Jatobá is a tree, with a scientific name Hymenaea courbarilwhich has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic and expectorant properties, which can be used to help treat wounds, stomach pain, diarrhea, sore throat, generalized pain or bronchitis, for example.
The most used parts of Jatobá are the bark, which can be used as tea, and the leaves, used as a tincture. Furthermore, the pulp of the Jatobá fruit can also be consumed in its natural form, raw or roasted, or used to prepare jam, liqueur or flour to make cookies, bread or snacks.
Jatobá can be found in herbalists, health food stores, compounding pharmacies, markets or some street markets, and should be used under the guidance of a doctor or other health professional who has experience with the use of medicinal plants.
What is it for
Jatobá is typically used to help treat:
- Stomachache;
- Anemia;
- Lack of appetite;
- Tiredness or feeling of lack of energy;
- Arthritis;
- Bronchitis;
- Bursitis;
- Stuffy nose;
- Diarrhea or intestinal infection;
- Excess intestinal gas;
- Fever;
- Bleeding or hemorrhage;
- Inflammation in the urine duct or presence of blood in the urine;
- Urine retention;
- Hepatitis;
- Sore throat;
- Tuberculosis.
Furthermore, Jatobá can be used to combat intestinal worms or skin fungi, for example.
The benefits of Jatobá are due to its medicinal properties, astringent, antibacterial, antispasmodic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, healing, diuretic, stimulant, expectorant, fortifying, hepatoprotective, laxative, tonic and vermifuge.
Although it has many health benefits, Jatobá does not replace medical treatment and should be used under the guidance of a doctor or herbalist.
How to use
The parts used of Jatobá are its bark or leaves from which active substances with medicinal properties are extracted.
The main ways to use Jatobá are:
1. Jatobá tea
Jatobá tea must be prepared with the bark of this medicinal plant, and can be used to help treat respiratory problems, intestinal gas or urinary infections, for example.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of Jatoba peel
- 1 liter of filtered water.
Preparation mode
Add the Jatobá peels to a pan with 1 liter of filtered water and let it boil for 15 minutes. Wait for it to cool, strain and drink up to 3 cups a day.
2. Jatobá tincture
Jatobá tincture can be used to help treat respiratory or gastrointestinal problems.
Ingredients
- 20 drops of Jatobá leaf tincture;
- 1 glass of filtered water.
Preparation mode
Dilute the tincture of Jatobá leaves in water and drink it up to twice a day.
The duration of treatment with Jatobá depends on medical guidance and indication.
3. Jatobá fruit
The Jatobá fruit is rich in fiber, vitamins A and C, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, iron and manganese, having some different benefits than the leaves and bark, such as relieving constipation, strengthening the immune system, stimulating healing wounds, assist in the treatment of anemia, improve eye health and strengthen bones.
The Jatobá fruit can be consumed in its natural form, jellies, sweets or flour to prepare bread, cakes, biscuits or snacks, for example.
Additionally, you can cook the pulp of the Jatobá fruit and mix it with warm milk and sugar to help alleviate respiratory problems, such as bronchitis, asthma or coughs.
Care before use
As it is a medicinal plant, it is recommended to use Jatobá only with medical advice, and you must inform the doctor of all medications used, allergies or other health problems, so that its use can be guided by the doctor.
Possible side effects
The side effects of Jatobá are not yet known, so its use should only be done with medical advice or from a healthcare professional with experience in medicinal plants.
Who shouldn’t use
Jatobá, in the form of tea or tincture, should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Furthermore, Jatobá tincture, as it contains alcohol, should not be used by people being treated for alcoholism or who use the medicine disulfiram.
Jatobá fruit should not be used by people taking medications for high blood pressure, such as captopril or spironolactone, as the potassium present in the fruit can increase the risk of side effects from these medications.
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