ABANGO TEA: WHAT IT IS FOR AND SIDE EFFECTS - NUTRITION - 2025

The tea Abango is an infusion made with a set of medicinal herbs in defined proportions to treat various ailments of the respiratory tract. It is consumed in different countries as a treatment to calm coughs, lower fever, decongest the respiratory tract, remove excess mucus and relieve symptoms of bronchitis.

It is also used to prevent asthma attacks and soothe a sore throat. The herbs that compose it are palo mulato (Bursera simaruba), gourd cirial (Crescentia alata), camphor leaves (Cinnamomum Camphora), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulus), yew (Crataegus Pubescens), bougainvillea flower (Boungainvillea) and mullein (Vervascum Thapsus).

Its flavor is smooth and refreshing, and the aroma is slightly minty. It provides a pleasant sensation of warmth and helps reduce inflammation of the respiratory tract. It works against throat infections, against dry and phlegmatic coughs, laryngitis, pharyngitis and sinusitis. It should be drunk hot and, at most, two cups a day.

What is it for?

The properties of each of the herbs will be taken into account separately to understand how the tea works.

Cirial gourd

The pulp of the cirial gourd fruit (Crescentia alata) is used in the infusion in a proportion of 28% or a teaspoon. Its content of flavonoids kaempferol and kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside give it anti-inflammatory activity.

The syrup made from the pulp is used to relieve respiratory conditions, and prepared as a topical ointment is applied to wounds and bumps, if there are bruises and pain.

In the fruit, the presence of alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids has been identified as antimicrobial components.

In addition to its basic composition in carbohydrates, proteins, water, fat and fiber, it contains beta-carotenes, calcium, iron, niacin, riboflavin and phenolic compounds. It stimulates the immune system.

Mulatto stick

The branches and bark of the palo mulato (Bursera simaruba) are used in abango tea in a proportion of 28% or a teaspoon. In animal tests, extracts from the leaves have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. The resin is used as a treatment for gout.

In traditional medicine, the branches and bark of the palo mulato have been shown to have antipyretic properties; that is, they fight fever.

The bark has compounds that serve as an antidote to eruptions caused by Metopium toxiferum. This tree produces an irritating substance called urushiol that causes contact dermatitis.

Tejocote

Tejocote (Crataegus pubescens) is a small fruit whose name comes from Nahuatl, which means “hard fruit with a sour taste”. It is also known as Manzanita and Indian apple.

The infusion prepared with the fruits is a remedy traditionally used to prevent respiratory diseases.

The flowers, the root, the fruit and the leaves have carbohydrates, flavophenes, pectins, organic acids, tannins and resins. The abango tea recipe indicates that it should be used at 20% or half a teaspoon.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) is used in a proportion of 13% or 2 leaves. It is known as a popularly used decongestant for upper respiratory and inflammatory infections such as bronchitis.

The product that has the widest range of therapeutic uses for Eucalyptus globulus is its essential oil. The active substance is eucalyptol (1,8-cineole).

Mullein

Mullein (Vervascum thapsus) is also popularly called verbasco. It corresponds to 7% of the ingredients of the infusion, 1 leaf is added to it. It has been used since ancient times as a remedy for skin, throat, and respiratory ailments.

They give it therapeutic properties as an astringent and emollient, due to its content of mucilage, flavonoids, various saponins, coumarin and glycosides.

Bougainvillea

A bougainvillea flower (Boungainvillea) is added or in a proportion equivalent to 2% of the ingredients of the infusion.

Almost all parts of bougainvillea can be used medicinally: from the stems, leaves, and bracts to the flowers. The leaves are used in traditional medicine for their anti-inflammatory properties.

The flowers and bracts can be soaked in boiling water and consumed as a tea that offers antipyretic, antiseptic, antitussive and strengthening properties of the respiratory system.

In addition, it has been shown to possess anticancer, antidiabetic, antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiulcer properties.

The basis of its therapeutic properties are phytoconstituents, such as alkaloids, essential oils, flavonoids, glycosides, oxalates, phenolic compounds, flobotanines, quinones, saponins, tannins and terpenoids.

The other important components that contribute to the restorative properties are bougainvinones, pinitol, quercetatin, quercetin, and terpinolene.

Camphor

Finally 2 camphor leaves (Cinnamomum camphora) or the equivalent of 2% are incorporated. Camphor contains volatile chemical compounds in all parts of the plant.

It is a terpenoid with the chemical formula C ₁₀ H ₁₆ O. It has been used in traditional medicine for its decongestant effect.

It has been used especially to treat sprains, swelling and inflammation. It has rubefacient, antipruritic, antiseptic and slightly analgesic action.

When administered systemically, it has irritating and carminative properties, being used as a mild expectorant.

Side effects

- It should be used with caution in pregnant and lactating women, as well as in young children.

- It has been suggested that the eucalyptus leaf could lower blood sugar. Therefore, the tea should be taken with caution in people who are being medicated for diabetes, as it could strongly reduce the level of sugar in the blood.

- It can also affect blood glucose control during and after surgery. In case of surgical intervention, its use must be discontinued at least two weeks before.

- Allergic reactions can occur in people sensitive to pollen when ingesting mullein. Pollen can be present in the dense hairs that characterize the plant.

- Oral camphor has been associated with potential liver damage. It should be used with caution in people with liver diseases, as their condition can be aggravated.

- Palo mulato should not be consumed during pregnancy, as it could cause an abortion.

- The pulp of the Crescentia alata fruit should not be ingested for a long time or in large doses, because in animals it has been shown to have certain toxicity.

How do you prepare?

Abango tea can be found ready-made, dispensed in the usual way of any infusion. If that is not the case, it can be elaborated as follows:

After boiling half a liter of water, lower the heat and add the ingredients to the water in the indicated proportion.

The container is covered and left to simmer for 5 minutes. It is removed from the heat, strained and allowed to cool. It should be taken hot.

References

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