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Erythrina mulungu Mart. ex Benth, popularly known as mulungu, is native tree of southeast of Brazil. In the herbal medicine is considered an excellent sedative to treat anxiety, nervous coughts, agitation psicomotory and insomnia, besides asthma, bronchitis, hepatitis, gengiviti, hepatic and esplenics inflammations and fevers. In traditional medicine and also phytoterapic, have been used as natural sedative and tranquilizing agent for stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia.This plant represent the main source of tetracyclic alkaloids and they have curare-like activity, causing muscular paralysis. After a literature review, in which the therapeutic properties of  E. mulungu were analyzed in several preclinical studies, we observed the following: anxiolytic activity with benzodiazepine-like effects; central nervous system activity with alteration of GABA receptors, besides anticonvulsant, sedative and amnesic action; antibacterial activity and antinociceptive activity. 

CONSTITUENTS: Phytochemical analyzes demonstrated the presence of terpenes, bioactive alkaloids and flavonoids, mainly isoflavones, pterocarpones, flavanones and isoflavanones. Several studies demonstrated that the alkaloids erythrartin, erythravine, 11-hydroxy-erythravine and the erythrin derivatives are mainly responsible for the anxiolytic effect.

LATIN NAME: Erythrina mulungu Mart. ex Benth

USED PARTS: Bark

DRYING METHOD: Sun Dried

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: terpenes, alkaloids and flavonoids.

PROPERTIES: Mulungu is widely used in Brazil for its anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Some studies have demonstrated the presence of analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in the crude extracts of E. mulungu. Popularly, the decoction of leaves and bark of the E. mulungu stem is used to treat insomnia and central nervous system disorders. Hypotensive and heart rate-regulating activities were attributed to a group of alkaloids contained in plant tissues. The anxiolytic effect of E. mulungu is due to the alkaloids present in this plant, such as eritratine, eritravin and 11-OH-eritravin. Two important flavonoids have also been isolated from E. mulungu: quercitrin and luteolin. Quercitrin is a flavonol considered a potent antioxidant, capable of developing activities to prevent and repair damage to the central nervous system, making it a promising agent for use in the treatment of degenerative disorders. Luteolin is a flavone that acts on microglia. They have recently discovered that it reduces inflammation caused by bacteria in the hippocampus, and may be helpful in decreasing inflammation of the brain. Researchers have pointed to its potential use in the treatment of Alzheimer's.

PREPARATION: for anxiety, stress, and sleep challenges:

- 1/4 teaspoon and up to a 1/2 teaspoon of the mulungu bark powder or 

- 2 teaspoons of mulungu bark shredded boiled in 250 ml of water. Simmering for 20 minutes, allowing it to cool and drink as needed.

- 1-2 ml of a 4:1 tincture once or twice daily.

- 50 a 200mg powdered extract daily.

APPLICATIONS: Nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, medical food, phytoterapic, pharmaceutical

PRECAUTIONS: This plant is a sedative and may cause drowsiness. In traditional medicine the plant is used to lower blood pressure. It is recommended that those on medications to lower blood pressure use mulungu with caution and monitor their blood pressure accordingly. Drug Interactions: Mulungu may potentiate some antianxiety drugs (such as diazepam) and antihypertensive drugs.


For educational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease

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