Guaiacum (Noun)
Meaning 1
Small genus of evergreen resinous trees or shrubs of warm and tropical America.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
Hard greenish-brown wood of the lignum vitae tree and other trees of the genus Guaiacum.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
Medicinal resin from the lignum vitae tree.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- Guaiacum is obtained from the heartwood of the lignum vitae tree, a native species to the Caribbean and South America.
- In the past, guaiacum was highly valued for its medicinal properties and was used to treat various health conditions.
- Guaiacum contains lignans and phenolic compounds, which are believed to contribute to its medicinal effects.
- Guaiacum has been used traditionally to treat a range of health issues, including respiratory problems, rheumatism, and digestive disorders.
- Today, guaiacum is used in modern medicine to detect occult blood in the stool and is a component of the guaiac test.