A gava american (Agave americana); agave american
Perennial herbaceous plant of the agave family. The stem is shortened, at the base it has a rosette of elongated fleshy leaves with a spiky edge. The flowers are bisexual, greenish-yellow, on a tall peduncle, in a multi-flowered panicle. The fruit is a box. It blooms at the age of 15-30, after which the entire aerial part dies, and new shoots form from the rhizome.
Spread. Motherland — South America. On the territory of the former USSR, it is grown as an indoor and greenhouse decorative plant, and on the Crimean and Caucasian coasts of the Black Sea – in open ground.
Raw. Leaves, juice and powder from dried leaves are used.
The plant is unofficial .
Chemical composition. The leaves contain steroid saponins. The core of the lower part of the peduncle is rich in sugars.
Pharmacological properties and use. In terms of pharmacological action, American Agave is similar to tree aloe, it is used as a disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and expectorant. Whole leaves, previously peeled from the skin, are applied to wounds and abscesses, used for sciatica, rheumatism and other joint diseases. Fresh juice, infusion or powder is recommended for diseases of the lungs, gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, colitis), liver diseases, and jaundice. Medicinal forms and applications. Fresh juice is drunk 20 drops per tablespoon of water three times a day before meals. Infusion of crushed fresh leaves (50 g per 1 glass of water at room temperature, infuse for 6 hours, strain) take 1 tablespoon three times a day before meals. Powder from leaves is taken 0.2-0.5 g three times a day before Ida.