Definition of Crescentia Cujete

This ornamental tree of the family biognoniaceae is popularly known as the pumpkin tree. Its scientific name is dedicated to an Italian naturalist of the thirteenth century and the epithet cujete comes from its popular name in Brazil. It has many other popular names depending on the territory, such as palo de huacal, totumo, guiro, gua or jícaro.

Main features

He is originally from Mexico and America Central. It has a height that ranges between 4 and 6 meters, its branches are twisted and its crown is open. Its fruit has a similar appearance to the pumpkin and a spherical shape. The flowering of its evergreen leaves takes place during the spring period and the recommended sowing period is also the spring.

Regarding the seed collection period, it occurs in the month of October (the method The most common sowing is in broadcast seedling). Before planting, a tracing process is recommended during the rainy season and weeding.

The jícaro is the fruit of the tree and with it vessels called jícaras are made

The jícaras are handmade containers that are made from the bark of the jícaro. These vessels were already used by some indigenous peoples of Mexico, such as the Aztecs or the Mayans.

In some Mexican regions, especially in the state of Tabasco, jícaras continue to be used to drink chocolate or pozol, a drink traditional of the Nahutl culture. On the other hand, these pieces are highly valued by tourists, as they are made by hand and each one of them carries a decorative element of popular culture.

Other pieces are also made with the bark of the jícaro: folk crafts, musical instruments and traditional kitchen utensils.

Its medicinal properties and other uses

Trees have been and are an inexhaustible source of healing remedies. The Crescentia cujete has a wide range of healing functions:

1) skin problems are cured with jícaro juice,

2) anemia and nutritional deficiency is treated with the seeds of the fruit,

3) the seeds are also consumed to stop bleeding, relieve earache and improve quality from breast milk,

4) Crescentia Cujete extract is used to combat asthma and as substance antibiotic and

5) the cough and throat irritation is relieved with a jícaro syrup.

Some varnishes are obtained from jícaro oil that is extracted from the seeds. In some Central American territories, nutritious cookies are made with its seeds, as well as vegetable milk and horchata. With the fruit, sweets are also prepared for the kids.

Fotolia photos: gonzalocalle / petcharapj

Themes in Crescentia Cujete