PARTE UTILIZADA= Used part: Toda la planta.

ACCIÓN FARMACOLÓGICA= Pharmacological action: Flatulencia. Diurética. Litiasis renal. Antivenérea.

COMPOSICIÓN QUÍMICA= Chemical composition: Se ha reportado la presencia  de flavonoides, saponinas, polifenoles, y taninos (Weniger, et al., 1984) y de derivados cianogenéticos (Hegnauer, 1964). El extracto etanólico al 95 por ciento de hojas no posee actividad antibacteriana in vitro (Le Grand & Wondergem, 1986). Otros trabajos mencionan propiedades antibacterianas para la especie cercana Acalypha indica (Rao, et al., 1982). In vitro, el extracto acuoso de hojas de Acalypha alopecuroidea apenas modifica la movilidad del duodeno  aislado de conejo (Del Rosario Pérez & Weniger, 1984 - TRAMIL). La especie cercana Acalypha indica se reporta como tóxica (Duke, 1988).

ZONA GEOGRÁFICA= Geografical zone: República Dominicana.

The species occurs in the West-Indies and in Central America; in Venezuela it is found in the Tierra Caliente of the north.

Chemical contents
GUPTA (1995) reports flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols and tannins WENIGER et al. 1984), as well as cyanogenic derivatives (HEGNAUER 1964).

Ethnobotanical use
The medicinal drug of the leaves is called 'hierba meona' (SCHNEE 1960 and is sold in socalled herbolarios. The leaves have diuretic, carminative,   and vomitive application in Venezuela and Cuba (PITTIER 1926, 1970; RODRIGUEZ 1983). In the Dominican Republic, a decoction of the leaves combined with salt is used against flatulence. According to GUPTA (1995 the root is also used as a diuretic in Cuba and Venezuela (MORTON 1981), as well as against renal calculus and venereal diseases in the Caribean room and in Latin America (POMPA 1974). According to ALBORNOZ (1993), the leaf has also anti-inflammatory effects.

Herb 23 cm, pathside, San Andrés.

Uses: boil leaves in water, drink for kidney infections, wash skin infections or wounds, use as mouthwash for toothache. Comerford 42, 16 Jul 1994.

1) 270 (doscientos setenta) plantas medicinales iberoamericanas. Bogotá : CYTED-SECAB, 1995, p 270-271.

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

3) COMERFORD, Simon C. Economic Botany. vol. 50 . -- p. 327 - 336 1996