The globalization of traditional medicine in northern peru: from shamanism to molecules.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med December 28, 2013 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1155/2013/291903 via PubMed Central 79 citations
Summary
In northern Peru, a region central to Andean traditional medicine, over 510 medicinal plant species are used, 83% native to Peru. Research involving interviews with healers and vendors and bioassays found that 50% of plants used in colonial times are no longer in the pharmacopoeia. Vendors specialize in different plant types, and 974 preparations treat 164 health conditions, with nearly 65% of plants used in mixtures. Antibacterial activity was confirmed in most plants for infections, while 24% of aqueous and 76% of ethanolic extracts showed toxicity, reflecting traditional preparation methods. Most species are wild-collected, raising sustainability concerns as demand grows without increased cultivation.
Study at a glance
| Design | qualitative and experimental study |
|---|---|
| Population | healers, collectors, and sellers of medicinal plants in northern Peru |
| Key finding | Most medicinal plant species in northern Peru are wild-collected, and a significant proportion of extracts show toxicity, while antibacterial activity is common in plants used for infections. |
Abstract
Northern Peru represents the center of the Andean "health axis," with roots going back to traditional practices of Cupisnique culture (1000 BC). For more than a decade of research, semistructured interviews were conducted with healers, collectors, and sellers of medicinal plants. In addition, bioassays were carried out to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of plants found. Most of the 510 species encountered were native to Peru (83%). Fifty percent of the plants used in colonial times have disappeared from the pharmacopoeia. Market vendors specialized either on common and exotic plants, plants for common ailments, and plants only used by healers or on plants with magical purposes. Over 974 preparations with up to 29 different ingredients were used to treat 164 health conditions. Almost 65% of the medicinal plants were applied in these mixtures. Antibacterial activity was confirmed in most plants used for infections. Twenty-four percent of the aqueous extracts and 76% of the ethanolic extracts showed toxicity. Traditional preparation methods take this into account when choosing the appropriate solvent for the preparation of a remedy. The increasing demand for medicinal species did not increase the cultivation of medicinal plants. Most species are wild collected, causing doubts about the sustainability of trade.