Avocado Leaf
AVOCADO LEAF | HOJAS DE AGUACATE
Avocado leaves- the leaves matter too, not just the fruit you mash into guac or spread on toast. While everyone’s out here praising the avocado for its creamy, good-fat glory, the Indigenous medicine keepers, abuelitas, and yerberas have been brewing its leaves into remedies, rituals, and flavor foundations for generations. These aren’t throwaway garden scraps- these are ancestral tools with stories to tell and systems to heal.
Avocado trees are native to Mesoamerica, particularly modern-day Mexico and Central America, where they've been cultivated for over 5,000 years. The Aztecs, Maya, and other Indigenous peoples didn’t just eat the fruit- they used the whole tree. The leaves, in particular, were dried, toasted, and infused to treat everything from intestinal cramps and bloating to coughs, fevers, and even menstrual irregularities.
In Mexican traditional medicine, avocado leaves (hojas de aguacate) are considered warming and grounding, used to move internal wind, calm spasms, and cleanse the blood. You’d be hard-pressed to find a kitchen in rural Oaxaca or Puebla without a stash of dried leaves tucked into a corner- ready to be simmered into tea for gas, steam for chest congestion, or broth to calm a troubled belly. They’ve long been used in postpartum care, respiratory blends, and as a folk remedy for toothaches and infections.
In Oaxacan cooking, avocado leaves (especially from the native Mexican avocado species, not the Hass you find at the grocery store) are toasted and used like bay leaves- infused into beans, stews, tamales, and mole negro to add a subtle, anise-like aroma. It’s medicine-as-flavor, and flavor-as-memory.
Energetically, the leaves are considered protective and harmonizing. In some curanderismo practices, they’re used in smudging bundles, steams, or spiritual baths to cleanse emotional blockages, balance the nervous system, and reconnect a person to their physical body after trauma or depletion.
Modern studies are beginning to catch up. Avocado leaves contain flavonoids, phenols, and compounds like quercetin and persin (yes, the same compound that can be toxic to pets, which is why you use caution in preparation). These constituents give them antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antispasmodic properties. Research suggests potential benefits for blood sugar regulation, cardiovascular health, and pain relief- especially in the gut and joints.
This isn’t the kind of leaf you casually drop into tea without knowing what you’re doing. The species and preparation matter. In traditional use, it’s typically the dried leaves of Mexican avocado trees (Persea americana var. drymifolia) that are safest and most medicinal. The wrong leaf, or the wrong dose, can cause problems- especially if you’re dealing with sensitive systems.
Avocado leaves aren’t just a garnish or a byproduct. They’re a living link to Mesoamerican medicine, a flavor that carries cultural resilience, and a reminder that sometimes the parts of the plant we overlook are the ones with the deepest healing.
Medicinal Uses of Avocado Leaf
Digestive Support
Relieves gas, bloating, and indigestion
Used to calm nausea, stomach cramps, and mild diarrhea
Tea made from the leaves helps soothe the digestive tract
Anti-inflammatory Effects
Contains compounds like quercetin and polyphenols that reduce inflammation
Used traditionally for joint pain, muscle aches, and swelling
Antimicrobial and Antifungal
Natural antibacterial and antifungal properties
Used for treating minor infections, skin irritations, and sometimes mouth ulcers
Respiratory Support
Tea or vapor used to ease coughs, asthma, and bronchial congestion
Helps break down phlegm and open the airways
Menstrual and Reproductive Health
Traditionally used to regulate menstruation and relieve menstrual cramps
Often included in postpartum teas or used in warm compresses
Diuretic Properties
Encourages urination to support kidney function and reduce fluid retention
Used to flush toxins and reduce swelling caused by water retention
Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure Regulation
May help lower blood glucose levels in people with high blood sugar
Some research and traditional use suggests it helps with mild hypertension (high blood pressure)
Stress and Nervous System Support
Traditionally used to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and support better sleep
Sometimes brewed into a mild calming tea
Wound Healing and Skin Support
Crushed fresh leaves or poultices used topically for cuts, bruises, and insect bites
May promote healing and reduce risk of infection
Antioxidant Benefits
Rich in flavonoids, phenols, and essential oils
Supports immune health and helps protect against cell damage
Common Forms of Use
Tea (infusion or decoction): The most popular method, usually made by boiling 1–2 leaves in water
Poultice: Crushed leaves applied to skin for external inflammation or minor wounds
Steam inhalation: Used for respiratory issues like cough and chest congestion
Bath or soak: For muscle tension, nervous system support, or spiritual cleansing
Cautions
Always use leaves from the Mexican avocado variety, as some types (especially Guatemalan or West Indian) may contain higher levels of persin, a compound that can be toxic in large quantities, particularly to pets