BUZZARD SEED: WHAT IS IT FOR, SIDE EFFECTS - NUTRITION - 2024

The seed zopilote is extracted from the fruit of the tree Swietenia humilis Zucc. The buzzard is an endangered tree that belongs to the Meliaceae family and is also known as mahogany in Costa Rica, and as cob and zapatón in Guatemala. In Mexico it is known as venadillo, caobilla, crawl and buzzard.

In Honduras it is called combilla and caugano. It is also known as Pacific mahogany, Honduran mahogany, and sopilocuahuilt. The tree is found in dry areas along the Pacific coast of Mexico and Central America. The seeds have secondary metabolites, associated with some biological activity such as coumarins, flavonoids and triterpenes.

Some of these metabolites could be responsible for the effects attributed to the buzzard seed in traditional Mexican medicine. These include antiviral, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, immunomodulatory, antiulcer, antirheumatic, curative and antioxidant effects.

In its composition there are lipids, proteins and minerals; lipids have similar characteristics to avocado and sunflower oils. The decoction of the raw and dried seed is usually used.

Phytochemical characterization

The seed has the following physicochemical characteristics: 99% dry matter and 1% moisture. It is high in protein (19%) and fat (between 45 and 64%). In addition, it has 1% fiber, 4% ash and 11% nitrogen-free extract.

The density of the seed oil at 28 ° C is around 0.9099 mg per mL. Contains oleic acid in a range from 25.85 to 31.90%; and palmitic acid from 4.99 to 7.28%.

It has 18.45% of saturated fatty acids. Among these, stearic acid (C18: 0) stands out, with an approximate value of 11.39%. Oleic acid, monounsaturated fatty acid (C18: 1cis-9), is on average 29.27%.

The total content of polyunsaturated fatty acids ranges around 47.50%. These include linoleic acid (C18: 2 cis-9.12, omega 6), with a value of 29.82%; and linolenic acid (C18: 3cis-9, 12.15; omega 3), also known as α-linolenic acid, with an average value of 16.65%, being the most predominant.

The seeds contain at least 11 humilinoids and, due to their similarity in their chemical structures, are included in the group of Mexicanolides. There are also reports that describe the presence of alkaloids.

It is very likely that the analgesic effect observed when ingesting decoctions of the plant has to do with the presence of these compounds.

It contains a tetranortriterpenoid with the ability to inhibit the activity of the enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase. In addition, some researchers have reported the presence of tannins in this species.

Benefits

- The seeds have an alkaloid that is believed to be very poisonous. Its effects in inhibiting the growth of larvae of the mealworm, the corn borer and the fall armyworm have been discovered.

- They show insecticidal activity, due to the presence of limonoids in the methanolic extracts of the seeds of Swietenia humilis Zucc.

- The alcoholic extract of S. humilis has shown fungicidal activity in the in vitro control of Rhizopus stolonifer.

Anticancer activity has been attributed to them due to the presence of tetranorthriterpenoids.

- It has a hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effect. The inhibition of α-glucosidase allows the normalization of postprandial plasma glucose levels and insulin secretion, due to the decrease in the speed of carbohydrate digestion.

- It is possible to regulate different pathologies, such as diabetes mellitus, excess weight and colorectal cancer.

- Strengthens the vascular system, the heart, the stomach, the lungs and the liver. Its oleic acid content gives it a beneficial action on the blood vessels.

- Indirectly, they prevent cardiovascular pathologies that can cause disability or decrease life expectancy. The leading cause of death and morbidity in people with diabetes mellitus has been shown to be cardiovascular disease.

- The decoction has hypolipidemic effects. It can lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels due to its high content of unsaturated fat. Its composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids makes it an ideal nutritional supplement for patients at high risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases.

- It is recommended as a blood cleanser.

- It is considered invigorating, by increasing the energy and resistance of the body.

- The ethanolic extract of Switenia humillis Zucc has antinociceptive effects, hence its traditional use for the treatment of dental, headache and muscle pain.

- It is used as a spasmolytic. That is, it relieves muscle spasms in the stomach or colic that occurs in irritable bowel syndrome.

- Reconstructs body tissues.

- Relieves diarrhea, dysentery and amebiasis.

- Other uses attributed to the vulture seed are as a sexual revitalizer, and in increasing the production and quality of sperm.

How to take it?

The usual preparation consists of crushing one to two seeds, dissolving them in 250 mL of water and boiling them for 5 or 10 minutes.

This decoction is then allowed to cool, strain and is ready to be ingested. The effects can be increased by adding a piece of tree bark.

Glucose control

To control blood glucose levels, only one cup should be taken daily on an empty stomach and one at night.

The infusion is also the way of preparation when there are headaches and diarrhea. To increase absorption, the seed can be consumed directly with a glass of water, 20 minutes before breakfast and dinner.

Dental pain

In the case of dental pain, the seed is crushed into a paste and placed on the sore tooth.

Dysentery

To treat dysentery and amebiasis, it is suggested to soak the fresh bark in cold water and consume the drink three times a day.

Blood purifying

As a blood cleanser, it is recommended to grind the seed and take the horchata prepared with water.

Side effects

- Its consumption should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation.

- An overdose of the seed can generate toxic reactions.

- It can induce drops in blood glucose levels in people with normal functioning of the pancreas. This can lead to weakness, low blood pressure, fainting, and dizziness.

References

1. Angulo-Escalante MA, Armenta-Reyes E., García-Estrada RS, Carrillo-Fasio JA, Salazar-Villa E., Valdéz-Torres JB, Extracts of Swietenia humilis Zucc. Seed with Antifungal Activity in Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehrenb.:Fr.) Vuill. Mexican Journal of Phytopathology. 2009 Jun; 27 (2), 84-92.
2. Flores Hernández G., Ramírez Jaimes N, Rodríguez Martínez XM, and Valois Juárez JC Blood glucose levels in diabetic patients, before and after oral administration of the infusion of the vulture seed (Swietenia humilis). Traditional and Alternative Medicines (2011). Retrieved on May 15, 2018 at tlahui.com.
3. What is the buzzard seed for? Retrieved on May 15, 2018, at dimebeneficios.com.
4. Pérez-Rubio V., Heredia JB, Chaidez-Quiroz C., Valdez-Torres JB, Salazar-Villa E., Allende-Molar R., Angulo-Escalante MA Physicochemical characterization and fatty acid content of 'venadillo' (Swietenia humilis Zucc.) seed oil. African Journal of Biotechnology. 2012 Mar; 11 (22), 6138-6142.
5. Reynoso-Orozco R., Elizondo-García OF, Bañuelos-Pineda J., Ramos-Ibarra ML, Noa-Pérez M., Jiménez-Plascencia C., Puebla-Pérez AM Physicochemical and Phytochemical Characterization of the Swietenia humilis Zucc Seed (mahogany) and its Effect on Blood Glucose Concentration in the Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Model in Rats. 2017. Majorensis; 13: 1-10.
6. Rico-Rodríguez L., Gómez-Flores DE, Ortiz-Butron R., Cano-Europa, E., 2 Franco-Colín M. Toxicological and pharmacological evaluation of the ethanolic extract of the seeds of Swietenia humilis Zucc (mahogany). Mexican Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2014 Sept; 45 (2), 77-83.
7. Romero-Cerecero O., Reyes-Morales H., Aguilar-Santamaría L., Maira Huerta-Reyes M., Tortoriello-Garcia J. Use of medicinal plants among patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 in Morelos, Mexico. Latin American and Caribbean Bulletin of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. 2009; 8 (5), 380-388.
8. Swietenia humilis (2018). Retrieved on May 15, 2018, in Wikipedia.