Cuphea

Mayan Name: Sajoi / Hierba del cáncer (K’iche’)

Scientific Name: Lythraceae

Plant Family: Euphorbiaceae

Part Used: Hojas y flores

Geographic Location: It is found from sea level up to 1,500 meters in altitude. Its distribution extends from southern Mexico to northern South America. In Guatemala, it has been described in Petén, Alta Verapaz, Izabal, El Progreso, Zacapa, Santa Rosa, Escuintla, Guatemala, Suchitepéquez, Retalhuleu, San Marcos, and Huehuetenango.

Description

This is an erect perennial or annual herb, reaching up to 50 cm in height (A. arvensis). Leaves are membranous, oval, measuring 3–7 cm long, with scalloped edges (festoneados). The flowers are small, green with red stigmas, grouped in thin, hairy, compact, and drooping spikes.

Key Properties & Benefits

It possesses anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It is also reported as a tonic and diuretic. Chemically, it contains alkaloids, tannins, and cyanogenic glycosides.

Basic Uses

Internal Use: Ailments such as gastrointestinal and respiratory affections, allergy, cancer, headache, rheumatism, cistitis, venereal diseases, and common cold (resfrío). External Use: Treatment of skin conditions (including pioderma, grains, and sores/ulcers), vaginitis (using washes/irrigations), and for snake bites and stings from other venomous animals (a common use associated with this name, also applied to Hamelia patens). It is also used in warm poultices to reduce kidney and stomach inflammation, combined with Lavaplatos leaves.

Cultural Significance

The knowledge regarding its usage, along with other medicinal plants, forms part of the traditional knowledge and heritage passed down by older generations.

Spiritual & Ceremonial Use

N/A (The reported uses focus solely on medicinal and healing applications).

Preparation Methods

External Use: Cataplasm of fresh plants. A decoction of a handful (manojo) in one liter of water is used to wash wounds or make compresses (lienzos). It is used boiled with Lavaplatos (Solanum torvum) for warm poultices.

Dosage Guidelines

External Use: Boil a handful (manojo) in one liter of water for washing wounds or making compresses. Internal Use: N/A (A standardized internal dose is not specified in the monography for Acalypha arvensis).

Precautions & Warnings

The toxicology is not established for internal use. Cyanogenic glycosides are partially destroyed by cooking. It is not toxic for external use. (Note: Another plant sometimes called "Hierba cancerina" in the sources, Rauvolfia tetraphylla, may cause bloody diarrhea, vomiting, convulsions, and potentially death if ingested in excess).

Ethical Harvesting

It grows in cultivated fields and vacant lots. The aerial part is used. The knowledge is part of the traditional knowledge passed down by older generations.