PARTE UTILIZADA= Used part: Hoja y raiz.

ACCIÓN FARMACOLÓGICA= Pharmacological action: Antireumántico, diurético, antifebril, antiespasmódico, antiflogístico.

COMPOSICIÓN QUÍMICA= Chemical composition: Segelman & Segelman (1975), en un tamizaje preliminar de las hojas reportan la presencia de esteroides, terpenoides (isoarborinol, acetato de isoarborinol, cinamato de isoarborinol), saponinas, polifenoles y taninos. Se ha registrado la presencia de los siguientes compuestos en diferentes partes de la planta: alcaloides: alantoína, N-metil-4-metoxi-trans-prolina; compuestos azufrados: 2-hidroxi-5-etil-trisulfuro de bencilo y trisulfuro de bencilo; lípidos; ácidos linoleico, nonadecanoico, oleico, palmítico, lignocérico y esteárico; pinitol y beta-sitosterol. No se conoce la naturaleza química del principio tóxico de esta planta. La semilla contiene isotiocianatos volátiles. El principio tóxico ha sido llamado petiverina. Roig y Mesa (1974, p.160) reporta la presencia de taninos, glucósidos, saponinas y alcaloides. Contiene compuestos azufrados, resinas, saponinas y sustancias antimicrobianas (Ca 78: 55353). Las pruebas llevadas a cabo en los laboratorios por Gupta y colaboradores en la Universidad de Panamá, han confirmado la presencia de alcaloides y taninos. En la raíz se han identificado la 1,9-cumarinas, tritiolaniacina, 3,5-difenil 1,2,4-tritiolan, además difeniltrisulfuro, trans-stilbeno, trans N-4-metilprolina, pinitol, alantoína, friedelino y ácido benzoico (De Sousa Jr., et al., 1990).

ZONA GEOGRÁFICA= Geografical zone: N de Argentina. 

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Parte empleada: raíz.
Usos: cólicos, gripa y para granos comúnmente llamados “nacidos”.
Preparación: para gripa, machacar dos raíces en dos latas de vaporub e inhalar durante dos días.

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Ampliamente distribuida desde la Florida hasta Centro y Sur América, principalmente en México, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Islas Caribeñas, Brasil, Colombia y la región Andina. Crece de manera silvestre en zonas bajas de
Usos etnomédicos y modo de empleo:
Dependiendo del país y de la región, los usos medicinales son muy variados (LÓPEZ-PALACIOS, 1983). Tiene reputación de propiedad diurética, sudorífica, expectorante, espasmolítica, depurativa, vermífuga, emenagoga y abortiva; se usa para el dolor de muelas, fiebre, reumatismo, parálisis, enfermedades venéreas, histeria, cistitis, calambres, hidrofobia y picaduras de alacrán (STANDLEY, 1922; MANFRED, 1979). En Sinaloa las hojas se atan a la cabeza para aliviar el dolor de cabeza y las raíces pulverizadas se usan como rapé para el catarro nasal. Se asegura que cuando las vacas la comen se imparte un sabor aliáceo a su leche (STANDLEY, 1922). En las Antillas las raíces se colocan entre los objetos de lana para protegerlos de los insectos. Más usos en e libro.
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Clima:
cálido y templado. Crece entre los 0 y los 1.600 metros sobre el nivel del mar.
Partes utilizadas:
hojas.
USOS MEDICINALES
Internos:
- Ayuda a aliviar los problemas respiratorios.
Externos:
- Se utiliza para curar las inflamaciones y las infecciones de la boca.
PRECAUCIONES
La raíz es ligeramente tóxica, por lo que debe usarse con moderación y no ser consumida por mujeres gestantes. Quienes toman medicamentos para la diabetes deben consumirlo con moderación

Origin
Neotropical. From Florida and Mexico, throughout the West-Indies down to Argentina.

Historical background
Principally the Mayas used this plant medicinally and in magic art. In Brazil, it is applied in religious rituals of Afro-Brazilians. At present, it is one of the plants with the most ample medicinal application in the area.

