Research ArticleEthnobotany of Indigenous Saraguros: MedicinalPlants Used by Community Healers (Hampiyachakkuna) inthe San Lucas Parish, Southern Ecuador
José M. Andrade,1 Hernán Lucero Mosquera,2 and Chabaco Armijos1
1Department of Chemistry, Universidad Tecnica Particular de Loja, P.O. Box 11-01-608, Loja, Loja Province, Ecuador2Department of Natural Sciences, Universidad Tecnica Particular de Loja, P.O. Box 11-01-608, Loja, Loja Province, Ecuador
Correspondence should be addressed to Jose M. Andrade; [email protected]
Received 15 February 2017; Revised 21 April 2017; Accepted 21 May 2017; Published 4 July 2017
This paper reports the results of an ethnobotanical survey on the use ofmedicinal plants by community healers “Hampiyachakkuna”in the San Lucas Parish, province of Loja, Ecuador. A particular ethnic group, the indigenous Saraguros, inhabits this region. Thisstudy reports 183 plant species used in 75 different curative therapies by the Saraguro healers.
1. Introduction
TheSaraguros are one of theKichwa indigenous communitiesof Ecuador. Although their origin is uncertain, they areconsidered to have been forced by the Incas to reach Ecuadorfrom far away. A commonly accepted theory on how theyreached south Ecuador is as a result of an “ethnical mobiliza-tion,” a common practice established by the great Inca TupacYupanqui.This strategy was used in order to secure the peaceinside the Empire. As such, and according to Uhle [1], a smallgroup of Paltas, the autochthonous inhabitants of the Lojaregion in south Ecuador, were transferred to Bolivia; and atthe same time, a certain number of inhabitants of the BolivianHighland Plateauwere relocated in south Ecuador [2]. Nowa-days, the Saraguros are normally settled in communitarianland in the southern Ecuador provinces of Loja and ZamoraChinchipe. In the canton of Loja, the Saraguros live in the SanLucas Parish, where this research was conducted.
The Saraguros are one of the best-organized ethnicalgroups in Ecuador and have conserved many aspects of theirancient culture and traditions for centuries. They demon-strate the latter by preserving their typical dressing, language,religion, gastronomy, architecture, social habits, and medicalpractices [3]. Among their medical practice traditions, thisethnic group is known for the use of medicinal plants in their
own health care system. In fact, the use of these plants as ther-apeutic agents is an important feature of traditional indige-nousmedicine and is still practiced within the Saraguro com-munity [4]. In particular, the Saraguros are highly recognizedfor the development of optimization techniques that helpthem select natural/plant resources to be used in their healthcare practices [5].
The community of healers locally known as “Hampiy-achakkuna” maintains the ancient medical treatments ofthe Saraguros. The “Yachak” or “Hampi yachakkuna” is theperson who knows the curative properties of plants, animals,and/or minerals. Under the Andean cosmovision of theSaraguros ethnical group, the diseases they treat are thoughtto be produced by either cold or heat [6]. As such, their natu-ral medicines are classified as hot and fresh [7]; and depend-ing on the nature of the patient’s condition, different plantsare selected for the treatment in accordance with this classifi-cation.However, although the knowledge regarding the usageof plants for medicinal practices has been transmitted orallyfrom generation to generation [8], the Saraguros are exper-imenting cultural changes that threaten the preservation oftheir ancestral knowledge.These cultural changes lead to neg-ative consequences such as the loss of traditional knowledge,a decline in the use of natural resources, and changes in thepatterns of food intake, medical treatment, and, furthermore,
HindawiBioMed Research InternationalVolume 2017, Article ID 9343724, 20 pageshttps://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9343724
their cosmovision. For these reasons, there is an urgent needto document and preserve their invaluable knowledge [9].
In this sense, a number of ethnobotanical studies havebeen conducted in Ecuador. [10–16]. More recently, a seriesof important contributions to ethnobotanical research in theSouth of Ecuador have been published [17, 18]. For example,there are studies related to the use of wild fruits as alimentarysupplements [19], the documentation of the herbaceousplants of Vilcabamba [20], and ofmedicinal plants used in theprovince of Loja [21]. In the latter, the existence of more than200 medicinal plants was reported. In the Saraguro region,only few ethnobotanical studies have reported the usefulnessof different natural plants in a variety of applications [22–24].However, to date, a thorough documentation of the plantsused as medicinal resources by the healers of the Saraguroethnical group, which is the motivation for this investigation,has not been reported.
Because of the increasing recognition of the importanceof the different medicinal species used by the Saraguros andin an effort to preserve their knowledge, in this work we seekto contribute to the conservation strategy on the sustainableuses of the Ecuadorian medicinal biodiversity. The latter isconsidered a fundamental step in order to raise awarenessof its cultural value and the importance of its preservation.By doing that, we intended to safeguard the popular knowl-edge concerning natural medicinal plants and to providea baseline for future actions regarding scientific researchprograms, environmental education, social awareness, andsustainable natural resources exploitation. As such, this studywas conducted under a technical and scientific cooperationamong the Universidad Tecnica Particular de Loja (UTPL),the Direccion Provincial de Salud de Loja (DPSL), and theSaraguros Healers Council (Consejo de Sanadores de Sara-guro) with the objective of recognizing and recovering thetraditional knowledge of herbal medicinal resources used bythe Saraguro community. The results of this research alsoaim at becoming a starting point to attract the attention ofnational and international tourists, in order to promote a self-sustaining development of the Saraguro community.
2. Methodology
This study was carried out in the San Lucas Parish in thesouth Ecuadorian province of Loja (Figure 1). San Lucas islimited to the north with the Saraguro Canton and the “Lomade Oro” mountain, to the south with the Jimbilla parishby the Bunque and Puruzhuma Rivers, to the east with theLoja-Zamora Chinchipe provincial limits and the ImbanaMountain, and to thewest with the Santiago parish. San Lucashas an area of 15.900 ha and a population of approximately4,296 inhabitants [12].The dominant ecosystem in the zone isclassified as lower montane-humid forest (hf-LM) accordingto Holdrige classification system. It is located at an averageelevation of 2,525m a.s.l and has an irregular topography.Thestudy area has a temperate climate, with temperature rangingbetween 12 and 18∘C along the year [12]. Annual precipitationamounts range between 600 and 1,000mmyr−1. The rainfallregime is semihumid with low seasonality.
Ecuador
N
Study areaCanton LojaProvincia de Loja
(Km)
81∘0�㰀0�㰀�㰀W 80
∘0�㰀0�㰀�㰀W 79
∘0�㰀0�㰀�㰀W
81∘0�㰀0�㰀�㰀W 80
∘0�㰀0�㰀�㰀W 79
∘0�㰀0�㰀�㰀W
4∘0�㰀0�㰀�㰀S 4
∘0�㰀0�㰀�㰀S
Loja
1,6001,2008004002000
Figure 1: Geographical location of the San Lucas Parish, indicatingthe places of collection of medicinal species.
