Herbal Encyclopedia

Common Medicinal Herbs For Natural Health

  • Herbs
  • Modes of Use
    • Compresses and Lotions
    • Creams
    • Decoctions
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    • Essential Oils
    • Fomentations
    • Gargles and Mouthwashes
    • Glycerites
    • Liniments
    • Medicinal Milks
    • Mustard Plasters
    • Oil Infusions
    • Ointments and Salves
    • Poison Ivy Lotions
    • Poultices
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    • When To Gather Herbs
  • Scientific Names

Avocado

Sliced AvacadoBotanical Name

  • Family Lauraceae
  • Persea americana

Common Name

  • many variations

Cautions

  • The leaves and bark can stimulate menstration, as well as inducing abortions, so should not be taken during pregnancy.

Description

Native to Central America, the avocado is cultivated mainly for its fruit in tropical and subtropical regions which include Israel, Spain, and South Africa. It is an evergreen tree growing to seventy feet, with dark green, leathery leaves and white flowers. The fruit is picked when fully grown, and the leaves are harvested as needed.

History

The Maya of Guatemala have long used the avocado to stimulate hair growth, repel worms, and treat diarrhea. The fruit pulp is often used as a baby food there and in South Africa.

It was widely used throughout the Aztec empire for both food and medicine. All parts of the avocado tree was used medicinally.

Key Actions

(a) Leaves and Bark

  • astringent
  • carminative
  • diuretic
  • relieves coughs
  • promotes menstrual flow

(b) Fruit Pulp

  • carminative
  • emollient
  • nutritive

(c) Rind

  • antiparasitic

(d) Seed

  • antibiotic

Key components

(a) Leaves and Bark

  • flavonoids
  • tannins
  • volatile oil (methylchavicol, alpha-pinene)

(b) Fruit Pulp

  • protein (25%)
  • sesquiterpenes
  • unsaturated fats
  • vitamins A, B

Medicinal Parts

  • Leaves, fruit, bark, seed, peel

Remedies

  • Oil from the seed is of good quality and is used for food, as well as for the skin.
  • Decoction of the leaves or bark is used to treat diarrhea or dysentery.
  • The fruit pulp is a nourishing food, as well as being useful in treating wounds and helping them to heal quickly.

Traditional Uses

The leaves and bark have long been used to treat diarrhea, gas, and bloating, as well as to relieve coughs, liver obstructions, and clearing out uric acid, which causes gout.

The rind is useful in expelling worms.

The fruit is used externally to soothe the skin, help heal wounds, and to stimulate hair growth. Consumption of the fruit is encouraged because of its essential fatty acids and protein.

Filed Under: A Tagged With: bloating, cough, diarrhea, expelling worms, fatty acids, gas, gout, hair growth, heal wounds, liver obstructions, protein, soothe skin, uric acid, wounds

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Pages

  • Modes of Use
    • Compresses and Lotions
    • Creams
    • Decoctions
    • Electuaries
    • Essential Oils
    • Fomentations
    • Gargles and Mouthwashes
    • Glycerites
    • Liniments
    • Lip Balms
    • Medicinal Milks
    • Mustard Plasters
    • Oil Infusions
    • Ointments and Salves
    • Poison Ivy Lotions
    • Poultices
    • Powders and Capsules
    • Steam Inhalations
    • Syrups
    • Tinctures and Vinegars
    • Toothpastes
    • Vapor Balms
    • Water Infusions
    • When To Gather Herbs
  • Online Herbal Encyclopedia of Knowledge
  • Scientific Names

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For educational purposes only.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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