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.
|
BENEFITS
AND USE OF JATOBA
Athlete's Foot and Fungal Growth
For athlete s foot and fungal growth under toenails make a decoction
of Shipibo Treasure Tea™
containing jatoba bark. Treat your feet with a relaxing footbath.
You can also put a few droppers of Arcozon™
in the footbath which also contains jatoba.
Chronic Fatigue
Making a tea from jatoba has been practiced historically in the
jungle. The most expedient way to get jatoba is to drink Shipibo
Treasure Tea™.
Inflamation
For conditions linked to inflammation the convenient way to consume
jatoba is by drinking Shipibo Treasure
Tea™ daily. For inflammation, you can also boost the effect
by adding Arcozon™ that contains
jatoba and uña de gato, two
of the best anti-inflammatory herbs.
|
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. |
---------
See also:
- Amazon Herb formulas containing Jatoba:
Arcozon™, ChocaMaca™, Fiberzon™,
Gravizon™,
Illumination™, Lunazon™, Shipibo
Treasure Tea™
|
