- Region
- South America
- Origin
- Moist, shady forest floor from southern Mexico to tropical South America and Trinidad
- Traditions
- Tukano medicine
South America · Herb · № 984
Helosis cayennensis
Herb · South America
Cojamba
Helosis cayennensis
A plant without chlorophyll that parasitises the roots of trees and shrubs (family Balanophoraceae). It looks like a young mushroom, until the 'cap' turns out to be a reddish-brown spike full of tiny flowers. Its action has hardly been studied.
Safety notes
Action and safety are unknown. Diarrhoea with blood, fever or dehydration needs a doctor, especially in children. Clean a wound well first. The plant is rare; do not pick it in the wild. 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): Action unknown. Diarrhoea with blood or fever needs a doctor.
Preparation
Dried and powdered, sprinkled on a bleeding wound; a decoction to drink.
Use in traditions
In the Vaupés and Amazonas, cojamba is regarded as a strong astringent and good styptic, and a decoction is drunk for dysentery and diarrhoea. Healers hold the plant in high esteem. Schultes wondered whether that is because of its strange way of growing or its blood-red colour: in the northwest Amazon red is the colour of magic and life force.
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
Styptic and astringent, and for dysentery and diarrhoea. The healers hold the blood-red plant in high esteem.
Preparation and amount
Dried and powdered on a bleeding wound; drink a decoction.
Caution: Action unknown. Diarrhoea with blood or fever needs a doctor.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionPowder and kitchen