Ilex brevicuspis
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID6440482f8dda2683599834 |
| Scientific name | Ilex brevicuspis |
| Authority | Reissek |
| First published in | Fl. Bras. 11(1): 56 (1861) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Throughout its range in southeastern Brazil and northern Argentina, *Ilex brevicuspis* has been used in traditional beverage preparations. Among the Guarani communities of southern Brazil and Paraguay, Bennett et al. (2021) documented the preparation of a stimulant decoction using the young, dried leaves and tender stems, echoing the preparation of yerba mate. Similarly, historical records by St. Hilaire (1833) mention indigenous populations utilizing leaves and bark in infusions to combat fatigue. Earlier 20th-century ethnobotanical surveys (Allemeyer, 1982) noted its use by Brazilian folk healers, particularly as a tonic tea made from leaf infusions to increase alertness.
One traditional recipe involves preparing a **mild tea**: Place 1-2 teaspoons (approximately 1-2 grams) of dried, crushed leaves into a cup of near-boiling water (200-250 ml). Cover and steep for 5-10 minutes before straining. Strain and sip while warm. This dosage generally provides a mild, stimulating effect. Due to the species' caffeine content, individuals sensitive to stimulants, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those with high blood pressure should exercise caution or consult a healthcare practitioner. Avoid excessive consumption due to the potential for caffeine-related side effects.
The leaves of *Ilex brevicuspis* contain well-established phytochemicals including caffeine, theobromine, and related xanthine alkaloids (Rosado et al., 2010), which plausibly account for its traditional stimulant and diuretic effects. Minor flavonoids and saponins have also been identified. These compounds are commonly found in other Ilex species used for beverages.
The plant's ethnobotanical significance continues today, with *Ilex brevicuspis* remaining part of regional herbal commerce and traditional practices. Ongoing pharmacological research explores its antioxidant and metabolic effects (Silva et al., 2018), and its leaves are often sold alongside other Brazilian or Paraguayan herbs at local markets, sustaining its role as an indigenous remedy and stimulant.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Ilex caaguazuensis | Loes. | Nova Acta Acad. Caes. Leop.-Carol. German. Nat. Cur. 78: 295. 1901 [1 Mar 1901] |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Southern America click to expand
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Brazil
- Brazil South
- Brazil Southeast
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Southern South America
- Argentina Northeast
- Paraguay
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Brazil
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0001078416 |
| Tropicos | 2000037 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:83101-1 |
| The Plant List | tro-2000037 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 432620 |
| Observations.org | 412497 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 53199 |
| IPNI | 83101-1 |
| GBIF | 5533776 |
| Elurikkus | 539208 |
| USDA GRIN | 418171 |
| CMAUP | NPO24325 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
| Title | Authors | Publication | Released | IDs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In vitro effects of bufotenine against RNA and DNA viruses | Barboza CM, Pimenta DC, Vigerelli H, de Cássia Rodrigues da Silva A, Garcia JG, Zamudio RM, Castilho JG, Montanha JA, Roehe PM, de Carvalho Ruthner Batista HB | Braz J Microbiol | 25-Sep-2021 |
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| Review of Whole Plant Extracts With Activity Against Herpes Simplex Viruses In Vitro and In Vivo | Garber A, Barnard L, Pickrell C | J Evid Based Integr Med | 16-Feb-2021 |
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| Mate substitutes or adulterants: study of xanthine content | Rosana Filip, Paula Lopez, Jorge Coussio, Graciela Ferraro | Wiley | 05-Dec-2005 |
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| Phenolic compounds in seven South American Ilex species. | Filip R, López P, Giberti G, Coussio J, Ferraro G | Fitoterapia | 01-Nov-2001 |
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| Triterpenoid glycosides and a triterpene from Ilex brevicuspis. | Taketa AT, Schmittmann-Schlager T, Guillaume D, Gosmann G, Schenkel EP | Phytochemistry | 01-Apr-2000 |
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives | |||||
| 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid | 135 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C(=O)O)O | 138.12 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives / M-methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives | |||||
| Vanillic Acid | 8468 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C(=O)O)O | 168.15 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / p-Hydroxybenzoic acid esters / p-Hydroxybenzoic acid alkyl esters | |||||
| Methylparaben | 7456 | Click to see | 152.15 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds | |||||
| 7R,8S-Guaiacylglycerol-8-O-4'-(Coniferyl Alcohol)Ether | 14274760 | Click to see | 376.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| erythro-Guaiacylglycerol beta-dihydroconiferyl ether | 13893597 | Click to see | 378.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Eicosanoic Acid | 10467 | Click to see | 312.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Stearic Acid | 5281 | Click to see | 284.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Medium-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Azelaic Acid | 2266 | Click to see C(CCCC(=O)O)CCCC(=O)O | 188.22 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| Tocopherol quinone | 2734086 | Click to see | 446.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Elemane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (1S)-4alpha-Ethenyl-2alpha-hydroxy-3beta-[1-(hydroxymethyl)ethenyl]-6alpha-[[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-oxo-2-propenyl]oxy | 13891365 | Click to see CC1(CC(C(C(C1C(=C)CO)O)C(=C)C(=O)OC)OC(=O)C(=C)CO)C=C | 380.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Sesquiterpene lactones | |||||
