Also known as cactus, mandacaru, jamacaru, night lady and cardeiro, the night flower is a plant belonging to the cactus family, whose scientific name is Cactus cereus giganteus L. The plant, common in northeastern Brazil, may reach more 5 m tall, including a thornless variation that is widely used in animal feed in the region.
The most common one, however, is full of thorns and has these burned or cut away so that it can be used. Resistant to drought, the plant has beautiful white flowers, approximately 30 cm long. The buds appear in spring and their flowers last only one night period each, blooming at dusk and withering at dawn, and they have a very pleasant smell and very similar to the aroma of vanilla.
Index
Benefits and properties
The parts used for medicinal purposes are flower buds, buds, fresh stems and dried flowers. It is indicated for the treatment of cardiac diseases, cardiac symptoms resulting from dyspepsia, weak pulse, hepatic congestion, rheumatic diseases, arrhythmias, urinary disorders, cystitis, bladder paralysis, dysmenorrhea, gynecological hemorrhages, pulmonary disorders, pulmonary hepatization, congestion asthma, oppression chronic breathing, catarrhal cough with wheezing.
It can also be used to treat the most common symptoms of menopause such as heat, joint and muscle pain, tingling, depression, insomnia, fatigue, tinnitus, headache and palpitation.
How to prepare tea?
The tea from this plant can be made with:
– 2 tablespoons of the herb
– 500 ml of water
In a container, add the two ingredients and bring to the fire. When it comes to a boil, leave it for another 15 minutes and then turn it off, cover and let it rest. Upon realizing that the mixture has warmed, strain and consume. The recommended dose is 1 cup 3 times a day.
care
The natural medicine made with night flower is contraindicated for pregnant patients, nursing mothers, children, or those who have hypersensitivity to the components of the plant. There are reports that, for internal use, it can cause hives, dermatosis, burning in the mouth, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
There are no reports of side effects as long as the plant is used in the indicated dose. If an overdose occurs, the usual measures must be taken for any other type of intoxication. Its consumption is not indicated for long periods, and medical monitoring is recommended if the patient uses other continuous medications.
