# Papalo (Porophyllum ruderale)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/papalo
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-31
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Other
**Also Known As:** Porophyllum ruderale, Mexican mint marigold, Bolivian coriander, Summer cilantro, Quelite, Pápaloquelite, Hierba porosa, Pipicha, Tepache herb, Broadleaf poreleaf

## Overview

Papalo (Porophyllum ruderale) is a aromatic herb native to Latin America whose primary bioactive compounds include quercetin, kaempferol, and volatile terpenoids that drive its antioxidant and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) activity. These phytochemicals modulate [oxidative stress](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) pathways and inhibit pro-inflammatory mediators, underpinning its traditional use in folk medicine for digestive and kidney support.

## Health Benefits

[{"benefit": "Supports Kidney Health", "evidence": "Based on a single preclinical study (PMID: 36501597) in rodents, a hydroalcoholic extract of Papalo demonstrated nephroprotective effects against chemically-induced kidney injury."}, {"benefit": "Provides Antioxidant Activity", "evidence": "In an animal model, Papalo extract reduced oxidative damage in kidney tissue by mitigating [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant), an effect attributed to its phenolic compounds. (PMID: 36501597)"}, {"benefit": "Exhibits [Anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) Properties", "evidence": "The same preclinical rodent study showed that Papalo extract lowered markers of inflammation in a model of acute kidney injury. (PMID: 36501597)"}, {"benefit": "May Help Regulate [Blood Pressure](/ingredients/condition/heart-health)", "evidence": "This is a traditional use in Mexican, Bolivian, and Quechua medicine and is not supported by clinical or preclinical studies in the available research."}, {"benefit": "Aids [Digestive Health](/ingredients/condition/gut-health)", "evidence": "Based on traditional use in Central and South America, where it is used for stomach disorders, digestion, and gut health, but this has not been validated by clinical research."}]

## Mechanism of Action

Papalo's flavonoids, particularly quercetin and kaempferol, scavenge [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) (ROS) and inhibit lipid peroxidation by upregulating endogenous antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. Its volatile terpenoid fraction suppresses NF-κB signaling, reducing downstream transcription of [pro-inflammatory cytokine](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s such as TNF-α and IL-6. Nephroprotective effects observed in preclinical models appear linked to attenuation of oxidative renal tubular damage, potentially via Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activation.

## Clinical Summary

Available evidence for Papalo is limited almost entirely to preclinical in vitro and rodent studies, with no published randomized controlled trials in humans. A single rodent study (PMID: 36501597) demonstrated that a hydroalcoholic Papalo extract conferred nephroprotective effects against chemically-induced kidney injury, though sample sizes were small and translational relevance remains unconfirmed. [Antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) has been quantified in cell-free assays measuring DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging capacity, where extracts showed moderate to strong activity attributed to polyphenol content. The current evidence base does not support efficacy claims in human health, and further clinical investigation is needed before therapeutic recommendations can be made.

## Nutritional Profile

{"macronutrients": {"protein": "2.1 g per 100 g", "fiber": "3.4 g per 100 g"}, "micronutrients": {"vitamin_C": "18 mg per 100 g", "calcium": "120 mg per 100 g", "iron": "2.5 mg per 100 g"}, "bioactive_compounds": {"flavonoids": "Quercetin - 15 mg per 100 g", "terpenoids": "Limonene - 10 mg per 100 g"}, "bioavailability_notes": "The bioavailability of calcium and iron may be influenced by the presence of oxalates and phytates, which can inhibit absorption. The bioactive compounds like flavonoids and terpenoids are generally well-absorbed but can vary based on individual [digestive health](/ingredients/condition/gut-health)."}

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied human dosages for Papalo exist. In a preclinical rodent study, a hydroalcoholic extract was administered at 500 mg/kg. Due to the lack of human data, no dosage can be recommended. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Papalo has a long history of culinary use in Mexican and Latin American cuisine at low doses, suggesting reasonable tolerability as a food ingredient, but safety data at supplemental doses is essentially absent. Its quercetin content may theoretically potentiate anticoagulant medications such as warfarin or interact with CYP3A4-metabolized drugs, though no specific drug interaction studies have been conducted on Papalo extracts. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid supplemental doses due to complete lack of safety data in these populations. Individuals with kidney disease should consult a healthcare provider before use, as preclinical nephroprotective findings do not establish safe dosing parameters for those with compromised renal function.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, or meta-analyses have been conducted on Papalo (Porophyllum ruderale). The primary evidence comes from a 2022 preclinical study (PMID: 36501597) in rats and mice that evaluated its kidney-protective effects.

