Ethos Herbals Blends
Cannabis
SmartShop
VapeShop
Medicinal Herbs
Cacao & Tea
Aromatherapy
Ethos Lifestyle
For many Amazonian people it could be said that Llex guayusa is what coffee is to us Westerners – except that its symbolic and practical importance is much greater for Latin American tribes. For the indigenous Kichwa of Ecuador, Llex guayusa is one of the most useful herbs – Guayusa is widely cultivated in the Ecuadorian Amazon. It is used ritually as well as therapeutically. For the Kichwa, drinking guayusa concoctions is an integral little ritual of daily "cheerfulness," of warm intimate contact among the people of the community. The importance of L.guayusa is so great for this tribe that they organize thematic events focusing on its use. In many festive events of the tribe, beauty contests are also organized - the winner of each contest is declared "Guayusa Warmi" (Guayusa Woman). During one of the last mornings of the fiesta called “Gran Guayusazo Bailable” (Grand Guayusa Dance Fiesta), the winning beauty queen goes from house to house accompanied by a group of friends relatives and politicians serving guayusa tea to the community members.
The Kichwa tribe has recognized and "embraced" the useful properties of the leaves of the plant. Decoctions of the leaves are mainly used as stimulants. In some cases they are used as stomach tonics, diuretics and even as a treatment for the flu – often these concoctions include other herbs or “adjuncts. They usually use a combination of ginger, lime juice and/or sugarcane liqueur. Natives believe it works as a pain reliever and promotes increased fertility and libido. In other cases they use it to clean the mouth and also to avoid insect and snake bites. Some believe it also has anti-aging properties for the skin. Some members of the Kichwa tribe use hot guayusa water to bathe their children or take steam baths.
The use of the plant is not limited to the Kichwa tribe. The Shuar and Achuar tribes similarly use it for its stimulant properties. Guayusa also plays an important role in Jivaro ceremonies. For other tribes such as the Cofán, Secoya, and Tsa'chi, guayusa is used more to treat physical pain and other ailments (de la Torre et al. 2008).
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.