Cordia salicifolia is the botanical name for Cha de Bugre, a plant used in Brazil for appetite suppression and weight loss. Little human research is available regarding its benefits as a supplement. There are other herbs and supplements that are promoted for weight loss or appetite suppression as listed below. It would be interesting to see future research regarding Cordia salicifolia in humans to determine whether it is effective for weight loss and whether it has any side effects of concern.
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Diet Rx does not have Cordia salicifolia herb
If you would like to eat less, consider a product called Diet Rx. This natural appetite suppressant works without stimulants. Diet Rx has no added caffeine, ephedra, ephedrine alkaloids, synephrine, hormones, guarana, ginseng, or stimulating amino acids.

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All natural appetite suppressant, decreases appetite so you eat less
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Cordia salicifolia plant
Cordia salicifolia is a plant found in the Amazon rainforest. Cordia salicifolia grows in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Also known as Porangaba, Cordia salicifolia is a small tree that normally grows to a height of 20 to 40 feet. The tree produces a small red fruit that resembles a coffee bean that can be roasted to make a coffee substitute. Cordia salicifolia apparently has caffeine.

Cordia salicifolia availability
Raw material suppliers cha de bugre powder and cha de bugre extracts. One common cha de bugre extract is a 10 to 1 concentration.

Compounds in Cordia salicifolia
These include caffeine, allantoin, and allantoic acid.

Cordia salicifolia Research
One study done in Japan shows this plant extract to have anti herpes virus type I activity.

Antiviral activity of an extract of Cordia salicifolia on herpes simplex virus type 1.
Planta Med. 1990 Oct;56(5):439-43.
A partially purified extract (COL 1-6) from whole plant of Cordia salicifolia showed an inhibitory effect on herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The activity of COL 1-6 on different steps of HSV-1 replication in HeLa cells was investigated. Under single-cycle replication conditions, COL 1-6 exerted a greater than 99.9% inhibition in virus yield when added to the cells 3 h or 1.5 h before infection, and even when added 8 h after infection the extract still caused a greater than 99% inhibition. The extract has been shown to have a direct virucidal activity. And also, analysis of early events following infection showed that COL 1-6 affected viral penetration in HeLa cells but did not interfere with adsorption to the cells.

Cordia salicifolia emails
Q. I read your email about Cordia salicifolia on this website and wanted to let you know that I am also a manager of a vitamin store and received this promotional material: "Cordia salicifolia 10:1 extract is unlike anything else for energy on the market. In Brazil it is called café do mato, or coffee of the woods for it's powerful stimulant effects. It is brewed in large drums at times of festival in Brazil and the people drink it to sustain their energy thru the night. Cordia salicifolia is a very clean energy, the caffeine levels are surprisingly low."

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This Cordia salicifolia page was last updated in 2008.