HENEQUÉN (agaveagave americana)

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	HENEQUÉN
	*agaveagave americana*

Name
HENEQUÉN

Scientific Name
agaveagave americana

HENEQUÉN

Other Names:

Azabara, Aloe fibre, Calamaco, Caraguatá, Cháguar, Blue Champagara, Chuchau, Cowhose, Cucuisa, Henequén, Mezcal, Penca, Toot

They are known more than 150 species of agave, very similar in its aspect and its properties, distributed by Mexico and all Central America, that were used by the old Aztecs with medicinal aims. They were introduced in Spain in century XVI, and they extended quickly by the Mediterranean coast. From the similar agave and species, a fiber is obtained with which cords make. The fleshy leaves of some species of agave that grow up in Mexico, produce a sap or sweetened, known juice like mead. From him diverse very toxic spirits by their high alcoholic degree are elaborated, like pulque, the mezcal and the tequila.

Habitat: original of high and Central, own semi-arid land America. Extensively cultivated in the valley of Oaxaca (Mexico). One is naturalized in the Mediterranean countries, specially in parks and gardens.

Description: it plants of the family of the Amarilidáceas, that emphasize by its great pencas or basal leaves (of a meter or more of length), fleshy, finished in end, and with the thorny edges. The flowers meet in a central stem of up to 6 meters of height.

Used parts: the root, the leaves and the sap.

Properties and indications: all the plants of the sort Agave contain glucósidos esteroideos, between which it emphasizes the hecogenina, as well as saponinas. To them they must, the root and the leaves, their diurético and purifying effect of the blood, reason why are used with good results in case of edemas and retention of liquids.

In Mexico and the countries of Central America, the agave is used traditionally in infectious diseases, digestive upheavals, and cases of ictericia or hepatitis.

Externally, the juice or sap that flows of the stem is vulnerario and healing. It is applied in compresas on hurt contusions and of the skin.

Use: in infusion with 30 grams by root or crushed dry leaves in a liter of water, of which 3 or 4 sweetened daily cups with honey are consumed.

Externally, in compresas with the juice or sap of the leaves, that are applied on the affected zone of skin.

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