Turpay

Nototriche (o.a. N. mandoniana en N. porphyrantha)

A small, cushion-forming mallow that grows flat against the ground, with a thick taproot. Mallows contain soothing mucilage; these species themselves have hardly been studied.

Safety notes

Little studied; not in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Do not pick in protected areas: the plant grows slowly. 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: Persistent sore throat needs a doctor.

Preparation

Steep a small piece of root for 10 minutes and use lukewarm as a gargle.

Use in traditions

The more than one hundred species of Nototriche grow high in the Andes and are almost impossible to grow in gardens. According to Girault the Kallawaya call the plant turpay or altea, after the European marshmallow. They chew the root for sore throat and inflamed gums, give a decoction for cough, bronchitis and bowel complaints, gargle with it for quinsy, and let small children chew a cleaned piece of root for strong teeth.

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 sore throat, quinsy, inflamed gums and cough.

Preparation and amount

Chew a small piece of root, or steep it for 10 minutes and gargle lukewarm.

Caution: Persistent sore throat needs a doctor.

Sources

All herbs from South America →