This research was carried out during 11 field trips con-ducted during the period June–September 2010. During thesefield visits, interviews with four key informants (i.e., healers)from the Saraguro community regarding themedicinal plantsthey use in their practices and their applications were carriedout. These healers were a midwife “Wachakhampiyachak,”a herbalist “Yurakhampiyachak,” a bone-healer “Kakuy-hampiyachak,” and a visionary “Rikuyhampiyachak.” All ofthem are inhabitants of San Lucas community (Table 1)(Figure 2).
In the Saraguro community, the midwifes (locally knownas “parteras” or wachak in Kichwa) watch over the healthof women in labor (“parturienta” in Spanish), prior, dur-ing, and after the child’s birth, as well as during the firstyears of the newborn’s life. They are mainly recognized forusing medicinal plants normally grown in her own orchard,which facilitates their work. The herbalists (locally known as“hierbateros”) treat diseases with symptomatology of organictype. These include headache, stomach ache, articulationpain, fever, and/or allergies. The “hierbateros” mainly usemedicinal resources collected in high-elevationmountainousareas. As such, differently from the “parteras,” they use largeramounts of herbal wild species during their practices. Thebone-healers (locally known as “sobador”) is an empiricaltraumatologist who uses medicinal plants and the fat ofdifferent animals to treat the rupture of bones, sprains, anddislocations. The “visionario” (locally known as “Yachak”)are specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of diseasesof supernatural nature (e.g., evil eye, fright (or “susto” inSpanish)), but also the aforementioned diseases of organicnature.They are particularly recognized for their expertise inthe preparation of psychoactive potions using hallucinogennatural plants and depending of the Yachak expertise andknowledge the use of additional nonhallucinogen plants thatact as psychoactive additives. For example, on the use ofwamingas and trencillas (Huperzia spp.) for the preparationof the hallucinogenic cactus San Pedro (Echinopsis pachanoi)[11]. Although the practices of these community healers are
BioMed Research International 3
Table 1: Places of collection of medicinal species used by community healer.
Place of collection Community healerVisionary Herbalist Midwife Bone-healer
Acacana x x xPichic x x xIngapirca xInguera xAguarongo xPlan de Duco x
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 2: Community healers from San Lucas Parish: (a) midwife “Wachakhampiyachak” during an interview with one of the coauthors; (b)herbalist “Yurakhampiyachak”; (c) visionary “Rikuhampiyachak”; and (d) bone-healer “Kakuyhampiyachak.”
highly trusted and recognized as effective within the Saragurocommunity, when they detect serious conditions in the healthof a patient, they immediately transfer the patient to a healthcenter or hospital.
The informants were contacted through authorized rep-resentatives of the Department of Indigenous Health (Depar-tamento de Salud Indıgena) of the Loja CityHealthDirection.
The informants were between 60 and 80 years old, with atleast 25 years of experience in the use of medicinal plantspecies. The consent of each of the interviewed Saragurohealers was obtained before starting the study and reportingthe results. Their knowledge of traditional medicine wasinherited from ancestors and close relatives.The informationcollected during the interviews with the healers was related to
4 BioMed Research International
the different uses, application forms, preparation, method/sof collection, parts, and spread of the different plants used byeach of them as medicinal resources.
In addition, the medicinal plants species used by each ofthe healers within the San Lucas Parish were collected. Thespecies were classified according to the Red Book of endemicplants of Ecuador [21] and the Catalogue of the VascularPlants of Ecuador [25]. After their classification, the collectedspecimens were deposited in the herbarium of the Plantof Natural Products (Planta de Productos Naturales) of theUniversidad Tecnica Particular de Loja for future studies.Thequalitative evaluation and quantitative information collectedof all species were tabulated and analyzed with their ver-nacular names, occurrence, growing places, therapeuticallyapplications, parts used, plants habit development, and formsof preparation as described by each informant. The scientificnomenclature was recorded according to the Catalogue of theVascular Plants of Ecuador [25].This research was conductedunder permission of theMinisterio del Ambiente del Ecuador(MAE-N∘001-IC-FLO-DBAP-VS-DRLZCH-MA). Addition-ally, voucher specimens were prepared and deposited inHerbarium of the Universidad Tecnica Particular de Loja.Date of plant species, vernacular name, scientific name andfamily,medicinal use, parts used andmodality of preparation,form of administration, and the species used for each “HampiYachak” are reported in Tables 4 to 7.
3. Results and Discussion
In this ethnobotanical survey, we identified 183 plants used bythe community healers “Hampi yachakkuna” of the Saraguroethnic in the San Lucas Parish. These were grouped into: 68families, 129 genera, and 179 species. The most representativefamilies were Asteraceae (30 species); Lamiaceae (14 species),Arecaceae (9 species), Solanaceae and Geraniaceae (8 specieseach), Amaryllidaceae and Brassicaceae (7 species each),and Piperaceae, Lycopodiaceae, and Ericaceae (6 specieseach). In relation to the treated diseases we found that 47species are used for mythological treatments, 24 species fornervous system treatments, 13 species for cold treatments, 12species for infection treatments, 9 species for general malaisetreatments, and 8 species for inflammatory treatments ofthe liver and kidneys. These results are corroborated by thestudies of [26–28]. As reported by [3, 5], as a result of theirancient Andean world view, supernatural and mythologicaldiseases are the most commonly treated conditions by theSaraguro healers.
The type of species used by the healers, with exceptionof the midwifes (“Wachakhampiyachak”) who use a largeamount of self-cultivated species, are wild species (57.4%).These species are generally collected at high-elevation in thehighlands surrounding the parish. About the vegetative organof the plants used, we found that the highest proportioncorresponds to the use of the whole plant (30.1%), followedby the branches (21.9%), flowers (18.6%), leaves (16.4%), bark(2.2%), seeds (1.1%), and tubers (0.6%).These results contrastwith those documented by [29] in the San Lucas Parish, whoreported that the most commonly used part of the plants arethe leaves. With regard to the preparation of the medicinal
Table 2: Knowledge on the propagation of species.
Propagation Number of species Percent (%)Unknown 101 55.19Sexual 32 17.49Asexual 50 27.32Total 183 100.00
treatment products, crushing of the plants or their partswas determined as the most commonly applied method toprocess the rough plant tissues (28.4%), because it allows fora more effective treatment of the diseases according to thekey informants. This method is followed by boiling the planttissues in water (27.9%), infusions (25.7%), and their directuse (18%) as has been previously reported by [28].
