Calea zacatechichi (leaf)

Calea zacatechichi

Ethnobotany

Used in Mexico ritually for divination and commonly for relaxation

-respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders (2)

-cough, asthma, gastrointestinal disorders (3)

Composition

chlorogenic acid, acetin, germacranolide (3)

Studies

-annxiolytic (1)

-antidepressant (1)

-increase in rapid hippocampal frequencies (gamma band: 31-50 Hz) during paradoxical sleep (1)

-nootropic (improvements in cognitive processes) (1)

-irritable bowel syndrome (2)

-antidiarrheal (2)

-analgesic (2)

-abdominal pain (3)

-hypoglycemic, anti-diabetic (4)

1. Martinez-Mota L, Cruz-Tavera A, Dorantes-Barrón AM, Arrieta-Báez D, Ramírez-Salado I, Cruz-Aguilar MA, Mayagoitia-Novales L, Cassani J, Estrada-Reyes R. Calea zacatechichi Schltdl. (Compositae) produces anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects, and increases the hippocampal activity during REM sleep in rodents. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021 Jan 30;265:113316. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113316. Epub 2020 Aug 28. PMID: 32866569.

2. Sałaga M, Kowalczuk A, Zielinska M, Błażewicz A, Fichna J. Calea zacatechichi dichloromethane extract exhibits antidiarrheal and antinociceptive effects in mouse models mimicking irritable bowel syndrome. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2015 Oct;388(10):1069-77. doi:10.1007/s00210-015-1142-1. Epub 2015 Jun 12. PMID: 26068703; PMCID: PMC4561081.

3. Sałaga M, Fichna J, Socała K, Nieoczym D, Pieróg M, Zielińska M, Kowalczuk A, Wlaź P. Neuropharmacological characterization of the oneirogenic Mexican plant Calea zacatechichi aqueous extract in mice. Metab Brain Dis. 2016 Jun;31(3):631-41. doi:10.1007/s11011-016-9794-1. Epub 2016 Jan 28. PMID: 26821073; PMCID: PMC4863909.

4. Román Ramos R, Alarcón-Aguilar F, Lara-Lemus A, Flores-Saenz JL. Hypoglycemic effect of plants used in Mexico as antidiabetics. Arch Med Res. 1992 Spring;23(1):59-64. PMID: 1308793.