Apart from the famous and delicious cashew nut, the cashew tree offers an immense treasure of medicinal and industrial uses as well.
Cashew Nut Shell Liquid: Due to its medicinal properties and the presence of anacardic acids, cashew nut shell liquid has an antibiotic effect and is used in the treatment of sore teeth, leprosy, ringworm, warts, scurvy, and elephantiasis.
Cashew Bark and Leaf: The bark and the leaf of the tree possess medicinal benefits, and have been used as a remedy for both, diarrhea and colic. Cashew leaf extract is utilized to reduce blood sugar and blood pressure levels. The infusion of the bark of the cashew tree has astringent properties used as a mouthwash for treating oral ulcers and as a remedy for sore throats and influenza. Leaves of the cashew tree, when boiled with water, serve as an anti-pyretic and are used for providing relief from aches and pains throughout the body.
Cashew Fruit (Cashew Apple): Cashew apples possess anti-bacterial properties and have been proven to be effective in treating stomach ulcers and gastritis, which are usually caused by H. pylori bacteria. The juice from cashew apples is rich in vitamin C and therefore has an anti-scurvy effect.
Cashew extract contains anacardic acid, which is an antioxidant and has been shown to limit the pigmentation effects of aging and eradicate cancer cells. The fruit of the cashew tree is used to treat the infant’s thrush and sore mouth. People can use tea prepared from the bark and the cashew apple juice for chronic dysentery and as an anti-diarrheal remedy. It is also believed to possess sudorific or sweat-inducing properties. The juice extracted from the cashew apple can also serve as an ointment for aches of rheumatism and neuralgia.
Cashew Seed: Oil extracted from cashew seeds is widely used for curing cracked heels. Powdered cashew seeds have anti-venom effects and are used for treating snake bites.
