Botany
A climbing shrub, 5 to 6 meters high. The younger and lower surfaces
of the leaves are hairy, with rusty short hairs. Leaves are borne on
very short stalks, oblong-ovate to oblong-lanceolate, 8 to 16 cm long,
with pointed tips and rounded or heart-shaped bases. Flowers are extra-axillary,
solitary, two or three in depauperate cymes, 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter.
The fruit is fleshy and red when mature.
Chemical constituents
• The bark contains an alkaloid. The active principle is parasympathetic
of the atropine group with activity similar to artabotrine of Marañon.
• Study yielded an oil rich in sesquiterpenes in which the principal
component was alpha-humulene (50%). Also, benzyl benzoate (5%), (Source)
Distribution
In thickets in low and medium altitudes.
Parts utilized
Roots
Uses
Folkloric
Alcoholic tincture of the roots used as an ecbolic (promoting labor
by increasing uterine contractions).
Studies
• Essential
Oil / Sesquiterpene: Uvaria
rufa yielded an oil rich in sesquiterpene, in which the principle component
as [alpha]-humulene (50%).
Availability
Wild-crafted.
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