Amphipterygium adstringens, or the cuachalalate, is an ancient medicinal plant that has been commercially used in Mexico for centuries.

Because of its ever-growing popularity and since the most sought after part of the plant is its bark, the cuachalalate was as of 2004 considered an endangered species.

[2] Amphypterygium adstringens is distributed in central and southern Mexico in deciduous forests,[1] near the mountain and pacific slope regions, in the southern center part of the State of Jalisco, Michoacán, Morelos, Estado de Mexico, Puebla, Guerrero and Oaxaca.

[2] Amphipterygium adstringens grows in hot temperatures in deciduous jungles or Quercus and Ilex forests.

This bark is believed to cure malaria, stomach cancer, gastric ulcers and kidney sicknesses.