The interviewees did not know the form of reproductionof the majority of the species documented in the study(55.2%). From the ones they knew, 27.3% have an asexualreproduction and 17.5% have a sexual reproduction (Table 2).Only 29% of the total number of the registered species (53species) have not been previously reported in scientific inves-tigations of phytochemical character and their pharmacologi-cal activity. In contrast, 71% (130 species) have registered stud-ies of pharmacological and phytochemical nature. Regardingthe administration and/or application of medicinal prepara-tions, five procedureswere identified: oral administration (110species), topical administration (45 species), administrationduring water baths (17 species), administration during rituals(locally known as “limpias”) (9 species), and administrationduring steam baths (2 species).
Of the total screened plants, 55.2% are native, 37.2% areintroduced, and 7.7% are endemic. Similar results have beenreported in the paste [20, 30]. From the 13 endemic speciesreported (Table 3), 2 species are used by themidwife, 3 speciesby the herbalist, 6 species by the visionary, and 2 species bythe bone-healer. From the total number of species used bythe healers, 96 are used by the visionary, 69 by the herbalist,52 by the midwife, and 12 by the bones healer (Figure 3). Itis important to mention that some of the species are used bymore than one Yachak.
In relation to the type of plants used by the healers, theresults show that 61.8% correspond to herbs (113 species),25.7% correspond to shrubs (47 species), 7.1% correspondto trees (13 species), 3.8% correspond to lianas (7 species),and the rest correspond to two parasitic and one aquaticspecies [31] (Figure 4). From these, the species grown inthe “paramo” (tropical alpine grassland ecosystem) belong toHuperzia and Lycopodium genera as was previously reportedby [32]. Out of the total species registered, two of them(Bejaria resinosa and Huperzia) have been studied in detail,showing a high potential of the Saraguro flora as a sourceof novel secondary metabolites and biologically active plantsextracts as has been previously reported [33–35]. Finally,a summary of the documented plant species used by thedifferent healers that include information of their scientificname, way of preparation, and administration is reported inTables 4−7.
BioMed Research International 5
Table 3: Endemic species reported.
Common name Scientific name CategoryPena de cerro Bejaria subsessilis Benth. VulnerableSuelda pequena Dendrophthora fastigiata Kuijt. In dangerChuquir agua Diplostephium oblanceolatum S. F. Blake Almost threatedSacha pena Fuchsia hypoleuca I. M. Johnst. In dangerWuaminga verde pequeno Huperzia austroecuadorica B. Øllg. VulnerableShallshon Lepechinia paniculata (Kunth) VulnerablePena rojo de monte Siphocampylus scandens (Kunth). G. Don Least preoccupationPegac chilca Ageratina dendroides (Spreng) R. VulnerableSarcillo sacha Brachyotum scandens (Bonpl.) Triana. Least preoccupationMonte de bano Diplostephium juniperinum Cuatrec In dangerSuelda grande Phoradendron parietarioides Trel. Not evaluatedSacha algodon Achyrocline halliiHieron. VulnerableSp flor morado Salvia leucocephala Kunth Vulnerable
Figure 3: Number of species used by each community healer.
Herbs Shrubs Trees Liana Parasitic AquaticHabits
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Spec
ies n
umbe
r
Figure 4: Number of species in relation to their habit.
4. Conclusions
In this study we collected, organized, and documented thenatural plants used in traditional healing practices of theSaraguro community of the San Lucas Parish in southEcuador. We achieved this according to the directions of the
WorldHealth Organization (OMS), which is one of the prior-itized strategic research lines of the National Secretariat forScience and Technology of Ecuador (SENESCYT), that is, tostrengthen and enhance the recovery of ancestral knowledgein coexistence with scientific knowledge.We documented theexistence of 183 species used in 75 different curative therapiesby four key community healers of the Saraguro ethnic group:a midwife, an herbalist, a bone-healer, and a visionary.
This research conducted in collaboration with the mem-bers of the native Saraguro community constitutes a baselinestudy to help promote the preservation of this ancient medic-inal knowledge by a thorough documentation of the naturalresources and processing methods used. Moreover, we hopethe results of this study motivate young generations to envi-sion the potential of the use and application of traditionalknowledge in medicinal practices. Finally, this scientificresearch and the results here reported aim at preserving andenhancing, as much as possible, a culture of the practice ofnatural ancient medicinal science, while preserving the envi-ronment, nature, life, culture, and sovereignty of the Saraguropeople.
6 BioMed Research International
Table4:Ethn
opharm
acologicalrepo
rtso
fmedicinalspeciesu
sedby
herb
man
“Yurakhampiyachak.”
Num
ber
Scientificn
ame
Herbariu
mvoucher
Medicinaluse
Preparation
Usedpart
Administratio
n
1Cy
clanthera
pedata
(L.)Schrad.
Cucurbita
ceae
PPN-cu-00
4Ea
rache
Heat
Fruit
Topic
2Alliu
msativ
umL.
Liliaceae
PPN-li-001
Cou
ghCr
ushed
Garlic
Oral
3Medica
gosativaL.
Fabaceae
PPN-fa
-017
Circulatoryprob
lemsintheb
lood
syste
m,
particularlylossof
sensationin
theb
ody
extre
mities
(e.g.,hand
s,feet,and
/ortoes)
Liqu
efied
Leaves
Oral
4Ph
ytolacca
america
naL.
Phytolaccaceae
PPN-ph-003
Dandruff
Crushed
Fruit
Topic
5Na
sturtium
officin
aleR
.Br.
Brassic
aceae
PPN-br-002
Malaise
oftheb
odyandheadache
Crushed
Who
leOral
6Na
sturtium
officin
aleR
.Br.
Brassic
aceae
PPN-br-002
Pneumon
iaCr
ushed
Leaves
Oral
7Ag
eratum
conyzoidesL.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-037
Gangrenea
ndinfection
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
8Prun
usserotin
aEh
rh.
Rosaceae
PPN-ro-010
Postp
artum
bath
andbo
nepain.
Coo
ked
Leaves
Bath
9Ce
drela
montana
Moritz
exTu
rcz.
Meliaceae
PPN-m
l-004
Postp
artum
bath
andbo
nepain.
Coo
ked
Leaves
Bath
10Aloysia
triphylla(L’Her.)Britton
,Ve
rbenaceae
PPN-ve-002
Colds
andcolic
Infusio
nLeaves
Oral
11Lepidium
sp.
Brassic
aceae
PPN-br-008
Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Cr
ushed
Who
leplant
Oral
12Oxalis
pedu
ncularisKu
nth.
Oxalid
aceae
PPN-ox-002
Infectionof
thethroat
Crushed
Who
leplant
Topic:
13Oxalis
spira
lisRu
iz&Pav.
Oxalid
aceae
PPN-ox-003
Infectionof
thethroat
Crushed
Who
leTo
pic
14Dianthu
scaryophyllus
Caryop
hyllaceae
PPN-cd-001
Stom
achpain
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
15Brassicaoleracea
L.Brassic
aceae
PPN-br-007
Inflammationof
theliver
andkidn
eys
Crushed
Stem
sOral
16Eq
uisetum
bogotense
Equisetaceae
PPN-eq-001
Inflammationof
theliver
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Oral
17Oreocallis
grandiflora
(Lam
.)R.
