Agave was used as a food and medicinal plant by the Aztecs. Even today, some products made from the desert plant are used in folk medicine to treat diseases and for prevention. However, the user should pay close attention to the dosage.
Occurrence and cultivation of the agave
The agave was already used by the Aztecs as a food and medicinal plant. Even today, some products made from the desert plant are used in folk medicine to treat diseases and for prevention. The agave species Agave americana, which is still used medicinally today, is one of about 400 agave species native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Agaves are special plants: they form an inflorescence after 15 years at the earliest and usually die at the age of 20 years. The perennial plant actually belongs to the succulents, because like the cacti it has a high water storage capacity. It grows up to three meters high and has fleshy leaves with toothed edges and sometimes even thread-like fibers there. The pale green agave leaves are usually lanceolate in shape and have a thorn at the tip. Some species have no spines and conspicuous red tips. Others are edged with a white margin. Agave foliage leaves serve as a water reservoir to help the plant survive dry periods. To prevent the stored liquid from evaporating, the fleshy leaves have tiny pores on their surface. Agaves form spindle-like rhizomes that grow horizontally and are cut off in close proximity to the parent plant to propagate the plant. However, to do this, the rhizomes must first be at least 15 centimeters long. Agave inflorescences can grow up to twelve meters tall and bloom in July/August with many panicles bearing individual flowers up to ten meters tall. The capsule fruits have three chambers containing the black seeds. The agave is found in southern North America, Central America, Venezuela, Colombia and the Canary Islands. Its medicinally used parts can be collected year-round. Those who want to grow agaves in this country, choose for them a warm, sunny and dry place and overwinter them indoors at four to six degrees Celsius in a bright and cool place. Unpretentious plant needs only two parts of ordinary plant soil and one part of coarse-grained sand. The outer leaves can be shortened at will, as long as the delicate agave core is not damaged.
Effect and application
Agave contains fructans such as agavin, rhamnose, saponins (hecogenin), xylose (sugar), oxalic acid, essential oils, polysaccharides (especially inulin), beta-carotene, and vitamins B, C, D, and K. Because agave products are weakly toxic, they may only be used externally, homeopathically, in low doses, and as an admixture in herbal teas. Agave ingredients have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, blood sugar-lowering, bone-strengthening, diaphoretic, analgesic, weight-reducing, diuretic, psychoactive (in overdose), aphrodisiac and laxative effects. The leaves and the gel contained in them and the juice (agave thick juice, agave syrup) are used as remedies. The thick juice contains inulin and is used to sweeten food. The alkaline sweetener is especially popular among vegans and raw foodists and is obtained from the colorless or yellowish juice of several species of agave. It has a high concentration of fructose and a lower content of glucose. Since it has a low glycemic index, it can be used by diabetics. Homeopathic Agave americana has the same indications as the traditionally used parts of the plant, but it is obtained exclusively from the leaves of the Mexican agave. It is administered as globules and as a dilution. Agave syrup – if it accidentally comes into contact with the skin – can be highly irritating to the skin because of its pungent essential oils and can also cause eye conjunctivitis. In people with fructose intolerance, the thick juice can lead to increased uric acid production, metabolic syndrome and hypertriglyceridemia. If it is accidentally overdosed, digestive disorders occur. Pregnant women should not consume it.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Agave thick juice is a proven light laxative because of its laxative effect and has an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory effect on stomach ulcers. According to the latest clinical studies, the active substances of blue agave – from which tequila is extracted – support the immune system in its important task of ridding the body of unwanted substances and pathogens. According to a clinical study from 2010, the agave contained in the American agave ensures that the calcium level in the blood increases, which protects the bones from osteoporosis. In this way, they are no longer deprived of calcium, although it is more urgently needed elsewhere in the event of an undersupply. In addition, the increased calcium level has a positive effect on heart health. In addition, agave has been used as a remedy in traditional folk medicine for back pain, eye diseases, rheumatism, and diabetes prevention (agavin). Agave thick juice can also be applied externally: It is simply applied to wounds, burns, skin fungus infected areas, warts and ulcers. For joint inflammation and pain, cut and salted leaf bark is applied. The active substances disinfect, have a decongestant effect, accelerate the healing process and relieve pain. Agave thick juice can be used for a short-term detoxification cure, as it has a strong diuretic effect and thus quickly eliminates inflammatory substances, metabolic waste products, food toxins and drug residues. In this way, people with chronic inflammatory diseases can also relieve their suffering. The diaphoretic properties are mainly used to reduce fever in colds.
