Medicinal Plants

Agave attenuata Salm-Dyck

Agave Mahkota

Asparagaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Agave attenuata (Agave Mahkota) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Agave attenuata (Agave Mahkota) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Agave attenuata (Agave Mahkota)

Summary

Foxtail agave (Agave attenuata) is a succulent up to 1.5 meters tall of the Asparagaceae family, native to Central Mexico, now introduced as far as the Canary Islands and New Zealand. Its distinctive shape without spines at the leaf tips makes it a popular garden ornamental. Foxtail agave is traditionally believed to help address chronic constipation and speed up burn healing.

Agroecology

Foxtail agave grows in lowlands to highlands with elevations of 1,900-2,500 m above sea level. Prefers full sunlight, sandy and loamy soil types, well-drained, and acidic soil pH conditions.

Morphology

  • Stem soft wood, round shaped where leaves attach.
  • Leaves grow arranged densely in an overlapping rosette, thick, fleshy, lance-shaped with a tip grown with a tapering spine, flat leaf edges.
  • Flowers grow in a spike up to 3.7 m long forming a foxtail-like structure, grayish-yellow in color.

Cultivation

Propagated using seed (generative) and offsets (separating offshoots from the parent).

Chemical Content

Mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, n-docosane, eicosane, phenolic, flavonoid, saponin, and glycolic acid.

Benefits

Maintains bone health, improves nerve and muscle function, improves blood circulation, helps address digestive disorders, stomach fermentation, chronic constipation, burns, wounds, and skin abrasions.

Local Names

Siklok

Traditional Recipes

The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Traditional recipe Wound healing from Agave Mahkota

1. Wound healing

  • Take fresh agave leaves, wash thoroughly.
  • Cut and apply the cut surface to the wound.
  • Repeat until the wound dries.
Traditional recipe Constipation from Agave Mahkota

2. Constipation

  • Prepare fresh agave leaves as needed, wash thoroughly in running water.
  • Grind the leaves then boil over low heat for 1 hour.
  • Strain the decoction.
  • Drink.

Reference Sources

  1. RHS Gardening: Agave attenuata foxtail agave. https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/670/Agave-attenuata/Details. 31-08-2021.
  2. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Plants of the World Online: Agave attenuata Salm-Dyck. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:61824-1. 31-08-2021.  
  3. Pustaka Flora. 2013. Agave attenuata. https://pustakaflora.blogspot.com/2015/11/agave-attenuata.html. 31-08-2021.