Genipap

At a glance

Origin / distribution: Haiti, Panama(Choco), West Indies, Dominican Republic, Salvador, Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico

Cultural traditions: not documented

Recorded uses: Antiseptic, Aphrodisiac, Bactericide, Bite(Bug)

Science studied: ALUMINUM, ASCORBIC-ACID, BORON, CARBOHYDRATES

Research volume: 0 indexed records · volume only · methodology ↗

Legal status: Varies by jurisdiction; not assessed in this record.

Names and identity

Family: Rubiaceae

Scientific name: Genipa americana

Common names: Genipap, Jagua, Airo toa, Bi, Bi-nané, Caporán, Genipa, Genipap Tree, Genipapa, Genipapo, Guaitil, Guatil, Génipayer, Huëe, Jagua de comar, Jagua dulce

POWO: 751331-1 · WCVP June 2026 / POWO backbone

History

The source record documents this plant in Elsewhere, Haiti, Panama(Choco), West Indies, Dominican Republic, Salvador, Venezuela, Cuba and 1 additional place.

It records these historical or traditional applications:

• Antiseptic
• Aphrodisiac
• Bactericide
• Bite(Bug)
• Blennorrhagia
• Cholagogue
• Diuretic
• Germicide

This summary is limited to the cited source record.

Origins and distribution

• Elsewhere
• Haiti
• Panama(Choco)
• West Indies
• Dominican Republic
• Salvador
• Venezuela
• Cuba
• Mexico

Documented cultural uses

• Antiseptic
• Aphrodisiac
• Bactericide
• Bite(Bug)
• Blennorrhagia
• Cholagogue
• Diuretic
• Germicide
• Gonorrhea
• Repellant(Insect)
• Intoxicant
• Jaundice

Cultural record detail

These entries are transcribed from the cited ethnobotanical source; they do not represent current advice or a claim of efficacy.

• Antiseptic · Elsewhere · "
• Aphrodisiac · Haiti · "
• Bactericide · Elsewhere · "
• Bite(Bug) · Panama(Choco) · "
• Blennorrhagia · Haiti · "
• Cholagogue · Haiti · "
• Diuretic · Haiti · "
• Germicide · Elsewhere · "
• Gonorrhea · Haiti · "
• Gonorrhea · West Indies · "
• Repellant(Insect) · Dominican Republic · "
• Repellant(Insect) · Panama(Choco) · "
• Intoxicant · Panama(Choco) · "
• Jaundice · Salvador · "
• Laxative · Venezuela · "
• Liver · Haiti · "
• Purgative · Haiti · "
• Repellant(Insect) · Elsewhere · "
• Scurvy · Haiti · "
• Stomachic · Haiti · "
• Tumor · Haiti · "
• Tumor · Cuba · "
• Depurative · Haiti · "
• Liqueur · Elsewhere · "

4 additional documented entries remain in the source record.

Contemporary uses

Contemporary practice is not documented separately in this record.

Scientific research

Indexed records indicate research activity; they do not establish efficacy or safety.

Indexed research records

• Genipa americana L.: Processing and effect on its bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity · 2026 source ↗
• Antitumor effects of a lectin purified from <i>Genipa americana</i> in human cancer cell lines and murine melanoma cells. · 2026 source ↗
• Technological and Nutritional Potential of Genipap (Genipa Americana L.): Physicochemical Composition, Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Activity, Convective Drying Kinetics, and Thermodynamic Properties · 2026 source ↗

Scientific compounds

Chemical presence is not evidence of clinical efficacy.

• ALUMINUM
• ASCORBIC-ACID
• BORON
• CARBOHYDRATES
• COPPER
• FAT
• GENIPIN
• GENIPINIC-ACID
• GENIPOSIDE
• IRON
• KILOCALORIES
• MAGNESIUM
• MANGANESE
• NIACIN
• NITROGEN
• POTASSIUM

Legality

No exact international trade listing was returned by the CITES checklist for this accepted name. Country-specific law is not assessed here.

Consult the CITES species checklist for current international and national requirements.

Reference images

Sources

Plants of the World Online (POWO) · Kew data terms; cite POWO/WCVP

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) · CC BY 3.0

CC0 · Dr. Duke raw CSV archive

Contributions and revisions

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