PALO AZUL: WHAT IS IT FOR, CONTRAINDICATIONS, PREPARATION - ECONOMÍA - 2025

The blue stick (Eysenhardtia polystachya) is a small size tree that grows in dry places in Mexico and the southwestern United States. Its favorite habitat is in warm, semi-warm, semi-dry and temperate climates, from 100 to 2300 meters above sea level.

In Mexico it is also known as palo dulce, in the United States it is called kidneywood. In the Nahuatl language it is known as tlapalezpatli, and in the Otomí language it is called urza. It owes its name to the infusions of the bark staining the water yellow with a bluish fluorescence.

The infusion of the decoction of the leaves is used for the treatment of fever and for intestinal washes. However, its notoriety comes from the bark: the bark is sold in the form of chips or fragments to make an infusion. That tea is particularly known for its detoxifying ability.

In recent times the popularity of palo azul is due to the presumption that it accelerates the metabolization of certain drugs, such as marijuana and even cocaine; In this way, there may be no detection of consumption by a urine test. It is also used as a diuretic, antispasmodic and antipyretic.

What is it for?

- Eysenhardtia polystachya acts as a diuretic; that is why it is used in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Over time, palo azul tea has been used primarily as a detoxifying agent. By promoting the expulsion of urine, it promotes a rapid expulsion of toxins from the body.

- Helps to relieve kidney stones. Kidney stones are the product of the accumulation in the urine of elements that are characterized by forming crystals, such as uric acid, oxalate and calcium. The infusion of the bark of the palo azul allows the body to get rid of excess uric acid, thus reducing the risk of kidney stones.

- Control hyperuricemia and its consequences. Hyperuricemia is an excess of uric acid in the blood. One of its consequences is a disease called gout. Among its manifestations is the painful inflammation of certain joints, if uric acid crystals are deposited in them.

- It is used for the treatment of kidney and bladder infections, as an eye disinfectant and to wash wounds. However, some of the phenolic compounds isolated from the bark and trunks of the palo azul would not support the use of the plant as an anti-infective agent.

Indeed, these compounds did not show activity against P pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus aureus, Candida albicans or Shigella sonnei. However, the use of palo azul in traditional medicine encourages the performance of tests to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of isolated metabolites.

- It allows to regulate blood glucose levels, making it an ally in the control of diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycemia is an important contributor to the pathogenesis of diabetic complications by increasing protein glycation. Gradually there is a gradual accumulation of advanced glycation products (AGP) in the body tissue.

- The presence of flavonoids, both in the bark and in the trunk, gives it a great capacity to capture free radicals; hence its antioxidant function.

- The methanolic extract from the palo azul bark decreased in vitro the formation of AGE (advanced glycation end products) or advanced glycation products (PGA). The increase in the formation of these occurs in natural aging processes, but increases in diabetic vascular complications, such as retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy.

- It may have relevance in the prevention and treatment of diseases in which free radicals or advanced glycation products (AGE) are involved.

- Popularly it is attributed contraceptive properties.

- It stimulates the metabolism, so it helps burn fat and, therefore, calories, which contributes to the loss of body weight.

Contraindications

- There have been no documented cases in which its toxicity is demonstrated. However, due to its composition, it is preferable to consult a doctor before using it, and even more so if other medications are being taken.

- The appearance of gastrointestinal discomfort due to its ingestion has been reported.

- The consumption of tea is not advisable for pregnant or lactating women, in view of the lack of scientific evidence on its effects.

How do you prepare?

As a detoxifier

As a detoxifier, the preparation of the tea can take about 5 hours. The proportions used are: for approximately 30 to 60 grams (1 or 2 ounces) of bark fragments, dispose of 5.7 to 7.6 liters of water (1½ to 2 gallons).

The water is boiled in a large pot. Once it reaches the boiling point, the water is left over low heat and the fractionated crust is added. Leave uncovered for more than 2 hours, or until the liquid is reduced to a quarter of the initial volume (ie, approximately 1.9 liters of liquid or half a gallon remains).

The liquid should already present the characteristic coloration: dark with a certain bluish hue.

Allow to cool and add an additional 1.9 liters of water (half a gallon) to the tea. The entire contents (approximately 3.78 liters; that is, one gallon) is drunk slowly over 2 to 4 hours.

Due to the large consumption of water, you will urinate frequently; this is part of detoxification. It should not be sweetened or add an additional ingredient. On the other hand, perseverance in consumption is important to notice the results.

For kidney stones

To relieve discomfort from kidney stones, cooking of the leaves and stems is used. A cup is taken before each meal, until relief of discomfort.

For diarrhea

To treat diarrhea in children, they are given a glass of the flower decoction accompanied by branches of elderberry (Sambucus mexicana) and acoyo (Piper sanctum).

For contraception

For female contraception, the infusion of the bark is used.

It is worth noting that its use has been reported to accelerate the metabolism of certain drugs. For this purpose, some people ingest it over the course of several hours, prior to conducting a drug use test.

References

1. Digital Library of Traditional Mexican Medicine (2009). Retrieved on May 17, 2018, at velvet.unam.mx.
2. Benefits & Side Effects Of Palo Azul Tea (2018). Retrieved on May 17, 2018, at organicfacts.net.
3. Meet the palo azul medicinal plant (nd). Retrieved on May 18, 2018 at ingenioysalud.com.
4. Glycation (2018). Retrieved May 18, 2018, in Wikipedia.
5. Gutierrez RP, Baez EG Evaluation of antidiabetic, antioxidant and antiglycating activities of the Eysenhardtia polystachya. Phcog Mag 2014; 10: 404-18.
6. Palo azul tea detox (2017). Retrieved on May 17, 2018, at honestmj.com.
7. Perez Gutierrez RM, Garcia Campoy AH, Muñiz Ramirez A. Properties of Flavonoids Isolated from the Bark of Eysenhardtia polystachya and Their Effect on Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Mellitus in Mice. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2016 Sept; (1): 1-13.