Tachia guianensis
Aubl.
Gentianaceae
Common Name:
General Information
Tachia guianensis is a slender-stemmed shrub or small tree growing up to 4 metres tall[
631- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 56
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Various articles on botany, including a treatment of the genus Tachia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The stems are usually hollow and subligneous[
631- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 56
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Various articles on botany, including a treatment of the genus Tachia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
A very bitter medicinal herb, it is highly valued amongst native peoples and commonly harvested from the wild for local use.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
434- Title
- Flora of Peru
- Publication
-
- Author
- Macbride. J.F.
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History
- Year
- 1936
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent attempt at a Flora of Peru, though it is clear that many of the plants were imperfectly known at that time and so information on them was sketchy. Available for download from the Internet.
,
631- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 56
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Various articles on botany, including a treatment of the genus Tachia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
S. America - Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana.
Habitat
Rainforests at low to middle elevations[
631- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 56
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Various articles on botany, including a treatment of the genus Tachia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Shrub |
| Height | 3.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
A plant of the moist, lowland tropics.
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
Tachia guianensis is a very bitter herb that is highly valued by indiginous peoples for its beneficial effect upon the digestive system, and as a treatment against fevers. All parts of the plant can be used, though the root is most commonly employed.
The very bitter root is antiinflammatory, antipyretic, appetizer, cholagogue, febrifuge, stomachic and tonic[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
,
526- Title
- An Illustrated Dictionary of Medicine, Biology and Allied Sciences.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gould G.M.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- P. Blakiston's Son & Co.; Philadelphia.
- Year
- 1907
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A major work at the time, though very dated now. Contains quite a lot of information about medicinal plant uses.
,
528- Title
- Indicador de Madeiras e Plantas Uteis do Brasil.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Fonseca E. T. De
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Officinas graphicas Villas-Boas & Co.; Rio de Janeiro
- Year
- 1922
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief details of some of the uses of Brazilian plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. A powerful and very effective herb, it is used to treat intermittent fevers[
528- Title
- Indicador de Madeiras e Plantas Uteis do Brasil.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Fonseca E. T. De
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Officinas graphicas Villas-Boas & Co.; Rio de Janeiro
- Year
- 1922
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief details of some of the uses of Brazilian plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It is also used like gentian to improve the appetite, strengthen the digestive system, relieve abdominal pain and rid the digestive tract of parasites[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
,
518- Title
- Plants used traditionally to treat malaria in Brazil.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Botsaris A.S.
- Publisher
- Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
- Year
- 2007
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Brief details of plants that have traditionally been used to treat malaria.
,
526- Title
- An Illustrated Dictionary of Medicine, Biology and Allied Sciences.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gould G.M.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- P. Blakiston's Son & Co.; Philadelphia.
- Year
- 1907
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A major work at the time, though very dated now. Contains quite a lot of information about medicinal plant uses.
]. It is said that there is no better remedy for 'sore stomach' than a tea made from the root[
558- Title
- Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 30
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University, Boston.
- Year
- 1984 - 1986
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A series of botanical articles. It contains an article on the medicinal and toxic plants of the northwest Amazon. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The powdered leaves are to the coca preparation 'to make it taste better'[
558- Title
- Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 30
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University, Boston.
- Year
- 1984 - 1986
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A series of botanical articles. It contains an article on the medicinal and toxic plants of the northwest Amazon. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
