guaco

Summary

Medicinal plant that can be used in various diseases such as cough, bronchitis, colic, diarrhea, candidiasis, allergies, among others.

names

Name in Portuguese: guaco, snake grass, caatinga vine, snake grass, uaco, copper grass, chemo guaco
Binomial name: Mikania glomerata Spreng.
French name: guaco
English name: Guaco, huaco, vejuco, bejuco
German name: Guaco
Italian name: Guaco

Family

Asteraceae

Constituents

Essential oil, tannins, saponins, bitter substance (guacine), coumarins, guacoside.

parts used

Sheets.

Effects

Inhibit immune inflammation, inhibit bronchial vasoconstriction (bronchodilator), expectorant, antispasmodics, antiprotozoal (parasites), anti-candida and a little activity against other bacteria.

Indications

– Respiratory problems such as bronchitis, cough , asthma and allergies (alcoholic and aqueous extracts).

– Canker sores

– Diarrhea and colic.

– Leishmaniasis and trypasmiasis.

– Candidiasis (external and internal use).

Secundary effects

May cause vomiting and diarrhea when used in high doses. Hypertension. Hemorrhagic conditions (prolonged use)

contraindications

For people with hypersensitivity to coumarins, people with liver problems and clotting problems (Vitamin K antagonist).

Despite not having any studies, it should be avoided during pregnancy and in cases of children younger than one year.

Interactions

Studies show that it may have beneficial interactions with antibiotics in the treatment of Streptococcus.

Due to the large amount of coumarin, it should be avoided concomitantly with anticoagulant treatments.

Guaco based preparations

– Alcoholic extracts (tinctures)

– Aqueous extracts (infusions)

– guaco syrup

– Creams

– Ointments

– Poultices

Where does guaco grow?

Originating from South America (southern Brazil), it inhabits the south and southeast regions of Brazil, in the woods and cerrados, but is good for domestic cultivation.

When to harvest the guaco?

Harvest 6 months after planting, when the first leaves appear.

Comments

Guaco has been used for a long time by the indigenous people through the crushed leaves applied in the form of a poultice against snake bites, or the new plant that exudes a strong smell that scares away snakes. A study carried out in 2006 with lyophilized extract did not show any action against the main effects of Bothrops asper snake venom, which are hemorrhage and proteolysis. However, two other studies, one carried out with a fraction of the guaco extract and the other with the aqueous extract of guaco, were shown to have an effect against the bite of the same snake. What we can conclude is that there is an action against snake venom, but that still needs to be much more studied.

Guaco is on the list of medicines offered by the Unified Health System (SUS) in Brazil. The list had 810 items (drugs, vaccines, herbal remedies,…) as of March 2012.

Jeanne Kenney
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I’m a stylist trainer, a content creator, and an entrepreneur passion. Virgo sign and Pisces ascendant, I move easily between my dreams, the crazy world I want, and my feet on the ground to carry out my projects.

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