Br.
Proteaceae
PPN-ti-001
Inflammationof
theliver
andkidn
eys
Coo
ked
Flow
ers
Oral
18Co
riand
rum
sativ
umL.
Apiaceae
PPN-ap-010
Menstrualrelated
abdo
minalpain
Infusio
nWho
leplant
Oral
19Tibouchina
laxa
(Desr.)
Cogn.
Mela
stomataceae
PPN-m
e-003
Infectionof
thee
yesinguinea
pig(has
not
been
appliedin
humans)
Crushed
Flow
ers
Oculara
pplication
BioMed Research International 7
Table4:Con
tinued.
Num
ber
Scientificn
ame
Herbariu
mvoucher
Medicinaluse
Preparation
Usedpart
Administratio
n
20Ire
sineh
erbstii
Hoo
k.Amaranthaceae
PPN-am-001
Infectionintestinal,injuries,liver
and
kidn
eyCr
ushed
Stem
sOral
21Ep
idendrum
cochlid
ium
Lind
l.Orchidaceae
PPN-or-00
6Nerves
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
22Pa
ssiflora
ligularisJuss.
Passifloraceae
PPN-pa-001
Diarrheainchild
renof
1to6mon
thso
fage
Warmed
Leaves
Topic
23Ru
mex
tolim
ensis
Wedd.
Polygonaceae
PPN-pl-0
05Growinghairanddand
ruffcontrol
Crushed
Stem
sTo
pic(washhair)
24Myrcia
nthesrhopaloides(Kun
th).
Myrtaceae
PPN-m
y-001
Cold
Artisa
nStem
sItisused
inagric
ulture
25Pa
epalanthus
ensifoliusM
art.
Eriocaulaceae
PPN-el-0
02Nerves
Water
stored
Leaves
Oral
26Sigesbeckiamandoni
Schu
lt.As
teraceae
PPN-as-051
Diarrheainchild
renof
1to6mon
thso
fage
Wormed
Leaves
Topic
27Maclea
niarupestr
is(Kun
th)A
.C.
Ericaceae
PPN-er-005
Redu
cesd
iarrheaa
ndgeneralm
alaise
Juiceo
rfoo
ddirectly
Fruit
Oral
28Drim
ysgranadensis
L.f.
Winteraceae
PPN-w
n-001
Sore
teeth
Crushed
Bark
ofthep
lant
Topic
29ZeamaysL
.Po
aceae
PPN-po-012
Redu
cesd
iarrheaa
ndgeneralm
alaise
Infusio
nHairo
fZ.m
aysd
ryOral
30Tropaeolum
tuberosum
Ruiz&Pav.
Trop
aeolaceae
PPN-tr
-001
Prostate
Coo
ked
Tubers
Oral:
31SalviascutellarioidesK.
Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-014
Infectionof
woun
dsCoo
ked
Leaves
Washthea
ffected
site
32Menthaspica
taLamiaceae
PPN-la
-027
Colicsto
machandcold
Coo
ked
Leaves
Oral
33Myrica
pubescensH
umb.&Bo
npl.
Myricaceae
PPN-m
r-001
Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Itisused
acrosscle
an.
Leaves
Topicaland
oral
34Clem
atishaenkeanaC.
Pres.
Ranu
nculaceae
PPN-ra-003
Sore
teeth
Crushed
Buds
Topic
35Ru
busu
rticifoliu
sPoir.
Rosaceae
PPN-ro-005
Gangrene
Crushed
Buds
and/flo
wers
Oral
36Gau
ltheriaerecta
Vent.
Eriaceae
PPN-er-008
Physicalexhaustio
nEats
Fruit
Oral
37Bidens
andicolaKu
nth.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-005
Dim
inish
fallback
into
illnessaft
errecovery
(locally
know
nas
“recaıda”)
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
38Jugla
nsneotropica
Diles.
Juglandaceae
PPN-ju
-001
Postp
artum
bath
Coo
ked
Leaves
Bath
39Ch
enopodium
ambrosioidesL.
Chenop
odiaceae
PPN-ch-001
Gallbladd
ersto
nes
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Oral
8 BioMed Research InternationalTa
ble4:Con
tinued.
Num
ber
Scientificn
ame
Herbariu
mvoucher
Medicinaluse
Preparation
Usedpart
Administratio
n
40Violadombeyana
DC.
Violaceae
PPN-vi-0
04Nerves
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
41Fu
chsia
hybridaho
rt.exSiebert&
Voss.
Onagraceae
PPN-on-005
Nerves
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
42Violaarguta
Willd.ex
Roem
.&Schu
lt.Violaceae
PPN-vi-0
02Nerves
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
43Siphocam
pylusscand
ens(Ku
nth)
G.
Campanu
laceae
PPN-cp-001
Nerves
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
44Petro
selin
umcrisp
um(M
ill.)
Apiaceae
PPN-ap-003
Nerves
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
45Disterigmaalaternoides(Kun
th)E
ricaceae
PPN-er-00
6Ph
ysicalexhaustio
nEa
tsFruit
Oral
46Poteriu
msanguisorbaL.
Rosaceae
PPN-ro-008
Nerves
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
47Clinopodium
sp.
Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-024
Menstrualrelated
abdo
minalpain
andcold
Infusio
nWho
leplant
Oral
48Myrteolaphylicoides(Benth.)
Myrtaceae
PPN-m
y-00
6Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Itisused
directly
Leaves
Topic
49Clinopodium
taxifoliu
m(Kun
th)
Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-002
Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Itisused
directly
Leaves
Topic
50Ac
hyrocline
halliiH
ieron.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-058
Injurie
sPlaceinthea
ffected
site
Leaves
Topic
51Fu
chsia
hypoleu
caI.M.Joh
nst.
Onagraceae
PPN-on-00
9Nerves
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
52Cleomelongifolia
C.Pres.
Capp
araceae
PPN-ck-001
Rheumatism
Crushed
Leaves
Topic
53Ce
strum
send
tnerianu
mMart.
Solanaceae
PPN-so-003
Fever,headache
andrelap
seInfusio
nLeaves
Oral
54Ce
strum
sp.
Solanaceae
PPN-so-00
4Fever,headache
andrelap
seInfusio
nLeaves
Oral
55Bidens
pilosa
L.As
teraceae
PPN-as-002
Dim
inish
fallback
into
illnessaft
errecovery
(locally
know
nas
“recaıda”)
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
56Pontederiasp.
Pontederiaceae
PPN-pk-001
Sore
teeth
Chew
Leaves
Topic
57Macrocarpaealen
aeJ.R.
Grant
Gentia
naceae
PPN-gn-003
Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Clean
Leaves
Topic
58PiperecuadorenseSo
diro.
Piperaceae
PPN-pi-0
07Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Clean.
