Wira wira

Achyrocline satureioides (en verwante wollige composieten, o.a. Culcitium canescens)

A woolly, bitter-aromatic plant up to a metre tall with yellow flower heads. Contains flavonoids such as quercetin and luteolin; in the laboratory the extract acts against some viruses, but research in people is lacking.

Safety notes

Not in pregnancy: in rats the extract reduced births and the survival of the young. May cause allergy in people sensitive to the daisy family. 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: Not in pregnancy.

Preparation

Steep a teaspoon of dried flower heads or leaves for 10 minutes.

Use in traditions

In southern Brazil and Uruguay the plant is called marcela; people drink an infusion for stomach and bowel complaints, headache and cramps, and fill small pillows with it for babies, as the scent is said to calm. In the Andes it is called wira wira, 'very greasy' or 'very hairy'. According to Louis Girault the Kallawaya count more than ten woolly plants in this group; they drink an infusion for cough and bronchitis, and a decoction in milk for stubborn cough.

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, bronchitis and other lung complaints.

Preparation and amount

Steep a teaspoon of dried herb for 10 minutes, or simmer it in milk.

Caution: Not in pregnancy.

Sources

All herbs from South America →