Medicinal Plants Virtual Tour
Taxodium mucronatum | Taxodiaceae | Montezuma cypress
Medicinal Properties:
It is believed that the tree was sacred to many Mexican civilizations because of its wide use for medicinal purposes. The Aztecs used the gummy resin produced after the tree was cut to treat wounds, ulcers, gout, toothache and skin diseases. Extracts have been found to prevent cathepsin B production which has been implicated in arthritis and certain cancers. Perhaps related to this, the leaves were also used to relieve itching. It has also been used as a diuretic, an emmenagogue and a vasorelaxant.