Leaves
Topic
59Cy
phom
andrabetacea(C
av.)
Solanaceae
PPN-so-014
Infectionof
thethroat
Coo
ked
Fruit
Oral
BioMed Research International 9
Table4:Con
tinued.
Num
ber
Scientificn
ame
Herbariu
mvoucher
Medicinaluse
Preparation
Usedpart
Administratio
n
60Ca
ricapubescensL
enne
&C.
Koch.
Caric
aceae
PPN-cc-003
Nervesa
nddiarrhea
Coo
ked
Fruit
Oral
61Melissa
officin
alisL.
Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-004
Nerves
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
62Ph
ysalisperuvianaL.
Solanaceae
PPN-so-013
Cholesterol
Juices
Fruit
Oral
63Gaiadendron
punctatum
(Ruiz&
Pav.)
Loranthaceae
PPN-lo
-001
Strong
coug
hInfusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
64Otholobium
mexica
num
(L.f.)J.W.
Fabaceae
PPN-fa
-005
Diarrhea
Infusio
nor
cooking
Flow
ers
Oral
65Ca
vend
ishiabracteata(Ruiz&
Pav.)
Ericaceae
PPN-er-003
Feed
Eats
Fruit
Oral
66Ar
racacia
xanthorrhiza
Bancr.
Apiaceae
PPN-ap-001
Elim
inationof
thep
lacentaincattle
Coo
ked
Leaves
Oral
67Cu
curbita
maxim
aDuchense.
Cucurbita
ceae
PPN-cu-005
Diarrheainchild
renof
1to6mon
thso
fage
Warmed
intheh
ands
palm
sLeaves
Topic
∗Plantsused
inmytho
logicalcases.
10 BioMed Research International
Table5:Ethn
opharm
acologicalrepo
rtof
medicinalplantsused
byvisio
nary
“Rikuyhampiyachak.”
Num
ber
Scientificn
ame
Herbariu
mvoucher
Medicinaluse
Preparation
Usedpart
Administratio
n
1Cy
clanthera
pedata
(L.)Schrad.
Cucurbita
ceae
PPN-cu-00
4Dim
inish
fallback
into
illnessaft
errecovery
(locally
know
nas
“recaıda”)
Crushed
Flow
ers
Oral
2Scirp
ussp.
Cyperaceae
PPN-cy-00
4Ch
ildrestlessandconfused,and
postp
artum
bath
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Bath
3Alnu
sacuminataKu
nth.
Betulaceae
PPN-be-001
Headache
Heated
Leaves
Topic
4Am
aranthus
cruentus
L.Amaranthaceae
PPN-am-002
Menstrualrelated
abdo
minalpain
Coo
ked
Leaves
Oral
5Na
sturtium
officin
aleR
.Br.
Brassic
aceae
PPN-br-002
Headache
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
6Bo
rago
officin
alisL.
Boraginaceae
PPN-bo-001
Dim
inish
fallback
into
illnessaft
errecovery
(locally
know
nas
“recaıda”)andcoug
hInfusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
7Triumfetta
althaeoidesL
am.
Tiliaceae
PPN-ti-001
Inflammationof
theliver
andkidn
eys
Infusio
nLeaves
Oral
8SalviascutellarioidesKu
nth.
Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-014
Water
ofair∗
Crushed
Flow
ers
Oral
9Ag
eratum
conyzoidesL.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-031
Gangrenea
ndinfection
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
10Ce
ntauriu
merythraeaRa
fn.
Gentia
naceae
PPN-gn-001
Malaise
oftheb
ody
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
11Sonchu
soleraceusL
.As
teraceae
PPN-as-037
Malaise
oftheb
ody
Infusio
nWho
leplant
Oral
12Lepidium
sp.
Brassic
aceae
PPN-br-008
Dim
inish
fallback
into
illnessaft
errecovery
(locally
know
nas
“recaıda”)
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
13Co
tulaau
stralis(Siebere
xSpreng
.)Hoo
k.f.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-054
Dim
inish
fallback
into
illnessaft
errecovery
(locally
know
nas
“recaıda”)
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
14Lepidium
chich
icara
Desv.
Brassic
aceae
PPN-br-00
4Dim
inish
fallback
into
illnessaft
errecovery
(locally
know
nas
“recaıda”)
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
15Tagetesterniflora
Kunth,Nov.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-00
6Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Itisused
directly
Leaves
Topic
16Ur
ticaurensL
.Urticaceae
PPN-ur-00
4IntestinalInfectio
nInfusio
nWho
leplant
Oral
17Oxalis
pedu
ncularisKu
nth.
Oxalid
aceae
PPN-ox-002
Infectionof
thethroat
Crushed
Who
leplant
Topic
18Diploste
phium
oblanceolatum
S.F.Blake
Asteraceae
PPN-as-045
Malaise
oftheb
ody
Coo
ked
Leaves
Oral
19Cu
pressuslusita
nica
Mill.
Cupressaceae
PPN-cp-001
Con
trolbaldn
ess
Macerate
Fruit
Topic
BioMed Research International 11
Table5:Con
tinued.
Num
ber
Scientificn
ame
Herbariu
mvoucher
Medicinaluse
Preparation
Usedpart
Administratio
n
20Dianthu
scaryophyllus
Caryop
hyllaceae
PPN-cd-001
Stom
achpain
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
21Brassicaoleracea
L.Brassic
aceae
PPN-br-007
Infectionliver
andkidn
eys
Crushed
Stem
sOral
22Eq
uisetum
bogotenseK
unth.
Equisetaceae
PPN-eq-001
Inflammationof
theliver
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Oral
23Peperomiapeltigera
C.DC.
Piperaceae
PPN-pi-0
10Headache
Warm
Fire
Fruit
Inhalation
24PeperomiagalioidesKu
nth.
Piperaceae
PPN-pi-0
04Water
ofair∗
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
25Ba
ccharis
oblongifolia
(Ruiz&
Pav.)
Pers.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-047
Child
restlessandconfused,postpartum
bath
Coo
ked
Branches
Bath
26Oreocallis
grandiflora
(Lam
.)R.
Br.
Proteaceae
PPN-pr-001
Inflammationof
theliver
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
27Niphogeton
disse
cta(Benth.)J.F.Macbr
Apiaceae
PPN-ap-010
Cold
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Oral
28Ap
ium
leptophyllum
L.Ap
iaceae
PPN-ap-00
6Cold
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Oral
29Ad
iantum
poire
tiiWikstr.
Pteriadaceae
PPN-pt-0
01Cold
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Oral
30Ire
sineh
erbstii
Hoo
k.Amaranthaceae
PPN-am-001
Infection:
intestinal,liver
andkidn
eys
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Oral
31Eu
calyptus
globu
lusL
abill.
Myrtaceae
PPN-m
y-007
Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Dire
ctly
Branches
Topic
32Ep
idendrum
fimbriatum
Kunth.
