Agave
Other Names : Agave americana, Agavaceae, American aloe, Arizona agave, Arizona century plant, bald agave, blue agave, cantala, century plant, Chisos agave, Chisos mountain century plant, coastal agave, corita, cow's horn agave, desert agave, desert century plant, dragon tree agave, drunkard agave, dwarf century plant, dwarf octopus agave, eggers' century plant, false sisal, foxtail agave, golden flowered agave, golden flower century plant, hardy century plant, Havard's century plant, henequen, hohokam agave, ixtle de jaumave, leather agave, lecheguilla, little princess agave, maguey, Maguey bandeado, Maguey chato, Maguey del Bravo, Maguey de Desierto, Maguey de Havard, Maguey de la India, Maguey de montana, Maguey de pastizal, Maguey de Sisal, Maguey de tlalcoyote, Maguey diente de tiburn, Maguey Henequen, Maguey lechuguilla, Maguey liso, Maguey mezortillo, Maguey pajarito, Maguey primavera, Maguey spero, Maguey sbari, Mckelvey agave, McKelvey's century plant, mescal ceniza, mescalito, Mexican sisal, Mezcal azul tequilero, Mezcal yapavai, Murphey agave, Murphey's century plant, Octopus Agave, palmer agave, palmer century plant, palmer's century plant, Parry agave, Parry's agave, Puerto Rico century plant, pulque, Queen Victoria's Agave, Rough century plant, smallflower agave, smallflower century plant, Schott agave, Schott's century plant, sisal, sisal hemp, shindagger, smooth agave, squid agave, St. Croix agave, slimfoot century plant, swan's neck agave, tequila, tequila agave, thorncrest century plant, thread-leaf agave, Toumey agave, Toumey's century plant, Utah agave, Weber agave, Weber blue agave, Weber's century plant, wild century plant.
Special Precautions of Agave
- Agave nectar contains certain hormones that could cause risk of miscarriage, raising concerns about its consumption by pregnant women. Andrew Weil, M.D., has stated he believes this risk to be minimal and is more concerned about the sustainability of agave production as demand for the sweetener grows.
- Diabetics : More serious, agave nectar is suspected to be potentially dangerous for diabetics. In a study conducted by the Glycemic Research Institute and reported by the Wall Street Journal, individuals with diabetes experienced such severe symptoms -- including passing out requiring transport to the hospital -- in response to testing with the sweetener that the study was immediately halted. As a result, the Institute has issued a warning against the use of agave nectar for diabetics.
- The stiff, erect leaves of some agave plants are tipped with sharp needles, which can cause injury upon contact. Multiple reports of skin rash from Agave americana exist.
- Vascular damage from crystals in agave has been reported. There are reports of irritant contact dermatitis from Agave americana when used incorrectly as a hair-restorer.
- Pulque consumption may be associated with liver disease (cirrhosis) and increased death rate.
- Some constituents of Agave sisalana, have high hemolytic activity, and may be potentially toxic.
- Calcium oxalate crystals, found in prickly pear and agave, may have caused microwear of human teeth.
- Significant increases in homocysteine levels and a tendency to increase blood glucose concentration and to decrease insulin sensitivity were found in healthy, non-obese young men who consumed tequila daily.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding : Women from rural areas of the central plateau of Mexico drink a mild alcoholic beverage called pulque as to stimulate breast milk flow (as a galactogogue). The relatively small amount of ethanol taken in by infants through milk is unlikely to have harmful effects. However, pulque intake during breastfeeding may have adverse influences on postnatal growth in some Mexican populations.
- Anordin and dinordin, prepared with steroids derived from the sisal plants Agave sisilana and Agave americana have been used for their antifertility effects. These agents, whose anti-fertility properties have been confirmed by scientists in Sweden and the United States, constitute a potential new family of contraceptives promising the advantage of having to be taken only once or twice a month instead of the 20 times per month necessary with the ordinary pill.
- Steroid hormone precursors are obtained from agave leaves. Caution is advised when taking agave with other steroidal agents.
- Contraceptive and anti-fertility effects have been reported with the use of agave. In theory, caution is advised when taking agave with other contraceptive agents, such as birth control pills.
- Agave may alter blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia, and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. Serum glucose levels may need to be monitored by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, and medication adjustments may be necessary.
- Steroid hormone precursors are obtained from agave leaves. Caution is advised when taking agave with other herbs with steroidal properties.
- Agave may alter blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also alter blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
The benefits of Agave are
Agave nectar (more accurately called agave syrup) is a sweetener commercially produced from several species of agave, including Agave tequilana (blue agave) and Agave salmiana. Agave syrup is sweeter than honey and tends to be less viscous. Most agave syrup comes from Mexico and South Africa. The juice made from the agave plant contains estrogen-like isoflavonoid, alkaloids, coumarin and vitamins B1, B2, C, D and K, and provitamin A.
- Traditionally, it was used internally to treat ulcers, stomach inflammation, tuberculosis, jaundice and other liver diseases, syphilis, and menstrual problems. Additionally it is used as a treatment for high fever by inducing sweat.
- Skin : Agave americana has antiseptic, wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties, which explains its uses externally as a medicinal herb to treat burns, bruises, minor cuts, injuries and skin irritation caused by insect bites.
- Lower Glycemic Load : Agave nectar is harvested from the agave plant, a spiny-looking desert succulent that resembles cactus or aloe. Glycemic load refers to how much glucose is released into the bloodstream after a food is eaten, a result of how quickly the carbohydrate in the food is converted into glucose. A high-glycemic-load food causes a much faster release of glucose than a low-glycemic-load food. Organic Lifestyle Magazine estimates that the glycemic load of agave nectar is about 15 to 30, compared to 75 for corn syrup, 80 for refined table sugar, and 87 for high-fructose corn syrup. The lower glycemic load of agave nectar allows for sweetening without blood sugar spikes that would in turn stimulate the release of insulin. Insulin is related to storage of excess glucose as fat. In addition, a spike in blood glucose is followed by a drop, which stimulates hunger. (See precautions for diabetics !)
- Sweeter Than Sugar : Although at first glance this characteristic of agave nectar might not sound healthy, the benefit of its intensified sweetness is that less of the sweetener must be used for the same result. Depending on the type of agave plant used, the processing method and resulting fructose content, estimates range from 1/4 cup to 3/4 cup of agave nectar needed to achieve the same sweetness as 1 cup of sugar. Although agave nectar contains about the same amount of calories for the same amount of other sweeteners, being able to use less of it decreases the calorie content of foods made with the sweetener.
- Agave americana was used as an herbal remedy for weak digestion, intestinal gas, and constipation. The juice has antibacterial properties and can be used internally to control the growth of decay bacteria in the stomach and intestines.
- Although agave seems like a laxative, the herb can also be used as a treatment for diarrhea and dysentery.
- This medicinal herb is the source for hecogenin, a compound used in the production of many steroidal drugs.
- Contains Inulin prebiotic.
