Urunday

Astronium urundeuva

Physical Characteristics

Astronium urundeuva is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

S. America - northern Argentina, Paraguay, eastern, central and northeastern Brazil, Bolivia.

Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Balsamic Haemostatic Kidney Tonic The bark, and the resin obtained from it, are balsamic and haemostatic. They are used in the treatment of pulmonary complaints, kidney problems, haemoptysis, metrorrhagia, for post-natal vaginal washes, stomach ulcers and colitis[ 739 ]. The resin is also tonic[ 739 ]. Research has shown that both aqueous and alcohol extracts of the bark strongly inhibit gastric ulceration[ 739 ]. Extracts of the bark have been shown to exert a neuro-protective effect and could provide benefits, along with other therapies, in neurodegenerative injuries, such as Parkinson's disease[ 744 ].

Known Hazards

None known