Occurrence
In Venezuela, the species occurs in temperate as well as in hot regions ascending up to 1200 m. It is now grown in some parts of Asia and Africa.

Ethnobotanical and general use

Medicinal use
Used parts: Entire plant, root, leaf. Entire plant. The entire plant is boiled in wine when used as a cataplasm; to conbat arthritis, the entire plant is boiled in water, some urine and Epsom salt are added, and the liquid is applied lukewarm on a cloth to bandage the painful part. A decoction of the aerial parts of the plant is used every day in the form of a mouthwash to avoid caries and to fortify the gums. Leaf. The leaves are applied externally as well as internally. The sap of the entire plant or of the leaves alone applied externally cures skin diseases, arthritis and tooth ache. A decoction of the leaves is used against colds, cramps, inflammation of the bladder and asthma. A decoction of 15-20 leaves in one liter of water is prepared and a cup of the decoction is taken 3 times a day. The liquid is used for a mouthwash against toothache. The infusion of the leaves is applied 'to alleviate the labourpains of women and cows'. Appranetly there is not much of a difference between women and cows according to the indigenous people. The leaves are furthermore used as an antipyretic and against disorders of the lungs. They are also applied as an aphrodisiac, as an abortive and against snake bites. To cure inflammation of the bladder, the leaves in decoction are used as a footh bath. An infusion of the leaves mixed with milk helps against intestinal parasites. The leaves are said to be sudorific and depurative. A bath prepared with the leaves is used as an antihysteric. Leaves in decoction are also used against spasms. Leaves and branches in decoction fortify the gums and avoid caries, if used every day. A decoction of leaves and roots is diuretic and lowers the fever. An infusion of the leaves mixed with milk is a vermifuge. The anticancerous properties ascribed to the plant seem to be interesting. It is assumed that the plant has antineoplasmic and oncolytic properties. The first publication on the anticarcinogenic effects of the plant was probably that of Toyos Alcala in 1975. The Anamu Foundation of America Inc., Miami, Florida, was founded to study the healing properties of the plant in 1979. In 1983, the plant was presented as a healing marvel at the VII. Botanical Congress of Venezuela. Some cases of healing of leukaemia were reported. Root. The roots are mainly used against the same sicknesses and in the same way as the leaves. Root teas and infusions are used in cases of flu, venereal diseases, cystitis, bleb, dysmenorrhoea, womb inflammation, and as an abortifacient. A root bath is used for heat and a poultice is applied for colds in the head. The root is said to have antispasmodic, vermifuge and abortive properties. Crushed root put on a sick tooth destroys the nerve and alleviates pain. The root is used as a sudorific, diuretic, antirheumatic, as a antipyretic and against venereal diseases.

Method of use
To cure cancer, 24-30 fresh and green leaves are put in a liter of cold water; this dose is taken in 3 portions a day in the morning, at noon and at night. The treatment is continued for several months until the symptoms of the sickness disappear. Some patients take it for years. When fresh leaves are not available, a decoction of dried leaves can also be used. For further applications, see also the recipes described above.

Healing properties
Diuretic, sudorific, expectorant, antispasmodic, depurative, abortifacient, vermifuge, antiinflammatory, antitumoural. The plant is furthermore used against arthritis, bronchitis, asthma, flu, hysteria and nervous diseases, to treat scorpion stings, toothache and fever; it helps also as an emmenagogue, against venereal diseases and disorders of the uterus. The plant extract shows antimicrobial activity.

