Anacardium Occidentale

Occurrence

Tropical America.

Native of the semi-arid coasts of the Caribbean islands, Central America, and of Venezuela and Brazil.

Historical background

The Tupi Indigenous tribe of Brazil call the fruit "Acaju”, meaning "the nut that produces itself" a name which still exists in our modern languages as cashew nut.

Ethnobotanical and general use

Anacardium occidentale is a widely known species which is cultivated in tropical regions all over the world. Best known of all useful parts of the plant is the cashew nut which is the most important product of the tree.

The fruit, bark, seed are all used for medicinal purposes.

An extract of the bark is used for lowering blood pressure, combating congestions and colds. The macerated bark (for 24 hours) is a drink which is said to cure diabetes. Alcoholic extract helps against malaria and fever. Helps swelling, inflammation.

The fruit, the oils of the fruit, is used in skin against leprosy, elefantitis, psoriasis, acne, warts, callus, and scorch pimples and ulcers. It is also used as a peel treatment for the skin so that new one can resurface. Women of the West Indies use it for vanity, In West Africa it is used for tattooing and covering and to cover holes in teeth. In Cuba, the resin of the fruit is used for the treatment of colds. In Costa Rica, the juice of the fruit is used to cure bleeding from the nose.

Cultivation

This tree develops in poor soils. Serves as a windbreaker. In hot regions the tree is used for afforestation, it prevents droughts.

Toxicity

The pericarp (wall of fruit) is the most toxic part of this true due to a high content of a caustic oil. Internally applied, this oil can cause gastroenteritis, loss of the muscular control and apnea, externally, when in contact with skin this caustic oil can cause dermatitis. The fruit causes blisters when raw and untoasted.