Virola Plants: Extraction Methods, Medicinal Benefits and Hallucinogenic Properties

According to the World Health Organization, 65-80% of the developing world’s population relies on medicinal plants as their primary source of healthcare. [1] For a large portion of Latin America, these traditional medical treatments come from Virola plants. With more than 60 distinct species, and a natural habitat ranging from Mexico to Southern Brazil, Virola is the largest genus of the Myristicaceae family in the Americas, and the fourth largest in the world.

Folk remedies derived from Virola plants have been used to treat numerous maladies ranging from halitosis, mental instability, and various forms of cancer going back to before European explorers arrived in the region. 

Thanks to advancing extraction techniques, these plants are now matriculating into the pharmaceutical industry. Data is still being collected on the full range of uses and side effects, but the tremendous utility of Virola plants is already clear. Considering the fact that most new drugs are derived from natural products, Virola plants may prove to be a pharmacological treasure trove beyond the effective medical applications that have already been catalogued. [2] The other exciting aspect of these plants comes from the fact that out of the 60 species that have been identified, most of the data derives from the seven common Virola species.

Virola Elongata

The first Virola species that researchers are studying is called Virola elongata, which is used by native people in Ecuador and Brazil to treat various digestive issues. The extraction process typically relies on either water or ethanol maceration to extract the concentrated chemical compounds from the bark from the plant’s stems. [3] When testing Virola elongata’s extract on rodents, studies show that it can provide antioxidant benefits, acidic reduction, and an increase in gastric mucus secretions. This can help to treat stomach pain, indigestion, and can relieve discomfort from ulcers by reducing their size. Additionally, Virola elongata extracts have psychoactive properties that have been used for a long time in traditional rituals. [4] Due to a high concentration of tryptamine alkaloids, large doses of Virola Elongata can produce hallucinogenic responses in users. [5] Tryptamine alkaloids are naturally occurring neuromodulators and neurotransmitters related to the hallucinogenic chemicals found in both psilocybin and DMT. More studies are needed to clarify the effects of Virola-derived tryptamines in a scientific research setting.

Virola Peruviana

Virola peruviana, the second Virola species actively studied, has some similarities to Virola elongata, but there are some key differences as well. Also indigenous to South America, Virola peruviana is found exclusively in the Peruvian Amazon. Additionally, Virola peruviana’s medicinal compounds are also extracted from its bark, but traditional practitioners used the coarse bark from the trunk of the tree as opposed to the stems used by Virola elongata. 

As a result, a stronger solvent is needed for the extraction process, the most efficient being petroleum ether. [6] The other commonality between these two Virola species is their medical applications, specifically their hallucinogenic properties. Virola peruviana‘s hallucinogenic compounds are also tryptamines, but the extraction produces dimethyltryptamine, or DMT. [7] 

DMT is one of the most powerful hallucinogens available, which is why it has played a vital role in various indigenous spiritual rituals. The other aspect of DMT that may prove useful is that it metabolizes very quickly, making the experience powerful, but fast acting. These two factors make DMT useful in clinical settings as a possible therapy for psychological disorders like PTSD or depression. [8]

The reason Virola peruviana may prove invaluable for this research is that most DMT is usually sourced from ayahuasca, which can be difficult to source from due to legal restrictions. If researchers are able to extract DMT from a Virola source, it may lead to a legal loophole for DMT therapy that could help to treat patients in this developing branch of psychotherapy.

Virola Venosa

The third species of Virola plant researchers are focusing on is Virola venosa. This species is also indigenous to South America, but is found in an area of the Amazon that includes Columbia, Peru, and Brazil. Virola venosa’s medicinal compounds are also present in its bark, but unlike the previous two species of Virola plants, leaves are also used in the extracts. The typical solvent used for this extraction is methanol, and the medical uses are relatively limited compared to some of its sister species. [9] 

Virola venosa can provide antioxidant benefits, but, Virola Venosa’s antioxidant properties have a special feature. [10] In addition to the reduction in heart disease and various cancers antioxidants provide, Virola venosa also potentially provides glucosidase inhibition. [11] 

Glucosidases are the enzymes that are responsible for the hydrolytic breakdown of carbohydrates. The complex sugars take time to break down, and can often cause detrimental long term dietary consequences to people eating them. By inhibiting glucosidases, the body can absorb the other valuable nutrients in foods like rice, wheat, or potatoes but limits the absorption of complex sugars from these foods. This could translate into more effective weight loss strategies or regulating blood sugars for people who are diabetic. At this time, this is only a hypothesis, and more data is still needed to confirm this application.

