Pata de Vaca (Organic and Conventional)
The name Pata de Vaca (Bauhinia forficata), commonly known as Brazilian orchid tree literally translates as “cow’s foot” due the striking resemblance of the leaves to this part of a cow’s anatomy. It is native to the rainforests of Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Paraguay and some parts of Asia where it has a long history of service to the indigenous tribes.
Product offerings include: Organic Powder, Conventional TBC, Conventional CS, or Conventional Whole
Benefits
- Pata de vaca is so effective at balancing blood sugar levels that some herbalists consider it “vegetable insulin”. Research scientists in Brazil reported in 2004 that the phytochemical “kaempferitrin”, found in the leaves of Pata De Vaca, significantly lowered blood sugar levels in diabetic rats.
- Research scientists in Brazil (2004) found the presence of insulin like molecules. A protein was found that has a partial amino acid sequence identical to that of bovine insulin, concluding that this protein may be responsible for the lowering of blood glucose concentrations.
- Preliminary studies indicate that Pata De Vaca may help to relieve and prevent the formation of kidney stones. The flavonoid kaempferitrin has been reported to help repair kidney cell damage, and to have a diuretic effect.
Applications/Use
- Loose leaf tea, teabags, capsules, RTDs (ready-to-drink beverages)
Research
Evaluation of toxicity after one-months treatment with Bauhinia forficata
Previous experiments have shown that a decoction of Bauhinia forficata leaves reduces the changes in carbohydrate and protein metabolism that occur in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. In the present investigation, the serum activities of enzymes known to be reliable toxicity markers were monitored in normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats to discover whether the use of B. forficata decoction has toxic effects on liver, muscle or pancreas tissue or on renal microcirculation…
