Abukado 

Family Lauraceae

Scientific name: Persea Americana Mill.

 Local names

            Abukado (tag)

            Alligator pear (Engl)

            Avocado(Engl)

            Aguacate(sp)

Traditional uses 

1. bark(decoction)
1. taken to promote menstrual flow
2. taken to stimulate the activity of the stomach
3. used as wound wash
4. taken to prevent relapse of certain fevers

2. leaves
1. mild decoction used as gargle in sore throat
2. mild decoction used as lavage in rhinitis
3. mild decoction used as wash for swelling of the ear
4. decoction taken in for diarrhea or as enema in diarrhea and dysentery
5. decoction used as wash in vaginal infection
6. decoction used as wash for wounds and skin ulcers
7. decoction drunk to prevent high blood pressure
8. infusion taken in for abdominal pain

3. fruit
1. applied to hasten formation of pus in wounds

4. seed
1. scraped and appied as fillers to aching tooth
2. ointment applied to soothe swollen skin

research findings

            bark and leaves contain volatile oils and tannin. Fruit has 6 to 10 % fixed oil and 1.3 to 6 % protein. Carbohydrate content is low compared with other fruits. It contain unusual sugar called d-manno-heptulose. Fatty acids are mainly linoliec and palmitoleic acids. Fat content is 5.8% to 7.6% , the highest among local fruits.

             Extracts of the fruit and seeds have been reprted to exhibit anti-bacterial activity attributed to unsaturated heptade catriols and acetate esters in the oil.

 Food values

            Fruit is a favorite food and may be prepared  as salads and desserts. It has a high fat content . it is a good source of vitamin A and vitamin B complex especially niacin, pyridoxine and pantothenic acid. It has also high phosphate ,potassium,  iron, and other minerals . its calorie content is high, 800 to 1,000 for each kilo of fruit.

             Mild leaf decoction is a popular beverage.

Recommended medicinal uses

             For rheumatism and neuralgia (paim in the nerves). Pulverize enough dried seeds or bark, mix with cooking oil and warm over a small flame. Apply on affected area.

            For diarrhea: boil leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes

            Amount of dried chopped leaves to be boiled:

                 For adults: 8 tablespoon

For children: 7 to 12 years: 4 tablespoons

                        2 to 6 years: 2 tablespoons

            cool and strain. Divide decoction into 4 parts. Take 1 part every 2 or 3 hours.

             As wound wash: boil enough leaves in a small pot of water. Use as wash when lukewarm or cold.

 Botanical and agricultural characteristics

             Habit: medium sized tree

             Habitat: settled areas

             Propagation: seed