Kantuta

Cantua buxifolia

A much-branched shrub of 2 to 3 metres with clusters of tubular flowers in red, pink, yellow or white, pollinated by hummingbirds and bees. Little is known about its effect in people.

Safety notes

Little studied. Inflamed eyes need a doctor; rinse only with an infusion that has been boiled and cooled. 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: Inflamed eyes need a doctor; rinse only with a boiled and cooled infusion.

Preparation

Steep a few flowers in hot water for three minutes.

Use in traditions

The 'sacred flower of the Incas' and one of the two national flowers of Bolivia. Kantuta was strewn on the roads along which the Inca was carried, and the flowers are still laid on the slopes of the sacred mountains. Around Cuzco they were given to the dead at burials, because the water in the flower was believed to quench the dead person's thirst. The flowers are boiled with other plants for fever, drunk as an infusion for cough, and used to rinse inflamed eyes. With Severino Vila, red and yellow kantuta belong on the offering table for the ancestors, the chullpa.

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 cough and difficult urination; to rinse inflamed eyes; leaves on boils.

Preparation and amount

Steep the flowers; boiled leaves as a compress.

Caution: Inflamed eyes need a doctor; rinse only with a boiled and cooled infusion.

Ways to prepare herbs: Compress, poultice and paste

Sources

All herbs from South America →