Rhatany, Krameria triandra, ext.

Chemical properties

Rhatany is the reddish-brown, bitter-tasting root of Krameria triandra, an undershrub native to the Andean region of South America. The shrub has voluminous roots and several erect or prostrate, very thin, 1 m (39 in.) long stems. The stems initially are hirsute, turning glabrous with age. The small, sessile, lanceolate leaves are covered by coarse, silver-white hairs with hairy, externally green, internally red flowers in the axilla of the uppermost leaves. The plant grows in the Andes region of Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Brazil. The part used is the roots. Rhatany is bitter, astringent.

The Uses of Rhatany, Krameria triandra, ext.

Manufacturers note krameria triandra root extract has an ability to modulate stress-related hormone production in the epidermis. Therapeutic benefits include anti-inflammatory, free-radical scavenging, anti-aging and an ability to protect against lipid peroxidation. Beneficial for red, chapped, and stressed skin. The plant is native to Peru.