Palicourea coriacea
StarPalicourea coriacea
Synonyms: Uragoga xanthophylla, Psychotria xanthophylla, Patabea coriacea
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In the folk medicine of the Brazilian Cerrado (especially Minas Gerais, Goiás, and the Federal District), a decoction of the roots of Palicourea coriacea (douradinha-do-campo) is widely taken as a diuretic to treat kidney stones, urinary infections, and to 'cleanse the blood'; ethnopharmacological surveys document the species in markets and home use across central Brazil (Mors, 2000).
Botanical Description
Palicourea coriacea (synonym Palicourea rigida in older Brazilian literature; the name is used in some treatments for a distinct Cerrado species) is a small evergreen shrub or subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, native to the Brazilian Cerrado and adjacent savannas of central South America. It grows 0.5–2 m tall, with stout woody stems and large, opposite, decussate, leathery (coriaceous) elliptic leaves 10–25 cm long with prominent venation and entire margins, borne in conspicuous rosettes at the stem tips. The terminal inflorescence is a dense erect panicle of bright yellow to orange tubular flowers, the corolla 1.5–2.5 cm long with a flared limb, attractive to hummingbirds. Fruit is a small ovoid drupe ripening to dark blue or violet. The species — known regionally as 'douradinha-do-campo' — is a frequent ingredient in Cerrado folk pharmacopeia of central Brazil.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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