Abscess Root


Ananas

A genus of five or six species of rosette-forming, spiny perennials, found in a range of habitats in S America. Unlike most bromelaids with grow epiphytically, members of this genus are terrestrial. The pineapple was cultivated by native S Americans long before European explorers reached the New World. Pineapple fruits were given to Christopher Columbus by Guadeloupe islanders on November 4, 1493. Plants were taken to Madagascar in 1548, and to India in 1590, and then to all parts of the tropics. The fruits Victorian times, sunken "pine pits", filled with decaying manure, were constructed for their cultivation to ensure year-round production for the table. These special glasshouses were often 30m (100ft) long and 9m (28ft) wide, containing 600 plants. Pineapple plants are ornamental and are commonly sold as houseplants, though they need higher temperature and humidity to fruit well, and the spiny foliage is hazardous in confined areas. The main medicinal constituent of pineapple is bromelain, and enzyme that breaks down protien, thus aiding digestion. Bromelain is also strongly anti-bacterial; research shows that it controls digestive infections in intensively reared livestock.

Christopher Columbus is credited with "discovering" pineapple on the Carribean island of Guadeloupe in 1493 and bringing it back to Europe as a rare delicacy. In Colonial America, pineapple was such a luxurious treat, it became the premier symbol of prestige, social class, and hospitality. The pineapple's health benefits center on its rich supply of bromelain, a group of protein-digesting enzymes that reduce inflammation and swelling, aid digestion, and may even have anticancer properties.

Evergreen perennial with a rosette of stiff, slightly recurved, spine-edged leaves, to 1m (3ft) long. An oblong-ovoid indlorescence, 15-30cm (6-12in) long, consisting of pink-flushed bracts and violet-pink flowers, is followed by a golden-yellow, often red-flushed, compound fruit, topped by a tuft of sterile bracts.


Common Name:
Ananas
Other Names:
Golden Rocket, Pineapple
Botanical Name:
Ananas comosus
Genus:
Ananus
Family:
Bromeliaceae
Native Location:
Brazil
Cultivation:
Well-drained, rich, sandy soil, in sun and high humidity.
Propagation:
By basal offsets in early summer; by cutting off the leafy top of a fruit and allowing it to dry off for a day or two before inserting in a mixture of damp peat and either sand or perlite, at 21°C (70°F)
Harvest:
Fruits are cut when unripe or ripe, and used fresh or pressed for juice. Bromelain is extracted commercially from stems and foliage for food supplements, tablets, and capsules.
Height:
1m (3ft)
Width:
1m (3ft)
Variations:
Variegatus
Has cream-striped, often red-flushed fruits.
Hardiness:
Min. 15°C (59°F)
Parts Used:
Fruits, stems, leaves
Properties:
An acidic, cooling, soothing herb that improved digestion, has diuretic, laxative, and antihelmintic effects, and acts as a uterine tonic.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally, especially in Ayurvedic medicine, for dyspepsia, flatulence, poor digestion, excessive stomach acid (juice of ripe or unripe fruits), constipation, and intestinal parasites (juice of foliage). Juice of unripe fruits and foliage is not given to pregnant women because it stimulates the uterus and may cause miscarriage. Bromelain aids digestion (especially of protiens) and controls E. Coli and other digestive infections.
To treat digestive properties, inflammation, asthma, obesity, constipation, and wounds.
Possible Side Effects:
Pineapple's side effects include diarrhea and allergic reactions.
Drug Interactions:
Taking pineapple with these drugs may increase the risk of bleeding and bruising:
Alteplase, (Activase, Cathflo Activase)
Aminosalicylic Acid, (Nemasol Sodium, Paser)
Antithrombin III, (Thrombate III)
Argatroban, (Argatroban)
Aspirin, (Bufferin, Ecotrin)
Bivalirudin, (Angiomax)
Choline Magnesium trisalicylate, (Trilisate)
Choline Salicylate, (Teejel)
Dalteparin, (Fragmin)
Danaparoid, (Orgaran)
Enoxaparin, (Lovenox)
Fondaparinux, (Arixtra)
Heparin, (Hepalean, Hep-Lock)
Lepirudin, (Refludan)
Retaplase, (Retavase)
Salsalate, (Amgesic, Salflex)
Streptokinase, (Streptase)
Tenecteplase, (TNKase)
Tinzaparin, (Innohep)
Urokinase, (Abbokinase)
Warfarin, (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Taking pineapple with these drugs may interfere with the action of the drug:
Benazepril, (Lotensin)
Captopril, (Capoten, Novo-Captopril)
Cilazapril, (Inhibace)
Delapril, (Adecut, Delakete)
Enalapril, (Vasotec)
Fosinopril, (Monopril)
Imidapril, (Novarok, Tanatril)
Lisinopril, (Prinivil, Zestril)
Moexipril, (Univasc)
Perindopril Erbumine, (Aceon, Coversyl)
Quinapril, (Accupril)
Ramipril, (Altace)
Spirapril, (Spirapril)
Trandolapril, (Mavik)
Culinary Uses:
Fruits are eaten raw, cooked, candied, or juiced. Young shoots and flower spikes are eaten as a vegetable in producer countries.
Economic Uses:
Source of bromelain, used in digestive supplements; also for tenderizing meat; clarifying fruit juice, and in the baking and brewing industries.
Bibliography:
Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pg 120
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.368-369