Orchidaceae
PPN-or-001
Forinternaltum
ors
Crushed
Flow
ers
Oral
33Ru
mex
tolim
ensis
Wedd.
Polygonaceae
PPN-pl-0
05Dandruff
Crushed
Leaves
Topic
34Vicia
faba
L.Fabaceae
PPN-fa
-016
Headache
Boiledin
theh
ands
palm
sLeaves
Topic
35Haleniawe
ddelliana
Gilg.
Gentia
naceae
PPN-gn-002
Ithelpsm
aintainmilk
prod
uctio
nin
cattle
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Topic
36Marchantia
polymorphaL.
Amaranthaceae
PPN-am-008
Malaise
oftheb
ody
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
37Diploste
phium
sp.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-056
Tobadenergy∗
Coo
ked
Branches
Bath
38TageteserectaL.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-019
Water
ofair∗
Crushed
Flow
ers
Oral
39Myrica
parvifolia
Benth.
Myricaceae
PPN-m
r-002
Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Dire
ctly
Branches
Topic
12 BioMed Research International
Table5:Con
tinued.
Num
ber
Scientificn
ame
Herbariu
mvoucher
Medicinaluse
Preparation
Usedpart
Administratio
n
40Gam
ochaetaam
erica
na(M
ill.)Wedd.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-030
cold
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Oral
41Linu
musita
tissim
umL.
Linaceae
PPN-li-001
Inflammationof
liver
andkidn
eys
Coo
ked
Fruits
Oral
42AlcearoseaL.
Malvaceae
PPN-m
a-001
Inflammationof
liver
andkidn
eys
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
43Matric
ariacham
omillaL.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-016
Gastritis
Boiled
Who
leplant
Oral
44Am
brosiaartemisioidesM
ill.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-022
Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Dire
ctly
Branches
Topic
45Pipera
duncum
L.Piperaceae
PPN-pi-0
16Infectionof
externalwou
ndCoo
kedtheleaves
Topic
46Diploste
phium
juniperin
umCu
atrec.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-057
Child
restlessandconfused,and
postp
artum
bath
Coo
ked
Branches
Bath
47Eriocaulon
microcephalum
Kunth,
Erioculaceae
PPN-el-0
01To
luck
good∗
Macerate
Who
leplant
Inhalation
48Ru
busu
rticifoliu
sPoir.
Rosaceae
PPN-ro-005
Gangrene
Crushed
Flow
ers
Oral
49Bidens
andicolaKu
nth.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-005
Dim
inish
fallback
into
illnessaft
errecovery
(locally
know
nas
“recaıda”)
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
50Pedicularis
incurvaBe
nth.
Scroph
ulariaceae
PPN-sc-00
4Cold
Macerate
Branches
Oral
51Lepidium
chich
icara
Desv.
Brassic
aceae
PPN-br-00
4Dim
inish
fallback
into
illnessaft
errecovery
(locally
know
nas
“recaıda”)
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
52Bejaria
aestu
ansM
utisex
L.Ericaceae
PPN-er-001
Menstrualrelated
abdo
minalpain
Coo
ked
Flow
ers
Oral
53Bejaria
subsessilisBe
nth.
Ericaceae
PPN-er-007
Nerves
Coo
ked
Flow
ers
Oral
54Fu
chsia
hybridaho
rt.exSiebert&
Voss.
Onagraceae
PPN-on-005
Nerves
Coo
ked
Flow
ers
Oral
55Poteriu
msanguisorbaL.
Rosaceae
PPN-ro-008
Nerves
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
56Pinu
sradiata
D.
Pinaceae
PPN-pc-001
Asthma
Coo
ked
Fruit
Oral
57Clinopodium
sp.
Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-024
Cold
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Oral
58Minthostachys
mollis
(Kun
th)G
rises.
Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-009
Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Dire
ctly
Branches
Topic
59Ch
rysanthemum
sp.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-055
Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Cr
ushed
Leaves
Oral
BioMed Research International 13Ta
ble5:Con
tinued.
Num
ber
Scientificn
ame
Herbariu
mvoucher
Medicinaluse
Preparation
Usedpart
Administratio
n
60Ce
roxylonparvifrons(En
gel)H.W
endl.
Aric
aceae
PPN-ak-001
Thea
erialp
artisu
sedas
incense∗
Burns
Leaves
61Ro
smarinus
officin
alisL.
Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-010
Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Cr
ushed
Branches
Oral
62Ro
sacentifolia
L.Ro
saceae
PPN-ro-001
Nerves
Crushed
Flow
ers
Oral
63Ru
tagraveolen
sL.
Rutaceae
PPN-rt-0
01Headache,badair∗
Crushed
Branches
Oral
64Solanu
mjugla
ndifoliu
mDun
al,Solan.
Solanaceae
PPN-so-016
Airwater∗
Crushed
Flow
ers
Oral
65Echinopsispachanoi(Britton&Ro
se)
Cactaceae
PPN-cb-001
Sorcery∗
Coo
ked
Stem
sOral
66Tana
cetum
parthenium
(L.)Sch.Bip.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-031
Fright
inchild
ren
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Oral
67Brachyotum
confertum
(Bon
pl.)Triana.
Mela
stomataceae
PPN-m
e-00
4Allergies
Crushedandcook
Branches
Topic
68Ce
strum
send
tnerianu
mC.
Martiu
s.Solanaceae
PPN-so-003
Fever,headache
andrelap
seInfusio
nLeaves
andflo
wers
Oral
69Ba
ccharis
obtusifoliaKu
nth.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-014
Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Dire
ctly
Branches
Topic
70Ba
ccharis
sp.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-015
Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Dire
ctly
Branches
Topic
71Lepechiniapaniculata
(Kun
th).
Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-011
Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Dire
ctly
Branches
Topic
72Bidens
pilosa
L.As
teraceae
PPN-as-002
Dim
inish
fallback
into
illnessaft
errecovery
(locally
know
nas
“recaıda”)
Crushed
Flow
ers
Oral
73TageteserectaL.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-019
Airwater∗
Crushed
Flow
ers
Oral
74Ba
ccharis
geniste
lloides(Lam
.)Pers.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-013
Diabetesa
ndcholesterol
Coo
ked
Branches
Oral
75Piperb
arbatum
Kunth.
Piperaceae
PPN-pi-0
05Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Dire
ctly
Branches
Topic
76Ba
ccharis
geniste
lloides(Lam
.)Pers.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-013
Diabetesa
ndcholesterol
Coo
ked
Branches
Oral
77Ire
sineh
erbstii
Hoo
k.Amaranthaceae
PPN-am-001
Fluandbadair∗
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Oral
78Clinopodium
nubigenu
m(Kun
th).
Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-018
Cold
Infusio
nWho
leplant
Oral
79Melissa
officin
alisL.
Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-004
Nerves
Crushed
Branches
Oral
14 BioMed Research International
Table5:Con
tinued.
