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Botanical illustration of Maytenus Aquifolium
MedicinalSourced entry

Maytenus Aquifolium

Maytenus aquifolium

One of the Brazilian "espinheira-santa" shrubs used for stomach problems. In rats, its leaf extract protected against stomach ulcers.

Safety at a glance

Tap a box to read the safety notes below. “Nothing recorded” means our sources don't cover it, not that it's safe.

Maytenus Aquifolium may interact with some medicines. If you take any medicine, read Interactions with medicines below and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using it.

What is Maytenus Aquifolium?

Plant family
Celastraceae, the staff-vine family
Parts used
The leaves
Where it grows
Southern and southeastern Brazil
Genus
Maytenus
Species
aquifolium

Regional names

Espinheira-Santa

Older scientific names

Monteverdia aquifolia

Traditionally used for

  • Stomach ulcers
  • Indigestion

Traditionally described as

  • Protects the stomach (in animal studies)
  • Antioxidant

Natural compounds

EpigallocatechinProanthocyanidins

Safety

Interactions with medicines

  • In lab tests, extracts of the related espinheira-santa (Maytenus ilicifolia) blocked the CYP3A4 enzyme and the P-gp pump that handle many medicines. This could change levels of drugs such as midazolam, nifedipine and fexofenadine.[1]Study

Who should avoid it

  • In lab tests on rat liver tissue, an extract of the closely related espinheira-santa (Maytenus ilicifolia) showed signs of liver damage. The authors advise avoiding espinheira-santa if you have liver disease.[2]Study

What does the research say?

Traditional use

These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.

  • In Brazil, espinheira-santa species are widely used for stomach and gut problems. The related Maytenus ilicifolia is listed in the Brazilian Pharmacopeia.[2]Study

Laboratory & animal research

Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.

  • In rats, a dried leaf extract protected against stomach ulcers caused by alcohol, the painkiller indomethacin and stress.[3]Study

  • The leaves and root bark contain antioxidant flavonoids, including epigallocatechin (also found in green tea) and proanthocyanidins.[4]Study

In short

A related species may harm the liver and affect how some medicines are processed.

Sources

  1. [1] Evaluation of the Pharmacokinetic Interactions of Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. ex Reiss Extracts on Drug Intestinal Permeability and Hepatic Metabolism · DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.5c07564Peer-reviewed study
  2. [2] Pharmacological evaluation of a traditional Brazilian medicinal plant, Monteverdia ilicifolia. Part I - Preclinical safety study · DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117806Peer-reviewed study
  3. [3] Antiulcer effectiveness of Maytenus aquifolium spray dried extract · DOI: 10.1002/1099-1573(200011)14:7<543::aid-ptr647>3.0.co;2-xPeer-reviewed study
  4. [4] Antioxidant flavan-3-ols and flavonol glycosides from Maytenus aquifolium · DOI: 10.1002/ptr.1249Peer-reviewed study

This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Unfamiliar word? See what these words mean.