Central and South American Folk Remedies

| Modified on Sep 30, 2013
Add New Post Comments

Ayahuasca, Maca, and Other Shamanic and Curandero Medicines

South American complementary and alternative medicine is rich in both the shamanic and curandero traditions, with promising medicines only beginning to emerge from the continent's rain forests. Promising cancer, malarial, and other herbal and drug treatments are making their way into Western research labs and globally into the practices of naturopaths.

Alternative Healing and Herbal Treatments:
Maca, otherwise known as Peruvian Ginseng, is widely believed to improve sexual desire and possibly alleviate issues with sexual function--an herbal Viagra. It may also have a positive effect on hypertension and arthritis.

Ayahuasca would be the other famously known South American herbal treatment. The Spirit Vine is known as an hallucinogen and agent of revelation as well as for being a potent health aid that has been said to cure difficult health conditions including depression, addiction, cancer, and anxiety disorders.

Papaya as well has been a traditional remedy throughout much of South America (and a less controversial one), with use of both green and ripe papaya variously against parasites, for its digestive enzymes, as an anti-inflammatory, and to treat stomach disorders.



The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Balsam of Peru

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Aurora (Palo Alto, Ca) on 02/05/2013
★★★★★

One traditional remedy from South America that I think could help many right away is Balsam of Peru. It is a topical antifungal and I think perhaps antiviral, also. I just simply found a cream called Healing Cream that carries Balsam of Peru as main ingredient (brand with the initials M. B. ) that I found they carried at Nordstroms or possibly other departement stores, but I know you can buy it unmixed online. I used it on my eye-lid, that had a stubborn infection I got at work, (red, itchy, dry & swollen) and apparently many suffer from this in cold weather, I found out. Cortisone creams and such don't do much good. Doctors just want to give anitbiotics, and then I deal with other after-effects for months, so no thanks. I've also used it on other areas on my body, hands, nails, my puppy's stomach rash, and it always works within a couple of hours. I share it with friends and they call me in amazement how fast it works. Just don't use it constantly, or you can develop allergic reactions over time. Hope this is useful.


Maca Root Powder

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Barrett (Clawson, Mi) on 02/19/2013
★★★★★

Maca Root Powder's Health benefits:

  • Increase energy
  • Increase strength and stamina
  • Improve cognitive functioning
  • Improve mental clarity and memory
  • Enhances learning and mental ability
  • Reduce anxiety, stress and depression
  • Normalize progesterone, estrogen and testosterone
  • Decrease mood swings and hot flashes
  • Treat hormonal imbalance
  • Menstrual relief
  • Regulate hormones
  • Relieve symptoms of menopause
  • Regulate menstrual cycles
  • Treat chronic fatigue
  • Treat insomnia
  • Improves sexual function in men and women
  • Enhance fertility
  • Treat erectile dysfunction
  • As an antioxidant and anti-carcinogen
  • Improve mental wellbeing
  • Treat infertility
  • Increase libido
  • Benefit pituitary gland
  • Stimulate the immune system
  • Overcome physical and mental stress
  • Fuel the endocrine system
  • Treat exhaustion
  • Improve the functioning of the circulatory system
  • Make skin look younger
  • Strengthen teeth and bones
  • Kill bacteria and fungus

I have been taking 1 tsp/day for the past 5 weeks and have experienced improvements in strength, energy, anxiety and digestion. It is considered a superfood with no significant side effects. It's inexpensive and very effective. Highly recommended!


Mutamba Extract

Posted by Ricardo Costa (Brazil) on 09/30/2013

Down here in brazil, people are drinking mutamba extract (tree's leaves) which has the perfect tanine to change hiv life cycle. The leaves of this tree is curing people here. There is a doctor that discovered this. His name is Dr. Paulo Gouveia, Tanine is the key that can reach places where the aids cocktail can not reach. This doctor said the mutamba tree is the cure. And the species of the state of goias suffered a mutation caused by a certain virus (plaque) that attacked these trees down here around 1900s or so. The mutamba tree survived and it has this special tanine. 50 leaves blended with 2 lts of water. Filter it with a simple sieve. Drink it every 12 hours for about 30 days. There is another plant that can save people. it is called avelos or aveloz plant. The same plant cures cancers too. Another thing that works well is colloidal silver or gold silver. Also check on avelos or aveloz plant may cure hiv. Check both trees on youtube in Portuguese. Astragalus, oregano oil and olive oil or leaves cure AIDS.