Cha de Bugre is a tree that is native to Brazil and can also be found in the tropical forests of Paraguay and Argentina. The tree produces a red fruit that looks a lot like a coffee bean. This fruit is often roasted and brewed into a tea as a substitute for coffee. One of its names is "cafe do mato" or “coffee of the woods.”
Cha de Bugre is a popular weight loss aid in Brazil and is a common ingredient in "Brazilian diet pills" that are also becoming popular in North America. Some of these "Brazilian diet pills" are also thought to contain prescription amphetamines and tranquilizers.
Cha de Bugre is also used to treat cellulite, cough, fluid retention (edema), gout, cancer, herpes, viral infections, fever, and diseases of the heart and blood vessels. It is also used as a general tonic to improve blood circulation and heart function.
Some people apply Cha de Bugre directly to the skin for wound healing.
How does it work ?
Some people think Cha de Bugre decreases appetite, but there is no scientific evidence that this is true. There is not enough known about Cha de Bugre to know how it might work for any medical use.
Some people think Cha de Bugre decreases appetite, but there is no scientific evidence that this is true. There is not enough known about Cha de Bugre to know how it might work for any medical use.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of Cha de Bugre for these uses.
Side Effects
There is not enough known about Cha de Bugre to know if there are any safety concerns or if it is safe to take.
Special Precautions and Warnings
There is not enough known about Cha de Bugre to know if there are any safety concerns or if it is safe to take. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of Cha de Bugre during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for CHA DE BUGRE overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of Cha de Bugre depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Cha de Bugre. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Araldi RP, Rechiutti BM, Mendes TB, Ito ET, Souza EB. Mutagenic potential of Cordia ecalyculata alone and in association with Spirulina maxima for their evaluation as candidate anti-obesity drugs. Genet Mol Res 2014;13(3):5207-20. View abstract.
Caparroz-Assef SM, Grespan R, Batista RC, et al. Toxicity studies of Cordia salicifolia extract. Acta Sci Health Sci 2005;27(1):41-4.
da Silva CJ, Bastos JK, Takahashi CS. Evaluation of the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of crude extracts of Cordia ecalyculata and Echinodorus grandiflorus. J Ethnopharmacol 2010;127(2):445-50. View abstract.
Hayashi K, Hayashi T, Morita N, Niwayama S. Antiviral activity of an extract of Cordia salicifolia on herpes simplex virus type 1. Planta Med 1990;56(5):439-43. View abstract.
Menghini L, Epifano F, Leporini L, Pagiotti R, Tirillini B. Phytochemical investigation on leaf extract of Cordia salicifolia Cham. J Med Food 2008;11(1):193-4. View abstract.
Siqueira VL, Cortez DA, Oliveira CE, Nakamura CV, Bazotte RB. Pharmacological studies of Cordia salicifolia Cham in normal and diabetic rats. Braz Arch Biol Technol 2006;49(2):215-8.
CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.