Plant saps that heal and protect

When thinking about the medicinal plants their heads come to mind leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds or roots. And those are undoubtedly the most used parts.

but some hoard medicinal virtues in much less apparent elements: the latex and saps. We tell you about the benefits of these fluids and the 5 saps that can help improve health.

Health benefits of sap and latex

numerous plants they are armed with thorns or exude toxic fluids or irritating in order to scare off his enemies.

What is latex? Latex is one of those fluids, milky, thick and usually white. Seals and heals the wounds of the plantand is composed mainly of water, in which fats, resins, sterins, enzymes and proteins are dissolved or suspended.What is the sap? The sap, rich in mineral salts and sugars, is the juice that the plant itself creates from the water and salts that it absorbs through the roots to feed itself. Yeah latex is used on wounds, warts and ulcers, the saps can be used in cleansing cures and as energy tonics.

5 saps and latex with medicinal properties

Here we present some of the latex and saps more interesting to humans.

1. Papaya for intestinal parasites

The latex obtained by making an incision in the skin of immature papaya fruits (Carica papaya) contains proteolytic enzymes such as papain that break down proteins.

Papain extracts are used in Slimming treatments and to improve digestion.

Properties:

ProteolyticDigestiveAnti-inflammatorySlimmingLaxativeAnthelminticDermoprotective.

Who is it suitable for:

In case of heavy digestions, chronic constipation, irritable bowel, ulcerative colitis and gastritis due to insufficient gastric juices.

Help to eliminate intestinal parasites.

Externally, it improves boils, wounds, ulcers, fungal infections such as yeast infectionseczema and warts.

How does it apply:

papaya fresh in foodlatex mixed with honey and hot water, followed by a laxative, for parasites.He dry extract of latex in capsules or tabletsfrom 3 to 7 units a day, depending on the ailment. And the topical latex for skin problems.

2. Maple syrup, a cleansing sweetener

Of the six species of maples that grow in the forests of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States, the sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is the one that offers the best quality sap.

These trees offer in autumn a incomparable spectacle with the vermilion tone of its leaves, which attracts crowds of visitors to the forests. But there is also a deep-rooted tradition of harvesting the sap that springs from the trunk and a powerful industry around the syrup that is obtained from it.

exist two qualities of syrupwhich may contain up to 5% sucrose: A, amber in color and very sweet, and C, darker and less sweetrich in mineral salts such as calcium, zinc and manganese.

Maple syrup properties:

SweetenerDetoxifyingRemineralizingEnergy.

Who is maple syrup suitable for:

It’s a Energy tonic ideal for stages of weakness, fatigue and stress.

Grade C syrup is used in detox and fasting cures.

and is used as sugar substitute.

How to take maple syrup:

The pure syrup or mixed with palm syrup, to take in detox treatments for up to ten days, mixed with lemon juice and chilli powder or cayenne pepper in still mineral water.

Precautions in the treatment with maple syrup:

It is preferable to do fasting treatments with the follow-up of a specialist doctor.

3. Dragon’s blood: to heal wounds and herpes

He Dragon’s blood (Croton Iechleri) is a tree from the Amazonused by the natives to heal wounds and stop bleeding, for tuberculosis and infertility. The latex is extracted from the trunk.

Properties:

AstringentHemostaticAntihemorrhagicHealingAntiinflammatoryAntisepticAntiviralAntibacterialAntioxidant.

To whom it is appropriate:

Its main use is external, to heal woundsburns, dermatitis, acne, skin ulcers and canker sores, and to fight infections viral and bacterial in herpes, warts and fungi.

Internally, it stops diarrhea in case of ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome, and relieves ulcers stomach and gastroduodenal, gastroenteritis and mild gastritis.

It has been tested in antitumor treatments.

How it is taken:

The fresh, red latexwhich when rubbed becomes white and is allowed to be absorbed.A fluid extract from latexapplied with cotton on the affected area, and a elixir for rinse buccal. The fluid extract in drops, diluted in water or fruit juicefrom 10 to 15 daily in three doses, for internal use. It is also found in capsules and as a component of toothpastes.

Precautions:

It should not be taken during pregnancy and lactationnor administer to children under 6 years old.

4. Agave sap

Of the enormous leaves of the agave or beep (american agave) a sugary juice is obtainedextracted from the sap, which in Mexico is used to make two alcoholic beverages (pulque and mezcal) common at parties and weddings.

Properties:

DemulcentEmollientDermoprotectiveAntisepticAnti-inflammatoryHepatoprotectiveDigestiveLaxative.

Who is it suitable for:

It has been used as digestive regulator and liver protector in digestive disorders, indigestion, poisoning, gastrointestinal infections and inflammation of the liver.

Help in case of constipation and it has been indicated for jaundice, tuberculosis and syphilis.

How it is taken:

He fresh juice and liquid extractdissolved in water or yogurt.

Precautions:

Has to avoid in pregnancy and lactation.

And it is not prudent to exceed the doses because pcan be irritating.

5. Birch sap

Birches are beautiful trees in cold areas that attract attention due to the silvery white color of their bark. In Europe they grow two related species: Betula pendula and betula alba.

The SAP that is sold comes from the first, typical of Scandinavian forests. Contains a 2% solid matter, which includes fructose, glucose and mineral salts.

with this sap, by fermentation, a beer is produced which in northern Europe is eaten as an aperitif.

Birch sap properties:

AperitifDigestiveDiureticDepurativeDetoxifyingAntirheumatic.

Who is it suitable for:

It’s a good natural diuretic, ideal for eliminating toxins for urine. It is indicated in case of overweight due to fluid retention, to prevent kidney stones, in genitourinary affections, rheumatic pains and skin impurities.

How it is taken:

In syrup, sometimes combined with lemon juice or water, one tablespoon a day, on an empty stomach.

Advisor: Josep María Teixé, herbalist at El manantial de salud.