Guaco tea is brewed from a fast-growing vine belonging to the Mikania species, which is part of the Asteraceae plant family. Guaco is considered a nuisance weed in many locations. In parts of Asia, it is even nicknamed ‘mile a minute’ for its rapid growth.
Despite the plants invasive behavior, guaco tea is highly regarded in parts of Asia, Brazil, and the Caribbean as a natural remedy.
And Researchers have recently uncovered several medicinal properties in the Guaco herb that may support its traditional uses. So, in this article we will look more closely at a few Guaco tea benefits for respiratory health.
Guaco Tea For Respiratory Health
Guaco tea is rich in active compounds, particularly coumarin. Below are five science-backed reasons why Guaco tea is effective for respiratory problems:
1. Anti-inflammatory Effects
Coumarin is the dominant compound in guaco. It helps reduce inflammation in the airways, making it easier to breathe and alleviating symptoms of conditions like asthma and bronchitis.
2. Bronchodilator Properties
Experimental evidence confirms that Guaco has bronchodilator properties. So the tea acts as a natural bronchodilator, relaxing and opening the air passages in the lungs. This helps improve airflow and oxygen intake.
3. Expectorant Action
Guaco tea for cough: Consuming guaco tea helps to loosen and expel mucus from the respiratory tract, which is crucial for clearing congestion and easing coughs.
4. Antimicrobial Activity
Guaco herb tea has antimicrobial properties that can help fight respiratory infections thereby reducing the severity and duration of illnesses like colds and flu.
5. Antioxidant Support
Guaco is rich in antioxidants that protect the respiratory system from damage caused by free radicals, supporting overall lung health.
More Guaco Tea Health Benefits
Based on these findings, guaco tea may offer other health benefits including pain-relieving, anxiety-reducing, cardiovascular, and wound-healing benefits.
Brain and Cardiovascular Support: Terpene lactones, a class of plant compounds found in Guaco, are known for their cardiovascular health benefits.
Guaco Tea For Pain Relief: plants from the Mikania species, including Guaco, have proven anti-inflammatory activity which means consuming guaco tea may help ease inflammation related pain.
Guaco Wound Healing Benefits: Ursolic acid, an antioxidant found in guaco, is known for its wound-healing properties. One study1 confirm Mikania micrantha essential oils contain β-caryophyllene and humulene, which have anti-pruritic benefits.
Diarrhea Treatment: Guaco herb contains tannins with astringent properties that can reduce inflammation and tighten mucus membranes, potentially helping to reduce watery stools in cases of diarrhea.
Modern research now supports many of these traditional uses, highlighting the herb’s potent antioxidants, powerful flavonoids, and anti-inflammatory properties. However keep in mind that the studies are in their early stages, more intense research is needed to fully understand how guaco works.
Traditional Uses
In Jamaica, guaco herb tea is one of the popular bush teas used to alleviate diarrhea, improve digestion, low appetite, relieve asthma, wheezing, and bronchitis.
In Brazil, the tea is widely used as a natural remedy for upper respiratory problems such as colds, flu, coughs, asthma, sore throats, and laryngitis. Guaco leaves and stems are also used an home remedy for allergies, asthma, coughs, expelling mucus, and antivenom2 for snake bites
By the way, Did you see the connecttion between scientific studies and the traditional uses and benefits of guaco tea?
Guaco Tea Recipe
Here’s how to make quaco tea for respiratory problems. Place 1-2 teaspoons of crushed guaco leaves into a cup. Fill the cup with hot water, cover with a saucer and let the tea steep for between 7 and 10 minutes. Strain and add honey (optional) and enjoy.
Recommended Consumption: For respiratory health, it’s best to drink 1-2 cups of guaco tea up to three times daily.
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Possible Side Effects
While guaco tea is generally safe for most people, some may experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or dizziness if consumed in large amounts.
Who Should Avoid Guaco Tea
Certain individuals, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with known allergies to the Asteraceae family, should avoid this tea. Always consult a healthcare provider before introducing new herbal remedies into your routine.
Conclusion
Guaco herb tea, made from the fast-growing vine known for its invasive nature, offers a surprising array of health benefits. Despite its reputation as a nuisance weed, Guaco has long been treasured in traditional medicine across Asia, Brazil, and the Caribbean.
From supporting respiratory health to providing pain relief, aiding skin healing, and offering potential benefits for cardiovascular health, guaco tea appears to be a versatile and valuable herbal remedy.
So, as we connect the dots between scientific studies and traditional practices, it’s clear that Guaco tea holds significant promise but more investigation is needed.
References
- Cheng, Qianqian et al. “Research on the antipruritic active ingredients of Mikania micrantha.” Fitoterapia vol. 174 (2024): 105837. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2024.105837 ↩︎
- Ruppelt, B. M., et al. “Pharmacological screening of plants recommended by folk medicine as anti-snake venom–I. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.” Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz. 1991; 86 Suppl 2:203-5. ↩︎
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