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GUMBOLIMBO
Family: Burseraceae
Genus: Bursera
Species: simaruba, graveolens
Common Name: Almacigo Blanco, Almacigo Colorado, Almacigo, Bois D'Encens, Chique, Fragon Caranne, Gommier Blanc, Gommier Rouge, Indio Desnudo, Jobo, Gumbolimbo
DESCRIPTION
Properties/Actions: Analagesic, Anti-inflammatory, Aphrodisiac, Cytostatic, Depurative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Expetorant, Febrifuge Insecticide, Vulnerary

Gumbolimbo is a large tree up to 25 meters in height with red shaggy bark that peels off in paper thin strips. It is indigenous to the Amazon, Belize, Haiti, and tropical parts of Central America. Its leaves are 5-12 cm long and the tree produces small round fuits about 8 mm long.

Rosita Arvigo reports that the barks is a common topical remedy for skin affections like skin sores, measles, sunburn, insect bites and rashes. It's also taken internally urinary tract infections and pain, colds, flu, sun stroke, fevers and to purify the blood. A strip of bark about 4 -5 cm x 30 cm is boiled in a gallon of water for 10 minutes for this local remedy and then used topically or drunk as a tea

ETHNOBOTANY WORLDWIDE USES
Bahamas
Ache(Back), Aphrodisiac, Debility, Hunger, Impotency, Rash, Strain
Belize
Colds, Depurative, Fevers, Flu, Insect Bites, Measles, Rashes, Skin Sores, Sun Stroke, Sunburn, Urinary Tract Infections
Dominican Republic
Cystitis, Intestine, Kneecap, Lactogogue(Veterinary), Nephritis
Elsewhere
Ache(Stomach), Depilatory, Muscle Fatigue, Obesity, Renitis, Rheumatism, Tumor, Venereal, Wound
Guatemala
Ache(Stomach), Bite(Snake), Gangrene
Haiti
Antiseptic Calculus, Diarrhea, Diuretic, Insectrepellant, Nephritis, Sore, Vulnerary
Mexico
Athma, Bite(Snake), Colic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Dropsy, Dysentery, Enterorrhagia, Expectorant, Fever, Purgative, Stomach, Swelling, Venereal, Yellow-Fever
Peru
Analgesic, Blood Purifier, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Insecticide, Rheumatism
Venezuela
Cancer(Stomach), Corn, Debility, Hernia, Rheumatism
References/Footnotes:
  • Rosita Arvigo & Michael Balick, Rainforest Remedies, One Hundred Healing Herbs of Belize, Lotus Press, 1993
  • Phytochemistry of the Burseraceae. Pernet, R. Lloydia 35 3: 280-287 (1972)
  • Medicinal Plants Used in Some Rural Populations of Oaxaca, Puebla and Veracruz, Mexico. Zamora-martinez, M.C., et.al, J Ethnopharmacol 35 3: 229-257 (1992)
  • Vegetales Empleados En Medicina Tradicional Norperuana, Ramirez, V.R, Trujillo, Peru, June, 1988 : 54pp- (1988)
  • Digestive Disorders and Plant Medicine in Highland Guatemala, Logan,M.H., Anthropos 68 : 537-543 (1973)
  • Plantas Medicinales, Aromaticas O Venenosas De Cuba. Roig Y Mesa, J.T., Book 1945 : 872pp- (1945) ( Cuba)
  • Beckstrom-Sternberg, S., and Duke, JA, Ethnobotany Database, Agricultural Research Service, USDA
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