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.
Petiveria alliacea contains active compounds including dibenzyl trisulfide, isoarborinol, astilbin, and polyphenols that contribute to its biological activity. Research suggests these compounds exert immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. The dibenzyl trisulfide component appears to stimulate certain immune cells while demonstrating potential antitumor properties in laboratory studies. However, human clinical trials are limited, and the exact mechanisms require further investigation (Evidence Level C).
Does Petiveria alliacea interact with medications?
Petiveria alliacea has significant potential drug interactions. It should be avoided by individuals taking immunosuppressant medications or undergoing chemotherapy, as its immunostimulant properties may interfere with treatment efficacy. Due to potential effects on blood sugar, it may interact with diabetes medications, possibly enhancing their effects. The herb could theoretically counteract immunosuppressive drugs. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining this herb with prescription medications (Evidence Level C).
What is the recommended daily dosage of Petiveria alliacea?
The traditional adult dosage of Petiveria alliacea is 3-6 grams of dried herb daily, typically prepared as a tea or taken in capsule form. This dosage is based on ethnobotanical tradition rather than standardized clinical trials. Dosage should be adjusted based on individual tolerance and the specific preparation used. Due to limited safety data, use should be supervised by a qualified healthcare practitioner familiar with botanical medicine (Evidence Level C, Traditional).
Is Petiveria alliacea safe during pregnancy?
Petiveria alliacea is considered unsafe during pregnancy due to its potential uterine stimulant effects, which could increase the risk of miscarriage or premature labor. Women who are pregnant or attempting to conceive should avoid this herb entirely. There is insufficient data regarding safety during breastfeeding, so avoidance is recommended. The herb's traditional use includes inducing menstruation, further supporting its contraindication in pregnancy (Evidence Level C, Traditional).
What are the side effects of taking Petiveria alliacea?
The most commonly reported side effect of Petiveria alliacea is a garlic-like body odor resulting from sulfur-containing compounds in the plant. Other potential effects include uterine stimulation, making it unsuitable for pregnant women. Individuals with autoimmune conditions should avoid this herb due to its immunostimulant properties. Limited safety data exists for long-term use. Discontinue use if adverse reactions occur and consult a healthcare provider (Evidence Level C).
What is Petiveria alliacea used for?
Petiveria alliacea, also known as anamu or Guinea henweed, has been used traditionally in Central American and Caribbean folk medicine for treating infections, diabetes, arthritis, and supporting immune function. The plant is also employed in spiritual practices for protective rituals. Its characteristic garlic-like odor comes from sulfur-containing compounds. While these traditional uses are well-documented ethnobotanically, robust clinical evidence supporting efficacy for these conditions remains limited (Evidence Level C, Traditional).
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
Petiveria alliacea is a perennial shrub native to tropical regions of the Americas and Africa, traditionally used for CNS disorders and cancer [PMID:26944236, PMID:25895883].
Background
Petiveria alliacea L. (Phytolaccaceae), also known as 'mucuraca', 'guiné', 'pipi', or 'anamu', is a perennial shrub indigenous to the Amazon rainforest, Central America, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa [PMID:26944236, PMID:25895883, PMID:22890225].
Traditional uses
It is used in folk medicine to treat central nervous system (CNS) disorders including anxiety, pain, memory deficits, and seizures, and is utilized for its sedative and anaesthetic properties [PMID:26944236]. It is also used in the treatment of leukemia, breast cancer [PMID:24637191], dysentery, and intestinal infections [PMID:28621111], and as a hypoglycemic agent in Jamaica [PMID:25014851]. Additionally, it has been used in religious ceremonies [PMID:26944236, PMID:25895883].
Active compounds
Identified compounds include organosulfur compounds such as dibenzyl trisulphide (DTS) [PMID:17621839], dibenzyl disulphide, dibenzyl tetrasulphide, and (Z)-thiobenzaldehyde S-oxide [PMID:11397443, PMID:12657295]. Other constituents include S-benzyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide [PMID:11684199], (E)-Tagetone [PMID:35358623], isoarborinol [PMID:28621111], and phenolic compounds such as protocatechuic acid, cinnamic, and catechin epicatechin [PMID:36501303].
Mechanism of action
In cancer cells, P. alliacea modulates metabolism by inhibiting glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), decreasing glucose uptake, and increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) [PMID:38139247, PMID:37629156, PMID:40333775]. Dibenzyl trisulphide (DTS) acts as a signal transduction molecule for MAPKinases erk1 and erk2, causing hyper-phosphorylation critical for long-term memory [PMID:17621839]. It also demonstrates acetylcholinesterase inhibition [PMID:35358623] and suppresses NF-κB expression and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in macrophages [PMID:28808377].
Clinical evidence
Evidence BAcute Leukemias and Metastatic Gastrointestinal Tumors
A phase Ib/randomized double-blind phase II trial protocol (PA001) is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the standardized extract 'Esperanza' [PMID:37563608].
Evidence DCognition (Animal Model)
Hydroalcoholic extract (900mg/kg) improved long-term, short-term, and spatial memory and increased learning in rats [PMID:25895883].
Evidence DBreast Adenocarcinoma (Animal/In Vitro)
A standardized fraction induced cell death in 4T1 cells and reduced tumor growth in murine models [PMID:24637191, PMID:38069022].
Evidence DMyeloid Leukemia (Animal/In Vitro)
Extracts reduced K562 cell proliferation and reduced tumor burden and metastasis in a murine AML model [PMID:38139247, PMID:37629156].
Evidence DHypoglycemia (Animal Model)
Aqueous and hexane extracts showed no significant reduction of fasting blood glucose or improvement of glucose tolerance in normal rats [PMID:25014851].
