cold

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Dominican Republic:

  • cebollín

Haiti:

  • zechalot
Significant uses found by the TRAMIL surveys

bulb, decoction, taken orally,
bulb, juice with sugar (“syrup”), taken orally3

Recommendations Preparation and Dosage References

According to the information available:

The use for lung disease, cold and flu is classified as REC based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys and the scientific information published.

If deterioration is observed in the patient or the symptoms persist for more than 7 days, seek medical attention.

Due to the health risk of lung disease, an initial medical
assessment is recommended. The use of this resource must be considered complementary to medical treatment, unless contraindicated.

It has been recommended that onions (Allium cepa) should only be used in limited quantities because they contain allyl sulfoxides and other related sulfoxides that inhibit enzymes with thiol groups4.

The use for sores (oral candidiasis) infections is classified as REC based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys and the scientific information published.

All topical application must follow strict hygiene measures in order to prevent contamination or additional infection.

Not for use during pregnancy, breastfeeding or in children under 3 years.

The bulbs of Allium cepa var. cepa and Allium cepa var. aggregatum constitute a food of widespread human consumption.

For lung disease:
Chop up 1 to 3 bulbs, crush them in a mortar and squeeze them in a cloth or with a teaspoon moving it round in a hand sieve. Mix 1-2 spoonfuls (15 to 30 millilitres) of juice with bee honey. Take on an empty
stomach daily for 3 weeks.

For cold, flu:
prepare a decoction with 1 bulb in 2 cups (½ litre) of water, boil for 10 minutes in an covered vessel. Leave to cool, strain (filter) and drink 1 cup 3 times a day. Or prepare a “syrup” by cutting 1 bulb, mix 3 spoonfuls of
sugar, leave it to rest for several hours, filter with a cloth or a fine sieve and take one spoonful 3 times a day until the symptoms disappear.

For sores (candidiasis bucal):
chop up 100 grams of bulb and add to 2 cups (½ litre) of boiled water, leave to macerate for 12 hours and apply with a dropper or 5-millilitre teaspoon 3 times a day for 5 days.

Preparations must never be stored for more than 24 hours, even if refrigerated.

1 GERMOSÉN-ROBINEAU L, GERÓNIMO M, AMPARO C, 1984
Encuesta TRAMIL. enda-caribe, Santo Domingo, Rep. Dominicana.

2 WENIGER B, ROUZIER M, 1986
Enquête TRAMIL. Service Oecuménique d'Entraide SOE, Port au Prince, Haïti.

3 BOULOGNE I, 2009
Enquête TRAMIL, (Terre-de-Bas et Terre-de-Haut) Les Saintes, UAG, Guadeloupe (FWI).

4 AUGUST KT, 1996
Therapeutic values of onion (Allium cepa L.) and garlic (Allium sativum L.). Indian J of Experimental Biology 34(7):634-640.

5 BLOCK E, NAGANATHAN S, PUTMAN D, ZHAO SH, 1992
Allium chemistry: hplc analysis of thiosulfinates from onion, garlic, wild garlic (ramsoms), leek, scallion, shallot, elephant (great-headed) garlic, chive, and Chinese chive. Uniquely high allyl to methyl ratios in some garlic samples. J Agr Food Chem 40(12):2418-2430.

6 WU JB, CHENG YD, HUANG SC, CHANG KH, HSIEH MT, 1992
Quantitative determination of active compounds in Allium genus (Liliaceae) by hplc. China Med Coll J 1(2):123-128.

7 TOKITOMO Y, KOBAYASHI A, 1992
Isolation of the volatile components of fresh onion by thermal desorption cold trap capillary gas chromatography. Biosci Biotech Biochem 56(11):1865-1866.

8 DONNER H, GAO L, MAZZA G, 1997
Separation and characterization of simple and malonylated anthocyanins in red onions, Allium cepa L. Food Res Int 30(8):637-643.

9 FULEKI T, 1969
The anthocyanins of strawberry, rhubarb, radish and onion. J Food Sci 34(4):365-369.

10 PATIL BS, PIKE LM, YOO KS, 1995
Variation in the quercetin content in different colored onions (Allium cepa L.). J Amer Soc Hort Sci 120(6):909-913.

11 SHAMS-GHAHFAROKHI M, SHOKOOHAMIRI MR, AMIRRAJAB N, MOGHADASI B, GHAJARI A, ZEINI F, SADEGHI G, RAZZAGHI-ABYANEH M, 2006
In vitro antifungal activities of Allium cepa, Allium sativum and ketoconazole against some pathogenic yeasts and dermatophytes. Fitoterapia 77:321–323.

12 SRINIVASAN D, NATHAN S, SURESH T, PERUMALSAMY PL, 2001
Antimicrobial activity of certain Indian medicinal plants used in folkloric medicine. J Ethnopharmacol 74(3):217-220.

