About Montanoa tomentosa Cerv.
Montanoa tomentosa Cerv. is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native to Mexico and most of Central America. Its local common name is zoapatle. This small, yellow-flowered shrub is best known for its role in traditional herbal medicine. In Mexico, M. tomentosa has a long history of use as a traditional remedy for sexual dysfunction. Extracts from its leaves have also been used to stimulate uterine contractions to trigger menstruation, abortion, or labor, and to reduce postpartum bleeding. A related species, Montanoa frutescens, produces similar effects in rats, but is much more likely to cause contraceptive effects by inducing structural changes in the endometrium. When given at the amounts traditionally used in herbal medicine (75 mg/kg), M. tomentosa increased expression of sexual and mounting behavior in both sexually active male rats and genitally anesthetized rats that were previously sexually inactive (noncopulators).