Evidence D
Safety & adverse effects
Toxicity is reported to be strongly dependent on the extraction method and plant part used [PMID:28942132]. In Daphnia magna, the hexane extract was the most toxic (LC50 = 26.9 mg L-1) [PMID:39140498]. In rats, some studies noted pro-oxidant effects and increased locomotor activity [PMID:22890225].
Pregnancy & lactation
Folk medicine uses the plant for abortive properties [PMID:28942132].
Evidence summary
The majority of evidence is derived from in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), with one clinical trial protocol (Level B) currently exploring its efficacy in cancer patients. Review articles (Level C) summarize its ethnobotanical and phytochemical profile.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 38139247 (2023) — Effect of Petiveria alliacea Extracts on Metabolism of K562 Myeloid Leukemia Cells. · International journal of molecular sciences
2.PMID: 26944236 (2016) — Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and neuropharmacological effects of Petiveria alliacea L. (Phytolaccaceae): A review. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
3.PMID: 25895883 (2015) — Petiveria alliacea exerts mnemonic and learning effects on rats. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
4.PMID: 37765507 (2023) — Amazonian Plants: A Global Bibliometric Approach to Petiveria alliacea L. Pharmacological and Toxicological Properties. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 24637191 (2014) — A Petiveria alliacea standardized fraction induces breast adenocarcinoma cell death by modulating glycolytic metabolism.
Government sources
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.
Methanol extract suppressed airway inflammation and allergen-specific Th2 responses in OVA-sensitized mice [PMID:30341485].
· Journal of ethnopharmacology
6.PMID: 35358623 (2022) — Acetylcholinesterase inhibition and antioxidant activity properties of Petiveria alliacea L. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
7.PMID: 22890225 (2012) — Potential behavioral and pro-oxidant effects of Petiveria alliacea L. extract in adult rats. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
8.PMID: 33488744 (2020) — Preferential Activity of Petiveria alliacea Extract on Primary Myeloid Leukemic Blast. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
9.PMID: 38069022 (2023) — Natural Products Induce Different Anti-Tumor Immune Responses in Murine Models of 4T1 Mammary Carcinoma and B16-F10 Melanoma. · International journal of molecular sciences
10.PMID: 12657295 (2003) — The lachrymatory principle of Petiveria alliacea. · Phytochemistry
11.PMID: 17621839 (2007) — A critical review of the therapeutic potential of dibenzyl trisulphide isolated from Petiveria alliacea L (guinea hen weed, anamu). · The West Indian medical journal
13.PMID: 28808377 (2017) — Anti-inflammatory Potential of Petiveria alliacea on Activated RAW264.7 Murine Macrophages. · Pharmacognosy magazine
14.PMID: 25014851 (2013) — Evaluation of the Hypoglycaemic Activity of Petiveria alliacea (Guinea Hen Weed) Extracts in Normoglycaemic and Diabetic Rat Models. · The West Indian medical journal
15.PMID: 38169850 (2024) — Plant extracts modulate cellular stress to inhibit replication of mouse Coronavirus MHV-A59. · Heliyon
16.PMID: 37629156 (2023) — Petiveria alliacea Reduces Tumor Burden and Metastasis and Regulates the Peripheral Immune Response in a Murine Myeloid Leukemia Model. · International journal of molecular sciences
17.PMID: 28942132 (2018) — Toxicological evaluation of an aqueous suspension from leaves and stems of Petiveria alliacea L. (Phytolaccaceae). · Journal of ethnopharmacology
18.PMID: 38402366 (2024) — The secretome from human-derived mesenchymal stem cells augments the activity of antitumor plant extracts in vitro. · Histochemistry and cell biology
19.PMID: 37563608 (2023) — Exploring the safety and efficacy of phytomedicine Petiveria alliacea extract (Esperanza) in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal tumors and acute leukemias: study protocol for a phase Ib/randomized double blind phase II trial (PA001). · BMC complementary medicine and therapies
20.PMID: 20079419 (2010) — Dual effects of crude extracts obtained from Petiveria alliacea L. (Phytolaccaceae) on experimental anxiety in mice. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
21.PMID: 12046866 (2002) — The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of a crude extract of Petiveria alliacea L. (Phytolaccaceae). · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
22.PMID: 36501303 (2022) — Cytotoxicity of Extracts from Petiveria alliacea Leaves on Yeast. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
23.PMID: 40333775 (2025) — Modulation of Tumor Metabolism in Acute Leukemia by Plant-Derived Polymolecular Drugs and Their Effects on Mitochondrial Function. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
24.PMID: 28621111 (2017) — Antiamoebic Activity of Petiveria alliacea Leaves and Their Main Component, Isoarborinol. · Journal of microbiology and biotechnology
25.PMID: 42265298 (2026) — Dietary Guinea hen weed (Petiveria alliacea) leaf meal improves growth performance, redox balance and inflammatory indices in rabbits raised under hot-humid tropical conditions. · Scientific reports
26.PMID: 11397443 (2001) — Antifungal polysulphides from Petiveria alliacea L. · Phytochemistry
27.PMID: 39140498 (2024) — Toxicity of Mucura (Petiveria alliacea) extracts from the peruvian amazon against Daphnia magna for environmental protection and sustainable development. · Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia
28.PMID: 16229980 (2006) — Antibacterial and antifungal activity of sulfur-containing compounds from Petiveria alliacea L. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
29.PMID: 29173545 (2017) — Anthelminthic activity of methanol extracts of Diospyros anisandra and Petiveria alliacea on cyathostomin (Nematoda: Cyathostominae) larval development and egg hatching. · Veterinary parasitology
30.PMID: 30341485 (2018) — Petiveria alliacea Suppresses Airway Inflammation and Allergen-Specific Th2 Responses in Ovalbumin-Sensitized Murine Model of Asthma. · Chinese journal of integrative medicine