Cecropia obtusifolia

Related Terms

Akowa, ambai, Ambaiba palmate, ambaibo (Spanish), ambiabo, bois canon (French), bois trompette (French), Cecropia amphichlora, Cecropia arachnoidea, Cecropia asperrima, Cecropia concolor, Cecropia dielsiana, Cecropia hondurensis, Cecropia mexicana, Cecropia obtusifolia,Cecropia obtusifolia Bertol., Cecropia pachystachya, Cecropia scabrifolia, Cecropia schreberiana, Cecropia surinamensis, Cecropiaceae (family), certico, chancarpo, chancarro (Spanish), chlorogenic acid, embauba, golden trumpet tree, grayumbe, grayumbo, guarumbo (Spanish), guarumo (Spanish), hormigo, hormiguillo (Spanish), imbauba (Spanish), isoorientin, palo lija, pink trumpet tree, pop-a-gun, snakewood tree, tree-of-laziness, tree-of-sandpaper, trompette (French), trompettier, Trompetenbaum (German), trumpet tree, umbauba, yagruma (Spanish), yagrumo (Spanish), yaluma.
Note: The term "trumpet tree" has been applied to species of several genera, including Cecropia; however, plants of the genus Tabebuia are most commonly referred to as such. For information concerning Tabebuia, please refer to the monograph on pau d'arco. The data contained in this monograph are primarily concerned with Cecropiaobtusifolia, although research concerning other Cecropia species has been noted where deemed relevant.

Background

Guarumo, or Cecropia obtusifolia (Cecropiaceae), is a fruit-bearing tree that grows in the tropical Americas. Its leaves are used in folk medicine for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A number of closely related Cecropia species (including Cecropia peltata, Cecropia palmate, and Cecropia obtusifolia) are similar in appearance, chemical makeup, and traditional medicinal uses.
Traditionally, Cecropia obtusifolia has been used by Palikur indigenous tribes in Guyana and the Amazon basin, as well as by traditional healers in Cuba and other parts of Central and South America, for various ailments including arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), asthma, bone fractures, bruises, diarrhea, fever, genitalia infection, gonorrhea, herpes, kidney disorders, liver disorders, mouth and tongue sores, obesity, Parkinson's disease, rheumatic inflammation, skin diseases, warts, and wounds. Animal studies have indicated that aqueous leaf extract of Cecropia obtusifolia may induce a decrease in blood pressure and have diuretic (increased urination) effects.
Clinical studies have shown that Cecropia obtusifolia reduces blood glucose in type 2 diabetic patients whose disease is not controlled or controlled by diet and exercise alone.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Human studies have shown that guarumo can lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetic patients controlled by diet and exercise, with no adverse effects and without affecting insulin levels. However, methodological weaknesses limit the strength of these findings, and additional well-designed studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Human studies have shown that guarumo can lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetic patients controlled by diet and exercise, with no adverse effects and without affecting insulin levels. However, methodological weaknesses limit the strength of these findings, and additional well-designed studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
There is no proven effective dose for guarumo in adults. Various doses have been studied in clinical trials. Based on traditional use for respiratory disease and asthma, one cup of standard leaf aqueous extract, 2-3 times daily with each meal, has been used. For type 2 diabetes, a dose of 13.5 grams of dried and milled leaves of Cecropia obtusifolia, boiled for five minutes in one liter of water to create an aqueous leaf extract containing 2.91 milligrams of chlorogenic acid and 2.4 milligrams of isoorientin and administered daily for up to 32 weeks, has been studied. Three grams of an aqueous leaf extract containing 2.99 ? 0.14 milligrams of chlorogenic acid per gram of dried plant for 21 days has also been used.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Guarumo may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Guarumo may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in patients taking medications that lower blood pressure.
Guarumo may have additive effects with analgesics (pain relievers), anti-inflammatory agents, central nervous system depressants, cholesterol-lowering medications, diuretics (agents that increase urination), and skeletal muscle relaxants.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Toledo, VM, Tellez, MG, Sortibran, AN, et al. Genotoxicity testing of Cecropia obtusifolia extracts in two in vivo assays: the wing somatic mutation and recombination test of Drosophila and the human cytokinesis-block micronucleus test. J Ethnopharmacol 2-28-2008;116(1):58-63.
Herrera-Arellano, A, Aguilar-Santamaria, L, Garcia-Hernandez, B, et al. Clinical trial of Cecropia obtusifolia and Marrubium vulgare leaf extracts on blood glucose and serum lipids in type 2 diabetics. Phytomedicine 2004;11(7-8):561-566.
Revilla-Monsalve, MC, Andrade-Cetto, A, Palomino-Garibay, MA, et al. Hypoglycemic effect of Cecropia obtusifolia Bertol aqueous extracts on type 2 diabetic patients. J Ethnopharmacol 5-22-2007;111(3):636-640.
Perez-Guerrero, C, Herrera, MD, Ortiz, R, et al. A pharmacological study of Cecropia obtusifolia Bertol aqueous extract. J Ethnopharmacol 2001;76(3):279-284.