Agave
Botanical Description & Habitat
Agave sisaline, A. schottii, and A. americana
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Common Names
American agave
American century
century plant
flowering aloe
spiked aloe
Habitat
In arid and semi-arid zones of tropical America and in some parts of Europe
Medicinal Parts
The whole plant
Historical Properties & Uses
Agave is used generally as an antiseptic, diuretic and laxative. The gum or sap has extremely good disinfectant properties in the gastrointestinal tract. Agave is used for liver disorders, and was used occasionally in the past for tuberculosis.
Agave has detergent, soporific, and depurative properties. Other uses include the treatment of dysentery in tropical countries, leprosy, sores and sprains.
Method of Action
Medicinal properties of agave have not been systematically investigated. Miscellaneous reports can be found, but no clear mode of action is revealed. Agave behaves much like yucca and other desert species of the amaryllidaceae.
Agave is a Source of Steroidal Hormone Precursors
Agave has occasionally been used as a source of steroidal raw material from which steroid hormones can be semi-synthesized.
Agave has Antibiotic Properties
Routine screening tests have shown agave species are effective against a few different micro-organisms, including S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and A. flavans.
Agave has Anti-tumor Properties
An alcohol extract of A. schottii was found to possess anti-tumor action against Walker carcinoma 256, apparently due to the presence of saponins.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
Agave insofar as its diuretic action increases the renal excretion of sodium and chloride, may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuremic effects of glucose elevating agents.
Agave, due to its cathartic activity, may potentiate anticoagulant therapy by reducing absorption of vitamin K from the gut. It may also inhibit absorption of dextrose from the intestines.
This cathartic may increase intestinal transit time of digitalis glycosides, inhibit their absorption and cardiac action. But cathartic-induced hypokalemia increases toxicity and potency of absorbed digitalis. Cathartic-induced hypokalemia potentiates muscle relaxants.
In addition to the specific interactions listed, the cathartic action of agave tends to hasten the passage of all oral medications through the gut and thereby inhibit their action. In sub-laxative and sub-emetic doses this herb should have no drug interactions. At higher doses, interactions similar to those involving diuretics and cathartics may occur.
Possible Interactions
The use of diuretics may require dosage adjustments of antidiabetic drugs.
Laxative-induced diarrhea may result in decreased absorption of isoniazid. The same is true with sulfisoxazole, but it appears to be a clinically unimportant interaction.
Comments
Laxative-induced increased speed of intestinal emptying may result in decreased absorption of vitamin K and/or anticoagulants. Oral estrogen supplementation may retard the metabolism of agave's steroidal hormones.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
The raw sap may be irritating to eyes and bare skin. Even sisal in mattresses, made from agave fiber, has been known to produce allergic reactions in sensitive persons.
Preparation & Administration
Infusion
1 tsp leaves, or 2 tsp root with 1 cup boiling water; dose: 1 cup daily.
Poultice
crushed leaves, or simmer root in milk for proper consistency.
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Bianchi & Cole. Antitumor agents from Agave schottii (amaryllidaceae). Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 58(5), 589-590, 1969.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
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