Taheebo leaves comes from Tabebuia avellanedae tree, an evergreen tree widely grow at South and Central America. This 30 meters tall tree blooms tubular pink to lavender flowers in late winter. The flowers are about 2 inch in length. People are fond of the beauty of the flowers. But if we talk about the health benefits, the award goes to the bark and leaves.
Well, the inner bark of the tree attributed by beneficial component for health. Incas employ the inner bark which is called as taheebo to treat many kinds of health problems. They obtain the health benefits of taheebo by brewing the inner bark into reddish brown tea. It is said that taheebo tea is rich with tannins and powerful to enhance immune system.
On the other hand, the leaves also add the health benefits of this plant. Taheebo leaves are elliptic with lightly serrated edges. It is about 2 to 3 inches long. The leaves had been used as home remedy for many health problems in many forms or products.
For example, people use the leaves as decoction, tea, or grounded leaves. In this article, we are going to talk about the health benefits of taheebo leaves along with its possible side effects.
Health Benefits of Taheebo Leaves
Not only the taheebo bark which is wellknown for its medicinal properties, taheebo leaves can also perform some health benefits of taheebo leaves either as oral or external supplement. The health benefits of taheebo leaves are:
- Improve immune system
Just like the taheebo bark, taheebo leaves is also able to improve immune system. The antioxidant lies within the leaves is actively fight free radicals. It will enable our body to improve the immune system and prevent lots of diseases. Besides the leaves, the tea bark can also be used as natural antibiotic. People sometimes brew a cup of tea consists of taheebo bark and leaves to improve vitality.
- Relieve cold
Drink taheebo leaves as tea can help relieve cold and its symptom such coughing, fever, sore throat and headache. You can also brew the leaves along with the bark as it makes a better synergy to relieve your cold even faster. This health benefits is also included in the Health Benefits of Verbena Leaves, the lemony-scented leaves you can grab from herbal store.
- External antiseptic
Besides the consumption of taheebo leaves as tea or oral herbal supplement, the leaves can also be used as external antiseptic. It can be applied as topical antiseptic for wounds. It gets rid of wounds and boosts the recovery process. Other than treating scabies, the leaves can also treat any other skin diseases such psoriasis, eczema, and even reduce the severity of skin cancer.
- Treat scabies
Scabies is the condition where we get an unbearable itchy skin because of the itch mite Sarcoptes infestation which later stimulates and infection. It is easily transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact. In this case, taheebo leaves can act as powerful home remedy by reducing the itchiness and relieve the rash.
- Anti fungal property
In addition to the use of taheebo leaves as external antiseptic, we can also use thee leaves as antifungal property. It is often applied to treat skin fungus. And even the laves is considered as one of the most powerful treatment for nail fungus. The medicinal property is beneficial, specifically for athletes who accustomed to wear shoes and manifested lots of sweat. The humidity along with the germ is such a heaves for fungus to grow over the skin and nails.
- Anti inflammatory property
The leaves can both taken orally or externally to relieve inflammation. Taheebo has been known as a powerful remedy for any inflammation such arthritis or the painful joints due to inflamed joints. It can also deal with the hardening arteries. This property also enables taheebo leaves to act as painkiller for headache, backache, toothache, and something like that.
- Flush toxins
Regular consumption of taheebo leaves tea is able to perform health benefits of taheebo leaves as body detoxifier. Therefore, we are able to stay away from any chronic diseases such heart attack and stroke as the tea helps eliminate the bad cholesterol and fats along with the destructive toxins from the unhealthy lifestyle. The health benefits can also be performed by Health Benefits of Yacon Tea
- Aid digestion
Just like the other kind of tea from leaves which is beneficial for digestive, taheebo leaves can do the same. We can obtain the health benefits of taheebo leaves just like the Health Benefits of Linden Leaves and Health Benefits of Quince Leaves. It improves digestion and maintains bowel movements. The regular consumption of the tea prevent you from digestive problems such constipation and bloating.
- Improves blood health
It is said that taheebo leaves is able to improve the blood health. It effectively acts as blood purifier. Thee leaves had been considered as natural blood cleanser from long ago as it able to carry the toxins away from the blood and improve thee whole body health.
Precautions in Consuming Taheebo Leaves
Besides the health benefits of taheebo leaves, we should aware of the possible side effect from the consumption of taheebo leaves. As reported by Physicians’ Desktop Reference website, there are some possible side effects from taheebo tea consumption. The mild side effect may vary from nausea, stomachache, vomiting, and dizziness. However, the long term usage may affect the blood.
Well, it has been mentioned that the leaves is able to clean the blood. However, it is said that taheebo has somewhat blood thinning effect which increase possibility in stimulating blood related problems. One of the blood-related problems is anemia. It can also affect the blood clotting.
The consumption of taheebo or Tabebuia avellanedae leaves may also stimulate allergic reaction for some patients. The allergic reaction may in a form of breathing problems, chest pain, itching, swollen skin, and rashes. If you experience such condition, you should hurry for medical emergency.
Therefore, it is better for you to use the leaves more as herbal supplement instead of traditional medical property to replace the modern medical treatment. If you have some issues regarding your health condition and the use of taheebo leaves as herbal supplement, make sure to visit your doctor and get some advice.
This way, you can have the expected health benefits of taheebo leaves. Or else, you can also check List of Herbs and Health Benefits for Home Remedy to provide the other herbal supplement which fits you better.