Carqueja
Baccharis genistelloides
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
Baccharis genistelloides or otherwise known as carqueja is a perennial plant characterized by its green stem. It is found in South America. It belongs from the Asteraceae family. The whole plant has many medicinal uses. It is a natural aide for diabetes and is believed to lower blood pressure. It has antiviral activity and is used for reducing stomach acidity and inflammation, and as treatment for ulcers among others. Other names: Carqueja, bacanta, bac?rida, cacaia-amarga, cacalia amara, cac?lia-amarga, cac?lia-amargosa, cacliadoce, carqueja amara, carqueja-amargosa, carqueja-do-mato, carquejilla, carquejinha, chinchimani, chirca melosa, condamina, cuchi-cuchi, quimsa-kuchu, quinsu-cucho, quina-de-condamiana, tiririca-de-balaio, tres-espigas, vassoura.
Baccharis genistelloides is an evergreen Perennial growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 2
Where it is found
Rainforest.
S. America - northern Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru and Colombia.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Countries/locations it is found in
Coming Soon
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 4
The whole plant is abortifacient, analgesic, antacid, anthelmintic, antiinflammatory, antiviral, bitter, blood purifier, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, febrifuge, hepatic, hypoglycaemic, laxative and tonic. The plant contains up to 20% flavonoids, including quercetin, luteolin, nepetin, apigenin, and hispidulin. These are considered the main active constituents. Studies have shown that hispidulin has a particularly beneficial effect upon the liver, though it is more effective when used in combination with the whole plant. Several novel plant chemicals called clerodane diterpenoids have also been identified and it has been shown that these had maximum effects against worms. This could possibly explain carqueja's long history of use as an agent to expel intestinal worms. Several other trials have been carried out on the medicinal properties of carqueja. These have supported the traditional uses of the plant to reduce stomach acidity, treat ulcers, reduce inflammation and lower high blood pressure. Carqueja has also long been used in South America as a natural aid for diabetes, and several studies confirm its ability to lower blood sugar levels. The plant's antiviral activity has also been verified in research with water-extracts showing activity against Herpes simplex I and Vesicular stomatitis viruses at low dosages. It has also shown an in vitro inhibition of HIV virus replication in T-cells, which seems to be mainly due to the substance 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid which is found in the plant. This substance is a potent inhibitor of HIV at dosages as low as only 1 mcg/ml. The plant has long been used by the indigenous peoples of the rainforest to cure a wide range of common ailments. In modern herbal use it is valued primarily as a tonic, bitter, febrifuge, and stomachic, with a particularly beneficial effect upon the liver and digestive system. It is used primarily to treat liver diseases, to strengthen stomach and intestinal function, and to help purge obstructions of the liver and gallbladder. It is also used to treat a range of other conditions including malaria, diabetes, stomach ulcers, sore throat and tonsillitis, angina, anaemia, diarrhoea, indigestion, dropsy, urinary inflammation, kidney disorders, intestinal worms, leprosy, and poor blood circulation.
Abortifacient: Causes an abortion.
Analgesic: Relieves pain.
Antacid: Counters excess acidity in the stomach.
Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.
Antidiarrhoeal: Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea. Also see Astringent.
Antiinflammatory: Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
Antiviral: Treats virus diseases
Bitter: Increases the appetite and stimulates digestion by acting on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Also increases the flow of bile, stimulates repair of the gut wall lining and regulates the secretion of insulin and glucogen.
Blood purifier: Purifies the blood.
Cardiac: Used in the treatment of heart problems.
Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.
Digestive: Aids digestion.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Hepatic: Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).
Hypoglycaemic: Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.
Kidney: Used in the treatment of kidney diseases
Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
Leprosy: Used to treat leprosy - a chronic bacterial infection of the skin and superficial nerves (in the skin) caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
Malaria: Treats malaria - an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites spread to people through the bites of mosquitos.
Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).
Other
Rating: 0
Other Uses: None known
How it is grown
Not known
Propagating it: Seed
Best place to grow:
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist, wet
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Other names: Carqueja, bacanta, bac‡rida, cacaia-amarga, cacalia amara, cac‡lia-amarga, cac‡lia-amargosa, cacliadoce, carqueja amara, carqueja-amargosa, carqueja-do-mato, carquejilla, carquejinha, chinchimani, chirca melosa, condamina, cuchi-cuchi, quimsa-kuchu, quinsu-cucho, quina-de-condamiana, tiririca-de-balaio, tres-espigas, vassoura.
Synonyms
Baccharis triptera Mart. Conyza genistelloides Lam.