9 Powerful (Anamu) Guinea Hen Weed Tea Benefits

Guinea hen weed tea is an herbal tea made from the leaves and roots of a plant called guinea hen weed in Jamaican.

The plant is more commonly known as Anamu. However, the plants scientific name is Petiveria Alliacea.

Guinea hen weed tea has a long tradition as a home remedy for reducing fevers, relieving pain, easing anxiety, lowering inflammation, stimulating the immune system, and managing diabetes.

Jamaican Guinea hen weed for making tea
Jamaican Guinea Hen Weed

So what are the real health benefits of Guinea hen weed tea? let’s take a closer look at what some studies say.

Guinea Hen Weed Tea Benefits

1. Relieve Pain

According to one source, a group of people who suffered from arthritis in their hips and knees were treated with Guinea hen weed tea. The participants reported less stiffness and pain with movement and especially at nightime.

2. Reduce Fevers

Anitvital porperties found in Guinea hen weed help ward off viral infections. So drinking the tea may help reduce fevers caused by the bodys fighting infections.

3. Immune System Boost

Polychemicals and sulfur in Guinea hen weed work together to boost the immune system. This supports the traditional use of Guinea hen weed tea to shorten colds and suppress coughs.

freshly brewed jamaican guinea hen weed tea
  • Relieve Pain
  • Reduce Fevers
  • Boost Immunity
  • Help Digestion
  • Ease Migraines
  • Lessen Anxiety
  • Improve Sleep
  • Shorten Colds
  • Soothe Coughs

4. Calm the Nerves

Research shows that the Guinea hen weed possess compounds that interact with the Central Nervous System (CNS) to block signals to the brain. Therefore one of the benefits of drinking Guinea hen weed tea is it may help you relax.

5. Cleanse the Liver

Some studies suggest that another Guinea hen weed tea tea is it may help improve your liver health. It does this by fighting off harmful bacteria and viruses that cause liver damage.

6. Improve Long Term Memory

Research shows that natural compounds in Guinea hen weed use the process of phosphorylation which is critical for the improvement of long term memory.

7. Boost Gut Health

Drinking Guinea hen weed tea may lead to better gut health. That’s because chemicals in the tea helps alleviate spasms and improves digestion.

8. Support Heart Health

Guinea hen weed is believed to lower blood pressure and cholosterol which is important to maintaining optimal cardiovascular health.

9. Kill Cancer Cells

Some sources say Guinea hen weed may kill cancer cells while saving healthy ones. A compound called dibenzyl trisulfide is one of the chemicals in the plant’s root. It is believed the compound prevents cancer cells from multiplying.

In addition, The University of Illinois at Chicago, evaluated some 1400 plants in a plant screening program. Guinea hen weed was one of only 34 of those plants that was found to have active anticancer properties.

“Our results validate in partly, the traditional use of Petiveria alliacea in breast cancer treatment, revealing a new way of envisioning Petiveria alliacea biological activity.

Source: Journal of ethnopharmacology

How to Make Guinea Hen Weed Tea

How do you make Guinea Hen Weed Tea? The plants root, leaves, and stems can be used to make Guinea hen weed tea.

  • Rinse 4 or 5 fresh Guinea Hen leaves under tap water to remove any debris.
  • (Or 2 tablespoon of dried Guinea hen weed)
  • Pour 2 cups of water into a small pot.
  • Add Guinea hen weed and boil for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from flames and let sit for another 3 or 4 minutes.
  • Strain the tea and serve warm. You may add your favorite sweetener.

Guinea Hen Weed Tea Side Effects

  • Guinea Hen weed contains Coumadin which is a blood thinner. Drinking too much Guinea Hen weed tea may interfere with blood clotting. So, individuals with bleeding disorders or who take anticoagulants should avoid excessive use of Guinea hen weed tea.
  • Some Chemicals identified in Guinea Hen weed acts on the Central Nervous System (CNS). They may cause extreme drowsiness or sedation.
  • Guinean tea has been linked to lowering blood glucose. Drinking excessive amounts of the herbal tea may cause people with diabetes to experience dangerously low blood glucose levels.

Traditional Guinea Hen Uses

Guinea hen weed tea is consumed by people looking for a more restful sleep. However, the herbal tea is taken for

Anamu is native to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical regions. And while it can be found in areas of Texas, Florida, and along the Mexican border, it is not a common plant in the United States.

But what is Guinea Hen Weed? And what is Guinea hen weed tea good for?

In sections of Central America women who are in labor drink the tea to help lessen labor pains.

 Early records show that indegenous people in Nicaragua used the leaves to make tea for treating coughs, colds, aches and pains.

Other reports indicate that Carib Indians in Guatemala crushed Anamu roots and inhaled it to treat sinusitis. 

In other areas Guinea Hen weed is used as treatment for some cancers, boosting the immune system, and stabilizing blood glucose levels.

Flavonoids: These are plants chemicals that provide anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits.

Triterpenes: They are recognized for having anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

Lipids: They play various roles in normal body function. They are important to cell structure. Lipids also fuel to the body.

What Is Guinea Hen Weed?

What Is Guinea Hen Weed?  It is a member of the Petiveriaceae plant family. Guinea hen weed is a native shrub of the Amazon rainforest, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Petiveria Alliacea it has many local names. For example, in Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico the plant name is Anamu. The Peruvians call it Mucura.

In Trinidad and Tobago the plant’s local names are Mapurite and Gully root.

And in Jamaica Petiveria Alliacea is generally called Guinea hen weed. However, because the herb has a strong garlic odor, some people refer to it as Garlic weed. Some Jamaicans also call it Gully root or Guinean weed.

Plant Description

This perennial shrub t grows to about 3 feet tall. The dark green leaves are close to the ground. Guinea Hen weed has long slender stems.

The shrub blooms small white flowers. Guinea hen weed smells like garlic.

Jamaican hen weed growing in the wild
Jamaican Guinea Hen Weed

The root, leaves and stems of the plant are all used as herbal medicine in Jamaica and other Caribbean islands.

Guinea Hen Weed and Pregnancy

Some known risks for pregrant women associated with the use of Anamu.

Reports indicate that Guinea hen weed consumption has been linked to uterine contractions which can lead to miscarriages or abortions.

So, pregnant women as well as those trying to get pregnant shoud avoid using Guinea hen weed.

Where to Buy Guinea Hen Weed

Guinea Hen weed teas are available for purchase in many health food stores across the United States.

They are available as Loose leaf teas, teabags and in powdered form. In addition,s you can buy Anamu capsule and supplemnts from online marketplaces such as Etsy.com and Amazon.

Some of the plant compounds that are responsible for its health benefits include flavonoids, triterpenes, coumarins, and sulfur compounds.

Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. Nothing on this site should be viewed at medical advice. Please speak with a professional medical provider regarding your medical care.

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