- Region
- South America
- Origin
- South-western South America; spread around the world since Spanish times
- Traditions
- Kallawaya healing knowledge
South America · Herb · № 895
Tagetes minuta
Herb · South America
Huacatay (black mint)
Tagetes minuta
A tall, strongly scented marigold with small flower heads. Its essential oil is used in perfume and soft drinks.
Safety notes
The oil can irritate the skin and cause skin reactions in sunlight. Safe as a culinary herb; large amounts of tea not in 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 (1)
- Kallawaya healing in Bolivia: The oil can make the skin sensitive to sunlight.
Preparation
The leaves fresh or dried as a culinary herb; also as a tea.
Use in traditions
Huacatay in Peru, wakataya in Bolivia. The herb has been eaten since before Spanish times; the paste goes into ocopa, a Peruvian potato dish, among others. Bastien describes how Kallawaya healers gave wakataya for indigestion. Because the herb counted as 'hot', it was eaten with food seen as 'cold', such as potatoes.
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
For indigestion, especially after food regarded as 'cold'.
Preparation and amount
A few leaves in food, or steeped for 5 minutes.
Caution: The oil can make the skin sensitive to sunlight.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)Powder and kitchen