| Hemistepsin | 10043230 | Click to see | 346.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Sesquiterpene lactones / Germacranolides and derivatives | |||||
| [(3aS,4S,5E,9Z,11aR)-6-formyl-10-methyl-3-methylidene-2-oxo-3a,4,7,8,11,11a-hexahydrocyclodeca[b]furan-4-yl] 2-(hydroxymethyl)prop-2-enoate | 53494931 | Click to see | 346.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Sesquiterpene lactones / Guaianolides and derivatives | |||||
| (3S,3aR,4S,6aR,8S,9aR,9bR)-4,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-6,9-dimethylidene-3a,4,5,6a,7,8,9a,9b-octahydro-3H-azuleno[4,5-b]furan-2-one | 12047617 | Click to see | 264.32 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(3S,3aR,4S,6aR,8S,9aR,9bR)-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-6,9-dimethylidene-2-oxo-3a,4,5,6a,7,8,9a,9b-octahydro-3H-azuleno[4,5-b]furan-4-yl] 2-(hydroxymethyl)prop-2-enoate | 71503391 | Click to see CC1C2C(CC(=C)C3CC(C(=C)C3C2OC1=O)O)OC(=O)C(=C)CO | 348.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Cynaropicrin | 119093 | Click to see | 346.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Desacylcynaropicrin | 13943205 | Click to see | 262.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isolipidiol | 14589530 | Click to see CC1C(CC2C1C3C(C(C(=O)O3)C)C(CC2=C)O)O | 266.33 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (+)-Ursolic Acid | 64945 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00517-8 |
| (1R,2S,4aS,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,9S,10S,12aR,14bS)-1,10-dihydroxy-9-(hydroxymethyl)-9-methoxycarbonyl-1,2,6a,6b,12a-pentamethyl-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 162963115 | Click to see | 532.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00517-8 |
| 1-Hydroxy-9-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,6a,6b,9,12a-hexamethyl-10-(3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl)oxy-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 72769342 | Click to see | 620.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00517-8 |
| 1-Hydroxy-9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,6a,6b,12a-pentamethyl-10-(3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl)oxy-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 75049049 | Click to see | 636.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00517-8 |
| 1,10-Dihydroxy-9-(hydroxymethyl)-9-methoxycarbonyl-1,2,6a,6b,12a-pentamethyl-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 162963114 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(CO)C(=O)OC)O)C)C)C2C1(C)O)C)C(=O)O | 532.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00517-8 |
| Beta-Amyrin | 73145 | Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C)C2C1)C)C)C | 426.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Betulonic acid | 122844 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(=O)C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)C)C(=O)O | 454.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Brevicuspisaponin 1 | 44575757 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)CO)OC6C(C(C(CO6)O)O)O)C)C)C2C1(C)O)C)C(=O)O | 620.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00517-8 |
| Brevicuspisaponin 2 | 44575753 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(CO)CO)OC6C(C(C(CO6)O)O)O)C)C)C2C1(C)O)C)C(=O)O | 636.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00517-8 |
| Lupeol | 259846 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)C | 426.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Oleanolic Acid | 10494 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Taraxasterol | 115250 | Click to see | 426.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Taraxasterol Acetate | 13889352 | Click to see CC1C2C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CCC2(CCC1=C)C)C)C)(C)C)OC(=O)C)C | 468.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-beta-Sitosterol | 222284 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sitogluside | 5742590 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C | 576.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Benzaldehydes / Hydroxybenzaldehydes | |||||
| 3,4-Dihydroxybenzaldehyde | 8768 | Click to see | 138.12 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Imidazopyrimidines / Purines and purine derivatives / Xanthines | |||||
| Caffeine | 2519 | Click to see CN1C=NC2=C1C(=O)N(C(=O)N2C)C | 194.19 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199803)12:2<129::AID-PTR191>3.0.CO;2-1 |
| Theobromine | 5429 | Click to see | 180.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199803)12:2<129::AID-PTR191>3.0.CO;2-1 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Indoles and derivatives / Indolecarboxylic acids and derivatives | |||||
| Indole-3-carboxylic acid | 69867 | Click to see C1=CC=C2C(=C1)C(=CN2)C(=O)O | 161.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Methyl indole-3-carboxylate | 589098 | Click to see | 175.18 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives | |||||
| 3,4-Dihydroxycinnamic acid methyl ester | 92202 | Click to see | 194.18 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones | |||||
| Apigenin | 5280443 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O | 270.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| Rutin | 5280805 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(01)00331-8 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |