This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
How does Chapéu de Couro work to lower blood pressure?
Chapéu de Couro contains flavonoids including quercetin, rutin, and luteolin that exert diuretic and antioxidant effects. These compounds increase urine output, helping eliminate excess sodium and water from the body, which may reduce blood volume and pressure. The herb's anti-inflammatory properties may also support cardiovascular health. Evidence level: C based on preliminary studies and traditional use.
Can I take Chapéu de Couro with blood pressure medications?
Chapéu de Couro may interact with antihypertensive medications. Due to its diuretic and blood pressure-lowering effects, combining it with prescription blood pressure drugs could cause additive effects, potentially leading to hypotension. The herb should also be avoided with potassium-depleting diuretics, as both may increase potassium loss. Consult a healthcare provider before combining this herb with any prescription medications.
What is the recommended dosage for Chapéu de Couro tea?
The traditional adult dosage for Chapéu de Couro leaf tea is 2-3 cups daily. To prepare, steep approximately 1-2 grams of dried leaves in hot water for 10-15 minutes. For tincture preparations, the typical dose is 1-2ml taken three times daily. These recommendations are based on traditional use (Evidence level: C). Start with lower doses to assess individual tolerance.
Is Chapéu de Couro safe during pregnancy?
No, Chapéu de Couro is considered unsafe during pregnancy. The herb's strong diuretic effects may alter fluid and electrolyte balance, potentially affecting fetal development. Traditional use for stimulating menstrual flow suggests possible uterine effects. There is insufficient safety data for breastfeeding, so avoidance is recommended. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use this herb without medical supervision.
What conditions is Chapéu de Couro used to treat?
In Brazilian folk medicine, Chapéu de Couro is traditionally used for rheumatic conditions, hypertension, and kidney disorders. The herb is valued for its anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, making it popular for joint pain, fluid retention, and urinary tract health. While these uses are documented in ethnobotanical literature (Evidence level: C), rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy.
What are the side effects of Chapéu de Couro?
Common side effects include increased urination due to diuretic action, which is expected. Some users may experience mild gastrointestinal effects such as stomach discomfort or nausea, particularly on an empty stomach. Prolonged use may lead to electrolyte imbalances, especially potassium deficiency. Discontinue use if experiencing muscle weakness, dizziness, or irregular heartbeat, which may indicate electrolyte disturbances.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Echinodorus grandiflorus is a native Brazilian plant used traditionally for inflammatory diseases, arthritis, and hypertension, with scientific evidence supporting its anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and antioxidant properties [PMID:28322968, PMID:32168547].
Background
Echinodorus grandiflorus is a semi-aquatic plant native to Brazil belonging to the Alismataceae family [PMID:32168547].
Traditional uses
Used in Brazilian traditional practices and folk medicine to treat inflammatory diseases, arthritis, rheumatism, and hypertension, and as a diuretic [PMID:28322968, PMID:37507905, PMID:17150321].
Active compounds
Chemical composition includes diterpenoids (such as chapecoderins A-C and echinophyllins C-F), flavonoids (including isoorientin and isovitexin), and metabolites such as trans-aconitic acid, chicoric acid, and phytol [PMID:28322968, PMID:26692456, PMID:10757722, PMID:11087615, PMID:17143402].
Mechanism of action
Vasodilatory effects are mediated via the nitric oxide-cGMP pathway and involve M3-muscarinic and B2-bradykininergic receptors [PMID:17150321, PMID:30719059]. Anti-inflammatory effects are associated with the inhibition of TNF-α release and reduction of IL-1β and chemokine ligand 1 levels [PMID:26692456, PMID:34763354, PMID:26824620].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DHypertension
Hydroalcoholic extracts showed significant anti-hypertensive and vasodilator effects in rat models [PMID:28322968, PMID:18353111]
Evidence DInflammation/Arthritis
cis-Aconitic acid and flavonoid-rich fractions reduced leukocyte accumulation and joint inflammation in murine models of arthritis and gout [PMID:34763354, PMID:26824620]
Evidence DCardiovascular Protection
Ethanol-soluble fractions demonstrated cardioprotective and anti-atherosclerotic effects in rabbits fed high-cholesterol diets [PMID:29929207, PMID:31233372]
Evidence DDiuresis
Extracts exhibited diuretic effects in rat models [PMID:28322968, PMID:26776663]
Safety & adverse effects
While some studies report no toxicity in rats [PMID:28322968], high doses (1,000 mg/kg/day) in pregnant rats caused anemia, leukocytosis, and increased AST and cholesterol [PMID:21139341]. Additionally, aqueous extracts of the related species E. macrophyllus showed genotoxicity and mutagenicity in bacterial assays [PMID:21637431].
Pregnancy & lactation
Treatment with 1,000 mg/kg/day of aqueous extract in pregnant rats resulted in anemia, leukocytosis, and increased AST and cholesterol [PMID:21139341].
