Use in Amazonian Medicine

Ajo Sacha
Traditional Uses of Garlic Creeper: Amazonian Medicine:
Garlic Creeper is a plant widely used for medicinal purposes in the Peruvian Amazonian
region. Its leaves, roots and bark are used in different preparations to treat a variety of
ailments. Its primary use is as an anti-rheumatic and to treat pain and for treatment of
articular and muscular inflammation in general. It is also used to lower fever as well as
to treat headaches1-3. According to Leslie Taylor4, Garlic Creeper is widely used by
Amazonian natives. The Ese’eja use the leaves to treat colds, Amuesha natives use it to
aid in fertility, the Wayaoi to treat fever and the Tapajos for the flu and general aches.
According to Amazonian tradition, when Garlic Creeper is taken under strictly
controlled measures, it teaches the person that takes it. It is therefore known as a
“Master Plant”. Within this context, Garlic Creeper acts psychologically, helping the
person reinforce his or her capacity to make decisions.
Other uses
In the United States, the use of Garlic Creeper is increasing through its inclusion in
various treatment formulas for colds and arthritis4.
Traditional forms of use
The roots and bark are prepared through an alcoholic maceration taken internally to
treat rheumatism and arthritis. The leaves are used in teas as a general painkiller or in
plasters to externally treat general pain (muscular, articular, headache). As a Master
Plant and restorative tonic, the aqueous maceration of the root is utilized2.
Current forms of use
There are currently several pharmaceutical presentations in which medicinal plants
reach the public. Due to convenience and cost, the most popular ones are capsules or
tablets made from pulverized plants. However, it is important to know that in the
pulverized plant, the active principles are still trapped inside within the vegetal tissue.
Other commercial preparations, much less well-known, are the liquid “extracts”. These
are products in which the vegetal tissue content has been previously “extracted” by a
chemicophysical process. These preparations seek to imitate traditional use and to
maximize absorption and use of active ingredients by the patient’s body. Takiwasi
Extracts, also known as “Tinctures” or “Mother Tinctures”, are prepared through a
patient process of maceration of the vegetal tissue in a mixture of ethyl alcohol and low
temperature water, thus avoiding degradation of heat-sensitive substances, and ensuring
the chemical and microbiological quality of the final product.