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Rainforest Research Report
By Christian Drapeau, BSc., MSc.

JATOBA
Hymenaea Courbaril

Jatoba has a long history of use by the Indigenous tribes of the Rainforest. The bark, resin and leaves are used medicinally in South American traditional medicine for a variety of disorders.

Common Names:
Jatoba, Algarrobo, Azucar huayo, Jatal, Brazilian Copal, Courbaril, Cayenne Copal

Part used:
Leaf, bark, fruit..

Description and Habitat:
Jatoba is a huge canopy tree growing up to 40 yards in height with a trunk up to six feet in diameter that grows on ridges or slopes and high riverbanks. It is indigenous to the Amazon Rainforest and parts of tropical Central America. It produces bright green leaves, small red flowers, and an edible brown pod-like fruit of approximately six by three inches. It is because of its fruit that jatoba has limited ornamental use for shade, parks and streets. As the fruit falls and matures, it releases an offensive odor. Jatoba produces an orange resinous gum that collects at the bottom of the tree, which is used as incense. Hence, one of its common names is Brazilian Copal.

Indigenous Traditional Use:
The main use of jatoba in the jungle is for timber. The wood is strong and hard. It is difficult to saw and carve, though it bends well after steaming. It is commercially useful for flooring, handles, sporting equipment, furniture, and railroad ties.

Regarding folk medicine, jatoba has a long history of use by the Indigenous people of the Amazon Rainforest who macerate the bark to treat diarrhea. However, its most common use is when the bark, resin, and leaves are made into a tea for the treatment of pulmonary problems such as bronchitis and coughing. A wine called vinho de jatoba is also made with the fruit and bark of jatoba that is used to provide long lasting energy.

The bark, leaves and resin of jatoba have been shown to have strong antifungal and antimicrobial properties. During rainy season when mud is everywhere in the jungle, fungal growth often develop on the feet. Indigenous people make a decoction of the bark of jatoba that they apply to remove and prevent fungal growth.

Scientific Studies - Mechanism of Action
The leaves of jatoba contain a group of phytochemicals called terpenes and phenolics which are responsible for protecting the leaves of the tree from leaf fungus. These antimicrobial compounds are water-soluble and therefore transferred to any tea preparation. The antimicrobial properties of jatoba are particularly interesting in the light of recent scientific developments regarding the growth of specific microbes in the body.

Certain fungal forms, such as Candida albicans, may grow in the bloodstream and lead to a series of health problems. For example the presence of Candida in the blood has been associated with chronic fatigue, poor concentration, poor memory, poor sleep pattern, urinary infections and certain skin problems. Other less understood microorganisms, the so called pleomorphic microorganisms, meaning that they assume various shapes and forms, have also been observed in the blood. Such microorganisms have been associated with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and other health problems. Scientific studies have suggested that such pleomorphic microorganisms. Such microorganisms have been associated with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and other health problems. Scientific studies have suggested that such pleomorphic microorganisms might in fact live in the red blood cells, in a somewhat symbiotic relationship, but could become pathogenic under certain conditions. Jatoba was shown recently to inhibit the growth of such microorganisms. It is too early to speculate as to the possible application of jatoba for specific health problems, but it remains that drinking jatoba tea provides the body with health promoting phytochemicals.

One study suggested that a water extract of jatoba had significant hypoglycemic properties, reducing blood glucose levels. Therefore, drinking jatoba tea could be helpful in cases of poor glucose metabolism.

A recent study provided an explanation to the beneficial effect of jatoba on asthma and other conditions associated with inflammation. Jatoba was shown to be a potent inhibitor of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme involved in the production of inflammatory compounds generally referred to as prostaglandins. Such compounds are involved in the local management of inflammation. They can be seen as local _hormones released at the site of an injury and responsible for initiating the immune response. In the airways, the main prostaglandins responsible for inflammation, and therefore asthma, is called leukotriene B4. Jatoba was shown to reduce the production of leukotriene B4.

It is worth mentioning that inhibitors of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase are also currently studied for their potential anti-cancer properties. Active components in several natural cancer therapies are inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase. Studies are currently underway to investigate the possible anti-tumor properties of jatoba.

The information contained in this article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you have any health concern, it is recommended that you seek the advise of a certified health practitioner.

Christian Drapeau, BSc., MSc., is a neurophysiologist with over 13 years research experience in the fields of natural foods and nutrition. He is the former Chief Scientist at Cell Tech where he directed research on Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, and is currently Chief Scientist for Desert Lake Technologies, Oregon. Mr. Drapeau received a BSc. in Neurophysiology from McGill University, Montreal, and a MSc. from the Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal.

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See also:
- Amazon Herb formulas containing Jatoba:
Arcozon™, ChocaMaca™, Fiberzon™, Gravizon™,
Illumination™, Lunazon™, Shipibo Treasure Tea™