Myroxylon peruiferum
StarMyroxylon peruiferum
Synonyms: Myrospermum pubescens, Myrospermum arboreum, Myrospermum peruiferum, Myroxylon robiniifolium, Myrospermum pedicellatum, Toluifera erythroxyla, Myroxylon pedicellatum, Toluifera peruifera, Toluifera pubescens, Myrospermum erythroxylum, Toluifera balsamum var. peruifera, Toluifera pedicellata, Myrospermum robiniifolium
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In Latin-American folk medicine the fragrant balsam-resin and bark of Myroxylon peruiferum are used as an antiseptic wound dressing and applied to skin sores, while bark and resin preparations are taken in Bolivia and Paraguay for respiratory infections such as bronchitis and laryngitis, and for rheumatism (Mors et al., 2000).
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Botanical Description
Myroxylon peruiferum, known as cabreúva or bálsamo, is a large evergreen tree of the Fabaceae reaching 15 to 30 metres, native to lowland and seasonal forests from Mexico and Central America through the Amazon basin to Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and northern Argentina. The trunk bears smooth to fissured grey bark that, when wounded, exudes a fragrant, viscous, dark resinous balsam. The leaves are alternate and pinnately compound, with several glossy, ovate to lanceolate leaflets dotted with translucent oil glands that release a balsamic scent when crushed. Small white, pea-like flowers are borne in axillary racemes and give rise to flattened, winged samaroid pods, each enclosing a single seed at the swollen tip. The aromatic wood and resin have long been valued. It favours warm, humid to seasonally dry tropical forest on well-drained soils.
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.
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