Description
Medicinal Parts
The medicinal parts of Manaca are the roots and stem.
Flower and Fruit
The blue or white flowers are large, conical, and very fragrant. The calyx is divided into 5 sections, with rounded lobes and 2 lips covering the bud. There are 4 fertile anthers, which fuse together above where they divide into 2 stigmalike lobes. The fruit is a fleshy or leathery capsule with numerous large seeds embedded in it.
Leaves, Stem, and Root
Manaca is a shrub with obovate, deciduous leaves. The tough, woody roots are about 1.5 cm in diameter. They are yellow in the center and have a papery, pale brown epidermis. The stems have a small yellow medulla.
Habitat
Manaca grows in South America, the West Indies and Brazil.
Production
Manaca root is the root of Brunfelsia hopeana.
Other Names
Pohl, Vegetable Mercury
Actions & Pharmacology
Compounds
The active ingredients of the drug have not yet been adequately investigated. The spasmogenic brunfelsamidine (pyrrole-3-carboxamidine, identical with Nierembergia toxin) has been demonstrated in the related s pecies Brunfelsia grandiflora.
Effects
Diuretic and antirheumatic effects have been attributed to Manaca.
Indications & Usage
Unproven Uses
Manaca is used in the treatment of rheumatic conditions.
Precautions & Adverse Reactions
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages. In animal experiments, anxiety states, restlessness, increase in cardiac and pulmonary frequency, elevated salivation, vomiting, muscle tremors and tonic-clonic spasms were observed following intake of plant parts of Brunfelsia species, as well as death.
Dosage
Mode of Administration
Liquid extract preparations for internal use.
