Botanical Overview
Brazilnut (Bertholletia excelsa) belongs to the Lecythidaceae family. Limited but reliable traditional records indicate this plant has recognized medicinal applications in one or more healing traditions. This species belongs to the Lecythidaceae family, a group of flowering plants.
General Description
It is one of the largest and longest-lived trees in the Amazon rainforest. The fruit and its nutshell – containing the edible nut – are relatively large and weigh as much as 2 kg (4. 4 lb) in total. As food, Brazil nuts are notable for diverse content of micronutrients, especially a high amount of selenium. The wood of the Brazil nut tree is prized for its quality in carpentry, flooring, and heavy construction.
Family Context
The Lecythidaceae family is widely distributed. Notable medicinal members include:
- Careya arborea — 17 documented uses
Geographic Distribution
Brazilnut has been recorded in 10 countries and territories worldwide, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, and others.
Active Compounds
Phytochemical research has identified 30 compounds in this species, including a diverse array of phytochemical classes (see the Complete Chemical Inventory below for the full list).
The identified compounds include the following categories:
- Alkaloid: nitrogenous compounds with diverse pharmacological activities