Num
ber
Scientificn
ame
Herbariu
mvoucher
Medicinaluse
Preparation
Usedpart
Administratio
n
80Hup
erziasp.
Lycopo
diaceae
PPN-lc
-007
Child
restlessandconfused,and
postp
artum
bath
Coo
ked
Branches
Bath
81Hup
erziatetra
gona
(Hoo
k.&Grev.)
Lycopo
diaceae
PPN-lc
-004
Sorcery∗
Macerate
Who
leplant
Oral
82Solanu
moblongifoliu
mDun
al,Solan.
Solanaceae
PPN-so-014
Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Dire
ctly
Branches
Topic
83Oritrophium
peruvianum
(Lam
.)As
teraceae
PPN-as-04
6Inflammationof
theliver
andkidn
eys
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Oral
84Oritrophium
peruvianum
(Lam
.)As
teraceae
PPN-as-04
6Inflammationof
theliver
andkidn
eys
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Oral
85Oritrophium
peruvianum
(Lam
.)As
teraceae
PPN-as-04
6Inflammationof
theliver
andkidn
eys
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Oral
86Loric
ariathuyoides(Lam.)Sch.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-04
4Ch
ildrestlessandconfused,bathandgood
energy∗
Coo
ked
Branches
Bath
87Va
leriana
microphylla
Kunth.
Valeria
naceae
PPN-va-001
Nerves
Coo
ked
Roots
Oral
88VerbenalitoralisKu
nth.
Verbenaceae
PPN-ve-001
Plague
andheadache
Crushed
Flow
ers
Oral
89Hup
erziasp.
Lycopo
diaceae
PPN-lc
-007
Amuletfore
vileye
andsorcery∗
Macerate
Who
leplant
Oral
90Hup
erziasellifolia
B.Øllg.
Lycopo
diaceae
PPN-lc
-002
Amuletfore
vileye
andsorcery∗
Macerate
Who
leplant
Oral
91Lycopodium
weberbau
eri(Nessel).
Lycopo
diaceae
PPN-lc
-005
Amuletfore
vileye
andsorcery∗
Macerate
Who
leplant
Oral
92Hup
erziaau
stroecuadorica
B.Øllg.
Lycopo
diaceae
PPN-lc
-006
Amuletfore
vileye
andsorcery∗
Macerate
Who
leplant
Oral
93Brugman
siaXcand
idaPers.
Solanaceae
PPN-so-015
Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Dire
ctly
Dire
ctly
Topic
94Dau
cuscarotaL.
Apiaceae
PPN-um-001
Gastritis
Juice
Drops
Oral
∗Plantsused
inmytho
logicalcases.
BioMed Research International 15
Table6:Ethn
opharm
acologicalrepo
rtso
fmedicinalspeciesu
sedby
abon
ehealer“Ka
kuyham
piyachak.”
Num
ber
Scientificn
ame
Herbariu
mvoucher
Medicinaluse
Preparation
Usedpart
Administratio
n
1Persea
america
naMill.
Lauraceae
PPN-lu
-001
Cou
psandhematom
asScraped
Seed
Oral
2Alnu
sacuminataKu
nth.
Betulaceae
PPN-be-001
Ruptureo
fbon
es,sprains
and
dislo
catio
nsCr
ushed
Buds
Topic
3Ur
ticaurensL
.Urticaceae
PPN-ur-00
4Blow
sCr
ushed
Who
leplant
Topic
4Oreocallis
grandiflora
(Lam
.)R.
Br.
Proteaceae
PPN-pr-001
Twistsa
ndblow
sCr
ushed
Fruit
Topic
5Solanu
mam
erica
num
Mill.
Solanaceae
PPN-so-007
Blow
sinternal
Coo
ked
Leaves
Oral
6Ch
enopodium
album
L.Ch
enop
odiaceae
PPN-ch-002
Blow
s,dislo
catio
n,sprains
Crushed
Branches
orbu
dsTo
pic
7Ag
avea
merica
naL.
Amaryllid
aceae
PPN-ar-002
Bone
fracture
anddislo
catio
nGetssmallslats
Stem
sTo
pic
8Cu
curbita
ficifolia
Bouche,V
erh.
Amaryllid
aceae
PPN-cu-001
Blow
sItuses
theb
udsp
ound
edand
mixed
with
naturalsweetener
(panela)
Who
leplant
Topic
9Ph
oradendron
parie
tario
idesTrel.
Viscaceae
PPN-vs-002
Bone
fracturesa
nddislo
cated
Crushed
Who
leplant
Topic
10Dendrophthora
fastigiataKu
ijt.
Viscaceae
PPN-vs-001
Bone
fracturesa
nddislo
cated
Crushed
Who
leplant
Topic
11Ca
ricapubescensL
enne
&C.
Koch.
Caric
aceae
PPN-cc-003
Dislocation
Heat
Leaves
Topic
12Solanu
moblongifoliu
mDun
al,Solan.
Solanaceae
PPN-so-014
Dislocation
Heat
Leaves
Topic
16 BioMed Research International
Table7:Ethn
opharm
acologicalrepo
rtso
fmedicinalspeciesu
sedby
amidwife
“Wachackhampiyachak.”
Num
ber
Scientificn
ame
Herbariu
mvoucher
Medicinaluse
Preparation
Usedpart
Administratio
n
1Oxalis
cornicu
lata
L.Oxalid
aceae
PPN-ox-001
Scurvy
”scorbutictong
ue”
Tocrush
Who
leplant
Topic
2Im
patiens
sp.
Balsa
minaceae
PPN-ba-001
Postp
artum
relapse
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
3Im
patiens
balsa
minaL.
Balsa
minaceae
PPN-ba-001
Postp
artum
relapse
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
4Begoniasp.
Begoniaceae
PPN-ba-001
Postp
artum
relapse
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
5Im
patiens
balsa
minaL.
Balsa
minaceae
PPN-ba-001
Postp
artum
relapse
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
6Na
sturtium
officin
alisR.
Br.
Brassic
aceae
PPN-br-002
Malaise
oftheb
odyandflu
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
7Bo
rago
officinalis
L.Bo
raginaceae
PPN-bo-001
Postp
artum
relap
seandcoug
hInfusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
8TradescantiazebrinaHeynh
.Com
melinaceae
PPN-co-00
4Po
stpartum
relap
seCr
ush
Who
leplant
Oral
9Ca
llisia
repens
(Jacq.)L.
Com
melinaceae
PPN-co-001
Postp
artum
relap
seCr
ush
Who
leplant
Oral
10Ag
eratum
conyzoidesL.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-037
Gangrenea
ndinfections
after
birth
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
11Geranium
diffu
sum
Kunth.
Geraniaceae
PPN-ge-010
Gangrenea
ndinfections
after
birth
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
12Lepidium
chich
icara
Desv.
