Agave
Scientific names: Agave americana
Family: Asparagaceae/Agavaceae
Alternate names: American Agave, American Aloe, Amerikanische Agave, Century Plant, Garingboom, Hundertjährige Agave, Maguey, Pita Común, Pite, Spreading Century Plant, Wild Century Plant
Actions: Anti-inflammatory, Antineoplastic, Uterotonic
Background
Agave is a plant found in parts of the US, as well as Mexico, Central and South America, the Mediterranean, and India. The leaves and roots of agave are used to make medicine.
Agave has been taken by mouth for constipation, cancer, male-pattern baldness, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Agave can cause severe irritation and allergic reactions when applied to the skin.
Agave has been taken by mouth for constipation, cancer, male-pattern baldness, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Agave can cause severe irritation and allergic reactions when applied to the skin.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if agave is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: The agave plant is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for most people. Exposure to the fresh agave plant may cause swelling and redness, skin sores, and swelling of small blood vessels (veins) within minutes to hours of exposure. The sap appears to be the most irritating part of the plant.
There isn't enough reliable information to know if agave is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
When applied to the skin: The agave plant is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for most people. Exposure to the fresh agave plant may cause swelling and redness, skin sores, and swelling of small blood vessels (veins) within minutes to hours of exposure. The sap appears to be the most irritating part of the plant.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding:Taking agave by mouth during pregnancy is LIKELY UNSAFE. There is some evidence that agave might stimulate the uterus and cause contractions.There isn't enough reliable information to know if agave is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Breast-feeding.
- Bruises.
- Cancer.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
- Gas (flatulence).
- Indigestion (dyspepsia).
- Liver disease.
- Male-pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia).
- Promoting labor.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of agave depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for agave. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if this product interacts with any medicines.
Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Some chemicals in agave can reduce swelling (inflammation), cause the uterus to contract, and prevent the growth of some cancer cells.
Products
View all products
Per 6 g (Green Apple):
- Agave sp. (Agave)
- Green banana starch 654 mg
- Wheatgrass powder 654 mg
- Hordeum vulgare (leaf) powder (Barley) 654 mg
- Green lentil
- Mung bean (sprout)
- Spinacia oleracea
- Bacillus subtilis DE111™ 1 billion CFU
- Acacia sp. 1.99 g
- Brassica oleracea (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Cucurbita pepo (seed)
- Linseed
- Chia (seed)
- Cynara scolymus
- Taraxacum officinale (root)
- Petroselinum crispum
- Chlorella vulgaris 450 mg
- Apple flavour
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 228 mg
- Citric acid anhydrous
- Siraitia grosvenorii (Monk fruit)
RRP: $35.95$29.48Save: 18%
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This monograph was last reviewed on 28/12/2022 19:21:56 and last updated on 01/01/2021 03:03:20. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
