Discaria chacaye

Ethnobotanical Uses

Among Argentine and Chilean populations, Discaria chacaye has been used as a stomachic tea and bitter tonic prepared from the bark. Records from the Valleys of Catamarca and from the Central Andes indicate that a bark decoction was taken to relieve indigestion and dyspepsia, and that a bark infusion was applied as a wash for sore throat (Tortosa, 1989; Isagire et al., 2007). In the southern Andes, both a bark decoction and a bark infusion have been reported for relief of cramps and gastritis, and the infused leaf or aerial parts have been used as a mild fever reducer (Mooney et al., 2002; CAB International, 2007). In Chilean frontier markets, a decoction of the whole plant is still sold as a digestive, with dose guidance kept modest and a warning that long-term use should be avoided (Broussalis et al., 2011). In the Argentine Andes, a bark decoction taken in small cups for diarrhea and an infusion of aerial parts taken for colic and mild fever have also been recorded (Keller, 2007). Across these accounts, the plant is consistently described as a bitter tonic for digestive upset and as an occasionally topical wash for sore throat.

One practical, modest preparation is a mild bark tea used as a tonic for indigestion and mild stomach cramps. Measure 1–2 g of dried bark into a cup of cold water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 10–15 minutes; strain and drink 1/2–1 cup up to twice daily. Because Discaria contains strong bitter compounds, the dose should be kept low and the tea used intermittently, typically for no longer than two weeks in a row. The infusion should be avoided in pregnancy and lactation, and it is not suitable for young children or for people with gastric ulcer. Like many strong bitter herbs, it can also interact with some medications and should not be combined with sedatives without medical advice.

The bark and aerial parts are rich in triterpenoid saponins, notably quinovic acid glycosides, along with flavonoids and tannins, which together provide bitterness, astringency, and bacteriostatic activity reported for this species (Fujiwara et al., 2004; CAB International, 2007). These constituents plausibly explain the traditional use as a digestive bitter, the occasional mild spasmolytic effect, and the application as a wash for mouth and throat irritation.

Modern relevance is limited, and while small-scale artisanal products (decoctions or infused teas) continue to appear in Argentine and Chilean markets and some retail shelves, the plant remains of regional interest for a limited set of preparations, and there is ongoing work on its traditional knowledge and conservation (Broussalis et al., 2011; CAB International, 2007).

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