From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lithraea molleoides (syn. Lithraea
molleoides var. lorentziana Lillo,
Lithraea ternifolia, Schinus brasiliensis
Marchand ex Cabrera, Schinus leucocarpus M., Schinus
molleoides (Vell.) Engler, Lithraea aroeirinha
Marchand ex Warm. [1]) is a
tree (2.5 and 8 m tall) that is native to South America, specially in Argentina, Bolivia, and Cerrado vegetation of Brazil.
Medicinal
uses
This plant is used as a honey plant and medicinal plant in the form of alcoholic
extracts, decoctions,
and infusions for the
treatment of arthritis,
bronchitis, cough, and diseases of the digestive system. It is also used as diuretic, hemostatic, tonic agent, and tranquillizer. Furthermore, it has antimicrobial, antiviral, cytotoxic, and immunomodulatory
proprieties. In contrast, it is a poisonous plant
because it can cause allergic sensitivity, skin disease, fever, and
visual problems. [2]
Popular
custom
In Uruguay, folk
tradition states that people are supposed to salute the tree by
changing the time of the day. If somebody encounters the tree
during the day, she is supposed to say "Good night, Mrs. Aruera".
Similarly, if it is during the night, she should say "Good day,
Mrs. Aruera".
See also
References
- ^
Lithraea
molleoides at Germplasm Resources
Information Network
- ^
Shimizu, Mario Tsunezi; Bueno, Leandro de Jesus Franco;Rodrigues,
Rosa Fátima Oliveira; Sallowicz, Fabiano Augusto; Sawaya, Alexandra
Christine Helena Frankland; Marques, Márcia Ortiz Maio. Essential oil of Lithraea
molleoides (Vell.): chemical composition and antimicrobial
activity Brazilian Journal of Microbiology vol.37 no.4 São
Paulo Oct./Dec. 2006
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