Known for the great appreciation of its fruit, the cashew, the cashew leaf has some medicinal properties. The tree belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, reaching up to 10 meters in height. From it can be used the bark of the stem, root; leaves, fruits, seeds, oil and the fruit.

Physical characteristics of the cashew tree

The cashew tree is a tree native to the north and northeast of Brazil. The tree has branches that grow abundantly from the base. They are long and, when new, can be identified by their purplish color.

The flowers are small, green, whitish or red. The fruit, also known as chestnut, attaches to the end of the flower. The pseudofruit develops from the floral peduncle. It has a thin skin, red or yellow in color, according to the species, fleshy and juicy.

To grow strong and healthy, the cashew tree prefers climates with temperatures above 22 degrees centigrade. It needs to be very well watered, however, in order for it to bear succulent and healthy fruits, it needs a dry period.

medicinal use

Cashew is rich in medicinal properties. This can be seen from the astringent, anti-diabetic, anti-hemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, antipyretic, ulcerogenic, caustic, diuretic, laxative, purgative, tonic and deworming effects.

Every part of the plant can be used. The nut has a caustic resin oil, known as LCC. It can be used to treat skin irritation, warts, corns, edema, skin blemishes and neoforming tissues. However, used in fresh form can cause damage to the skin as it is terribly caustic.

When nuts are roasted, they can be used in diets and to fortify memory. The use of cashew husk activates the metabolism of sugars, especially in people who have increased sugar in their blood and urine.

Cashew sprouts are used to combat stomach pain and digestive problems and should be boiled with guava sprouts. The juice from the new leaves is used to combat canker sores. Its root is purgative. The Ticuna Indians in the Amazon use the juice of its pseudo fruit as a preventive against flu.

cashew tea

After knowing many of the uses of the cashew tree and all its parts, it’s time to find out what it is for and how cashew tea can be used.

The drink is indicated to cure organic weakness, muscle weakness, urine glucose, catarrhal affections, coughs, bronchitis, scurvy, intestinal colic, syphilitic or not skin diseases, psoriasis, dyspepsia, jaundice, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti -hemorrhagic.

How to prepare?

To prepare the tea, just separate 500 ml of water and a few pieces of cashew bark or leaves. Bring the water to a boil. When it reaches the boiling point, add the bark and leaves and boil for five minutes. After this time, turn off the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes in a covered container.

Before drinking, use a sieve to separate the bark and leaves from the liquid. The recommended intake is up to three cups a day.