COCOLMECA: WHAT IS IT FOR, PROPERTIES, SIDE EFFECTS - NUTRITION - 2024

Cocolmeca is a common name for several plants and can refer to Dioscorea mexicana, Phaseolus ritensis, Smilax aristolochiifolia, or Smilax cordifolia. Dioscorea mexicana, Mexican yam or black head. It is a species of yam of the Dioscorea genus.

This species ranges in forests from northeastern Mexico to Panama. It produces diosgenin, a precursor substance for the synthesis of hormones such as progesterone. For its part, Phaseolus ritensis is native to Arizona, Sonora, Chihuahua, Sinaloa and Nuevo León.

Known as Santa Rita mountain bean, it grows in mountainous forest areas. The fruits are appreciated as food, and the roots and rhizomes for their therapeutic properties. Smilax aristolochiifolia, also known as gray sarsaparilla, Mexican sarsaparilla, or sarsaparilla, is native to Mexico and Central America.

It is used in food and in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments. The organic substances it contains promote the elimination of urea, uric acid and other organic waste. Lastly, Smilax cordifolia is also known as Indian sarsaparilla and has diuretic, stimulant, antirheumatic and sweat properties.

Smilax cordifolia is used to treat venereal diseases. The information that will be presented below deals with the genus Smilax.

What is it for?

Smilax root has extensive medicinal uses:

- Traditionally, it is used to treat leprosy, tumors, cancer, malaria, hepatitis, and syphilis.

- It is used as a tonic for anemia.

- He's diaphoretic. By inducing profuse sweating, it is effective in reducing surface fevers. The diaphoretic properties help the elimination of toxins through the skin, increasing circulation.

- General purifying that relieves the symptoms of dermatological diseases, such as eczema, mycosis, psoriasis among others.

- It has antimicrobial activity due to saponins, in particular due to sarsaponin and parillin. This activity has been tested against Candida albicans, Tiña pedís and other microorganisms.

- Sarsasapogenin has anti-inflammatory activity. It is effective in the treatment of joint diseases that are accompanied by pain and stiffness due to inflammation or degeneration of the connective tissue structures of the body.

- Its testosterogenic, aphrodisiac and progesterogenic effects have been reported. For this reason, taking cocolmeca has been promoted as a male rejuvenator. The presence of saponins, precursor substances in the synthesis of hormones, reduces the symptoms caused by menopause and aging

- It has been used to develop muscle mass.

- The decoction of cocolmeca shows diuretic action; that is, it serves to prevent and relieve fluid retention. It increases the excretion of uric acid in the urine, reducing the concentration of uric acid in the blood plasma. It is used to treat gout, a form of arthritis caused by the formation of crystals of a uric acid salt in the tissues.

- Lowers blood cholesterol.

- The leafy stems of Cocolmeca improve digestion, awaken the appetite and relieve diarrhea and stomach pain.

- Dyes are extracted from the root to give color to refreshing drinks, as a flavoring, aperitif and tonic

Nutritional properties

- Cocolmeca roots have 2% saponins, which are used to synthesize cortisone and other steroids: sarsasapogenin (sarsaponin or parigenin), smilagenin, diosgenin, typogenin, asparagenin, laxogenin and parillin. Saponins give it the bitter taste and are steroidal compounds that are precursors for the synthesis of hormones.

- They contain phytosterols or plant sterols, which are alcohols derived from steroids; for example, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, pollinasterol, and sarsapic acid. Its beneficial properties for the heart and digestive system are recognized.

- They have fatty acids, such as palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic. Fatty acids are the major constituents of fats and are usually esterified in triglycerides. Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid; that is, a fatty acid that the body cannot synthesize and must be present in the diet.

- There is presence of flavonoid antioxidants. These phenolic pigments give coloring to many plants. In Cocolmeca, the isoastilbin, used in traditional Chinese medicine, stands out. This flavanonol shows antibacterial activity in vitro and in the healing of burn wounds.

- Contains kaempeferol and quercetin. Both flavonoids are considered anti-inflammatory. Consumption of kaempeferol has been suggested to reduce the risk of cancer, but studies of the possible therapeutic applications of quercetin have not yielded encouraging results.

- It has mineral salts: potassium (1.25%), silicic oxide (1.25%), chlorine (0.46%), aluminum (0.42%), calcium (0.41%) and magnesium (0, 30%). Other components are starch, choline, leucoanthocyanins, caffeoyl-shikimic acid, shikimic acid, vitamin C (19.4 mg%), tannins, quaternary alkaloids, and resins.

Side effects

Gastroenteritis, diarrhea and vomiting may occur if it has been ingested in high doses or if the treatment has been for a long time.

When treatment is stopped, symptoms usually stop. The hemolytic activity of saponins only appears by administration by injection.

It should be used with caution in patients on medication for heart problems. The surfactant power of saponins increases the absorption of digitalis, which are drugs used to treat congestive heart failure and heart rhythm disturbances.

Consumption should be avoided during pregnancy or during lactation, as its safety has not been proven.

How is it taken?

If cocolmeca is in capsules, tinctures, powder, and other pharmaceutical forms, the manufacturer's directions should be followed. The recipes using the rhizome depend on the symptom to be treated.

Blood purification

For blood purification, 30 grams of the rhizome are taken and a decoction is made in one liter of water. Take one serving three times a day for 5 days.

Rheumatism

To control rheumatism, gout and arthritis, take a portion of the same decoction, 3 times a day for 10 days.

Anemia

For anemia, the dose is 3 times a day for 21 days.

Diuretic

To use it as a diuretic, a decoction is made with 20 grams of the root in a liter of water, and a portion is taken three times a day for 5 days.

Psoriasis

For psoriasis it is prepared in the same proportion, but it is taken three times a day for 7 days.

Dermatological problems

For dermatological problems such as rashes, eczema, warts and boils, it is also advisable to take night baths with the decoction.

Venereal diseases

In the case of venereal diseases, the penis and vaginal washes are done to alleviate the discomfort without stopping taking the medical prescription.

References

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