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Herbs & Cultures

Curanderismo of northern Peru →

Emoliente

The warm herbal drink poured from a cart on every street corner in Peru.

Traditional use

Time
45 minutes
Makes
About 1.5 litres
Image of Emoliente
MINISTERIO DE LA PRODUCCIÓN - PRODUCE · public domain

Emoliente is not a curandero's recipe but the popular drink of all Peru, drawing on the same herbal knowledge. The base is roasted barley with linseed, which makes the drink slightly mucilaginous; herbs such as horsetail and alfalfa are added, along with lemon. The emolientero mixes each cup to the customer's wishes.

Ingredients

  • 50 g roasted barley
  • 2 tbsp linseed
  • 1 tbsp dried horsetail
  • 1 tbsp dried alfalfa
  • 1.5 litres water
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • To taste: sugar or honey

Step by step

  1. Bring the water and barley to the boil and boil for 15 minutes.
  2. Add the linseed, horsetail and alfalfa and simmer gently for another 15 minutes.
  3. Strain. Stir lemon juice and something sweet into each cup and drink warm.

Tips

  • Roasted barley is sold as 'mugicha' in Asian shops.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 269

    Barley

    Hordeum vulgare

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, light; good for skin and hair.

    Ayurveda+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 83

    Flax

    Linum usitatissimum

    Ground flaxseed acts as a gentle bulk-forming fibre for constipation. NCCIH reports it may lower cholesterol slightly; evidence for other claims is unclear.

    Western herbal medicine+3Folklore
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 888

    Giant horsetail

    Equisetum giganteum

    A large horsetail, rich in silica. Traditionally used as a diuretic, like European field horsetail; good evidence is lacking.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 376

    Alfalfa

    Medicago sativa

    Traditionally attributed effects: calming and moisture-restoring for dry skin.

    Chinese medical traditions+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 221

    Lemon

    Citrus limon

    Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, diuretic, strengthens the veins.

    Ayurveda+3Folklore

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.