The whose (Piper auritum) It is a shrubby plant with medicinal properties belonging to the Piperaceae family, native to the Mesoamerican tropics. From its place of origin, it has spread wildly to various ecosystems, especially warm and partially hot or dry environments..
It is commonly known as acoyo, acuyo, alaján, caapeua, caisimón de anís, canilla de defunto, clanilpa, cordoncillo blanco, anise leaf, holy grass or holy leaf. As well as, hand of buzzard, momo, sacred pepper, Santa María, santilla de culebra, tlanepa, tlanepaquelite, yerba santa, or x-mak-ulam in Yucatec Mayan language.
The acuyo is a dense, highly branched shrub, with thin stems and a fragile consistency, with particular heart-shaped leaves of light green tones. It has tiny flowers that are arranged along fine spike-shaped inflorescences 10-12 cm long of white-yellowish color..
This plant with a strong anise aroma offers multiple applications, being used as a dressing, food supplement for animals, and for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. Its main active principle is the oxygenated monoterpene safrole, a constituent of various essential oils with analgesic, antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties..
Among other components, acuyo has the flavonoid eriodictyol used as an additive in the food and pharmacological industry. In addition, they contain various elements such as proteins, fibers, vitamin C, β-carotenid pigments, thiamine, riboflavin and the minerals calcium, iron and phosphorus..
On the other hand, the acuyo belongs to the same genus of black pepper (Piper nigrum), which is more used for gastronomic than therapeutic uses. In fact, in Mexican artisan cuisine it is used as a dressing or wrapper for traditional tamales..
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Piper auritum It is a herbaceous shrub or semi-woody tree of medium size, which measures between 2-5 m in height, and has a leafy crown. With erect, thin, fragile and gnarled stems, they usually have aerial roots at the base or adventitious roots on the horizontally arranged branches..
The leaves are simple and alternate of variable shapes: oblong, obovate or heart-shaped, 20-35 cm long and 12-25 cm wide. With a sharp apex and asymmetrical edge, slightly pubescent and aromatic, they are light olive green in color, with a 5-12 cm long winged petiole..
The spike-shaped flowers are pale green and have a short peduncle, they are located opposite the leaves. The fruit is an ovoid, smooth and light green capsule that contains a single seed..
- Kingdom: Plantae.
- Division: Magnoliophyta.
- Class: Magnoliopsida.
- Order: Piperales.
- Family: Piperaceae.
- Gender: Piper.
- Species: Piper auritum Kunth.
From the ethanol extraction of leaves and young branches of Piper auritum, an essential oil rich in natural secondary metabolites is obtained. Safrole represents 75-78% of the extracted essential oil, which constitutes 0.2% of the fresh weight of the sample..
In addition, there are significant amounts of the flavonoid eriodictyol, which has expectorant properties. As well as carbohydrates, proteins, fibers, fats, vitamins, carotenoids, amino acids, minerals and terpenoid elements, including monoterpenic and sesquiterpenic hydrocarbons.
Piper auritum It is a species native to Central America and northern South America, from Mexico to Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. This plant is located in humid forest ecosystems at altitudinal levels between 100-1,600 meters above sea level, in intervened lands and around agricultural areas..
In Mexico, it is distributed from Chiapas, Tabasco, Oaxaca, Veracruz and Hidalgo, to Guerreo, Puebla, Nayarit and San Luis Potosí. In addition, it has been introduced in regions with diverse latitudinal conditions, such as Bolivia or Hawaii, where it has become an invasive plant..
This takes place in full sun exposure or half shade, in tropical humid forests or secondary forests. Being common in fallows or acahuales, in cocoa and coffee plantations, along roads and streams, and in general in humid environments altered by anthropic activities..
Acuyo is a herbaceous species with easy vegetative propagation through cuttings of stems 10-15 cm long. The establishment of the crop can be done throughout the year, preferably during the warm months, on fertile and loose substrate.
From its plantation it requires good solar radiation for its optimal growth, although apart from tolerating direct light it adapts to partial shade. Similarly, it requires warm temperatures, above 12º C, being susceptible to frost..
