Andiroba is a tree found in the Amazon basin that produces nuts containing pale yellow oil with insect-repelling properties. It also has medicinal uses, including pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties. The wood is highly valued for furniture construction due to its resemblance to mahogany and insect-repelling properties. The tree has been overexploited, but can be easily grown from seedlings for replanting.
Andiroba, or carapa guianensis, is a tree related to the mahogany tree and grows in the Amazon basin. It is a giant of the rainforest, reaching heights of over 90 feet (27 m). The andiroba tree is easily recognized by the large, fragrant, whitish flowers it displays when in bloom. A mature andiroba tree can also produce 150 pounds (68 kg) of nuts, which resemble four-cornered chestnuts and are 3 to 4 inches (7 to 10 cm) across. The andiroba nut contains several kernels of a pale yellow oil, which has many herbal and medicinal uses.
Andiroba oil is valued for its insect repellent properties. The indigenous peoples of Brazil and the Amazon Basin have long used it in candles, soaps, and as an anti-insect lantern oil. It can also be used topically both to repel insects and to soothe and treat bites from mosquitoes, flies and other pests.
In addition to its insect-repelling properties, andiroba oil is also used as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory agent. Some users apply it to joints to relieve pain and swelling from arthritis. When rubbed on bruises and wounds, it is believed to reduce pain and also appears to have antibiotic properties. The oil can also be ingested, and is believed to soothe a sore throat, aid digestion, and even kill intestinal parasites. A few drops of andiroba oil in the ear have been used as an herbal remedy for ear infections, as well as a treatment for ear mites in both humans and animals.
In addition to the oil, every part of the andiroba tree has been used as a herbal remedy or medicine. The leaves are brewed into a tea to aid digestion when consumed, and used to reduce pain and swelling when applied as a compress. The flower has been studied as an anticancer agent, especially with cancers of the skin and uterus, although more studies are needed on the effectiveness of the plant in this capacity. Andiroba bark has been noted to have antibacterial properties.
In addition to the herbal and medicinal properties of the andiroba tree, the wood is also highly valued. Its resemblance to mahogany has made it popular in furniture construction, and the wood appears to retain its insect-repelling properties even after the manufacturing process. Furniture made from the andiroba tree showcases the beauty of mahogany and has the advantage of naturally repelling termites and other pests.
The various herbal, medicinal, and structural benefits of the andiroba tree are many. The tree has been, to some extent, overexploited in the jungle due to its value. Fortunately, the tree is relatively easily grown from nursery-started seedlings, so replanting is very feasible to meet current and future market needs for andiroba.
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