What is the blue stick and what is it used for?

The participation of natural products in health care has been notable and today they continue to play a key role in certain medicinal therapies .

In this sense, the palo azul has been used since ancient times by the Mexican natives, due to its healing properties.

In the following article, we present you with all the necessary information about this plant, so that you can learn about its benefits.

What is the blue stick?

Palo azul, scientifically called “eysenhardtia polystachya”, is a medicinal plant belonging to the asteraceae family native to Mexico and some areas of South America.

This plant has a blue-green color , which is also known as black bush. In Mexico it is known as palo dulce and in the United States as kidneywood .

Its chemical components act for the benefit of the body , as they help detoxify the body , protect health and prevent the appearance of chronic diseases and mental health.

Note: There are various species popularly called palo azul as “cyclolepis genistoides” , which is a native shrub from Argentina, which can easily be confused with the species “eysenhardtia polystachya” , so care must be taken.

Blue stick properties

The properties of the palo azul plant come mainly from its stem and bark , where it has important components such as phenols, flavonoids, coumarins and guaiane-type sesquiterpenes. Here are the most important properties:

antioxidant

Due to its high antioxidant content, palo azul helps against free radicals or reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.

To highlight: An in vitro study carried out by Gutiérrez and Báez, demonstrated that an extract of methanol and water obtained from the palo azul plant had considerable antioxidant activity against free radicals or reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative stress and inflammation. (1)

anti-inflammatory

Thanks to the various active substances that eysenhardtia polystachya has , the infusion prepared from this plant reduces pain caused by joint pathologies , such as arthritis or osteoarthritis and also conditions resulting from gout.

Note: The results of the study on “Separation and evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect of flavonoids from eysenhardtia polystachya” show that fractions rich in flavonoids induce an anti-inflammatory effect . (two)

antimicrobial

Flavonoids are synthesized by plants, as in the case of eysenhardtia polystachya, for the purpose of fighting infection caused by microbes . That is why it has potent antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral activity against Escherichia coli.

Note: A phytochemical study of this plant showed that it possesses antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and insecticidal properties ; showing moderate cytotoxic action against KB cells. (3)

Importantly, flavonoids are important precursors for the research and development of new antiviral drugs.

antibacterial

The eysenhardtia polystachya plant, used by traditional Mexican medicine to treat oral diseases caused by bacteria , has shown that palo azul is one of the species that exhibited the greatest inhibitory effect in vitro, due to the antibacterial properties of its flavonoids, against bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Insecticide

One study evaluated the in vitro acaricidal (against tick) activity of two classes of compounds known as coatlines and matlalines , extracted and derived from the palo azul plant.

The authors of said study concluded that some of the palo azul compounds show an ability against certain species of ticks , such as Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus . (4)

Health benefits of palo azul

The flavonoids, sterols and ketones that this powerful plant contains, act to benefit the body, as they help to improve various pathologies, among which we can mention:

Regulates uric acid levels

Hyperuricemia is an excess of uric acid in the blood. One of its consequences is a joint disease called “gout”. Among its symptoms is the painful inflammation of some joints, in the event that uric acid crystals are deposited in them.

Important: One of the main benefits of this plant is that it regulates uric acid levels in the blood.

Control cholesterol levels

Literature indicates that the palo azul plant acts to accelerate metabolism , helping the body to burn fat and calories , consequently reducing bad cholesterol in the blood.

Fight urinary infections

The antibacterial activity of this plant is already known , but to this is added the increase in urinary flow (diuretic), which facilitates the excretion of bacteria and microbes through the urine. Diuresis is attributed to the presence of oleanolic acid in palo azul.

Important: Due to its diuretic properties , it is advisable to drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration.

Eliminate kidney stones

Kidney stones (stones) are the product of the accumulation in the urine of elements that are characterized by forming crystals, such as uric acid, oxalate and calcium.

The infusion of the palo azul bark allows the body to get rid of excess uric acid , thus reducing the risk of kidney stone formation.

Note: A study refers to the effect of isolated isoflavones contained in the bark of eysenhardtia polystachya , on the growth of urinary calcium oxalate and phosphate crystals, reducing their size. (5)

Reduces pain and kidney inflammation

Due to its detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties, it reduces the risk of kidney stone formation , as well as promotes healthy urination and the expulsion of toxins from the body.

Likewise, it helps reduce inflammation of the kidneys in case of an infection, due to its antibacterial property.

Reduces liver colic

Hepatic colic is normally associated with the passage of gallstones through the bile ducts. The palo azul drink helps reduce the formation of stones in the bile ducts , reducing the appearance of these pains.

Relieves stomach upsets

The palo azul plant helps to alleviate certain stomach conditions , by relaxing the muscles and eliminating the causes that cause colic in the digestive tract.

Eliminate diarrhea

Its antioxidant, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties help eliminate bacteria and microbes capable of altering the bacterial flora of the digestive tract, causing diarrhea.

Reduces joint pain

The main property of palo azul is its ability to eliminate uric acid from the body and with it its incidence on pathologies in bone joints.

Helps lower fever

With the reduction of kidney and gallstones, and its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, it mitigates the appearance of fever in the body , due to possible infections.

Note: No cases have been documented in which the toxicity of palo azul has been demonstrated, but due to its chemical composition, it is preferable to consult a doctor before using it.

How to consume palo azul?

Here are some ways to consume this medicinal plant and enjoy benefits:

palo azul tea

It is a useful drink for digestive and kidney problems ; you should consume it periodically and if possible before meals. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• branches and leaves of palo azul
• Hot water

Preparation and consumption

• Place the branches and leaves of palo azul in hot water.
• Let rest for a few hours.
• Strain the tea and consume it before meals

Infusion of palo azul

The palo azul infusion uses all parts of the plant, which guarantees greater availability of its chemical components and its benefits. We show you how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• Pieces of wood, branches and leaves of palo azul
• Cold water

Preparation and consumption

• Place the wood, branches and leaves of palo azul in a container with cold water.
• Leave it macerating overnight.
• In the morning, boil all the contents for about 5 minutes.
• Strain the liquid and store it in a container.
• Take periodically during the day

Key Findings

• The blue stick is recommended for states of hyperuricemia.
• Reduces the appearance of kidney and gallstones.
• It has anti- inflammatory properties .
• It is characterized by its diuretic activity.
• Helps fight bacteria and microbes.
• There are no known side effects, although you should always consult your doctor.