Bauhinia forficata

Bauhinia forficata Link, commonly known as "pata de vaca" or "Brazilian Orchid-tree," is a plant native to South America widely utilized in traditional Brazilian folk medicine. Its leaves are traditionally prepared as infusions or extracts to address various health concerns, including diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and as a diuretic, hypoglycemic, tonic, and depurative agent. The plant's therapeutic properties are attributed to its rich phytochemical composition, notably flavonoids such as kaempferitrin and kaempferol, along with sesquiterpenes and other phenolic compounds. Scientific investigations have demonstrated that extracts of Bauhinia forficata exhibit hypoglycemic, vasorelaxant, antioxidant, and genoprotective activities. It is also being explored for its potential anti-ulcer effects.

Other names

bombyx forficatapata de vacaBrazilian Orchid-treecow's pawcow's footbutterfly treeorchid treecasco de vacamororópata de boiunha de boiunha de vacaunha-de-anta