What is manayupa and what are its benefits?

The blending of cultures and traditions allows medical knowledge to grow and diversify in unparalleled ways.

Folk medicine from the four corners of the globe is recognized and validated by numerous scientific studies on the wisdom of ancestral remedies. As a result, the world is opening up to a wide range of proven natural remedies, diversifying treatment options.

Most recently, the manayupaa plant with multiple benefits originating from Latin America, has recently appeared on the shelves of natural health products.

What is manayupa?

Visit Desmodium molliculum is known in Peru, its country of origin, as manayupa.

Now widespread in many equatorial zones, manayupa grows at altitudes of over 2000 meters. Its slender stem is adorned with rounded leaves, and at the top are small, clustered flowers with mauve petals.

Manayupa is abundant in the wilds of Latin America, where it grows at the foot of trees. Picked when ripe, the leaves are infused in Peruvian herbal medicine to purify the blood and the body, and to counter a wide range of health problems.

Manayupa: health benefits

Mainly used for liver problems, manayupa is also recommended for lung disorders, allergies, asthma and gynaecological use. As if that weren't enough, manayupa can preserve immune health and reduce inflammation.

More specifically, manayupa is used as a :

• Liver detoxifier and healer: It protects and regenerates liver cells against damage caused by viral, drug or substance abuse activity. Manayupa can be taken in cases of jaundice and in the early stages of hepatitis A and B. ¹

• Antiasthmatic and bronchodilator: the three saponins (phytochemical compounds) present in the plant's aerial parts have calming properties on respiratory muscles, facilitating breathing in the event of infection and preventing the development of asthma. ^2,3

• Anti-allergic: manayupa acts as an immune system modulator and could be used in the treatment of certain primary allergies due to the presence of immunoglobulin (IgG) E. Research is underway to validate its therapeutic effects on anaphylactic allergies. To date, no recommendation has been issued on this subject. ^3,4

• Anti-inflammatory: Traditionally used to soothe muscular and/or joint pain, and to counter inflammatory gynecological disorders. ^5,6

• Digestive soothing: Helps combat acute or chronic gastritis and reduce heartburn. ⁶

• Kidney tonic: An excellent diuretic, manayupa reduces kidney inflammation, helps purify the body and blood, and accelerates weight loss. ⁶

• Contraceptive: With its ability to prevent pregnancy and act as an emergency contraceptive, the Peruvian government is seeking to make manayupa a recognized contraceptive that is natural, has no side effects and is available at low cost. ⁶

• Anticonvulsant: Its neuroprotective role makes manayupa the remedy of choice for epilepsy. ⁷

With its low toxicity, manayupa is generally harmless to the consumer, and negative interactions with other treatments have not been reported. However, because of its contraceptive power, it should not be consumed by women who are pregnant or intend to become so, or by newborn babies. ⁶

Manayupa: How to use it

To benefit from manapuya's active properties, its aerial parts are first dried before being infused.

Infusion is the most popular way to consume manayupa. Simply pour boiling water over the dried parts of the plant and let the infusion stand for ten minutes before drinking. ³

A decoction allows a higher concentration to be achieved. To make it, simply place 10 grams of dried plant in a liter of boiling water, leave to simmer for 30 minutes, filter and drink the same day. ³

To reap the full benefits of manayupa, consume three times a day for six weeks.

Inka Naturea recognized player in the world of natural and organic foods, enables you to discover manayupa. Order manayupa directly online or come and see us in store for more advice on this medicinal plant with its many virtues.

About the author

Naturopaths of La Boite à Grains

Team of licensed and certified naturopaths (ND) in Gatineau, Outaouais.

Original article written by Véronique Cousineau, Naturopath

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Sources

1: Magielse J, Arcoraci T, Breynaert A, van Dooren I, Kanyanga C, Fransen E, Van Hoof V, Vlietinck A, Apers S, Pieters L, Hermans N. Antihepatotoxic activity of a quantified Desmodium adscendens decoction and D-pinitol against chemically-induced liver damage in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Mar 7;146(1):250-6.

2: Addy ME. Several chromatographically distinctive fractions of Desmodium adscendens inhibit smooth muscle contractions. Int J Crude Drug Res. 1989;27:81-91.

3: Nature's medicines. Reader's Digest selection. 2003. Desmodium, Fabaceae. P. 86.

4: Rastogi S, Pandey MM, Rawat AK. An ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. and Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC.J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Jun 22

5: Rainer W Bussman, Ashley Glenn, Douglas Sharon. Antibacterial activity of medicinal plants of Northern Peru - Can traditional application provide leads or modern science? Indian Journal of traditional knowledge. Vol 9(4), Oct 2010, p. 747.

6: Manayupa (Desmodium) Inka Nature. Kairos naturals.

7: N'gouemo P, Baldy-Moulinier M, Nguemby-Bina C. Effects of an ethanolic extract of Desmodium adscendens on central nervous system in rodents. J Ethnopharmacol. 1996 Jun;52(2):77-83