Virola Oleifera

Virola oleifera is one of the two most complex Virola plants studied by researchers so far. The seeds, resin, leaves, and stem bark all can provide different medicinal values, but each also relies on different solvents to produce their extracts. [12][13][14] 

Starting with the seeds, varioust oils are used to produce an extract which can provide multiple medical benefits. [15] So far, treatments include rheumatism, bronchial asthma, joint tumors, intestinal worms, halitosis, hemorrhoids, and skin diseases. 

The resin also provides additional physical benefits like treating inflammation and chronic wounds, but also can be used for internal conditions like kidney obstructions, cancer, hemoptysis leukorrhea, or diarrhea. [16][17][18] Instead of oil, though, the resin extracts often rely on ethanol or plant fluid exudate for its extraction. 

The stem bark and leaves also utilize alcohols for their extraction procedures, with the bark using ethanol and the leaves using methanol. The stem bark can also be used to treat inflammation and cancer, like the resin, and the leaves provide analgesic properties. Similar to other species of Virola plant extracts, several Virola oleifera extracts can be used to treat gastrointestinal issues and may provide antifungal protections as well. All of these benefits and high utilization of the entire plant translate to one of the most promising Virola species currently being studied. 

Virola Surinamensis

Virola surinamensis is the other species of Virola plants that holds a broad range of potential medical benefits, and it is the only Virola species indigenous to the West Indies. Virola Surinamenis’ resin, stem bark, leaves, plantlet leaves and twigs have all been found to contain medicinal compounds. [19][20][21][22][23] Like Virola oleifera, the extraction techniques vary based on which part of the plant is being utilized, but the methods are similar. 

Specific maladies of note include ulcers, gastric lesions, inflammation, all with antifungal and antibacterial properties.  It is worth noting that the plantlet leaves extracts can also be used to treat malaria, and the twigs can be used for trypanocidal activity, which limits parasites that can cause sleeping sickness. A notable difference between Virola surinamenis and other Virola plants has to do with its extraction process, which uses more synthetic solvents. The extract from Virola surinamenis’ leaves utilizes hexane, and dichloromethane is used for extracts coming from the plant’s twigs. Otherwise, the other plant materials typically rely on ethanol or oils for their extractions, similar to the other species being studied.

Virola Sebifera

Virola sebifera is one of the most ubiquitous Virola species that is found in the area stretching from Brazil through Central America. This species relies on dichloromethane for its extraction, and contains all its medicinal compounds from its leaves. [24] The extract pulled from Virola sebifera has only been found to provide one medical benefit, but it is significant: cancer reduction. [25] The data collected so far indicates that these leaves contain cytotoxic and antiproliferative properties in cancer cells, specifically ovarian cancer. This may also be applicable to other kinds of cancer as well, but this is as far as the data goes at this point.

Virola Pavonis

The final species of Virola plants that are being studied is Virola pavonis. This species relies on decoction extraction, and it can use the roots, bark, or stems as the organic base. [26] Virola pavonis extracts have shown several potential medicinal benefits, including treating skin infections, fungal infections like oral mycosis, and have been shown to have antimicrobial properties during in vitro testing. [27] Essentially, Virola pavonis serves as a natural disinfectant that can be used both orally or cutaneously. Compared to some other species of Virola plants, this may seem underwhelming, but unclean hands are responsible for spreading 80% infectious diseases. [28] With this in mind, a disinfectant that can be used on hands, skin, in the mouth may provide gigantic medical and commercial benefits and it could serve as a replacement for high proof alcohol sanitizers.

Reference:

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