- What is it for
- What properties
- How to use
- 1. Guaco tea
- 2. Guaco tincture
- Possible side effects
- Who should not use
Guaco is a medicinal plant, also known as snake, liana or snake herb, widely used in respiratory problems due to its bronchodilator and expectorant effect.
Its scientific name is Mikania glomerata Spreng and can be purchased at health food stores and drugstores with an average price of 30 reais.
What is it for
Guaco is used to treat flu, cough, hoarseness, throat infection, bronchitis, allergies and skin infections. In addition, this plant is popularly used to treat rheumatism.
What properties
Although several popular therapeutic indications are attributed to guaco, only the bronchodilator, antitussive, expectorant and edematogenic action on the airways has been proven. Other studies show potential anti-allergic, antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antidiarrheal activity
How to use
For therapeutic purposes the leaves of the plant are used.
1. Guaco tea
Ingredients
- 10 g of guaco leaves; 500 mL of water.
Method of preparation
Place 10 g of leaves in 500 mL of boiling water for 10 minutes and strain at the end. Drink 2 cups a day. See how to prepare other teas with this plant in 3 Recipes with Guaco Tea to Relieve Cough.
2. Guaco tincture
Ingredients
- 100 g of crushed guaco leaves, 300 mL of alcohol at 70º.
Method of preparation
Dyeing can be done by leaving 100 grams of the crushed leaves in a dark glass jar with 300 mL of 70 ° alcohol. Leave to stand for 2 weeks in a cool, ventilated place, stirring the mixture once a day. Once filtered, the solution can be used in local rubs or compresses.
Guaco can also be used in the form of a syrup that can be purchased at pharmacies, and must comply with the manufacturer's instructions.
Possible side effects
Side effects of guaco include bleeding, increased heart rate, vomiting and diarrhea. Guaco contains coumarin, which may worsen in cases of shortness of breath and cough in people with a coumarin allergy.
Who should not use
Guaco is contraindicated for people with allergies to this plant, with liver diseases, who use anticoagulants, for children under 1 year of age and pregnant.
