Northern Peru occupies the upper sector of the “health axis” of the Central Andean
cultural area. Few other places on the planet boast a medicinal flora as rich as this region.
Archaeological evidence traces the use of plants used in traditional healing and divination
practices of the region back at least 2,500 years. Current research shows that the composition
of the local pharmacopoeia has changed since colonial times (Sharon and Bussmann 2006)
and that the overall number of medicinal plants employed seems to have increased. This
indicates that the North Peruvian health tradition is still going strong, and that the healers are
constantly experimenting with new remedies. Recent indications of this are the appearance of
Noni (Morinda citrifolia) products in large quantities in plant pharmacies and markets in the
region. This makes it quite obvious that local herbalists are carefully watching international
health trends to include promising species in their own repertoire.
Author(s): Rainer Bussmann; Douglas Sharon
Publisher: Rainer W. Bussmann & Douglas Sharon
Year: 2015
Language: English
Pages: 293
City: Trujillo (Perú)
Tags: Medicina Natural; Natural medicine; Plantas medicinales; Medicinal plants; Andes; Amazonia; Amazon; Northern Peru; Peru; Norte del Perú; Sierra del Perú; Peruvian Andes; Peruvian Amazon; Medicinal flora; Botánica; Botany; Conocimientos tradicionales; Tradicional Knowledge; Medicina tradicional; Traditional Medicine
Traditional and Complementary - Alternative Medicine 7
Antecedents - Medicinal Plant Research and Traditional Medicine in Peru 11
Issues in Ethnobotany 15
Biodiversity Conservation and Traditional Medicine 21
Work to Date 24
Plant Nomenclature in Northern Peru 25
Two Decades of Ethnobotany in Northern Peru and Southern Ecuador 26
Medicinal Uses 26
Magical Uses 28
Respiratory System 31
Urinary System (Kidneys, Bladder) 32
Rheumatic Problems 33
Internal Organs (Liver, Gallbladder) 33
Diarrhea, Stomach Problems, and Other Intestinal Ailments 34
Reproductive Problems and Female Health 35
Heart and Circulatory System 35
Inflammation and Bacterial Infections 37
Malaria and Fever 37
Cancer and Diabetes 38
Parts of Medicinal Plants Used and Mode of Application 39
Does Traditional Medicine Work? A Look at Antibacterials Used in Northern Peru 42
Toxicity in Traditional Medicine 45
Markets and Sustainability 46
The Case of Ulluchu 49
Changing Markets 56
A look at sustainability - How much plant for what price? 57
Sacred Seeds, the Nagoya Protocol, and Repatriation of Traditional Knowledge 62
The Nagoya Protocol and Repatriation of Traditional Knowledge 62
A Global Program for Conservation of Useful Plants and Traditional Knowledge: A Call to Action 70
Conclusions 71
Acknowledgements 73
LIST OF MEDICINAL PLANTS 75