## Historical & Cultural Context

Papalo has been used for centuries in pre-Hispanic Aztec medicine as both a vegetable and a remedy. In traditional Mexican, Bolivian, and Quechua practices, it is employed to treat high [blood pressure](/ingredients/condition/heart-health), liver ailments, and stomach disorders. Curanderos also recommend it for improving gut health and detoxification.

## Synergistic Combinations

Milk Thistle, N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), Curcumin, Astragalus

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is papalo herb used for?

Papalo is traditionally used in Mexican folk medicine and cuisine as a digestive aid and kidney tonic. Preclinical research suggests its hydroalcoholic extract may protect against kidney injury and reduce oxidative stress, primarily through its quercetin, kaempferol, and terpenoid content, though no human clinical trials have confirmed these effects.

### What are the active compounds in Porophyllum ruderale?

The primary bioactive compounds identified in Porophyllum ruderale include the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol, volatile terpenoids responsible for its distinctive aroma, and various polyphenolic acids. These compounds collectively contribute to measured antioxidant activity in DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays and are hypothesized to drive anti-inflammatory and nephroprotective effects observed in rodent models.

### Is papalo safe to take as a supplement?

Papalo is generally regarded as safe at culinary doses based on its long history of food use in Latin America, but no safety studies have evaluated supplemental doses in humans. Due to the absence of toxicology data, clinically meaningful drug interaction studies, and any trials in pregnant or breastfeeding women, supplemental use beyond culinary quantities cannot be considered established as safe.

### Does papalo help with kidney health?

One rodent study (PMID: 36501597) found that a hydroalcoholic extract of Papalo reduced markers of chemically-induced kidney injury, suggesting a nephroprotective effect likely mediated through antioxidant and Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activity. However, this single preclinical study is insufficient to conclude that Papalo supplements protect kidney health in humans, and no human trials currently exist.

### How does papalo compare to other antioxidant herbs like cilantro or epazote?

Papalo is often compared to cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) due to similar culinary uses and overlapping flavonoid profiles, but it contains a distinct terpenoid signature giving it a stronger, more complex flavor. While both herbs show antioxidant activity in vitro, cilantro has a substantially larger body of research including some human data, whereas Papalo's evidence base remains almost entirely preclinical, making direct efficacy comparisons unreliable at this stage.

### What is the current level of clinical evidence for papalo's kidney health benefits?

Evidence for papalo's kidney-protective effects is currently limited to a single preclinical study in rodents (PMID: 36501597), which showed that a hydroalcoholic extract reduced oxidative kidney damage. Human clinical trials are needed to confirm whether these nephroprotective effects translate to people. This ingredient is best considered an emerging botanical with promising but preliminary data rather than an evidence-established supplement.

### Is papalo safe to use alongside common kidney or blood pressure medications?

While papalo shows theoretical antioxidant and kidney-protective properties, there are no documented drug interaction studies between papalo and medications like ACE inhibitors, diuretics, or blood pressure drugs. Anyone taking medications for kidney or cardiovascular health should consult their healthcare provider before adding papalo supplements to avoid potential interactions or synergistic effects.

### Can I get the antioxidant benefits of papalo by eating it fresh as a culinary herb instead of taking a supplement?

Papalo is traditionally consumed as a fresh culinary herb in Mexican and Central American cuisines, which likely provides antioxidants through regular dietary use. However, the research demonstrating kidney-protective effects used a concentrated hydroalcoholic extract, making it unclear whether culinary amounts would deliver equivalent therapeutic benefits. The supplement form may offer higher standardized concentrations than what a typical meal-based serving would provide.

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