Indigenous knowledge and western medicinal uses of Jackass bitters (Neurolaena lobata)
Bella DiGioia
Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation
College: The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology
Major: Biology
Faculty Research Mentor: Daniela Shebitz
Abstract:
Neurolaena lobata (Asteraceae), commonly known as “jackass bitters,” is a flowering species found in the rainforests of Central and South America, as well as the West Indies and Pacific Islands. This plant has been used in traditional medicine by Indigenous groups, including the Q’eqchi’ Mayan community in Southern Belize who refer to the species as “K’amank.” In the winter of 2024-2025, during a Travel Learn course to the Mayan village of Blue Creek, Belize, a local healer mentioned that Jackass Bitters was used locally to treat snake bites and internal parasites. Additional uses of this plant by Mayans of Belize include malaria, diabetes, skin disease, and cancer. The strong anti-inflammatory effects of this plant have gained the interest of western science in treating similar ailments. Through this research project, a review of the scientific literature was conducted to assemble recent work (from the past 15 years) that has been conducted to scientifically evaluate the efficacy of this ethnobotanically important species. Studies have been able to demonstrate pharmacological potential due to its composition of bioactive sesquiterpene lactones. The plant’s traditional use among Q’eqchi’ Maya healers align with empirical findings since sesquiterpene lactones have been shown to downregulate proinflammatory mediators in other plant species as well. Researchers have been able to isolate and study the structure of newly isolated sesquiterpenes from this species including lobatolide. These findings have expanded the understanding of phytochemicals, reinforcing the legitimacy of traditional medicine, and of Neurolaena lobata use in particular, as effective treatments for wound healing and inflammatory diseases.