13 SHARMA KC, SHANMUGASUNDRAM SSK, 1979
Allium cepa as an antiasthmatic. RRL Jammu Newsletter 6(2):8.

14 DORSCH W, ETTL M, HEIN G, SCHEFTNER P, WEBER J, BAYER T, WAGNER H, 1987
Antiasthmatic effects of onion. Inhibition of platelet-activating factor-induced bronchial obstruction by onion oils. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol 82(3/4):535-536.

15 DORSCH W, ADAM O, WEBER J, ZIEGELTRUM T, 1985
Antiasthmatic effects of onion extracts -detection of benzyl- and other isothiocyanates (mustard oil) as antiasthmatic compounds of plant origin. Eur J Pharmacol 107(1):17-24.

16 DORSCH W, WAGNER H, 1991
New antiasthmatic drugs from traditional medicine? Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol 94(1/2):262-265.

17 ROCKWELL P, RAW I, 1979
A mutagenic screening of various herbs spices and food additives. Nutrition and Cancer 1(4):10-16.

18 MAHMOUD II, ALKOFANI AS, ABDELAZIZ AA, 1992
Mutagenic and toxic activities of several spices and some Jordanian medicinal plants. Int J Pharmacog 30(2):81-85. 

19 THOMSON M, ALNAQEEB MA, BORDIA T, AL-HASSAN JM, AFZAL M, ALI M, 1998
Effects of aqueous extract of onion on the liver and lung of rats. J Ethnopharmacol 61(2):91-99.

20 VERHOEFF J, HAJER R, VAN DEN INGH TS, 1985
Onion poisoning of young cattle. Vet Rec 117(19):497-498.

21 BEATTY ER, O'REILLY JD, ENGLAND TG, MCANLIS GT, YOUNG IS, GEISSLER CA, SANDERS TA, WISEMAN H, 2000
Effect of dietary quercetin on oxidative DNA damage in healthy human subjects. Br J Nutr 84(6):919-925.

22 GRUENWALD J, BRENDLER T, JAENICKE C, 2004
Physicians’ Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines, Third Edition. Montvale, NJ, USA: Thomson Healthcare, Inc. 988pp.

23 VALDIVIESO R, SUBIZA J, VARELA-LOSADA S, SUBIZA JL, NARGANES MJ, MARTINEZ-COCERA C, CABRERA M, 1994
Bronchial asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and contact dermatitis caused by onion. J of Allergy Clin Immunol 94(5):928-930.

(In territories with significant traditional TRAMIL use)

Dominican Republic:

  • bruja

Haiti:

  • fey choche
  • lou gawou

Guatemala:

  • hoja del aire

Honduras:

  • hoja del aire

Colombia:

  • leaf of life
  • tree of life

Costa Rica:

  • leaf of life

Martinique:

  • zèb maltèt
Significant uses found by the TRAMIL surveys

  leaf, juice, orally5

Recommendations Preparation and Dosage References

The use as an amulet against vomiting is a traditional cultural use and is not classified in the TRAMIL program.

According to published and other information:

Use for cough is categorized as REC, based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys, toxicity studies and available published scientific information.

Uses for headache and cold are categorized as REC, based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys, validation, toxicity studies and available published scientific information.

Should there be a notable worsening of the patient’s condition, or should the cold last more than 2 days, seek medical attention.

Not for use during pregnancy, during lactation or in children.

For topical use for headache and oral use for cold and cough:

There is no available information establishing a means of preparation and dosage other than that referred to by traditional use.

1 WENIGER B, 1987-88
Encuesta TRAMIL. enda-caribe, Santo Domingo, Rep. Dominicana.

2 GIRÓN L, 1988
Encuesta TRAMIL (Costa atlántica). Centro Mesoamericano de Tecnología CEMAT, Guatemala, Guatemala.

3 LONGUEFOSSE JL, NOSSIN E, 1990-95
Enquête TRAMIL. Association pour la valorisation des plantes médicinales de la Caraïbe AVPMC, Fort de France, Martinique.

4 LAGOS-WITTE S, 1988-89, 1996
Encuesta TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Histología Vegetal y Etnobotánica, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras UNAH, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

5 BOULOGNE I, 2009
Enquête TRAMIL, (Terre-de-Bas et Terre-de-Haut) Les Saintes, UAG, Guadeloupe.

6 OCAMPO R, 1988
Encuesta TRAMIL (Costa atlántica), Instituto de Desarrollo Agrario, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.

7 PICKING D, MITCHELL S, DELGODA R, YOUNGER N, 2011
TRAMIL survey. Natural Products Institute, The Biotechnology Centre & Tropical Metabolic Research Institute, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.

8 PINZON M, 1994
Encuesta TRAMIL (Isla de San Andrés). Laboratorio de Fitofarmacología, Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.

9 WENIGER B, ROUZIER M, 1986
Enquête TRAMIL. Service Oecuménique d'Entraide SOE, Port au Prince, Haïti.

10 WENIGER B, SAVARY H, DAGUIHL R, 1984
Tri phytochimique de plantes de la liste TRAMIL. Laboratoire de chimie des substances naturelles, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Université d'Etat d'Haïti, Port au Prince, Haïti.

