Jatobà

(Hymenaea courbaril)

Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Hymenaea
Species: courbaril
Synonyms: Hymenaea animifera, H. candolleana, H. multiflora, H. resinifera, H. retusa, H. stilbocarpa, Inga megacarpa
Common Names: Jatoba, jatobá, stinking toe, algarrobo, azucar huayo, jataí, copal, Brazilian copal, courbaril, nazareno, Cayenne copal, demarara copal, gomme animee, pois confiture, guapinol, guapinole, loksi, South American locust
Phytochemicals: 1-beta-(2 -(3-furyl)-ethyl)-1-alpha-2-alpha-5 -Alpha-trimethyl, 1-2-3-Naphthalene-5-carboxylic Acid1-2-3(-)(A)-5-6-7-octahydro, 1-beta-(3-methyl-4-carboxy-butanyl)-1-alpha-Naphthalene-5-carboxylic Acid, 1-2- 3-4-4-(A)-5-6-7-octahydro, 1-beta-(Trans-3-methyl-4-carboxy-but-3-enyl)- 1-alpha-2-alpha-5-alpha- trimethyl, Astilibin, Beta-sitosterol, Beta-Bourbonene, Alpha-Cadinene, Delta-Cadinene, Gamma-Cadinene, Caryophyllene, (-)epi Catechin, Iso-Enantio Communic Acid, Copacamphene, Copaene, Copalic acid, Cubebene, Copacamphene, Alpha-Copaene, Beta-Copaene, Alpha-Cubebene, Cyclosativene, Ent-Eperua-7-13-dien-15-oic Acid, Beta-Gurjunene, Hedychinene, Alpha-Himachalene, Humulene, Alpha-Humulene, Beta-Humulene, Beta-Huurolene, Ent-Lab-13-en-8-beta-ol-15-oic Acid, Ent-Labdan-8-beta-ol-15-oic Acid, Alpha-Muurolene, Gamma-Muurolene, Naphthalene-5-carboxylic Acid,1-2-3 Diterpene -4-4-(A)-5-6-7-octahydro, Selina-4(14)-7-diene, Alpha-Selinene, Beta-Selinene, Taxifolin-3-o-rhamnoside
Part Used: Bark, resin, leaves

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: kills fungi kills Candida kills mold increases energy kills bacteria stimulates digestion mildly laxative fights free radicals

Other Actions: reduces spasms decogests bronchials dries secretions increases urination protects liver expels worms

Standard Dosage: Bark. Decoction: 1/2 - 1 cup 1-3 times daily; Tincture: 1-3 ml twice daily

Jatobá is a huge canopy tree, growing to 30 m in height, and is indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and parts of tropical Central America.

Several species of Hymenaea, including jatobá, produce usable copal resins. At the base of the jatobá tree an orange, sticky, resinous gum collects, usually underground (however, the bark also produces smaller amounts of resin when wounded). The resin of Hymenaea trees converts to amber through a remarkable chemical process requiring millions of years.

Chemical analysis of jatobá shows that it is rich in biologically active compounds including diterpenes, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, and oligosaccharides. The phytochemical makeup of jatobá is very similar to another resin-producing rainforest tree, copaiba, which is also featured in this book. Some of these same chemicals occuring in both plants (such as copalic acid, delta-cadinene, caryophyllene and alpha-humulene) have shown to exhibit significant anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and antitumor activities in clinical studies. In other research, another of jatobá's phytochemicals, astilbin, was shown in a 1997 clinical study to provide antioxidant and liver protective properties.

Jatobá also contains terpene and phenolic chemicals which are responsible for protecting the tree from fungi in the rainforest. In fact, the jatobá tree is one of the few trees in the rainforest that sports a completely clean trunk bark, without any of the usual mold and fungus found on many other trees in this wet and humid environment. These antifungal terpenes and phenolics have been documented in several studies over the years and the antifungal activity of jatobá is attributed to these chemicals.

In addition to its antifungal properties, jatobá also has been documented to have anti-yeast activity against a wide range of organisms including Candida. Other clinical studies have been performed on jatobá since the early 1970s which have shown that it has antimicrobial, molluscicidal (kills/controls snails & slugs), and antibacterial activities, including in vitro actions against such organisms as E. coli, Psuedomonas, Staphylococcus and Bacillus. In addition, a water extract of jatobá leaves has demonstrated significant hypoglycemic activity, producing a significant reduction in blood sugar levels (which validates another traditional use).

