Tlachichinole ( Tournephoria hirsuttissima L.), tlachichinole or rasposa is a shrub species belonging to the grass family Boraginaceae . It is widely used for medicinal purposes and has healing properties; It is used for infant licking, kidney inflammation and diabetes.
It is a natural species native to the Americas, distributed throughout Central and South America from Mexico and the Caribbean. The name Tournefortia of the style is derived from the French physician and botanist Joseph Pitton Tournefort, who initially described it.
This species is known in Mexico and the Caribbean as ampa, cacca bezuco, caia bezuco, nigua vine, nigua bush, hairy nigue, ortiguilla, pearl or telefly. In the Antilles it is called chick en fleur, herb melingres, cogres grape, chignonette, San Pedro’s tears, strawberry or tirisia.
Medicinal properties of the species Tournephoria hirsutissima They are ideal for treating gastric diseases, intestinal ulcers, blood problems and anemia. It also relieves from women’s diseases such as internal bleeding, vaginal discharge and leucorrhoea.
External application or topical baths are effective for healing bruises, pimples, rashes, wounds and ulcers, as it acts as a scar. In addition, it is an excellent choice for intimate washing of women.
Features
morphology
The Tlachichinole plant is a medium-sized shrub with climbing growth that reaches 3 to 5 m in rounded stems. The woody and slender stems are -2 cm in diameter, slightly blond and cream colored.
The branches are characterized by brittle and tubular-appearing appearance by presenting a hollow center when dry. The leaves are oval, petiolate, dark green, rough and arranged alternately or oppositely.
The flowers are numerous, fragrant white, and grouped into corymbiform, cimosa and terminal inflorescences. The white-toned dried fruit has 2 to 4 bony seeds.
It often flowers between April and October, particularly in June and July. The fruits grow and develop quickly, so they are usually present on the inflorescence.
Distribution and place of residence
The species Tournephoria hirsutissima is native to Mexico. It is located in the south of the United States, in Florida, throughout Mexico, Central America and parts of South America, including Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Bolivia.
It lives in areas of warm and semi-warm climate, occurring at altitudes between 700 and 2500 m above sea level. Grows along the banks of water sources and on rocky slopes, is associated with tropical wet forests and predominant wet forests.
It requires sandy soil, with a high content of organic matter and a good moisture supply. It grows as an invasive plant within fields or surroundings, as part of the biodiversity of individual ecosystems.
classification
Kingdom: Plante
Division: Magnoliphyta
Category: Magneolopsida
Order: Lamiales
Family: Borginaceae
Subcomposition: Heliotropoidea
Style: Tournefortia
Species: Tournephoria hirsuttissima L. (1753)
Health benefits
The Tlachichnole plant is used primarily in traditional medicine for the treatment of chewing and distention of the stomach. Immediate baths of macerated leaves filled with water are used to heal swollen gums, skin eruptions and anus.
Preparations based on the roots of tlachichinole are used as a diuretic. Infusions or teas with other plants with similar properties are made in doses of one bunch per liter of water.
Macerated leaves are used to make a poultice that is used to cover skin wounds and inflammations. The leaves boiled in a liter of water are used to prepare an infusion which is used as an antispasmodic.
In some areas of the Caribbean, such as Cuba, the tlachichnole plant is used as an astringent and diuretic to cure venereal diseases. It is used as an ingredient in the preparation of a specific drink, called chikha, which has energy properties.
The decoction of the plant is used to cure cutaneous diseases and ulcers on the mouth. The roots have diuretic properties, it is also useful for controlling diarrhea and calming vomiting.
When selecting a plant to be used in traditional medicine, it is not convenient to tear it, as this species is very difficult to find in the wild.
application
Selecting the tlachichinole plant used in traditional medicine must meet certain conditions for the action to be effective. Dried and weak bushes, broken and worn branches as well as the presence of pests or diseases should be discarded
To prepare the infusion, choose a young plant with a thin stem and about 80 cm of branches. The leaves should be tender, thin and rough, free from pests and diseases, damage or damage, preferably light green.
Grooving Equipment
In the case of preparing a bath to cure chafing or scalding of a child, the two short branches should be collected in a container under fire with enough water, and boiled until a dark color is obtained.
After tempering the mixture, the bath is prepared in a large container. It is advised to take a sitz bath for five minutes, and then keep the baby in the water for 15 to 20 minutes.
During bathing, do not press or apply too much abrasive to the affected area or chafing. The process is repeated two to three times depending on the severity of the case.
swelling
A preparation with three leaves of tlachichinole in a liter of water is prepared for abdominal bloating. Boil the mixture for twelve to fifteen minutes till it turns black.
The infusion is cooled, strained and refrigerated in the refrigerator. It is recommended to drink a full glass two or three times a day until you notice the improvement of the patient.
Traditionally the leaves and branches are toasted or burned in a toaststroke or comal. Later it is prepared to obtain a powder which is applied to wounds, burns and constrictions.
