Janaúba is a medicinal plant that can be used to help treat intestinal infections, strengthen the immune system, treat gastric ulcers and help treat gastritis, for example, as it has anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, antimicrobial, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties. antitumor drugs.
The normally used part of this plant, which is also known as janaúba-verdadeira, janaúba-brasileira, janaguba, tiborna, jasmim-manga, pau santo or raivosa, is the latex extracted from the trunk, to prepare janaúba milk, which can Some markets and natural product stores can be found.
The scientific name of janaúba is Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel and, despite having several applications, more studies are still needed on janaúba to prove its effects and its use should not replace medical treatment, in addition to it being recommended that janaúba be used only with medical advice or from a herbalist.
What is janaúba used for?
Janaúba can be indicated in several situations, such as:
- Fever;
- Gastric ulcers;
- Gastritis;
- Intestinal infections;
- Boil;
- Strengthen the immune system;
- Herpes;
- Arthritis.
Furthermore, some studies carried out on rats indicated that the use of janaúba was effective in treating some types of cancer. However, more studies in people are still needed to prove the antitumor effect of janaúba, as well as the other effects of this plant.
How to use janaúba milk
Janaúba milk is the most commonly used form of consumption of this plant, which is made from the latex that is extracted from the trunk of the plant. After extracting the latex, it is diluted in water in a 1 to 1 ratio. Then, 18 drops of janaúba milk must be used in 1 liter of cold water and mixed.
Janaúba milk can be used orally, compresses and douches, and it is important that a doctor is consulted to avoid overdose, which can be toxic to the body.
Possible side effects
Janaúba should only be used under medical supervision as when used in doses greater than those recommended, it can cause liver and kidney toxicity.
Who shouldn’t use
Janaúba should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, as the effects of this plant on the baby are not known.
Furthermore, the use of janaúba milk should only be done under medical recommendation to avoid toxic effects and interference in the treatment of some diseases, such as cancer, for example.
Bibliography
- SOARES, FP; et al. Ethnopharmacological and ethnobotanical study of Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel (janaguba). Rev. Bras Plantas Med. 17. (4 suppl 2); 900-908, 2015
- FIGUEIREDO, Cristiane SS; SANTOS, Joice CB; JUNIOR, José Artur AC et al. Himatanthus drasticus Leaves: Chemical Characterization and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial, Antibiofilm, Antiproliferative Activities. Molecules. 2017
- ALMEIDA, S. C. X.; SILVA, A. C. F.; SOUSA, N.R.T et al. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of a triterpene-rich fraction from Himatanthus drasticus. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research. Vol 52. 5 ed; 2019
- MOURA, Danielle F.; ROCHA, Tamiris A.; BARROS, Dayane M. et al. Evaluation of the cytotoxicity, oral toxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity of the latex extracted from Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel (Apocynaceae). Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Vol 253. 2020
- MOUSINHO, Kristiana C.; OLIVEIRA, Cecília C.; FERREIRA, José Roberto et al. Antitumor effect of laticifer proteins of Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel – Apocynaceae. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Vol 137. 1 ed; 421-426, 2011