Brassic
aceae
PPN-br-00
4Fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstro
ngwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Cr
ushed
Who
leplant
Oral
13Dianthu
scaryophyllusL
.Ca
ryop
hyllaceae
PPN-cd-001
Stom
achache
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
14Brassicaoleracea
L.Brassic
aceae
PPN-br-007
Postp
artum
infection
Crushed
Stem
Oral
15Peperomiapeltigera
C.DC.
Piperaceae
PPN-pi-0
10Nervesa
ndheadache
Infusio
nLeaves
Oral
16Mesem
bryanthemum
elegans
L.Aizoaceae
PPN-az-002
Nervesa
ndheadache
Infusio
nLeaves
Oral
17PeperomiaInaequ
alifo
liaRu
iz&Pav.
Piperaceae
PPN-pi-0
09Fright
child
ren
Coo
ked
Leaves
Bath
18Taraxacum
officin
aleF
.H.W
igg.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-020
Gastritis,ulcera
ndcle
anse
Infusio
nWho
leplant
Oral
19Ire
sineh
erbstii
Hoo
k.As
teraceae
PPN-am-001
Infections
ofuteri,vagina,liver
andkidn
eyCr
ushed
Stem
andleaves
Oral
BioMed Research International 17
Table7:Con
tinued.
Num
ber
Scientificn
ame
Herbariu
mvoucher
Medicinaluse
Preparation
Usedpart
Administratio
n
20Pelargonium
sp.
Geraniaceae
PPN-ge-008
Coldandnervou
sduringchild
birthand
postp
artum
Infusio
nLeaves
Oral
21Pelargonium
graveolen
sL’Her.
Geraniaceae
PPN-ge-00
4Coldandnervou
sduringchild
birthand
postp
artum
Infusio
nLeaves
Oral
22Pelargonium
zona
le(L.)L’H
er.
Geraniaceae
PPN-ge-005
Infections,vaginal,beforec
hildbirthand
postp
artum
Crushed
Flow
ers
Topic
23Foenicu
lum
vulga
reMill.
Apiaceae
PPN-ap-00
4Increase
maternalm
ilk,ind
igestio
n,colic
menstr
ual
Infusio
nWho
leplant
Oral
24Myrica
parvifolia
Benth.
Myricaceae
PPN-m
r-002
Badair∗,colicsto
mach,to
treatfaintd
uring
child
birth
Chew
Buds
Oral
25Linu
musita
tissim
umL.
Linaceae
PPN-li-001
Inflammationof
liver
andkidn
eyCoo
ked
Fruit
Oral
26Plantago
major
L.Plantaginaceae
PPN-pn-001
Inflammationof
liver
andkidn
eyCoo
ked
Who
leplant
Oral
27An
redera
ramosa(M
oq.)Eliasson
.Ba
sellaceae
PPN-bs-001
Bath
thec
hildren,
fever,headache
Crushedandto
scrub
inho
twater
Who
leplant
Bath
28La
vatera
arboreaL.
Malvaceae
PPN-m
a-00
9Inflammationof
liver
andkidn
eyInfusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
29Pelargonium
odoratissim
umL.
Geraniaceae.
PPN-ge-001
Colddu
ringchild
birth
Coo
kedor
infusio
nBranches
Oral
30Menthapu
legium
L.Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-015
Colicsto
mach,indigestionandcold
Infusio
nBranches
Oral
31Menthapiperitasubsp.
Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-006
Colicsto
mach,indigestionandcold
Infusio
nBranches
Oral
32Bidens
andicolaKu
nth.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-005
Postp
artum
relapse
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
33Th
ymus
vulga
risL.
Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-022
Indigestion
Coo
ked
Branches
Oral
34Ag
eratinadend
roides(Spreng)
R.M.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-053
Cou
psandextractio
nof
pus
Putthe
placea
ffected
Buds
Topic
35Fu
chsia
hybridaH
ort.
Onagraceae
PPN-on-005
Nervesd
uringchild
birthandpo
stpartum
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
36ViolatricolorL
.var
1.Violaceae
PPN-vi-0
03Nerves
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
37ViolatricolorL
.var
2.Violaceae
PPN-vi-0
03Nerves
Infusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
38Clinopodium
sp.
Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-024
Colicmenstr
ualand
allergy
Infusio
nWho
leplant
Oral/torub
39Ru
tagraveolen
sL.
Rutaceae
PPN-rt-0
01Ba
th,faindu
ringchild
birth
Crushed
Flow
ers
Oral
18 BioMed Research International
Table7:Con
tinued.
Num
ber
Scientificn
ame
Herbariu
mvoucher
Medicinaluse
Preparation
Usedpart
Administratio
n
40Tana
cetum
parthenium
(L.)Sch.Bip.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-031
Child
renfright
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Bath
41Ce
strum
send
tnerianu
mC.
Martiu
s.Solanaceae
PPN-so-003
Postp
artum
relap
seInfusio
nFlow
ers
Bath
42Ba
ccharis
obtusifoliaKu
nth.
Asteraceae
PPN-as-014
Colddu
ringchild
birth.
Burn
thed
ryLeaves
Topic
43Salvialeu
cocephalaKu
nth.
Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-025
Postp
artum
bath
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Bath
44Ire
sineh
erbstii
Hoo
k.var1.
Amaranthaceae
PPN-am-001
Flu,fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstr
ongwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,
i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Infusio
nWho
leplant
Oral
45Ire
sineh
erbstii
Hoo
k.var2
.Amaranthaceae
PPN-am-001
Flu,fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstr
ongwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,
i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Infusio
nWho
leplant
Oral
46Ire
sineh
erbstii
Hoo
kvar3
.Amaranthaceae
PPN-am-001
Flu,fevero
rcoldcaused
bycold
airo
rstr
ongwinds
(locally
know
nas
“malaire”,
i.e.,“bad
air”in
Spanish
)Infusio
nWho
leplant
Oral
47Melissa
officin
alisL.
Lamiaceae
PPN-la
-004
Nerves
Crushed
Who
leplant
Oral
48VerbenalitoralisKu
nth.
Verbenaceae
PPN-ve-001
Malaise
oftheb
ody,infectionof
thethroat,
andflu
Coo
ked
Who
leplant
Oral
49ViolaodorataL.
Violaceae
PPN-vi-0
01Cou
ghInfusio
nFlow
ers
Oral
∗Plantsused
inmytho
logicalcases.
BioMed Research International 19
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the four key informants “Hampiyachak-kuna” of the San Luca parish: Mama Aurelia, Taita Asuncion,Taita Segundo, and Taita Vicente, whose openness to sharingtheir knowledge and wisdom was invaluable to carrying outthis research. Special thanks are due to Bolivar Merino, cura-tor of the LojaHerbarium.The authors thank theUniversidadTecnica Particular de Loja (UTPL) for the financial supportof this study. The authors are grateful to the Ministerio delAmbiente del Ecuador (MAE) for granting the permission forthe collection of the documented species.
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