Goa

Botanical Name

Common Names

Cautions

It can cause severe erythema upon contact with the skin and mucous membranes, leading to redness, swelling, pustules, and conjunctivitis, even without contact with the eyes.

Pure Goa or Araroba powder can severely irritate the eyes, nose, and throat and should never be applied directly to fungal infections or the inner thigh as severe inflammation of the testicles can occur in males.

Internal administration, even in tiny amounts, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney inflammation.

It should only be prescribed by a qualified practitioner.

Description

Native to Brazil, the Goa tree still grows in forests there. The tree is large and smooth, with yellowish wood that has vertically running channels and spaces. The bitter, mucilaginous latex collects in these spaces as the tree ages and has a slight, but disagreeable, odour. The grayish-white bark forms in the long, flat pieces and is fissured externally. The inner surface is brownish and striated. The fracture is laminated with yellow fibers. The collected latex is purified by recrystalization in benzol, which produces raw chrysarobin.

History

Powdered Araroba, whose chemical name is chrysarobine, has been made into an antiseptic paint for use during surgical procedures.

Key Actions

Key Components

Medicinal Parts

Latex

An excellent vermifuge, it seems particularly effective against two of the three main varieties of tapeworm, Taenia mediocanellata (found in infected beef) and Taenia solium (found in infected pork). It is less successful in treating the kind found in fish, Dibothriocephalus latus.

The anthrone derivatives are strong reducing agents.

Traditional Uses

Goa powder is administered topically in emulsion form, but has largely been replaced by a synthetic substitute, anthranol cignolin.

The powdered and purified form of goa is used in the treatment of skin diseases and has gained the admiration of some conventional physicians because of its effectivness. The powder is mixed with a glycerine based ointment and applied to such chronic ailments as eczema, cystic acne, and psoriasis. However, it is severely irritating to the skin and mucous membranes and must be used only under the guidance of a knowledgeable professional.