Parts used: wood.
Pharmacy name: Guaiac wood – Guaiaci lignum (formerly: Lignum Guaiaci).
Botanical description. Both trees are evergreen, up to 15 m tall, native to tropical America. Guaiacum offlcinale grows mainly on the coast of Colombia, Venezuela and the Lesser Antilles; Guaiacum sanctum – in Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, the Bahamas and the coast of Florida. In appearance, they are very similar, but the wood of the first is darker and harder.
Collection and preparation. To obtain raw materials from sawn trees, the bark of 5 mm thickness is removed, and the trunk is sawn into large pieces. The wood is so heavy that it sinks in water. Its dark core contains many resinous substances. The wood is surrounded by a narrow yellow sapwood zone. Heavy, weighing up to a centner, blocks of wood are processed in turning workshops (for example, bowling balls are made from guaiac wood). And medicinal raw materials are obtained from waste during the processing of wood (from sawdust, shavings, etc.).
Active ingredients: resins, essential oil, saponins.
Healing action and application.In the Middle Ages, guaiac wood was believed to be the best remedy for syphilis; thanks to this, the guaiac tree received another name – the “French tree”, since syphilis and gonorrhea were called “French” diseases. Currently, venereal diseases are treated with more effective drugs, and guaiac wood is used to treat metabolic disorders, and mainly as part of mixed teas. Especially successfully such teas are used as blood-purifying and antirheumatic infusions. The composition of the active ingredients confirms the feasibility of such an application. In the foreground here, in addition to a mild diaphoretic and diuretic, it also has an activating effect on the kidneys and liver. General remark. Analyzing raw materials only by the composition of active substances, it can be concluded that that in all areas of its application there are better means. However, it is wrong to conclude from this that this medicinal plant should no longer be used. Almost every medicinal plant has some small, but only peculiar features peculiar to it alone, and there is a person who reacts positively precisely to these features, experiencing relief and even recovering when you almost don’t expect it. Therefore, it is unwise to judge or condemn from a strictly scientific point of view what experience has taught. feeling relieved and even recovering when you hardly expect it. Therefore, it is unwise to judge or condemn from a strictly scientific point of view what experience has taught. feeling relieved and even recovering when you hardly expect it. Therefore, it is unwise to judge or condemn from a strictly scientific point of view what experience has taught.
Use in homeopathy. The homeopathic remedy Guajacum is prescribed for headaches and visual disturbances, for inflammations in the mouth and throat, for tracheitis, also for rheumatism and gout. Dilutions D 1 -D4 are used; dosage: 5-10 (up to 15) drops 3 or more times every day.
Side effects. The dose used in blended teas does not cause concern, but still the raw materials should not be used without first consulting a doctor.