PARTE UTILIZADA= Used part: Hojas y flores.

ACCION FARMACOLOGICA= Pharmacological action: Estimulante, antiespasmódica, emenagoga.

COMPOSICIÓN QUÍMICA= Chemical composition: The essential oils of cultivated and wild-growing Cunila microcephala and C.fasciculata from southern Brazil were analysed by GC, GC-mass spectrometry and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The main constituent in both species was found to be menthofuran (82.3-85.1% in C. microcephala and 71.6-76.4% in C. fasciculata). Other compounds in significant amounts were limonene (2.1- 3.8% in C. microcephala and 8.6-11.2% in C. fasciculata) and beta- caryophyllene (3.3-3.9% in C. microcephala and 3.5-4.2% in C. fasciculata). The chemo-taxonomic and toxicologic aspects of menthofuran accumulation are discussed.

ZONA GEOGRAFICA= Geografical zone: Brasil, Uruguay, Argentina. 

1) OLIVEIRA SIMOES, Claudia María.../ et al/. Plantas da maedicina popular no Rio Grande do Sul. Porto Alegre : UFGRS,1986, p.124-125.

2) DE LORETO BORDIGNON, S.A.; SCHENKEL, E.P.; SPITZER, V. The essential oil composition of Cunila microcephala and Cunila fasciculata. Phytochemistry. 1997, vol.44, nº7, p.1283-1286.