As a commercial crop, it is recommended to water twice a week, keeping the substrate slightly damp without getting waterlogged. During the winter it can be watered once a week. In the wild, the acuyo stays alive with the seasonal rains.
This plant has a dense foliage of aggressive growth, so it is advisable to carry out maintenance pruning every 30-40 days. Despite its rusticity and resistance to pest attack, it is susceptible to the incidence of fungi that cause wilting and defoliation..
Acuyo, sacred pepper or anise leaf is a species widely used in the traditional cuisine of southern Mexico. In fact, it is used by hand to wrap the popular tamales, meat and fish with its large aromatic leaves..
With the leaves a "mole" or dressing is prepared, accompanied by chili peppers and spices, thickened with corn dough. In addition, it is used as a condiment to season various dishes based on chicken, pork, rabbit, fish or shrimp..
In the states of Tabasco and Veracruz, tapixtle and pilte, dishes with indigenous roots, are made. In this preparation, the chicken or fish is wrapped in the fragrant acuyo leaves to enhance the flavor of the other ingredients..
In the Quiché region of Guatemala, holy leaf leaves are used to wrap fish, garnished with achiote and chili. This dish, with pre-Hispanic roots, is called pachay, and is cooked underground with the fires of a campfire.
Indeed, the leaves of acuyo or holy grass have a particular flavor, very pleasant to cook traditional Mesoamerican dishes. Its flavor is comparable to anise, eucalyptus, nutmeg, mint, black pepper, licorice, tarragon and saffron.
The holy leaf is an aromatic plant used in traditional indigenous medicine for its extensive therapeutic applications. The decoction of its leaves, tincture or macerates has abortive, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anthelmintic, emollient, stimulant, diuretic, galactogogue and depurative properties..
Holy leaf infusions are recommended to speed up labor and heal postpartum wounds. In addition, they are effective in curing infections of the womb, spasms and stomach pain, colic and constipation..
In the same way, its use is effective for the treatment of muscular and rheumatic pain, as well as discomfort of the respiratory tract, asthma and laryngitis. On the other hand, it is also suitable to heal burns, sores and ulcers, insect bite or snake bite.
In Mexico, in the indigenous cultural tradition, tea made with acuyo leaves is still used to regulate digestive functions. Likewise, it was used to calm indigestion, diarrhea, inflamed colon and gastrointestinal pain.
The tincture of acuyo is made by mixing some crushed leaves in a "3: 1" dilution of alcohol and water, keeping it at rest for 15 days. After this period, we proceed to strain, store the mixture in an amber bottle and store in a cool environment..
In general, 20 drops of acuyo tincture are diluted in half a cup of water. In this sense, the tincture of acuyo is used to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort and pain in general..
Aquyo tincture dilutions are used for the treatment of respiratory problems, such as asthma, chronic or acute laryngitis, tuberculosis, dyspnea or bronchitis. In homeopathic treatments, tincture intakes are effective in calming inflammation in general..
A plaster is prepared by heating 6-8 leaves for three minutes, then squeezed and applied hot to the affected area for a certain time. Topically applied plasters are useful to relieve burns, inflammations or any ailment on the skin.
The plasters have the effect of a local anesthetic, being highly effective in calming muscular and organic pain. Applied as a bandage, they relieve sprains, wounds, insect bites, arthritic and rheumatic pain..
The leaves can be soaked in alcohol and applied topically to combat inflammation of the womb or vaginal infections. In fact, this preparation can be applied with cotton on the woman's breasts to increase milk production during lactation..
Among other uses, the holy leaf is used to improve appetite, strengthen eyesight, purify the blood and eliminate intestinal parasites. In addition, it is used to heal cultural diseases, such as straining in newborns and fright in impressionable or nervous people.
The holy leaf or acuyo is considered a non-toxic plant for human and animal consumption. In fact, it is classified as safe on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) list..
However, like any alternative or artisanal medical treatment with medicinal plants, its use is restricted in pregnant women and nursing mothers. On the other hand, in the case of following a specific medication, it is recommended to consult a doctor to rule out possible interactions.
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