Libidibia ferrea
StarLibidibia ferrea
Synonyms: Caesalpinia ferrea, Apuleia ferrea
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In Brazilian folk medicine, especially in the Amazon and Northeast, Libidibia ferrea (jucá) is widely used for inflammatory conditions and wound healing. Bark teas and infusions are taken for diabetes, rheumatism, diarrhea and wounds; the seeds and fruits are used for cough, flu, anemia and gastritis; leaf decoctions are used for bronchopulmonary complaints; and alcoholic extracts of the bark or fruit are applied topically to bruises and skin irritations (Pereira et al., 2021; de Lima et al., 2020).
Botanical Description
Libidibia ferrea (formerly Caesalpinia ferrea), known as pau-ferro or jucá, is a medium to large deciduous tree of the family Fabaceae (subfamily Caesalpinioideae) native and largely endemic to Brazil, occurring in the Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic forest regions and widely planted as a street and shade tree. It typically reaches 10 to 20 metres tall and is notable for its smooth, mottled bark that flakes to leave a camouflage pattern of grey, brown and cream patches. The leaves are alternate and bipinnate, with numerous small, oblong leaflets giving a fine, feathery appearance. Small fragrant yellow flowers are borne in racemes. The fruit is a hard, woody, dark, indehiscent pod containing several seeds embedded in a sweetish pulp, the pod being extremely tough, which gives rise to the 'ironwood' common name. The dense, heavy timber is valued for construction and the pods, bark and seeds are used in folk medicine.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Libidibia ferrea.
No notes yet.