PHARMACOPEIA of QOLLAHUAYA ANDEANS Summary This Research

Journal of Rthnopharmiicolofiy. 8 n

PHARMACOPEIA OF QOLLAHUAYA ANDEANS

JOSEPH W. BASTIEN

Department of Anthropology. University of Texas, Arlington, Texas 76019 (U.S.A.)

(Accepted September 29. 1982)

Summary

This research report contains a list of 89 medicinal plants employed by the Qollahuaya (Callawaya) Andeans of Bolivia, who are famous herbalists in South America. This list contains botanical classification, origin of plant, quality, therapeutical properties, and medicinal uses. An analysis is made of the distribution of qualities and therapeutical uses to ascertain the scope of their pharmacology and incidence of disease. Therapeutic properties are interrelated with physiology in an effort to understand Qollahuaya ethnophysiology.

Introduction

This paper contains the classifications and systematics of the Qollahuaya (Callawaya) Andean herbalists. This provides an understanding of Andeans' ethnopharmacology and ethnophysiology. The ethnographic background and sociological analysis of "Herbal Curing by Qollahuaya Andeans" appears in a previous volume of this journal so the reader is referred to this article for more complete background information (Bastien, 1982b). Briefly, Qolla- huayas live in the Province Bautista Saavedra, midwestern Bolivia, border- ing on Peru. The ethnic population is 11,960 people living in an area about the size of the U.S. State of Delaware. They live at altitudes of 2700^*300 m where they farm and herd. Although the majority speak Quechua, Tschopik (1946) classified them as a special cultural subgroup of the Aymara nation. Traditionally, they were probably a distinct ethnic group which later adopted Aymara and Quechua features (see Bastien, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1981. 1982a and b; Oblitas, 1963, 1968, 1969; Otero, 1951; Stark, 1972) for more ethnographic information about the Qollahuayas). The villages of Chajaya and Curva are noted for their herbalists: Chajaya has 28 and Curva has 37, with the same proportion of 27% herbalists to non-herbalists. These herbalists follow a tradition of more than a 1000 years of medicinal expertise: they performed brain surgery and used Ilex guayusa, a holly-like plant, for an anesthetic as early as 700 A.D.

