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Research | Plants: Guinea Hen Weed

The Guinea Hen Weed is also called gully root in Trinidad and anamu in Latin American countries.

This is a tropical plant that grows wild in coffee, corn and apple plantations. This plant is said to grow up to 3 ft. high. This plant requires frequent watering in order to have it mature successfully. It does not seem to thrive in dry areas. Since gullies are usually drainage for water, I can understand the reason that Trinidadians call the plant gully root.
Guinea Hen Weed

According to Wikipedia,
Guinea Hen Weed is used as a bat and insect repellent.
The Guinea Hen Weed is used in teas, extracts, capsules. The leaves and also the roots are used with medicinal purposes. This plant has been used to reduce inflammation and pain. It has been reported to be used to eliminate bacteria, fungi, candida, and viruses. It is also used to enhance the immune system and increase urination. Recent studies report beneficial results in the use of this plant to lower the blood sugar levels and in the elimination of cancer cells. The plant is also used for arthritis, allergies, as therapy for fever, malaria. Besides its beneficial medical uses the plant is also been reported to induce abortions important property that has to take into consideration when used by woman of childbearing age.
There is little information made public on this plant. Yet research that has been conducted on it proves it to be quite a stunning plant. Dr. Vendryes mentions in his article entitled, 'Guinea Hen Weed: A Powerful Jamaican Herb', that the 'researchers found that of the 20 compounds isolated from the plant - several of which had never been identified in nature before - some were similar to compounds found in garlic, a plant known to have medicinal properties.'

Apart from inducing abortions, there's also another caveat in ingesting this plant. Guinea Hen Weed is said to have 'a low concentration of a blood thinner called coumadin. People with any bleeding disorder like hemophilia or who are on blood thinning medication should consult their health-care provider before using anamu [Guinea Hen Weed].'

Dr. Vendryes offers directions to use Guinea Hen Weed as follows,
One heaping tablespoonful of the whole powdered anamu plant is diffused in one litre of hot water. The resulting tea is drunk preferably on an empty stomach. An average dosage is four ounces (about half a cup) twice daily.
I like the way he concluded his article, which I quote as follows,
Many persons are desperately looking for a quick fix - a magic bullet that will miraculously cure their illness. The reality is that there is no quick fix. Like so many useful herbs, anamu will give best results when combined with optimal nutrition, nutritional supplements, exercise, detoxification, stress management and adequate restful sleep.

Reference


  1. Petiveria alliacea by Wikipedia
  2. Guinea Hen Weed: A Powerful Jamaican Herb by Dr. Tony Vendryes
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