| Family: Asteraceae | | | | medicine systems in Brazil in the form of a medicinal |
| Genus: Mikania | | | | tea, it is used as an expectorant and cough |
| Species: cordifolia, glomerata, guaco, laevigata | | | | suppressant employed for all types of upper |
| Common Names: Guaco, guace, bejuco de finca, cepu, | | | | respiratory problems including bronchitis, pleurisy, colds |
| liane Francois, matafinca, vedolin, cipó caatinga, | | | | and flu, coughs, and asthma; as well as for sore |
| huaco, erva das serpentes | | | | throats, laryngitis, and fever. |
| General Description: Guaco is a climbing vine of | | | | In Central and South America, as well as the West |
| Asteraceae family. The leaves are large; those of the | | | | Indies, this name is also to various plants belonging to |
| mikania laevigata species exude a vanilla aroma when | | | | the genera Willoughboea and Aristolochia. Most of the |
| crushed together. 'Guaco" is a common name, used | | | | medicinal properties are found in abundance in the |
| for several species of mikania vines that look very | | | | Willoughboea genus. This classification of plant |
| similar and are used for similar purposes. However, | | | | chemicals has yielded some very biologically active |
| guaco plants are all thornless, shrubby vines reaching | | | | antibacterial, insecticidal, anticancerous and |
| about two meters in height and sprawling out two | | | | antitumorous agents obtained from plants; the actual |
| meters in diameter. Natives refer to any vine-like plant | | | | activities of the agents in guaco are still being |
| with a heart-shaped leaf that is white and green on | | | | researched. |
| the top and purple on the underneath, as a guaco; | | | | Gauco is also known as huaco, guao, vejuco and |
| naturalists disagree and are more specific about the | | | | bejuco. Native Americans and Colombians believe that |
| each species of guaco. | | | | the guaco was named after a species of kite, in |
| Location: The common name guaco is quite common; | | | | imitation of its cry, which they say it uses to attract the |
| it is used for several species that look very similar and | | | | snakes which it feeds on. Tradition says that the |
| are used for similar purposes. These include the South | | | | plant's powers were discovered through watching the |
| American M. guaco species found in Brazil, Peru, | | | | bird eat the leaves, and even spread the juice on its |
| Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador; M. cordifolia, | | | | wings, before attacking the snakes. |
| found throughout South America as well as | | | | This vine grows best with moist and shady conditions, |
| Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Costa Rica and | | | | and has a distinct odor, which some tradition suggests |
| Panama; M. glomerata, found mostly in Paraguay and | | | | may protect one from snakes. Although this plant is |
| Venezuela; and M. laevigata , which has only been | | | | not used in modern medicine in developed countries, it |
| cataloged in Brazil. | | | | remains a well-known natural remedy for native |
| Uses: Guaco is a popular and well known Brazilian | | | | medicine |
| herbal remedy for a variety of respiratory conditions. | | | | Disclaimer: The statements contained herein have not |
| Brazilian research validates much of its traditional uses | | | | been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. |
| but it is virtually unknown to North American | | | | Any reference to medicinal use is not intended to treat, |
| consumers and health practitioners. In current herbal | | | | cure, mitigate or prevent any disease. |