Whether it’s called bay cedar, mutamba, pixoy, embira, baysi, cablote, or any of its many other names, Guazuma ulmifolia is revered for its diarrhea-stopping abilities. It’s also great for skin conditions and prostate problems.
Tapaculo is a large shrub growing to 100 feet tall, with grey-brown bark and a rounded crown. The leaves are 2 to 6 inches long, with serrated edges. Its small flowers are white to greenish-yellow, grow in clusters, and are quite fragrant. The fruit is woody and globose to broadly oval and 3/4 of an inch to 1 1/2 inches long. It is and black and covered with barbs when ripe.
WHERE IT CAN BE FOUND:
Caribbean, Central America, South America, Mexico, India, Indonesia, Netherlands, Panama
PROPERTIES AND USE:
Febrifuge, nervine, antibacterial, antifungal, digestive, hepatoprotective, antitumor, detoxifier, hypotensive, and is used for diarrhea, dysentery, asthma, cough, colds, intestinal issues, postpartum inflammation, sores, prostate conditions, rheumatism, bleeding, ulcers, skin conditions, difficult childbirth
TRADITIONAL PREPARATION:
For diarrhea and dysentery, crush three 1-inch by 3-inch pieces of bark. Boil in 1 liter water. Drink 1/4 cup every four hours as needed. For cancer, boil 2 handfuls of bark and boil
in 1 gallon water. Remove from heat, and steep overnight. Drink 3 cups per day. For inflammation, boil three fruits in 2 cups water. Strain before drinking. For skin conditions, boil a large handful of chopped bark in 1 gallon water boil for 10 minutes. Allow to cool. Bathe the affected area three times per day, and allow to air dry. For dysentery and diarrhea, boil a small handful bark in 3 cups water for 10 minutes. Sip throughout the day. Adding a touch of honey makes it a treatment for prostate conditions and to aid difficult childbirth.
