Central and South American Herbal Medicine

Herbal Traditions of Central and South Amercia

Zea Mays

Central and South America have an unparalled richness of diverse flora,Brazil alone has some 55,000 species of flowering plants. In addition to moderate and tropical forests, many familiar plants come from the drier regions such as Zea mays (corn), and the medicinal and edible peppers, squashes and papayas. The amazon rainforsest may hold mankinds last best hope or finding new drugs to combat disease and sustain health. The amount of acres that have been lost to deforestation is heartbreaking as is the loss of much of the knowledge of the indeginous peoples whose oral traditions are being replance by Western medicine and cultures

Buy organic bulk herbs, spices, oils and teas at Mountain Rose Herbs Detail AllSpice Pimenta officinalis Allspice earns its common name because it tastes like a combination of cloves, juniper berries, cinnamon and pepper Detail Annatto Bixa orellana Annatto is widely used in Caribbean and Latin cusines. Recado rojo or achiote paste is a popular blend of spices from Yucatán region of Southern Mexico Detail Bois de Rose Aniba rosaeodora Rosewood, or bois de rose, is a tropical tree growing wild in the Amazon basin , mainly in Brazil and in Guyana. Unfortunatel Detail Boldo Peumus boldus Molina The Incas used the herb to treat are used to treat bladder and urinary tract infections, the same uses as you will find it recommended for today Detail Cacao Theobroma cacao L. Mexicans named the pounded seeds Chocolate, an Aztec word used to describe a number of raw and processed products that Detail Cat's Claw Uncaria tomentosa Cat's claw bark is traditionally used for inflammatory arthritis and intestinal complaints such as stomach ulcers Detail Catuaba Erythroxylum catuaba Catuaba is the most famous of the Brazilian aphrodisiac plants, noted for it's ability to strengthen erections. Detail Cayenne Pepper Capsicum minimum Capsicum, an extract from cayenne and other peppers, can dramatically reduce chronic nerve pain, and along with it's anti-inflammatory actions it is effective against chronic pain like arthritis and neuralgia. Detail Chanca Piedra Phyllanthus niruri This traditional native medicine is used to treat kidney stones in both human and veterinary herbal medicine. Detail Coca, cocaine Erythroxylum coca Since time immemorial, its leaves have been used as a stimulant by the indigenous people of Peru, Bolivia Detail Corn Silk Zea mays Corn silks are the silky tassels running the length of an ear of corn. Those same strings you work so hard to get out of an ear of corn soothe and relax the urinary tubes, and are believed to have a beneficial effect on the kidneys. Detail Datura Datura spp Datura are potent members of the Solanaceae family, relatives of other well known narcotic plants such as henbane and mandrake. Detail Epazote Chenopodium ambrosioides The use of epazote can be traced back to the Aztecs. Epazote essential oil contains up to 70% ascaridole, which gives it a similiar character to boldo, another leafy, pungent herb consumed in South Amercian folk medicine as a digestive tea. Detail Jamaican Dogwood Piscidia piscipula The bark of this Central American tree works similarly to aspirin. Detail Mate Ilex paraguariensis Containing 196 active compounds, nutrients, and amino acids, Yerba mate is touted as the new healthy alternative to coffee. Detail Muira puama Ptychopetalum olacoides Muira puama is commonly referred to not only as an aphrodisiac but also as a nerve stimulant that is said to heighten sexual receptiveness. Detail Papaya Carica papaya Papaya fruit offers not only the luscious taste but is a rich source of antioxidants. Papaya leaf is used as a dewormer. Detail Peruvian Bark Cinchona spp Peruvian Bark, is the historical name of the main active principle, quinine. Detail Suma Root Pfaffia paniculata Suma root has the ability to act as an adaptogen, helping the body to cope with stress, increasing energy levels and resisitence to disease. Detail Sunflower Helianthus annuus Sunflower seeds, and the oil that is pressed from them are the part of the plant used most often for food and medicine Detail Vanilla Vanilla planifolia Cooking with whole vanilla beans is easy and fun, and many chefs believe it is the only way to experience true vanilla flavor. Detail Wild Yam Dioscorea villosa Wild yam root is a potent source of diosginin, a chemical that resembles female sex hormones and was used in the manufacture of the first oral contraceptives.

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** Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs are provided on this site is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Many traditional uses and properties of herbs have not been validated by the FDA. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs. **

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