- Origin
- South-central Mexico and Central America; now grown in warm regions worldwide. Persea americana
Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 166
Persea americana
Food · Central America and the Caribbean
Avocado
Persea americana
A fruit rich in monounsaturated fats, fibre and potassium; it fits a diet that is favourable for cholesterol. Avocado oil is used in skin care.
Safety notes
Safe as food. Large amounts may affect warfarin. Leaves, seed and skin are toxic to many pets, such as birds and horses. Cross-allergy with latex occurs.
Preparation
Ripe flesh eaten, for example in guacamole; oil in cooking or on the skin. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Avocados were eaten and grown in Mesoamerica thousands of years ago; the word comes from Nahuatl āhuacatl. Ody mentions the fruit as a nourishing skin remedy. Leaves and seed were also used in Mexican folk remedies.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Nourishing for the skin; leaf and bark for diarrhoea and digestive complaints, promote menstruation, cleansing in skin diseases and gout; peel anthelmintic.
Preparation and amount
Mashed flesh on skin ulcers and small wounds; oil in skin lotions and massage oil; decoction of leaf and bark for diarrhoea and bloating.
Natural skin and hair care
Attributed effects
Moisturises and makes dry, treated hair smooth and glossy.
Preparation and amount
External: oil in an anti-frizz hair oil and nourishing hair mask.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Love.
Home, kitchen and folk use
Preparation and amount
Gazpacho (optional).
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionHerbal oil (oil infusion)