About Fuchsia thymifolia Kunth
Fuchsia thymifolia Kunth is a shrub that grows 1 to 1.5 meters tall. Its leaves are ovate, 1 to 5 centimeters long, and have smooth entire edges. The flowers are pinkish white, and the fruits are purple, grape-shaped berries. The chromosome number for this species is 2n = 22.
This plant occurs in Mexico from the states of Sinaloa and Durango, extending south to Chiapas, and reaches into northern Guatemala. It grows in temperate climates, found in grassland and forests including oak, pine, Abies, and mixed pine-oak forests, at elevations between 1800 and 3900 meters.
In Mexico, this species has documented medicinal uses: it is used to treat thrush (mouth sores) and scurvy, and in the Mexican state of Hidalgo it is used to treat diarrhea and cough. To prepare remedies, the fruit and leaves are ground or chewed for local application, or a decoction of the aerial parts is taken internally.
