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In his extensive botanical treatise, Medicinal Plants of Latin America, Dr. James Duke laments the variety of species covered by the same term "chuchuhausi" (under "Heisteria acuminata (Humb. & Bonpl.) Engl.)", p. 350). The phonetical proximity of this term, presumably Peruvian, to "chuchuguaso" (i.e. only the final vowel makes it sound different) alerted us to its relation.
We freely admit that because of the isolated area where we are getting the particular tree variety we use to make this product, that it might be an unnamed species under either genus "Heisteria" or "Maytenus." However, we chose to use it because it has a long-standing history of usage by the peoples in that area. There have not been any reports of side effects or adverse reactions. Its place in the indigenous community there is tried and true.
Our choice of "Maytenus macracarpa" is based on the close relation of our plant to one of the same physical characteristics in Peru. It not only has similar physical characteristics, but has the same intended use, traditional manner of preparation, etc.
Interestingly, Duke provides information on two other species of the genus "Maytenus", (family: "Celastraceae"). Neither of those two species, Mayten (Maytenus boaria Molina) or Holy Thorn (Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. ex Reissek) match those of the tree in question, or any of its parts.
Mayten has native applications as a purgative and febrifuge, with no mention as an anti-arthritic, while Holy Thorn has wide-ranging uses in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay -- among them as an aphrodisiac and abortifacient -- none of which apply to this plant bark and its common usage.