Jatoba

Jatoba is a huge canopy tree indigenous to the Amazon Rainforest and parts of tropical Central America. It has a long history of use in the rainforest as well as in South American traditional medicine.

A few of its attributed properties:

• Antibacterial (kills or inhibits infectious bacteria)
• Antifungal (kills or inhibits fungi)
• Antifatigue
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Anti-spasmodic (relaxes smooth muscles)
• Hemostatic (stops or prevents bleeding or hemorrhages)
• Hepatoprotective (protect the liver)
• Hypoglycemic (lowers blood sugar)
• Stomachic (improves appetite and/or digestive processes)
• Tonic (restores and nourishes body systems)

And we know of no reports of contraindications or toxicity.

Traditional Uses

Indigenous rainforest peoples have used this powerful herb medicinally for conditions including:

• athlete's foot and foot fungus.
• bronchitis
• cough
• cystitis
• diarrhea
• hepatitis
• prostatitis
• stomach problems

In 1930 Dr. J. Monteiro Silva described the bark as carminative (expels gas from the stomach and intestines), sedative, and astringent.

Dr Silva recommended using the bark for constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia and general fatigue. The resin was recommended for all types of upper respiratory and cardiopulmonary problems.

Dr. Silva said that whoever drinks Jatoba tea feels ". . . strong and vigorous, with a good appetite, always ready to work."

And in fact, Brazilian lumberjacks have long used the tea as a natural energy tonic.

Christopher Allison states in "Powerful and Unusual Herbs from the Amazon and China":

"Jatoba helps neutralize yeast, candida and fungus infections ... helps to decongest the urinary tract and can be excellent for cystitis, and bladder and prostate infections.

It has been used as a system energizer, fortifier and decongestant. It has been used for treating respiratory problems."

Disclaimer

The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. The products referred to on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition or prescribe any treatment.