- Tonic and blood cleanser
- Can aid recovery following exercise
- Used to maintain supple joints
Tayuya (Cayaponia tayuya) is a woody vine found throughout the Amazon rainforest in South America. Tayuya is known by several botanical names, but all of these scientific names refer to the same plant, a member of the gourd family.
Rainforest people value the plant highly, and have been using Tayuya since prehistoric times as a tonic, a blood cleanser, and to keep joints supple. Traditionally, the long tuberous roots are used to make an infusion that is usually combined with a bit of honey to tone down the strong, bitter taste.
As with most Amazon plants, there is very little research on Tayuya that can scientifically verify its actions. However, actives called cucurbitacins and glucosides, and other plant chemicals with antioxidant properties have been isolated in the root.
In modern Brazil, Tayuya tea is also often used by athletes following periods of training to aid recovery and to help remove lactic acid from the muscles.
