Tephrosia sinapou
StarTephrosia sinapou
Synonyms: Cracca toxicaria, Tephrosia toxicaria, Cracca schiedeana, Galega sinapou, Galega toxicaria, Tephrosia emarginata, Tephrosia schiedeana
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
Amazonian Indigenous peoples use the rotenone-rich roots of Tephrosia sinapou (a 'timbo' or barbasco) as a fish poison, stunning fish that remain edible. The plant is also used in Amazonian traditional medicine to relieve pain and inflammation, and controlled in-vivo studies in mice confirmed dose-dependent antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of the extract across acetic-acid, formalin and complete Freund's adjuvant pain models (Borghi et al., 2016).
Botanical Description
Tephrosia sinapou is an erect perennial herb or subshrub of the legume family (Fabaceae) growing to about 1 m, the stems herbaceous but becoming somewhat woody and persistent with age. It bears pinnately compound leaves with several pairs of oblong leaflets, often silky-hairy beneath, and reddish to pinkish-purple pea-like flowers in axillary or terminal racemes, followed by slender flattened pods. The black roots and seeds are rich in rotenoids such as rotenone and tephrosin. Native to tropical South America, including Amazonia and the Guianas, it grows in clearings, riverbanks and disturbed humid forest, and is widely cultivated and harvested by Indigenous peoples for its toxic rotenoid content.
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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