- Region
- South America
- Origin
- Peru, among other places in the fog oases of the coastal desert; now throughout western South America
South America · Herb · № 877
Tara spinosa (syn. Caesalpinia spinosa)
Herb · South America
Tara
Tara spinosa (syn. Caesalpinia spinosa)
A thorny tree with red pods that are very rich in tannins. In laboratory tests, extracts of the pods inhibited several bacteria.
Safety notes
Strongly astringent; do not swallow in large amounts. Flour from the seeds (not the pods) made hundreds of people ill with liver problems in the US in 2022. 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)
- Healing traditions of the Americas: Do not swallow in large amounts. A sore throat with high fever needs a doctor.
- Kallawaya healing in Bolivia: Persistent diarrhoea needs a doctor.
Preparation
Pods as a decoction to gargle with or as a wash; externally on wounds.
Use in traditions
In northern Peru a much-used remedy for sore throats and tonsillitis, gargling with the decoction. It is also used to wash wounds, skin infections and animal bites. Tara tannin is used to tan leather, and tara gum, a food thickener, comes from the seed.
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
For sore throat and tonsillitis, and as a wash on wounds and skin infections.
Preparation and amount
Boil a few pods for 10 minutes; let cool and use to gargle or wash.
Caution: Do not swallow in large amounts. A sore throat with high fever needs a doctor.
Kallawaya healing in Bolivia
Attributed effects
To wash and strengthen the hair, and for diarrhoea; also for dyeing and tanning.
Preparation and amount
Boil the pods into a decoction.
Caution: Persistent diarrhoea needs a doctor.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction