Botanical Name: Guaiacum officinale

Plant Family: Zygophyllaceae

Common Names: Guaiac, Guayacan, Lignum Vine, Lignum vitae, Pockwood, Wood of Life

Origin: West Indian Islands, Mexico, Central America, North Coast of South America

History: In the 16th century Guaiacum wood was used for syphilis, but the resin is preferred these days

Tradition: Used in Ayurvedic Indian medicine

Plant Constituents

Contains:

• fragrant volatile oil (1% from bark of tree)     

Usage

Medicinal Parts Used: Resin (obtained from the Guaiacum Tree), wood

Guaiacum is used for:

Bacterial Conditions

• secondary syphilis

Blood Conditions

• blood putrefaction, combined with Sarsaparilla
• purifies blood

Genitourinary Conditions

• gout (relieves pain and inflammations between attacks and can reduce recurrence)

Respiratory Tract Conditions

• tonsillitis

Other

• chronic rheumatism
• rheumatoid arthritis
• scrofula

Other Uses:

• antioxidant in packaged and canned foods

Action:

• Acrid Stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the activity of physiological processes] increasing body heat and circulation
• Alterative [an agent capable of favorably altering or changing unhealthy conditions of the body and tending to restore normal bodily function, usually by improving nutrition]
• Antioxidant [contributing to the oxidation of free radicals which are believed to contribute to premature aging and dementia]
• Antiseptic [an agent for destroying or inhibiting pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
• Diaphoretic [an agent that promotes perspiration] if a decoction is taken hot and the body kept warm
  Diuretic [agent that increases the secretion and expulsion of urine] if a decoction is taken cold and the body kept cool
• Expectorant [an agent that promotes the discharge of mucous and secretions from the respiratory passages]
• Laxative (mild) [an agent promoting evacuation of the bowels, a mild purgative]

Precautions

Drug Interactions

You should not use Guaiacum Resin without first talking to your health care professional if you are currently being treated with any of the following medications:

• None Known