(Ryden, 1957-9; Wassen, 1972). Presently, they commonly employ more than 300 medicinal plants and are renowned throughout Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Chile as very skilled herbalists. Andean people call them "The Lords of the Medicine Bag" ("Qolla Kapachayuh"). 1 began fieldwork among the Qollahuaya Andeans in 1972, when I analyzed the function of Qollahuaya diviners in ritual curing (Bastien, 1973, 1978, 1981).! returned to the Qollahuaya region in 1979, 1980 and 1981 to study the herbalists of Chajaya and Curva and their use of medicinal plants. I collected the medicinal uses of plants from five herbalists and gathered 212 plant samples. Botanical classification was done by associates of the New York Botanical Garden. Table 1 is a partial list of 89 plants out of 175 analyzed (37 plants lacked sufficient data). Selection was based on use by three or more herbalists (see Bastien (1984) for the complete list as well as prescribed formulas for treating different illnesses). Qollahuayas classify herbs according to quality (ca/tdad), therapeutic properties (propiedad.es), and medicinal uses (aplicacion) (see Table 1). They categorize the qualities according to hot, warm, cordial, fresh, poisonous and fetishistic. Hot and warm refer to the degree to which a plant is heat-producing in the body (primarily as linaments, sudorifics, and tranquilizers) (see columns 1 and 2, Table 2). Cordial and fresh refer to the degree to which a plant is cooling to the body (primarily as biliary regulants, disinflammatory and febrifuge) (see columns 3 and 4, Table 2). Cordial is to fresh as warm is to hot; lesser degrees of cooling or heating to - the body. Some plants (chilto, hinojo and llanten) are characterized as cordial for temporary and mild ailments (canker sores, gal&ctostasis and indigestion). Herbalist categorize a plant as poisonous when it is used to kill animals or people. Although some herbs are toxic in overdoses, for example ch'ullu ch'ullu (Digitalis purpurea L.), Qollahuayas do not classify it as poisonous but rather consider this factor by carefully regulating the dosage. Only skilled herbalists attempt to treat edema with Purple Foxglove and if so they stay with the patient for several weeks. Although herbalists sometimes disagree whether a plant is hot, warm, cordial and fresh, they all agree on poisonous and fetishistic categories. Fetish refers to plants employed for magical ends: for example, coca for divining etiology, incense for ritual curing, and willalayo, an amulet to ward off the evil-eye. Qollahuayas attribute certain therapeutic properties to herbs according to the affects which the herbs have on the body: make a person sweat (sudorific), reduce fever (febrifuge), remove mucous (expectorant), calm pain (analgesic), regulate bile (biliary regulant), cause menstruation (emmenagogue), increase lactation (galactophorous), repel worms (vermifuge), relax muscles (linament, tranquilizer), dispel products (emetics and purgatives), and more. (See Table 2). Many plants have chemical'components with noted therapeutic affects: for example, quinine (quina cascarilla) is an effective febrifuge for malaria, cocaine (Erythroxylum coca) and bocanine (amaqari) are analgesic, digitalis (ch'ullu ch'ullu) is a very 99 important medicine for treating congestive heart failure (edema). Herbalists claim that pharmaceutical companies have utilized more than 50 species from the Qollahuaya pharmacopeia for use in manufacturing drugs. Essen- tially, Qollahuayas herbalists have a vast knowledge of how certain plants affect the physiology of Andeans. This is a science in that it is based on observation and empirical investigation of cause and effect; moreover, this body of knowledge decreases or expands over time. Qollahuayas employ plants for certain therapeutic effects according to how they understand human physiology. Table 3 indicates the following: (1) about half (42%)* of the therapeutic uses are concerned with liquids (blood, bile, milk, phlegm, urine and water) or fluids (air, food and fecal matter); (2) a quarter (28%) are concerned with regulating and purifying the conduits and processing organs; (3) the remainder (30%) deal with pain and injuries of the skin, muscles and bones. This suggests that these Andeans understand the human body as a humoral system characterized by a muscular-skeletal framework and conduits through which air, blood, feces, milk, sweat and phlegm flow. Herbalists are concerned with repairing the framework and cleaning out the conduits from bile, feces, gas, phlegm, sweat and urine, which need to be regularly eliminated because if they accumulate, they become toxic. According to their concepts, Qollahuaya humoral physiology conceives of the circulation of primary fluids (blood, fat, water and air), with distillation", processes (breathing, digestion and reproduction) which produce secondary fluids (phlegm, bile, gas, milk, sweat, urine and feces) that need to be regularly eliminated. If these processed fluids accumulate, they become noxious and must be purged from the body with carminatives, emetics, enemas, fastings, dietary restrictions and baths. Basically, the body is a hydraulic system with distillation processes: the circulation of primary fluids and elimination of secondary fluids. After elimination, some secondary fluids, urine and milk, can be incorporated into the body and processed again: e.g. Andean ladies wash their hair in urine decomposed by the sun, and babies are nourished by maternal milk. Concepts of Andean humoral physiology partially explain their style of administering medicinal plants in mate, cooking, parches, enemas, sup- positories, massages and baths (see Medicinal Uses in Table 1). Fifty-five herbs (62%) are administered as mate (seeping parts of the plants in a cup of boiled water for 10 min, then drinking it) or cooking (boiling parts of plant in 11 of water for 5 min, then drinking a cup of this). In either case, the medicinal qualities are removed from the plant and absorbed into the water. This transferring of the plant's chemicals to a liquid form symbolic- ally parallels the distillation processes within the body: the stomach transfer

'This percentage is even higher if you include the 13 herbs classified for respiratory organs which are primarily used to regulate mucous. TABLE 1 QOLLAHUAYA MEDICINAL PLANTS'

Name Botanical classification11 Origin' Quality Therapeutic properties41 Medicinal uses

Altamisa Ambrosia peruviana Willd. Andes Poison Vermifuge Suppository: worms (mugwort) Malvaceae Warm Analgesic Massage: muscles Allqo Khishka Xanthium spinosum var. Andes Cordial Purify blood mate: VD and alcoholism (espinillo) catharticum H.B.K. Febrifuge mate: high fever Compositae Amaqari Bocconia integrifolia H. & B. Andes Warm Expectorant mate: colds Papaveraceae Analgesic Massage: sore muscles Antiseptic Topically: wounds Anis del Campo Tagetes pusilla H.B.K. vel affin. Europe Warm Carminative mate: colic and indigestion (wild anis) Compositae Andes Sudorific mate: colds Galactophorous mate: galactostasis Arrayan Eugenia myrtomimenta Diels. Europe Warm Analgesic Topically: toothaches (myrtle) Myrtaceae Aya Zapatilla Calceolaria cuneiformis R. & P. Andes Warm Purify blood mate: gonorrhea and uterine (slipperwort) Scrophulariaceae infections Bern> Sasturium officinale R.Br. Andes Fresh Refrigerant Salad: for liver (watercress) Cruciferae Purify blood Matate: hepatitis and kidneys Bilyea Psoralea pubescens Pers. Andes Leaves Febrifuge and disinflam- Mate: dysentery, typhoid. (culen) Leguminosae and matory malaria and diarrhea bark: fresh Root: Antiseptic and Mate: purifies liver, kidney warm refrigerant and genitals Boldo Peumus bo Id us (Molini) Andes Fresh Biliary regulant Mate: hepatitis and excess bile (Boldo) Monimiaceae Genital antiseptic Mate: ureteritis Carminative Mate: flatulence Calaguala Polypogium angustifolium S.W. Andes Fresh Antiseptic Mate: VD, uteralgia and prostate (Fern Root) Polypodiaceae Diuretic Mate: retention of urine Expectorant Mate: bronchitis and congestion Chachacoma Senecio graveolens Wedd. Europe Warm Linament Massage: shivers, rheumatism and gout (Senecio) Compositae Tranquilizer Mate: gastritis Strengthens blood Mate: anemia, body weakness Expectorant Mate: chronic cough Chiho Salpichroa diffusa Miers Andes Cordial Vitamins Gargle: canker sores Solonaceae Stimulant Mate: pains after giving birth Coca Erythmxylum coca Lam. Andes Warm Analgesic Topically: wounds and headaches E ryth roxy I aceae Stomachic Mate: gastritis and dyspepsia e Stimulant Masticate: altitude sickness Etiology Casting: divination Congona Pepcromia inaequalifolia R. & P. Andes Fetish Analgesic, antiseptic Topically: ear aches, ging:vitis Piperaceae and wounds Contra •yerba Dorstenia contrajerva L. Andes Poison Antidote Topically: snake and insect bites "counter herb" Moraceae Vermifuge Mate: tape worms Chinchircuma Mutisia acuminata R. & P. Andes Cordial Cardiotonic Mate: heart palpitations, muscle Compositae and nerve spasms Expectorant Mate: cough, pneumonia and bronchitis Ch'ullu ch'ullu Digitalis purpurea L. Europe Cardiotonic Mate: edema and palpitations (Purple Foxglove) Scrophulariaceae Cola de Caballo Equisetum bogotense HBK Andes Fresh Diuretic and genital Mate: ureteritis and liver infections (Shave Grass) Equisetaceae antiseptic Eucalipto Eucalyptus globulus Labill. Australia Warm Expectorant Mate: cough, respiratory congestion (Eucalyptus) Myrtaceae Insecticide Leaves: fleas Floripondio Datura sanguinea L. Andes Narcotic Linament Massage rheumatism, arthritis and (Datura) Solanaceae paralysis Genciana Gentiana lute a L. Europe Cordial Tranquilizer Mate: nervousness, neuralgia (yellow gentian) Gentianaceae Control sugar Mate: diabetes Genital antiseptic Mate: VDs Hediondilla Cestrum matthewsii Dun. Andes Fresh Emmenagogue Mate: delay of menses (Andres Waylla) Solanaceae Antiseptic Topically: wounds Helecho Macho Polystichum aculeatum Sw. Andes Vermifuge Mate: intestinal parasites "Male Fern" Polypodiaceae Hinojo Foeniculum vulgvre Mill. Europe Cordial Galactophorous Massage: galactostasis (fennel) Umbelliferae • Hoja de Vinal Prosopisruscifolia L. Argentina Analgesic and Topically: conjunctivitis and Leguminosae antiseptic cataracts Imilla Imilla Alonsoa linearis (Jacq.) R. & P. Andes Hot Emmenagogue Mate: delay of menses "Maiden Maiden" Scrophulariaceae Incienso Macho Styrax Weberbaueri Perkins Andes Glutinous and Parche: fractures and muscle injunes (incense) Styracaceae linament Fetish Aromatic Ritual: prevent and remove curses Jamillu Tristerix verticillatus R. & P. Andes Glutinous Parche: base for casts Barl. & Wiens. Loranthaceae Jarilla Larrea divaricata Cav. Andes Hot Abortifacient Mate: abortions Zygophyllaceae Emmenagogue Mate: delay of menses Expectorant Mate: pleurisy Jataco Amaranthus peruvianus (Schauer) Andes Fresh Coagulant Mate: internal hemorrhaging (Peruvian Amaranth) Amaranthaceae Disinflammatory Mate: dysentery and excess bile Kapachu Kapachu Capsella Bursa-pastoris L. Europe Fresh Stimulant Mate: stimulate uterine (Shepherd's Purse) Cruciferae contractions at birth Khana Sonchus oleraceus L. Andes Fresh Stomachic Mate: ulcers (Sow thistle) Compositae TABLE 1 {continued)

Name Botanical classification^ Origin' Quality Therapeutic propertw-s" Medicinal use

Khanapaat Sonchus asper (L.) Hill Andes Fresh Biliary regulant Mate bilious and biliary colic (-ompositae Kimsci k'uehu liaccharis trim era DC. Andes Poison Vermifuge Topically insects embedded in skin "Three Corners' Compositae Kinchamali Quinchamalium prtx'umbens R. & P. Andes Hemostatic Mate: menstrual and postpartum hemorrhaging Santalaceae K'usmaillo Solanum radicans L.f. Andes Fresh Febrifuge Enema: yellow fever, malaria and (Nightshade sp.) Solanaceae typhus Lam pay a Lampaya medicinalis Phil. Andes Warm Diuretic and genital Mate: blennorrhea, prostate (Vervain sp.) Verbenaceae antiseptic Lirio Cardenu Iris germanica L. Europe Warm Emetic Cocktail alcoholism (Iris) Iridaceae Llama Llama Metastelma sp Andes Contraceptive Mate: birth control Asclepiadaceae L lan ten Plantago tomentosa Lam. ssp. Andes Cordial Stomachic Mate: diarrhea and indigestion Silvestre tomentosa (Plantain sp.) Plantaginaceae Disinflammatory Poultice: kidneys Lluchu Lluchu Rumex conglomerate Murr Europe Fresh Antiseptic Topically: wounds (Sorrel sp.) Polygonaceae Mula Wakataya Tagetes term flora HBK Andes Warm Stomachic Condiments: ..old foods (Marigold sp.) Compositae Mullaka Muehlenbeckia volcanica (Benth ) Andes Leaves. Emmenagogue Mate: delay of menses Endl. fresh Hemostatic Mate: hemorrhaging of uterus Polygonaceae Root: Aphrodisiac Have erection, male children

Macha Macha Gaultheria sp. Andes Poison Stimulant Massage: muscular debility- Ericaceae Maiz Zea mays L. Andes Diuretic Mate retention of urine Gramineae Malva Malva parviflora L.; Malva sylvestris L.Andes Fresh Febrifuge Enemas: dysentery (Blue Mallow) Malvaceae Antiseptic Topically: burns Malvavisco Althaea officinalis L. Andes Expectorant Mate: cough (Marshmallow) Malvaceae Mamanlipa Senecio tephosioides Turcz. Andes Hot Sudorific Mate: colds, cough, pneumonia and (Senecio sp.) Compositae tuberculosis Manzanilla Matricaria chamomilla L. Europe Cordial Biliary regulant Mate: bilous and biliary colic Comun Compositae (Chamomile) Matico Piper elongatum Vahl. Andes Warm Hemostatic Mate: hemorrhaging of urogenital (Pepper sp.) Pi peraceae and rectal tracts Lin amen t Poultice: rheumatism Misk'i Misk'i Relbunium croceum subsp. Andes Cordial Hemostatic Mate: vomiting of blood (dysentery) (Madder family) involucratum (H.B.K.) Ehrendf. Rubiaceae \luna Minthostuchys andina (Bntt.) Ande< Warm Stomachic Mate gastritis, indigestion (Mint family) Epling. Europe Stimulant Mate tiredness Lahiatae Nijru Mynra pubescens H. & B. ex (Gale family) Wilid. var. glandulosa Chev. Andes Leaves: Expectorant Snuff headaches fresh Myricaceae Root warm Nuez mttscada Myristica frag ana Houtt. Indon. Stimulant Masticate Bell's Palsy arid paralysis (Nutmeg) Myristicaceae Oreja de Raton Dichondra rcpens Forst. Andes Warm Disinfectant and Bath kidneys (siatica) ("Mouse's Ear") Convulvulaceae antiseptic Ortega Urtica flabellata H.B.K Andes Cordial Vitamins Mate: TB (Nettle) Urticaceae Glutinous Poultice: injuries and fractures Phojrr> (Tuna) Opuntia ficus indica Mill. Andes Fresh Disinflammatory Topically throat infections (Cactus family) Cactaceae Febrifuge Pinco Pinco Ephedra americana H. & B. ex Ande? Cordial Diuretic and Mate: VD and kidneys (Ephedra family) Willd. disinflammatory Ephedraceae Pitichilka Ageratina pentlandia (DC.) Andes Hot Linament Massage: disl(»cations and fractures K. & R Sudorific Mate: TB. pneumonia, colds. Compositae bronchitis Qaqa T'ika Cetraria nivalis (L.) Ach. Andes Cordial Cardiopulmonary Mate: altitude sickness and heart ("Beard of the Parmeliaceae tonic attacks Rock", lichen) Qhari Qhari Rubus fructicosus L. Andes Cordial Disinflammatory Suppository hemorrhoid*- (Blackberry) Rosaceae Quina Cinchona calisaya Wedd. Andes Warm Febrifuge Mate: malaria and typhoid Cascarilla Rubiaceae Antiseptic Topically: skin infections (Quinine bark) Tranquilizer Mate: dizziness and hangovers Quina Quina Myroxylon balsamum (L.) Harms Andes Hot Analgesic Topically: earache Leguminosae Quirusilla Gunnera apiculata Schindl. Andes Fresh Febrifuge Mate: intestinal fevers, biliousness (Water Milfoil Haloragaceae Coagulative Mate: vomiting, urinating, or family) defecating blood Raiz de la Boerhaavia caribaea Jacq. Andes Disinflammatory Mate: urinary inflammations China Nyctaginaceae Diuretic Mate: urinary inflammations (Four-o'clock Galactophorous Galactostasis and galactophoritis family) Ruda Rut a chalapensis L. Europe Warm Vermifuge Mate: tape worms (Hue) Rutaceae Emmenagogue Mate: delay of menses Sacha Parakay Collignonia glomerata Griseb. Andes Fresh Febrifuge Enemas and douches: typhoid, rnalana. (F our-o'clock Nyctaginaceae and yellow fever family) Salvia Grande Salvia haenkii Benth. Andes Hot Thermic Mate: hypothermia (Sage) Labiatae Sudorific Mate: malaria Diuretic Mate: dropsy (edema) TABLE 1 (continued)

Name Botanical classification6 Origin' Quality Therapeutic properties'1 Medicinal uses

Sauco Sambucus peruviana H.B.K. Andes Hot Pectoral Mate: pneumonia, TB and asthma (Honeysuckle Capri foliaceae Linament Parche: bruises family) Sudorific Mate fevers Sdvila(aloe) Aloe vera L. Europe Fresh Analgesic Topically: burns and wounds Liliaceae Laxative Mate constipation Sayre Sicotiana rustica L. Andes Warm Linament Massage: Bell's Palsy, pimples (Wild Tobacco) Solanaceae and paralysis Sillu Sillu Alchemilla pinnata R. & P. Andes Fresh Diuretic Mate: kidney and renal tract (Lady's Mantle Rosaceae sp.) Solimah Plumbagocoerulea H.B.K. Andes Poison Insecticide Topically: insects under skin and (Leadwort Plumbaginaceae varmints family) Suelda con Psittacanthus cuneifolius (R. & P.) Andes Warm Glutinous and Parche and poultices: fractures, dislocations Suelda Loranthaceae Linament (Mistletoe family) Tajibo Tabebuia altissima Purifies Mat**: leukemia blood (Bignonia Bignoniaceae family) Verbena Verbena hispida R. & P. Europe Fresh Biliary regulant Mate, bilous and biliary colic (Vervain sp.) Verbenaceae Febrifuge and Mate: infection of large intestine detergent Violeta Viola odorata L. Europe Warm Expectorant and Mate, cough, hoarseness and pneumonia (Violet) Violaceae sudorific Wachanga Euphorbia huanchahana (Kl. & Gle.) Europe Hot Enietic and Purgative Mate: bilous and bile stones (Spurge family) Boiss. Linament Massage: soreness, baby unable to walk Euphorbiaceae Waji ArisU)loquia fragantissima Andes Warm Antidote Topically: snake bite (Bindweed) Klotzsch. Tranquilizer Mate: Bell's Palsy and paralysis A risto l och i aceae , Linament Massage: soreness from cold Warankaysu Ranunculus praemorsus H.B.K. ex DC. Andes Poison Caustic Topically: remove warts (Buttercup Ran u n cu I aceae family) Wayrun> Ahrus precatorius L. Andes Poison Disinfectant Topically: conjunctivitis (Rosary Pea) Leguminosae Analgesic Parche: sore muscles and fractures Fetish Contra evil eye Amulet: heart attacks and melancholy Wichullu Weinmannia spruceana Engler Andes Hot Glutinous and Parche and poultices: injuries (*u n on i aceae linament Willalayo Nototriche azorella Hill. Andes Fetish Contra evil eye Amulet: envy, curses, sorcery (Mallow family) Malvaceae Diuretic Mate: uremia Hemostatic Mate: urinary hemorrhaging Wira Wira Gnaphalium ga.udichaudia.num DC. Andes Warm Expectorant Mate: cough and pneumonia Compositae Emmen agogue Mate: delay of mensis Yaakora Verbascum thapsus Rafin. Europe Hot Glutinous and Poultice: arthritis, rheumatism. (Mullein sp.) Scrophulariaceae linament and shivers Yareta Azorella biloba (Schiecht) Andes Hot Glutinous and Poultice: arthritis, rheumatism. Umbelliferae linament and shivers Yawarch 'unqa Oenothera multicaulis R. & P Andes Warm Draws blood Poultice: black and blue injuries. (Shullu sp.) Onagraceae swelling Zapatilla Calceolaria aff. engleriana Andes Warm Tranquilizer Mate- morning sickness (Slipperwort Kranzlin. sp) Sc roph u 1 ari aceae

'This is a partial list of 89 plants out of 175 medicinal plants analyzed Selection is of herbs commonly used by Qollahuayas. See Bastien (1984) for complete list bBotanical classification was done by associates of the New York Botanical Garden (1980, 1981) where voucher samples are deposited. Samples are also at the University of Texas in Arlington. cWhether plant is native to Andes or to Europe (introduced to Andes after the Spanish Conquest, 1530). dPharmacology terminology is used to summarize what the Qollahuayas understand as the properties of the plant. The herbalists speak in terms of lowering fevers, cleansing blood, removing worms, reducing swelling, making them sweat and removing phelgm. 106

TABLE 2 INSTRUCTION OF QUALITIES AN!) THERAPEUTIC USES

Qualities. Hot Warm Cordial Fresh Narcotic Poison Fetish Unknown Total % no.

No of plants: 10 28 12 22 1 7 4_ 9 93 Percentage (from 93): 10.8'i 30 1'; 14.in 23.7<* 1 1* 7.501 4.3'J 9.7% 100%

Ahortifacient 1 1 0.6 Analgesic •I 2 2 1 9 5.7 Antidote 1 1 2 4 2.5 Antiseptic 5 5 1 11 7.0 Aphrodisiac 1 1 0.6 Biliary regulant 1 3 4 2.5 Cardio-tonic 1 1 0.6 Cardio-pulmonarv 1 1 2 1.3 Carminative 1 1 2 1.3 Caustic 1 1 0.6 Contraceptive 1 1 0.6 Diagnostic 1 1 0.6 Disinflammatory 3 4 1 8 5.1 Diuretic 1 1 1 2 1 6 3.8 Draws blood 1 1 0.6 Emetic 1 1 2 1.3 Emmen agogue 2 2 2 6 3.8 Expectorant 5 1 2 2 10 64 Febrifuge 1 1 7 9 5.7 Galactopoiesis 1 1 1 3 1.9 Genital antiseptic 1 1 2 4 2.5 Glutinous 3 1 1 1 6 3.8 Hemostatic 1 1 1 1 4 2.5 Insecticide 1 1 2 1.3 Linament 5 5 1 1 12 7.6 Pectoral 1 1 0.6 Preventative 3 3 Purgative 1 1 2 1.3 Purify blood 1 1 1 3 1.9 Refrigerant 2 2 1.3 Stimulant 2 1 1 1 1 6 3.8 Stomachic 3 1 1 5 3.2 Strengthen blood 1 1 0.6 Sudorific ' 4 2 6 3.8 Thermic 1 1 0.6 Tranquilizer 4 1 5 3.2 Vermifuge 1 3 1 5 3.2 Vitamins 2 2 1.3

Total of therapeutic 20 47 21 41 1 10 4 13 157 100 uses" ' i of therapeutic uses 13 30 13 26 1 6 3 8 100 from total (1571

'Totals are more than number of plants (89) because some plants have more than one quality and therapeutic use. 107

TABLE 3

THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES AND PHYSIOLOGY

No. of No. of OS- herbs herbs

A. HUMORS B. PROCESSING ORGANS Bkx>d Respiratory 1. Emmenagogue 6 3.8 1. Expectorant 10 6.4 2. Hemostatic 4 2.5 2. Sudorific 2 1.3 3. Purify 3 1.9 3. Pectoral 1 0.6 4. Conjugant 2 1.3 5. Control sugar 1 0.6 Total 13 8.3 6. Draw blood 1 0.6 7. Strengthen 1 0.6 Ditfextiue 8. Cardio-tonic 1 0.6 1. Stomachic 5 3.2 9. Cardio-pulmonary 2 1.3 2. Vermifuge 4 2.5 3. Carminative 2 1.3 Totul 21 13.4 4. Emetic 2 1.3 5. Purgative 2 1.3 Biliary 1. Emetic 5 3.2 Total 15 9.6 2. Regulant 4 2.5 3. Refrigerant 2 1.3 Reproductive 4. Febrifuge 1 0.6 1. Emmenagogue 6 3.8 5. Purgative 1 0.6 2. Hemostatic 2 1.3 6. Antiseptic 1 0.6 3. Stimulant 2 1.3 4. Tranquilizer 1 0.6 Total 14 8.9" 5. Contraceptive 1 0.6 6. Abortifacient 1 0.6 Urinary 7. Aphrodisiac 1 0.6 1. Antiseptic 5 3.2 2. Diuretic 5 3.2 Total 14 8.9 3. Disinflammatory 2 1.3

Total 12 7.6 C. FRAME Muscles and bones Milk 1. Linament 12 7.6 1. Galactopoiesis 3 1.9 2. Glutinous 6 3.8 3. Thermic I 0.6 Phlegm 4. Vermifuge 1 0.6 1. Expectorant 10 6.4 5. Stimulant 2 1.3

Sweat Total 22 14.0 1. Sudorific 6 3.8 Senses and Neural 1. Analgesic 5.7 2. Tranquilizer 3.2 3. Antiseptic 3.2 4. Disinflammatory 1.9 5. Stimulant 1.9 6. Antidote 0.6

Total 26 16.6 108 nutrients from the food to the blood, analogous to the cooking which transfer the medicinal qualities of the plant to the water (mate). Tradi- tionally, the medicinal plants are dried in the sun, where they are gathered, then they are ground into powder; the heat of the sun is conversely parallel to cooking in that it transforms a wet plant into a dry plant. So the plant goes through several transformations: (1) from fresh to dried plant by the sun; (2) from dried to liquid by seeping or cooking; (3) from medicinal fluid to humoral fluid by organic processes. These are recurring cycles of trans- ference from one medium to another. Thus, for health it is important to jcontrol the amount of fluids within the body by the cycles of moist and dry which are essential to transferring the components of plants to humans.

Disease and health

Analysis of the tables provides us with some understanding of disease and health in the Andes. Andeans are very concerned about their blood (13% of therapeutic uses): they believe that blood is the principle of life and that they have a limited amount. They commonly explain sickness because of blood lost years ago or because it is thin. One Qollahuaya herbalist, Juan Willka, recommended that a sick Andean lady have her blood removed and new blood transfused, but this is unusual. Similar to certain Chinese herbalists, herbalists feel the pulse to determine the quality of the blood. Herbalists, as well as other Andeans, are aware of the effect that altitude has on blood. For example, herbalists speak of VD as n blood and urine disease and commonly treat it with penicillin injections; previously, according to one informant, they employed molds from certain plants. However, there is low incidence of VD in the Andes because of the imunity developed after the conquest. Herbalists treat many cases of VD in cities and in the lowlands of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. School teachers and mestizos from the cities often transmit VD to Indian maidens during fiestas (personal con- versation with Dr. Abraham Marriaga, M.D., 1981). Herbalists rarely diag- nose diabetes: moreover there is considerable debate and more research is needed to determine whether Andeans suffer from incidence of either diabetes (Burchard, 1977), hypoglycemia (Bolton, 1973) or polycythemia (Fuchs, 1978). Nonetheless, women often suffer from delay of menses (4% of herbs). Possibly because of the aerobic affect, Andeans have strong hearts: rarely do they suffer from heart attacks until old age. On the other hand, respiratory diseases killmany Andeans: TB, pneumonia, and influenza (/« gripe) are the horsemen of the Apocalypse. Al- though Andeans traditionally had a sufficient and balanced diet, today many suffer from malnutrition. Consequently, many sicknesses develop into serious respiratory infections which create additional stress because of al- ready existing hypoxic conditions. Herbalists use herbs to control the fever, cough, and to remove mucous. The drinking of hot drinks is beneficial for respiratory illness. 109

"Mal de higado" (problems with the liver) is the most common ailment found in the Andes. Mai de higado refers to fits of anger, severe spasms of the intestines, hepatitis and others. Herbalists attribute these sicknesses with the liver and the production of bile, consequently 9% of the 89 herbs are used for biliary processes. Many Andeans have suffered from hepatitis with subsequent damage to their livers and inadequate biliary functioning. Many Andeans have replaced chicha (corn beer) with cane alcohol (180 proof), which they drink excessively during fiestas. This does damage to the liver. Finally, they digest excessive amounts of animal fats in fried foods: fat is important to their culture (traditionally, fat symbolizes energy, and the word for gentleman was "Viraqochu" or "Sea of Fat"). Obesity, however, is not a health problem for Andeans, with the exception of mestizos who live off the labours of the rural populace. Herbalists treat mal de higado effectively with dietary restrictions from fat and fried foods and with plants which soothe the liver (see Table 1). Injuries are common in the Andes. Andeans often fall against rocks and break or dislocate a bone. There are also many fights with rocks and clubs. Herbalists excel in making parches (casts) with herbs containing analgesic and glutinous properties. Certain poultices are effective in relaxing the muscles of a person with a dislocation so that the herbalist can massage the bone into place. Mjtrvy Anjeans suffer from arthritis, rheumatism and sore muscles. They work on steep slopes at high altitudes where there is great variation of temperatures, sometimes over 38°C to below freezing within hours. Icy winds chill the sweating legs and arms of Andeans causing paralysis (mal de aire) and severe muscle pains. Andean ladies suffer especially from this because they wear skirts. Coca is used to relieve pain (see Carter, 1981). Herbalists also recommend other plants, some of which (e.g. amaqari) contain alkaloids. These are applied topically to relieve pain. Herbalists also recommend massages with linaments and hot baths. Charazani, capitol of the Province, has hot thermal springs in which many Andeans bathe and heal their bodies. Qollahuaya herbalists deal with arthritis and rheumatism about as effectively, or more so, than we do. Probably, their use of plants in treating rheumatism will provide western medicine with added cures to this perplexing disease.

Conclusion

Analysis of medicinal plants of Qollahuaya Andeans provides us with understanding of: (i) effective utilization of natural resources for curing disease; (2) their people's concepts of physiology; (3) conditions of health and disease in the Andes. Qollahuaya pharmacopeia contains a systematics which is derived from a long tradition of complicated investigation in regard to the affects that certain plants have upon the body. They understand the body according to Andean humoral theory as a conduit through 110 which primary and secondary fluids flow. Herbs are essential to regulate and purgate these fluids periodically. Finally, herbalists utilize medicinal plants to treat the majority of Andean ailments: weak blood, biliary function, respiratory and injuries. They also include dietary elements and baths in their curing. For this, and for other reasons as well, Qollahuayas have earned the title of "Qolla Kapachayuh".

Acknowledgements

Support for this work was received from the Organized Research Fund of the University of Texas at Arlington. Identification of the plant samples was done by the following associates of the New York Botanical Garden: J. Kallunki, J. Kiujt, H. Robinson and U. Molau. The manuscript was typed by Faye Self and Hilda KellQgg. Richard Schaedel and Leslie White assisted with the theoretical concepts.

References

Bastien, J.W. (1973) Qollahuaya Rituals: An Ethnographic Account of the Symbolic Relations of Man and Land in an Andean Village. Cornell Latin American Studies, Ithaca, NY. Bastien, J.W. (1978) Mountain of the Condor: Metaphor and Ritual in an Andean Ayllu, (American Ethnological Society, Monograph 64), West Publishing Company, St. Paul. Bastion, J.W. (1979) Lnnd litigations in an Andean Ayllu from 1592 until 1972. Ethnohistory, XXVI, 101-131. / Bastien, J.W. (1981) Metaphorical relations between sickness, society and land in a Qollahuaya ritual. In: J.W. Bastien and J. Donahue (Eds.), Health in the Andes, American Anth- ropological Association, Washington, DC. Bastien, J.W. (1982a) Exchange between Andean and Western medicine. Social Science and Medicine, XVI, 795-803. Bastien, J.W. (1982b) Herbal curing by Qollahuaya Andeans. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 6, 13-28. Bastien, J.W. (1984) Plantas Medicinales de los Callawayas, in press. Bolton, R. (1973) Aggression and hypoglycemia among the Qolla: A study in psychobiological anthropology. Ethnology, 12, 227-257. Burchard, R.E. (1977) Coca use and the management of carbohydrate metabolism problems in the Andean highlands and the Amazonian lowlands. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Florida Academy of Sciences. Gainesville, FL. Carter, W.F. (1981) Medicinal uses of coca in Bolivia. In: J.W. Bastien and J. Donahue (Eds ), Health in the Andes, American Anthropological Association, Washington, DC. Fuchs, A. (1978) Coca chewing and high-altitude stress: Possible effects of coca alkaloids in erythopoisis. Current Anthropology, 19, 277-289. Oblitas-Poblete, F,. (1963) Cultura Callawaya, Talleres Graficos Bolivianos, La Paz. Oblitas-Poblete, E. (1968) La Lengua Secreta de los Incas, Los Amigos del Libro, La Paz. Oblitas-Poblete, E. (1969) Plantas Medicinales en Bolivia, Los Amigos del Libro, La Paz. Otero, G.A. (1951) La piedra magica. Vida y costumbres de los Indios Callahuayas de Bolivia, Institute Indigenista Interamericano, Mexico, D.F. 15

Sturk, L.R. (1972) Muohuj-juyui: net-ret luiiguuge of the CulluhuuynH. Paper* in Arulean Lin- guistics, I, 199-227. Ryden, S. (1957-1959) Andean excavations I—II. Monograph Series, Nos. 4 and 6, Statens Ethnografiska Museum, Stockholm. Tschopik, H. (1946) The Aymara. Handbook of South American Indians, Vol. II, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, pp. 501-573. Wassen, S.H. (1972) A medicine-man's implements and plants in a Tiahuanacoid tomb in Highland Bolivia. Ftnobgiska Studier, Vol. XXXII, The Ethnographic Goteborg.