century plant: agave americana

agave americana

action cicatrizant, disinfectant, diuretic, laxative, tonic
common name agave, aloe, american agave, american aloe, american century, century plant, flowering aloe, maguey, miracle of nature, spiked aloe
contains fiber
family agavaceae
indigenous use italian, kickapoo, portuguese, santal
range american southwest, germany, greece, haiti, hawaii volcanoes national park, india, john muir national historic site, lesotho, mexico, us, venezuela
use fiber, hedge
used to treat ascites, bruises (veterinary), cancer, depurative, diseased liver, dysentery, jaundice, leukemia, pulmonary tuberculosis, scurvy, sore, sprains (veterinary), tumor
comments
The century plant is probably the most multi-purpose of all plants. The sap has disinfectant properties and can be taken to check the growth of putrefactive bacteria in the stomach and intestines. It can also be used as a disinfectant diuretic that is useful for syphilis. Water in which century plant fiber has been soaked for a day can be used as a scalp disinfectant and tonic incases of falling hair. The Aztecs made paper from the leaves, and the leaf fibers were made into strong thread. The leaf, when dried, can be smoked like tobacco. An extract of the leaves, made into a ball, lathers like soap. The leaf thorns can be used for pins and needles. The dried flower stems can be used to make a thatch that is impervious to water. The flower stem is fermented to make a wine called Pulque which is an alcoholic beverage popular in Northern Mexico. Pulque is futher distilled to make Vino Mescal.

action	cicatrizant, disinfectant, diuretic, laxative, tonic
common name	agave, aloe, american agave, american aloe, american century, century plant, flowering aloe, maguey, miracle of nature, spiked aloe
contains	fiber
family	agavaceae
indigenous use	italian, kickapoo, portuguese, santal
range	american southwest, germany, greece, haiti, hawaii volcanoes national park, india, john muir national historic site, lesotho, mexico, us, venezuela
use	fiber, hedge
used to treat	ascites, bruises (veterinary), cancer, depurative, diseased liver, dysentery, jaundice, leukemia, pulmonary tuberculosis, scurvy, sore, sprains (veterinary), tumor
comments	The century plant is probably the most multi-purpose of all plants. The sap has disinfectant properties and can be taken to check the growth of putrefactive bacteria in the stomach and intestines. It can also be used as a disinfectant diuretic that is useful for syphilis. Water in which century plant fiber has been soaked for a day can be used as a scalp disinfectant and tonic incases of falling hair. The Aztecs made paper from the leaves, and the leaf fibers were made into strong thread. The leaf, when dried, can be smoked like tobacco. An extract of the leaves, made into a ball, lathers like soap. The leaf thorns can be used for pins and needles. The dried flower stems can be used to make a thatch that is impervious to water. The flower stem is fermented to make a wine called Pulque which is an alcoholic beverage popular in Northern Mexico. Pulque is futher distilled to make Vino Mescal.