11 GAIND KN, GUPTA RL, 1971
Flavonoid glycosides from Kalanchoe pinnata. Planta Med 20(4):368-373.

12 GAIND KN, GUPTA RL, 1973
Phenolic components from the leaves of Kalanchoe pinnata. Planta Med 23(12):149-153.

13 YAMAGISHI T, YAN X, WU R, MC PHAIL D, MC PHAIL A, LEE K, 1988
Structure and stereochemistry of bryophyllin-A, a novel potent cytotoxic bufadienolide orthoacetate from Bryophyllum pinnatum. Chem Pharm Bull 36(4):1615-1617.

14 YAN XZ, LEE KS, YAMAGISHI T, 1992
Isolation and identification of cytotoxic components from Bryophyllum pinnatum. Shanghai Yike Daxue Xuebao 19(3):206-208.

15 AKIHISA T, KOKKE W, TAMURA T, MATSUMOTO T, 1991
Sterols of Kalanchoe pinnata: first report of the isolation of both C-24 epimers of 24-alkyl-delta-25-sterols from a higher plant. Lipids 26(8):660-665.

16 GAIND KN, GUPTA RL, 1972
Alkanes, alkanols, triterpenes and sterols from Kalanchoe pinnata. Phytochemistry 11(4):1500-1502.

17 SIDDIQUI S, FAIZI S, SIDDIQUI B, SULTANA N, 1989
Triterpenoids and phenanthrenes from leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum. Phytochemistry 28(9):2433-2438.

18 BULEN WA, VARNER JE, BURRELL RC, 1952
Separation of organic acids from plant tissues. Anal Chem 24:187-190.

19 PAL S, SEN T, CHAUDHURI AK, 1999
Neuropsychopharmacological profile of the methanolic fraction of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf extract. J Pharm Pharmacol 51(3):313-318.

20 HEMA D, TIDJANI M, BASSENE E, POUSSET JL, GIONO-BARBER H, 1986
African medicinal plants. XXIV. Study of the antiinflammatory activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum. Plant Med Phytother 20(3):231-235.

21 FENG PC, HAYNES L, MAGNUS K, PLIMMER J, SHERRATT H, 1962
Pharmacological screening of some West Indian medicinal plants. J Pharm Pharmacol 14(1):556-561.

22 ANDRONOVA L, 1972
Antitussive properties of certain medical plants. Rast Resur 8:588-591.

23 BERSHTEJN E, 1972
Utilisation du jus de Kalanchoe pinnata dans le traitement des ulcères trophiques de la jambe. Vest Khir URSS 108(3):116-118.

24 SVANIDZE N, LANOVENKLY V, SÁNCHEZ A, RODRÍGUEZ P, 1975
Kalanchoe pinnata como planta medicinal en Cuba. Rev Cub Farm 9(3):225-228.

25 BOAKYE-YIADOM K, 1977
Antimicrobial properties of some West African medicinal plants. 1. Antimicrobial action of Bryophyllum pinnatum. Quart J Crude Res 15(4):201-202.

26 PERRY LM, METZGER J, 1980
Medicinal plants of East and Southeast Asia: attributed properties and uses. Cambridge, USA: MIT Press.

27 DUKE JA, 1992
Handbook of biologically active phytochemicals and their bioactivities. Boca Raton, USA: CRC Press.

28 DUKE JA, 1992
Handbook of phytochemical constituents of GRAS Herbs and other economic plants. Boca Raton, USA: CRC Press.

29 PAZOS L, COTO T, GONZÁLEZ S, 2003
Toxicidad oral, aguda en ratones, de la hoja de Kalanchoe pinnata. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

30 PAZOS L, COTO T, GONZÁLEZ S, 2003
Toxicidad oral, aguda en ratones, del extracto acuoso del zumo de la hoja de Kalanchoe pinnata. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

31 PAZOS L, COTO T, GONZÁLEZ S, 2003
Estudio de irritabilidad dérmica, en piel lesionada de conejo, de hoja fresca machacada de Kalanchoe pinnata. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

32 YOKEL R, OGZEWALLA CD, 1981
Effects of plant ingestion in rats determined by the conditioned taste aversion procedure. Toxicon 19(2):223-232.

33 BHAKUNI O, DHAR ML, DHAR MM, DHAWAN BN, MEHROTRA BN, 1969
Screening of Indian plants for biological activity. Part II. Indian J Exp Biol 7(4):250-262.

34 PAL S, SEN T, CHAUDHURI AKN,1999
Neuropsychopharmacological profile of the methanolic fraction of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf extract. J Pharm Pharmacol 51(3):313-318.

35 REPPAS GP, 1995
Bryophyllum pinnatum poisoning of cattle. Aust Vet J 72(11):425-427.