Chemical contents
The milk of cows which feed on the plant is tainted with sulphur compounds (flavour of garlic). Leaf extracts give a positive test for alkaloids. The toxic principle of the plant is unknown. It is used as a fish poison and for the preparation of a certain type of curare. Among other substances the presence of tannins, saponins, glycosides, alkaloids and ~ sitosterol have been proved. An antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of the plant was reported for Gram-negative organisms and an antimycotic activity against several pathogenic fungi in aqueous extracts was found as well. The watery extract of leaves and shoots shows a stimulant effect in the uterus. It is used as a stimulant of menstruation. Activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Candida albicans were observed. Another effect is the stimulation of phagocytic activity. A decoction of the leaves shows effects against Epipdermophyton floccosum. Pharmacologically, it could be demonstrated that a decoction of the leaves has antiinflammatory and analgesic effects. It inhibits oedema of the feet. The essential oil of the leaves exercises a suppressive action of the nutrition of certain pathogeneous insect larvas (Attagenus piceus), and acts as an insecticide against adult insects (Cimex lectularius, Musca domestica, mosquitos); it is furthermore a repellent of clothes moths. The alcoholic extract of the leaves acts as a nematicide for Melodiogyne spp. possibly due to the presence of thiophene derivatives (trithiolane?). Abortive properties in humans are attributed to the root, of which curare and a fish poison are prepared. Ethanolic extract of the roots applied locally and orally showed an inhibitory effect on dermatitis caused by croton oil (Croton tiglium L.) and on granuloma induced by cotton pellet; the activity was stronger when applied locally than when taken orally. Antiproliferative effects of Petiveria alliacea on several tumor cell lines could furthermore be shown. A macrolide is said to have antitumoural activity. Other contents are triterpenes, a sesquiterpenic lactone, Betha-sitosterol, uronic acid.

Whole plant: colds, heart, kidney, liver, snakebite, tooth ache

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Uses: cholesterol, lcal pain, throat, flu, rheumatism.                                                 

Origin: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Caribbean, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Unites States, Venezuela.     

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Parts Used: leaves, roots.                   

Uses: snake bites, enough.                                                 

Origin: Barzil.        

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Whole plant: poisonous toxic plant

Root: For an antispasmodic, febrifuge, sedative, diuretic, emmenagogue. Roots used for an analgesic to remedy toothache.
Toxicity: abortificient

Leaf: Sudorific, depurative; in a decoction for a dry cough. Powdered leaves used in a treatment for ulcerated wounds, and as an insecticide to prevent itching. Leaf: Used for fevers in NW Guyana.

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Summary
Garlic weed (Petiveria alliacea – Phytolaccaceae) it’s a very popular medicinal plant in the Caribbean countries and South America. The most interesting biological activities for this plant have been described in the fields of infectology, rheumatology and experimental oncology, the latter having become of great interest during the seventies. Some pharmacological actions such as phagocytosis and neurotoxicity, together with the antimicrobial and cytostatic activities previously described, have been attributed to the presence of sulphide derivatives such as dibenzyltrisulphide.
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Origin

Native to America; introduced into India, grown in gardens.

Action:

Root—diuretic, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, abortifacient. Used for whooping cough, also for rheumatism and nervous diseases. (Long term use in high doses causes brain damage.)

Toxicity:

Root— abortifacient. Long term use in high doses causes brain damage.

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Origin

Jamaica

Folk medicinal uses

This plant has a strong smell of garlic and the meat and milk of cattle feeding on it acquire a very disagreeable smell and taste. The plant contains mustard oil. The leaves are rubbed up and sniffed or tied on the head for headaches while the roots, steeped in white rum, are similarly used. Beckwith records the use of a decoction with Eryngium foetidum for fever and headaches. Lunan mentions the use of the juice for hysterical fits

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Toxicity:
- Avoid in small children, pregnancy and lactation
Origin:
Mexico
Medicinal  properties:
- Fever
- Seizures
- Weakness
- Avoid in small children, pregnancy and lactation.

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11) Gupta, Mahabir P.; Santana, Ana Isabel; Espinosa, Alex/ Plantas medicinales de Panamá. sd: sd. - p. sd.

12) Khare, C.P./ Indian Medicinal Plants. -- Nueva Dheli: Springer, 2007 . - p  476.

13) Asprey, G.F; Phylis Thornton/ Medicinal plants of Jamaica. Parts I & II. – p. 23.

14) Fundación secretos para contar/ Los secretos de las plantas: 50 plantas medicinales en su huerta. - Medellin: Colombia, 2014. - p. 24.

15) Armando González Stuart/ Plants Used in Mexican Plants Used in Mexican Traditional Medicine Traditional Medicine: Their Application and Effects In Traditional Healing Practices. - p. 105.