In the Amazon, jatobá's aromatic copal resin is dug up from the base of the tree and burned as incense, used in the manufacture of varnishes, used as a glaze for pottery, and is employed medicinally. Indians in the Amazon have long used the resin in magic rituals, love potions and in wedding ceremonies. Although the name Hymenaea is derived from Hymen, the Greek God of marriage, it refers to the green leaflets that always occur in matching pairs, rather than the Indian's use of it in marriage ceremonies. Jatobá's bark and leaves also have an ancient history of use with the indigenous tribes of the rainforest.

Practitioners have long reported that jatobá bark has shown dramatic results with acute and chronic cystitis and prostatitis. Many practitioners today are discovering that these chronic conditions oftentimes can be fungal in nature rather than bacterial. The widespread use of antibiotics to treat these conditions can actually kill off friendly bacteria which live off fungi - and increase the chances of a fungal problem or encourage fungal growth - even to the point of making the condition chronic. When these types of chronic prostatitis and cystitis cases react so quickly and dramatically to jatobá supplements, is it probably from jatobá's antifungal and anti-yeast properties at work, not its antibacterial properties.

Following- up, a brief summary of worldwide ethnomedical uses of jatobá.

Region	Uses
Amazonia	for eye problems, fatigue, fungal infections, menstrual discharge, worms
Brazil	for aches, anemia, arthritis, asthma, athlete's foot, bladder problems, bronchitis, bursitis, candida, catarrh, colic, cough, cystitis, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, energy, fever, fungal infections, gastric sluggishnes, hemorrhages, hematuria, hemoptysis, hepatitis, intestinal gas, laryngitis, lung problems, pains, prostatitis, skin disorders, stomachache, tuberculosis, urethritis, urine retention, urinary insufficiency, worms, wounds, yeast infections, and as a astringent, decongestant, digestive stimulant, and expectorant
Guatemala	for fever, mouth ulcers, rheumatism, and to promote sweating and urination
Haiti	for arthritis, asthma, bruises, catarrh, constipation, diarrhea, emphysema, headache, intestinal problems, kidney problems, respiratory problems, rheumatism, sores, spasms, stomachaches and as an antiseptic
Mexico	for asthma, catarrh, rheumatism, sores, venereal diseases and as a bowel stimulant
Panama	for asthma, diabetes, diarrhea, hypoglycemia, mouth ulcers, stomach problems
Peru	coughs, cystitis, diarrhea, hepatitis, prostatitis
Venezuela	for fractures, lung problems, worms
Elsewhere	for asthma, beri-beri, bronchitis, cystitis, dyspepsia, indigestion, inflammation, laryngitis, malaria, pain (testicles/prostate), prostatitis, rheumatism, and as an digestion stimulant and expectorant

JATOBÁ PLANT SUMMARY

Main Preparation Method:	tincture or decoction
Main Actions (in order):	anticandidal, antifungal, antibacterial, stimulant, cough suppressant
Main Uses:	for Candida and yeast infections for fungal infections (athlete's foot, nail fungus, etc) for prostatitis for cystitis and urinary tract infections as a natural stimulant and energy tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions)
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticandidal, antifungal, hepatoprotective (liver protector), molluscicidal (kills snails)
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	antidysenteric, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative (expels gas), cough suppressant, digestive stimulant, diuretic, purgative (strong laxative), stimulant, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions), vermifuge (expels worms), wound healer
Traditional Preparation:	One-half to one cup bark decoction 1-3 times daily or 1-3 ml of a 4:1 tincture is taken twice daily. A strong bark decoction or standard tincture diluted with water and a small amount of cider vinegar is used topically for skin or nail fungi or employed as a douche for yeast infections.
Contraindications:	Jatobá leaves have been documented to have a hypoglycemic effect and, as such, should be used under practitioner supervision by diabetics. It has a natural stimulant effect; take before 6 PM to avoid insomnia
Drug Interactions:	None reported.

WARNINGS: Information, statements and products on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. The natural properties of the botanicals are only referred to their common uses among folk and herbal traditions. Our products are not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease as well. It's not meant to give any suggestion of diagnosis or disease treatment. Please see a doctor when needed.