Indian Medicinal Plants. -- Nueva Dheli: Springer, 2007 . - p. 836.