- Region
- South America
- Origin
- Tropical America, from Mexico and the Caribbean to South America
- Traditions
- Curanderismo of northern Peru
South America · Herb · № 880
Petiveria alliacea
Herb · South America
Mucura (guinea henweed)
Petiveria alliacea
A herb with a strong garlic smell. It has been studied for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects; clinical evidence is lacking.
Safety notes
Internal use is little studied; not in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Livestock that eat the plant can be poisoned and give a garlic taste to milk and meat. 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)
- Healing traditions of the Americas: Do not take internally and not in pregnancy.
Preparation
Externally in a bath or wash.
Use in traditions
In Peru the plant is called mucura, in the Caribbean anamú and in Brazil guiné. In northern Peru healers use it in a flowering bath, the baño de florecimiento, to attract luck and cleanse the patient, and put a sprig in a protective bottle, the seguro.
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.
Healing traditions of the Americas
Attributed effects
In a flowering bath to attract luck and cleanse, and in protective bottles.
Preparation and amount
Boil a bunch of the herb in water and let it cool for a bath.
Caution: Do not take internally and not in pregnancy.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Steam and bath