Agave – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Tuesday, August 29, 2017 by Earl Garcia

Agave is a large succulent plant that is native to the wild desert areas of Central America and Mexico. The plant is also naturalized in other parts of the world such as India, Africa, and Southern Europe. Agave is characterized by its leaf rosette with gray-green or gray-blue sharply-pointed leaves that may grow up to three inches long. According to the All About Agave website, the Aztecs prized the plant as a traditional flavoring to food and drinks. The plant is the primary ingredient in tequila and agave nectar. Agave comes in many other names such as century plant, American aloe, and spiked aloe.

List of known nutrients

Agave is loaded with powerful compounds that promote the body’s overall well being. An entry posted on the Herbpathy website lists the essential vitamins and minerals found in agave, which include:

Alkaloids
Coumarins
Inulin
Isoflavonoids
Magnesium
Potassium
Saponins
Vitamin
Vitamin A
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B2
Vitamin C

Medicinal uses for agave

Agave is traditionally used as a remedy for various skin woes. The plant contains antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties that alleviate burns, bruises, and minor cuts as well as skin injuries and insect bite-related irritation. The juice of the agave plant is traditionally used in Central America as a wound treatment. According to the Herbal Supplement Resource website, both the Aztecs and the Mayans combined agave juice with egg whites to make a poultice that is topically applied to the skin to accelerate wound healing.

Agave juice possesses strong antibacterial properties as well. Because of this, agave has become the go-to herbal remedy to regulate the growth of decay bacteria in the intestines and the stomach. Likewise, the plant is a commonly-used treatment for weak digestion, excessive gas, and constipation.

The plant’s anti-inflammatory properties also help alleviate ulcers, stomach inflammation, jaundice, and other diseases of the liver. Likewise, agave is shown to contain laxative properties that relieve diarrhea and dysentery. The roots and the leaves can also be made into a poultice to treat toothache.

In addition, agave is notably effective in inducing perspiration and relieving high fever. The plant is found to relieve tuberculosis as well. Women suffering from menstrual problems are also known to benefit from consuming agave.

Moreover, an article posted on the health and wellness website She Knows notes that agave is an excellent source of inulin. The beneficial compound is touted for its low impact on the body’s blood sugar levels. Likewise, the inulin in agave helps promote satiety and induce healthy weight loss.

The plant’s high inulin content is also found to reduce blood cholesterol levels and lower the odds of developing certain cancers. The compound is also known to facilitate the total absorption of various nutrients such as isoflavones, calcium, and magnesium.

Body systems supported by agave

Agave is best known for its beneficial effects on skin health. The plant also boosts the digestive health and fortifies the body’s defenses against diseases. Agave supports the heart, the lungs and women’s health as well.

Ways to use agave

The plant’s flowers are edible and can be added to salads. Likewise, the leaves are a rich source of sap and can be eaten as well. Agave is the well known ingredient in tequila and the sweet agave syrup. For people who dislike honey, agave syrup may serve as a more palatable option. The syrup can be used in a variety of meat, salad and dessert recipes. An article posted on SheKnows.com features some interesting dishes that call for agave syrup.