With the scientific name of Cordia verbenácea , the whaling herb is a plant of Brazilian origin, having its first examples first found in the Atlantic Forest, and later spread throughout the coast. It is a perennial shrub that can reach between 2 and 4 meters in height. Its leaves are elliptical, with an extremely rough texture, measuring up to 20 cm in length, and whose aroma resembles meat and chicken seasoning tablets, totally different from other plants. Its flower is white and makes it even more beautiful and special. Whaling herb is not only beautiful, it has many medicinal properties, and has become popular in a curious way.
Index
plant discovery
It is known by all that, before the evolution of medicine and the pharmaceutical industry, the ancients used plants to cure their ailments, and many descendants of these still faithfully maintain this custom. Well, a few decades ago, a researcher from USP (University of São Paulo) traveled to the coast of São Paulo. He began to observe a fisherman cleaning his fish next to him, when suddenly the fisherman cuts himself and, to clean the wound and speed up its healing, he takes some leaves from a nearby plant, crushes them and drops drops of his juice into the wound. Curious, the researcher questioned the fisherman and collected some branches of the plant to study it. Research and chemical studies confirmed that the whaling herb helped the healing process.
properties
The main properties of the whaling herb plant are:
- Anti-inflammatory;
- Antiseptic;
- Analgesic;
- Healing;
- Diuretic;
- Laxative.
Benefits and indications
Although it has many beneficial properties, among them the anti-inflammatory is the strongest and most powerful. Thus, it is constantly indicated for bruises, muscle or back pain, arthritis, rheumatism, gout and inflammation in general. As the fisherman mentioned above reported, the whaling herb is also an excellent antiseptic, analgesic and healing, being thus indicated for wounds and bruises in general, as it will relieve pain, clean the area and promote healing faster. For consumption as a tea, the whaling herb will act as a diuretic, being indicated for urinary tract infections, difficulty in urination and kidney stones.
How to use?
To use in external ailments, such as wounds, drop a few drops of its leaves into a container, wet the tip of a clean cloth with the drops and apply it to the affected area. In case of inflammation, let five leaves boil in half a liter of water, then soak a whole compress in the liquid and, when the temperature is warm, apply to the inflamed area.
To consume your tea, heat 3 leaves of the whaling herb, along with half a liter of water. Simmer for 5 minutes, then turn off the heat and smother the container. When the temperature is right, strain and drink the tea twice a day.
