- Region
- South America
- Origin
- Andes from Venezuela to Argentina, mainly between 2,500 and 3,000 metres, along streams and on fallow land
South America · Herb · № 890
Baccharis latifolia (en verwante soorten, o.a. B. pentlandii)
Herb · South America
Chilca
Baccharis latifolia (en verwante soorten, o.a. B. pentlandii)
A fast-growing, densely branched shrub with glossy, sticky leaves. Little is known from research about its effect in people.
Safety notes
External use only. Can irritate the skin. Not in pregnancy: the plant was also used to end a pregnancy. 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 (2)
- Kallawaya healing in Bolivia: Not internally and not in pregnancy. A fracture needs a doctor.
- Curanderismo of northern Peru: External use only; not in pregnancy.
Preparation
Externally: warmed leaves as a compress.
Use in traditions
A well-known Andean remedy for rheumatism, joint pain and injuries; the shrub is also used as a living fence, to hold slopes together and as firewood. According to Bastien chilca was Florentino Alvarez's favourite remedy: he laid the sun-warmed leaves on painful joints and used them in dressings for fractures and dislocations. He advised against taking it internally. Its ash is also used to make llipta, the small lime ball chewed with coca.
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.
Kallawaya healing in Bolivia
Attributed effects
Externally for rheumatism, joint pain and bruises, and in dressings for fractures and dislocations.
Preparation and amount
Warm the leaves in the sun or over a warm pan and lay them on the painful spot.
Caution: Not internally and not in pregnancy. A fracture needs a doctor.
Curanderismo of northern Peru
Attributed effects
For bone pain, rheumatism and arthritis; the leaves also in cleansings.
Preparation and amount
Externally: fresh leaves as a compress, or in a bath with other herbs.
Caution: External use only; not in pregnancy.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Compress, poultice and pasteSteam and bath