Guaiacum

Taxobox
name = "Guaiacum"


image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Guiacum officinale"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Zygophyllales
familia = Zygophyllaceae
genus = "Guaiacum"
genus_authority = L.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = Six species, including: "Guaiacum officinale" "Guaiacum sanctum"

"Guaiacum", or "guajacum", is a genus in the family "Zygophyllaceae". The six species are shrubs and trees, native to subtropical and tropical regions of the Americas.

The trees are grown in Florida and California as ornamental plants. The trees grow slowly and can reach a height of approximately 20 m, though it is usually less than half that. They also yield guaiacum resin which has been used to treat a variety of medicinal conditions from coughs to arthritis. Wood chips can also be used to brew a tea.

Uses

The genus is famous as the supplier of Lignum vitae, which is the heartwood of several species in the genus. Among many other applications, gum from the wood was once used to treat syphilis. For example, Benvenuto Cellini records this use of it in his memoirs. See also the quote by Nashe in the article Honorificabilitudinitatibus (there spelled 'guiacum').

The artist Jan van der Straet, also known as Johannes Stradanus or simply Stradanus, painted a scene of a wealthy man receiving treatment of syphilis with "guaiacum" wood sometime around 1580. [http://www.york.ac.uk/crems/downloads/MA%20Description%20May%2006/Nova%20Reperta%20description.html Johannes Stradanus] undated brief review of works. Accessed August 6, 2007.] The title of the work is "Preparation and Use of Guayaco for Treating Syphilis." Epidemic syphilis had been raging through Europe for nearly a century at the time of the painting, and hopes were high that this plant from the New World would provide a cure. The richly colored and detailed work depicts four servants preparing the concoction while a physician looks on, hiding something behind his back while the hapless patient drinks. [http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Preparation-and-Use-of-Guayaco-for-Treating-Syphilis-Posters_i1587366_.htm Jan van der Straet's "Preparation..."] at commercial art site. Accessed August 6, 2007.]

A phenolic compound derived from the wood resin of Guaiacum trees is used in a common test for blood in human stool samples.

The soap fragrance oil of guaiac comes from "Bulnesia sarmientoi", a South American tree from the same family.

"Guaiacum officinale" is the national flower of Jamaica, and

"Guaiacum sanctum" is the national tree of the Bahamas and is found as far north as the Florida keys. [cite book|isbn=0-395-90455-2|title=A Field Guide to Eastern Trees|author=Petrides, George A.]

The trade of all species of "Guaiacum" is controlled under CITES appendix II. Gordon J. E., González M. A., Vázquez Hernández, J., Ortega Lavariega , R. & Reyes-García A. (2005). "Guaiacum coulteri an over-logged dry forest tree of Oaxaca, Mexico." Oryx 39(1): 82-85.]

As a food additive Guaiacum has E number E314 and is classified as an antioxidant.

A widely used derivative drug is the expectorant known as guaifenesin.

References

External links

* [http://www.jis.gov.jm/special_sections/Independence/symbols.html Symbols of Jamaica]
* [http://www.bahamas-travel.info/symbols.html Symbols of the Bahamas]
* [http://www.cites.org/ CITES]