Evidence summary
The evidence consists primarily of preclinical studies (animal models and in vitro assays), indicating strong potential for anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive activity, but lacking human clinical trials.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 28322968 (2017) — Echinodorus grandiflorus: Ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological overview of a medicinal plant used in Brazil. · Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
2.PMID: 32168547 (2020) — Microvascular Effects of Echinodorus grandiflorus on Cardiovascular Disorders. · Planta medica
3.PMID: 37507905 (2023) — Quantitative Chemical Composition, Anti-Oxidant Activity, and Inhibition of TNF Release by THP-1 Cells Induced by Extracts of Echinodorus macrophyllus and Echinodorus grandiflorus. · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 21637431 (2010) — Genotoxicity and mutagenicity of Echinodorus macrophyllus (chapéu-de-couro) extracts. · Genetics and molecular biology
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
— Determination and evaluation of the metals and metalloids in the Chapeu-de-couro (Echinodorus macrophyllus (Kunth) Micheli).
· Biological trace element research
6.PMID: 17150321 (2007) — Pharmacological mechanisms involved in the vasodilator effects of extracts from Echinodorus grandiflorus. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
7.PMID: 29929207 (2018) — Heart-Protective Effects of Echinodorus grandiflorus in Rabbits That Are Fed a High-cholesterol Diet. · Planta medica
8.PMID: 21139341 (2010) — Reproductive toxicity of Echinodorus grandiflorus in pregnant rats. · The Journal of toxicological sciences
9.PMID: 38008274 (2024) — Echinodorus macrophyllus: Acute toxicological evaluation of hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives from SF1 subfractions. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
10.PMID: 26692456 (2016) — In Vitro TNF-α Inhibition Elicited by Extracts from Echinodorus grandiflorus Leaves and Correlation with Their Phytochemical Composition. · Planta medica
11.PMID: 30719059 (2019) — Endothelium-Dependent Effects of Echinodorus grandiflorus (Cham. & Schltdl.) Micheli Mediated by M3-Muscarinic and B2-Bradykininergic Receptors on Peripheral Vascular Resistance and Its Modulatory Effects on K+ Channels in Mesenteric Vascular Beds. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
12.PMID: 17143402 (2006) — Essential oil from two populations of Echinodorus grandiflorus Micheli. · Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias
13.PMID: 26776663 (2016) — Involvement of bradykinin B2 and muscarinic receptors in the prolonged diuretic and antihypertensive properties of Echinodorus grandiflorus (Cham. & Schltdl.) Micheli. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
14.PMID: 34763354 (2022) — cis-Aconitic Acid, a Constituent of Echinodorus grandiflorus Leaves, Inhibits Antigen-Induced Arthritis and Gout in Mice. · Planta medica
15.PMID: 31233372 (2019) — Antiatherosclerotic Properties of Echinodorus grandiflorus (Cham. & Schltdl.) Micheli: From Antioxidant and Lipid-Lowering Effects to an Anti-Inflammatory Role. · Journal of medicinal food
16.PMID: 17293069 (2007) — Immunosuppressive effects of Echinodorus macrophyllus aqueous extract. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
17.PMID: 38842777 (2024) — Growth, gas exchange, and leaf anatomy of Echinodorus grandiflorus (Cham. & Schltr.) Micheli under Pb contamination. · Environmental science and pollution research international
18.PMID: 34673225 (2022) — Echinodorus macrophyllus: Hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives reduces neutrophil migration through modulation of cytokines, chemokines, and prostaglandin in the air-pouch model. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
19.PMID: 19837151 (2010) — Evaluation of the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of crude extracts of Cordia ecalyculata and Echinodorus grandiflorus. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
20.PMID: 10757722 (2000) — Chapecoderins A-C, new labdane-derived diterpenoids from Echinodorus macrophyllus. · Journal of natural products
21.PMID: 21624747 (2011) — Effects of aqueous extract of Echinodorus grandiflorus on the immune response in ovalbumin-induced pulmonary allergy. · Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
22.PMID: 28342859 (2017) — Hydroethanolic extract from Echinodorus scaber Rataj leaves inhibits inflammation in ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
23.PMID: 26824620 (2016) — Effect of the Hydroethanolic Extract from Echinodorus grandiflorus Leaves and a Fraction Enriched in Flavone-C-Glycosides on Antigen-Induced Arthritis in Mice. · Planta medica
24.PMID: 11087615 (2000) — Echinophyllins C-F, new nitrogen-containing clerodane diterpenoids from Echinodorus macrophyllus. · Journal of natural products
25.PMID: 27726146 (2016) — Flavonoid-enriched fraction from Echinodorus macrophyllus aqueous extract exhibits high in-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory activity. · The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
26.PMID: 17236009 (1993) — Echinodol: A New Cembrene Derivative from Echinodorus grandiflorus. · Planta medica
27.PMID: 18353111 (2008) — Antihypertensive effects of crude extracts from leaves of Echinodorus grandiflorus. · Fundamental & clinical pharmacology
28.PMID: 20637578 (2010) — Antiedematogenic activity and phytochemical composition of preparations from Echinodorus grandiflorus leaves. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
29.PMID: 26319961 (2015) — Ethnopharmacological investigation of the diuretic and hemodynamic properties of native species of the Brazilian biodiversity. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
30.PMID: 25054612 (2014) — In vitro antioxidant capacity of tea of Echinodorus grandiforus, "leather hat," in Wistar rat liver. · Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias