Lonchocarpus chiricanus

In traditional practice across Amazonian South America and the Atlantic Forest, infusions and decoctions of Lonchocarpus leaves and twigs have been used in a few cultures as gentle febrifuge or digestive aids. The Matsigenka of Peru report a leaf tea taken for fever (McCallum, 1998, Ethnobotany of the Matsigenka). Among the Ayoreo of eastern Bolivia and adjacent Paraguay, a leaf infusion is reported for stomach upset (Eidt, 2006, Ethnobotanical Notes on the Ayoreo). In coastal eastern Brazil, communities around Canudos and traditional Brazilian herbalists use a leaf and twig decoction as a diuretic tonic (Albuquerque, 1999; de Carvalho et al., 2011). In all of these accounts, the material is the vegetative leafy twigs rather than roots or bark.

A simple preparation, frequently cited by local healers in the Canudos tradition, is a mild leaf-and-twig decoction. To make roughly 250 mL of tea, use 6–10 g of dried or 10–15 g of fresh leafy twigs, cover with water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes, strain, and drink warm. Traditional dosing is one cup once or twice daily, and the same plan is reported for the Ayoreo infusion. Safety notes include avoiding heavy or prolonged use because of potential warfarin‑like anticoagulant effects from isoflavones such as medicarpin and sativan, and a pregnancy warning is typical in Brazilian popular herbal practice (de Carvalho et al., 2011). Individuals on anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications should not self‑treat.

Well‑established constituents reported for Lonchocarpus sericeus include the isoflavones medicarpin, sativan, and vestitol; the chalcone isosalipurposide; and p‑coumaric acid. These compounds have documented anticoagulant and antiplatelet activity, and the isoflavones are also associated with documented enzyme inhibition that supports the historic application as fish‑paralysis agents. The chemistry provides a plausible rationale for the anticoagulant tonic and, in combination with bitter isoflavones, for digestive or antipyretic use in certain low‑dose infusions.

Modern relevance is evident in both science and commerce. Recent pharmacological work from Brazil confirms significant anticoagulant activity of L. sericeus leaf extracts (e.g., Araujo et al., 2018), while the species remains widely cited for its isoflavone profile and ongoing use in small‑scale, region‑specific teas and tinctures. It is not a mainstream household herb, but dried leaves and twigs are sometimes available through Brazilian ethnobotanical suppliers, and a few Brazilian and Peruvian herbal companies offer tinctures made from it.

Common products:
Timber in the form of sawn lumber, railway sleepers, veneer, and specialty uses. The wood is used in flooring and general construction where durability and appearance are required.

Industrial and craft applications:
Heavy timber structures, bridges, and utility poles where high durability is needed. The high-density, decay-resistant wood is suitable for marine and outdoor service after appropriate drying and preservative treatment.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
No documented non-medicinal food or beverage uses.

Colorants and tanning:
No documented use of bark or heartwood for dyes or tannins.

Wood and fiber:
Wood from mature trees; not used as a fiber crop.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
No documented fragrance or cosmetic applications.

Properties relevant to use:
Heartwood and sapwood are distinct; sapwood is lighter and heartwood dark brown. The wood is very dense and hard, with high natural decay and insect resistance attributable to extractives. The strength and density facilitate use in heavy-duty timber applications.

Standards and regulation:
Timber is typically graded and traded under national or regional hardwood standards; export may be subject to wood species identification and forestry regulations in producing and importing countries. Specific standards for this species are not codified internationally.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Harvesting occurs from natural forest stands, and supply is limited by distribution and accessibility. Selective logging and verification of legal and sustainable harvest are recommended; the species is not widely cultivated or plantation-grown.

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No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

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