At typically a little under 100 feet tall, Jagua (aka. Huito, Genipap; Genipa americana) trees are native to tropical forests of North and South America. They produce fruits that are famous for their uses in making blue and black tattoos, as well as for their edible uses (consumed ripe, brewed or juiced).
The most well-known use of Jagua is for making a liquid that can be painted on the skin, turning blue when it reacts with amino acids, and resulting in a temporary tattoo (that lasts for weeks). It is most associated with indigenous tribes of the Amazonian region, as well as some of the Caribbean tribes, including the Yagua, Shuar, Shipibo-Conibo, Yaqui, Yucuna and Ka’apor, among others.
As the market has long sought after natural blues that can be stable for food use, there is a lot of interest in its development for the billion-dollar natural dye market. Two patents now exist on technologies to make Jagua stable for market, and the race is on. It is hoped these interests can in turn provide benefits to indigenous populations and forest restoration.
The fruit pulp reportedly contains 1.9% potassium, 2.0% magnesium, 8.5 to 17% thiamine, 18.5 to 37% riboflavin, and 3.4 to 5.2% niacin. Vitamin C has been reported from 1.1 to 33 mg/100 g. Phenolic content in fruits is reported to reach 857.1 mg GAE 110-1, and iridoids at 0.2 mg/g in dry pulp.
Traditional medicinal uses of Jagua include for treating anemia, measles, uterine cancer, as a diuretic, digestive, laxative and antiseptic.
Through scientific investigation, Jagua has been found to have antiinflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, antiglycation, hypoglycemic and placental cell regulatory activities.
The main phytochemicals of interest are the iridoids. Other bioactives present and possibly contributing to Jagua benefit are polyphenols, medium-chain fatty acids, hydroxycinnamic acids and 3-Carboy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionic acid (CMPF). Beyond health or dye applications, genipin is a compound of interest which is also being studied for its use in food science applications and for improving texture, gel strength, stability and shelf life due to its cross-linking behavior.
hashtag#ethnobotanyhashtag#medicinalplantshashtag#rainforesthashtag#genipahashtag#bluehashtag#tattoohashtag#nagoya
*This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.
Jagua photo by Alex Popovkin