Jatropha macrantha / Huanarpo / Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family)

Information

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Other Names

Huanarpo Macho, Higos del Duende, Huanarpo de Canta, Guarnarpo Macho, Mitocala, Palo de Grado, Sangre de Drago, Simayuca, Urco Huanarpo, Vanarpo, Wanarpo.

Contents

catechin, catechin-7-O-β-glucopyranoside and proanthocyanidin B-3 along with other catechin polymers(2)

Historical

"The young branch stems of the Huanarpo Macho tree are shaped like a man's anatomy and for centuries these young branch stems have been used in traditional medicine systems to support, aid, and enhance male sexual function."
"It has recently been called "Peruvian Viagra" in various marketing programs and is as popular in Peru as a male aphrodisiac as Muira Puama is in Brazil for the same purpose."(1)

Plant Description

Huanarpo macho is medium shrubby tree (10 to 12 m in height) with pretty reddish-orange flowers. It is indigenous to Peru and can be found in abundance in the Marañon river valley in the Amazon and in the Puno district in Peru. (1)

References

(1) Huanarpo macho, Raintree Tropical Plant Database
(2) Catechin derivatives in Jatropha macrantha stems: Characterisation and LC/ESI/MS/MS quali–quantitative analysis, Angelyne Benavides, Paola Montoro, Carla Bassarello, Sonia Piacente and Cosimo Pizza