Does chuchuhuasi reduce inflammation or back pain?

Written by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Updated August 21, 2020 ⓘ

Chuchuhuasi for Inflammation & Back Pain? -- Woman With Back Pain Sitting, at Desk Drinking Tea

Answer:

Chuchuhuasi is a tree that grows in the Amazon rainforest and other parts of South America. The bark and roots are commonly used in South American folk medicine for joint pain and inflammation (Sanz-Biset, J Ethnopharmacol 2009).

Chuchuhuasi contains several chemicals called triterpenes that have shown anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory studies. One specific chemical found in chuchuhuasi has been shown to reduce joint inflammation in an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis (Malanik, Molecules 2019). However, chuchuhuasi has not been clinically studied in people for any condition nor has its safety been clinically evaluated, so it would not seem appropriate to take chuchuhuasi for back pain at this time.

+ — 2 sources

In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine. On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable. The following sources are referenced in this article: