- Region
- South America
- Origin
- Rainforest of the Colombian Amazon, in the Vaupés and Amazonas
- Traditions
- Tukano medicine
South America · Herb · № 985
Cayaponia ophthalmica
Herb · South America
Cayaponia ophthalmica
Cayaponia ophthalmica
A climber of the gourd family, described by Schultes; the species name means 'for the eye'. Its chemistry is unknown; plants of the gourd family often contain bitter, irritating cucurbitacins.
Safety notes
Never drop a home-made tea into the eye: it can make the infection worse. A red eye with pain, poor vision or sensitivity to light, or an eye that is no better after a few days, needs a doctor. Conjunctivitis is very contagious; wash your hands and do not share towels. Traditional use is no proof of effect; consult a doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication or have a medical condition.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Medicine of the Tukano peoples (Vaupés): A home-made tea is not sterile: never drop it into the eye. An inflamed eye that does not soon get better needs a doctor.
Preparation
Do not copy this: a home-made tea is not sterile and does not belong in the eye.
Use in traditions
Eye inflammation (conjunctivitis) is one of the most common illnesses in the Amazon. In a large maloca it can affect everyone, and children most often. The Tukano peoples of the Vaupés consider this climber the best remedy for it: the leaves are boiled gently and the tea is dropped onto the inflamed eye for three or four days. The healers grow the plant especially for this.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Medicine of the Tukano peoples (Vaupés)
Attributed effects
For eye inflammation, which spreads quickly through a maloca. The healers grow the plant for this.
Preparation and amount
Traditionally the leaves are boiled gently and the tea is dropped onto the eye for three or four days; do not copy this.
Caution: A home-made tea is not sterile: never drop it into the eye. An inflamed eye that does not soon get better needs a doctor.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)