Avelós is a very common plant in Northeast Brazil. Its leaves are small and the whole plant sheds a white liquid, Latex. Popularly known as Almeidinha or São Sebastião tree, its part used for consumption is latex, which needs to be dissolved in water, since pure irritates the skin and eyes. It has anticarcinogenic, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, antibiotic, antibacterial, antiviral, fungicide and expectorant properties, in addition to being a good purgative and antisyphilitic.
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Medicinal properties and active ingredients
Essential oils, terpenic hydrocarbons, citric acid, ellagic acid, eufol and some other substances are responsible for its medicinal qualities. Latex is effective as antiscorpionic and ophidium, antirheumatic, antiasthmatic, antibiotic, antibacterial, fungicide and purgative. It is indicated for the treatment of warts, corns, cancer, syphilis, cancerous and precancerous tumors, colic, asthma and gastralgia. Studies aim to prove its benefits in the fight against cancer, since, even though it has been popularly used for decades as a medicinal plant, there is still no scientific proof.
How to use?
The latex, milk produced by the plant, must be extracted from the stem, and placed in a glass of pure water. A tablespoon of the mixture of latex and water should be taken four to six times a day and, in case of tumors, the treatment should be done for a few months.
For rheumatic pain, the ideal is to pass the dilute milk two or three times a day. To treat warts and corns, drop a drop of latex onto the affected area.
Necessary care and contraindications
High doses are toxic, can cause blood clotting and, if not diluted with water, can cause bleeding. Latex is toxic, irritating and caustic to the skin and, if it gets into the eyes, it can blind and even destroy the cornea. Overuse can cause severe burning, swollen eyelids, burning pain in the eyeball, blurred vision, erosion of the corneal epithelium, decreased visual acuity, photophobia, temporary blindness and, in more severe cases, can lead to death.
