Evidence supporting the use of: Chuchuhuasi
For the health condition: Cramps and Spasms

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Chuchuhuasi (Maytenus krukovii or Maytenus laevis) is a large Amazonian tree whose bark has been used traditionally in indigenous medicine. One of its most common uses among local peoples in Peru and other Amazonian regions is for the treatment of muscle cramps, spasms, and rheumatic pain. Ethnobotanical surveys and traditional medicine records frequently note the application of Chuchuhuasi bark, often prepared as a tincture or decoction, for these purposes.

The justification for its use in treating cramps and spasms is based primarily on traditional knowledge rather than robust scientific validation. Some phytochemical analyses have identified the presence of triterpenes, alkaloids, and other constituents with potential anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties; however, there is a lack of rigorous clinical trials or preclinical studies that directly confirm its efficacy for muscle cramps or spasms in humans.

While laboratory studies have hinted at general anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, the evidence does not rise above preliminary or anecdotal levels. Therefore, the use of Chuchuhuasi for cramps and spasms is best characterized as traditional, with a moderate but not strong evidence base rooted primarily in ethnomedical practice rather than scientific research.

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