Complete Guide to Huito (Jagua, Genipa americana)

Overview

What is the Huito or Genipapa or the Genipa americana plant?

Peoples known to use the jagua fruit (currently or in the past) include: The Zapara, Shuar, Tsachila, Emberá-Wounaan, Yucuna, Kuna, Yuqui, Tikuna, Yagua, Arakmbut, Ka’apor, Canelos-Quichua, and Shipibo-Conibo.

The many different names of Genipa americana plant

Huitol; Witu (Shuti); Acuisho (Huayraya); Caruto; Chibará; Chipará; Genipa; Genipapo; Granado; Ana (Machiguenga, Ashaninka, Nomachiguenga); Guayapay; Huitoc, Huitu, Huito sua, Huito de agua; Isso (Piro); Jagua; Janipa (Cocama); Jave (Yagua); Jigua, Juaraavuro (Ocaina); Jidoro (Huitoto); Lana, Launa, Totumillo, Bilito; Cafecillo denta, Xagua; Mayagua; Guaricha (Venezuela); Guayatil colorado; Nané; Guayatil; Carcarutoto; Caruto revalsero; Mandipa (Portuguese); Nandipa (Guyana and Argentina); Guaitil (Bolivia); Nanu (Amahuaca); Nandi y Nane (Shipibo-Conibo); Palo colorado; Pigio; Piginio; Sua (Aguaruna); Vitoc; Vito; Yacohuito; ZXaguo; Yayuhuito; Zapote de monte; Nandé (Amahuaca); Akui sho y Kuikuisho (Ese Eja); Nso (Piro-Yine); Tapuripa (Surinam).

Medicinal uses of Hutio

Principal biochemicals are manitol, genipine, tannins, acids (tannic, tartaric, genopocidic), caterine, hydatoin, manit, caffeine, and calcium.

The ripened fruit of Huito is often eaten raw or made into jam.  The fruit is brewed into a tea and taken as a remedy for bronchitis.

Jagua Tattoos

Native tribes in the Amazon traditionally use the juice of the jagua fruit for body ornamentation. Certain tribes, such as the Matses Indians of Peru also insert it underneath the skin to create permanent markings on the body. Additionally, the fruit is used for a host of purported medicinal purposes.