lignum vitae

• Madera tropical muy dura y densa procedente de árboles del género Guaiacum, históricamente usada en construcción naval, mangos de herramientas y con fines medicinales. La frase en latín significa «árbol de la vida».

A very hard, dense tropical wood from trees of the genus Guaiacum, historically used for shipbuilding, tool handles, and medicinal purposes. The phrase is Latin for 'wood of life'.

1. A very hard tropical woodC2formal

   A dense, heavy wood from trees of the genus Guaiacum, known for its strength, durability, and natural oil content.

   Palo santo (madera)

   • The ship's propeller shaft was made of lignum vitae due to its self-lubricating properties.
   • Artisans carve intricate objects from lignum vitae because of its fine grain.
   • Lignum vitae was historically used for bowling balls and mallet heads.

2. A medicinal treeC2formal

   A tree of the genus Guaiacum, whose resin was historically used in traditional medicine.

   Guayaco

   • The resin of lignum vitae was once used to treat arthritis and syphilis.
   • Sailors used lignum vitae as a remedy for scurvy.
   • The tree's wood and resin have been used in folk medicine for centuries.