Pharmacopeia of qollahuaya andeans

doi:10.1016/0378-8741(83)90091-0

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Volume 8, Issue 1, July 1983, Pages 97-111

https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(83)90091-0 Get rights and content

Abstract

This research report contains a list of 89 medicinal plants employed by the Qollahuaya (Callawaya) Andeans of Bolivia, who are famous herbalists in South America. This list contains botanical classification, origin of plant, quality, therapeutical properties, and medicinal uses. An analysis is made of the distribution of qualities and therapeutical uses to ascertain the scope of their pharmacology and incidence of disease. Therapeutic properties are interrelated with physiology in an effort to understand Qollahuaya ethnophysiology.

References (19)

J.W. Bastien
Exchange between Andean and Western medicine
Social Science and Medicine
(1982)
J.W. Bastien
Herbal curing by Qollahuaya Andeans
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
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J.W. Bastien
Qollahuaya Rituals: An Ethnographic Account of the Symbolic Relations of Man and Land in an Andean Village
(1973)
J.W. Bastien
J.W. Bastien
Land litigations in an Andean Ayllu from 1592 until 1972
Ethnohistory
(1979)
J.W. Bastien
Metaphorical relations between sickness, society and land in a Qollahuaya ritual
J.W. Bastien
Plantas Medicinales de los Callawayas
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R. Bolton
Aggression and hypoglycemia among the Qolla: A study in psychobiological anthropology
Ethnology
(1973)
R.E. Burchard
Coca use and the management of carbohydrate metabolism problems in the Andean highlands and the Amazonian lowlands

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

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This information is usually contrasted with early colonial Spanish accounts (Cobo, 1956[1653]), ethnobotanical evidence about the use of medicinal plants (Lastres, 1951; Towle, 1961; Von Hagen, 1961; López and Der Cornelio, 1973; Bussmann and Sharon, 2015) and contemporary ethnographic compilations of ritual-healing practices and beliefs in the Andes (Bastien, 1981; Urioste, 1981; Bastien, 1985; Bastien, 1987a; Bastien, 1987b; Camino, 1992; Cavender and Albán, 2009). After several decades of research all of these sources have revealed a long history of Andean curative ritual traditions and phytopharmacopeia (Bastien, 1981; Bastien, 1983; Piacenza, 2002; Bussmann and Sharon, 2015) based on the gathering, cultivation, bartering, and use of a variety of herbal remedies prepared with a broad variety of wild plants and cultivated crops, many of which are still in use today. These herbal remedies were ingested or used as ointments for topical application (Urioste, 1981; Bussmann and Sharon, 2015; Currie et al., 2018a, 2018b).
Reconstructing plant-based healing treatments of past societies from a dental anthropological perspective is still challenging due to a wide range of plant species, many with both medicinal and nutritional properties, and limitations on plant-taxa identification. Starch grains and phytoliths retrieved in samples from dental calculus and sediment contained in the cavity of dental caries were examined to investigate the supply of a plant-based treatment in an individual buried in the Late Preceramic site of Huaca El Paraíso (2100–1500 BCE), whose osteological analysis reported the absence of any pathological condition at a bone tissue level. A variety of starch grains such as pumpkins, manioc, maize, and beans had an important role in the diet of the individual. The starch grains were embedded in their dental calculus, all of which, except for manioc, showed signs of cooking damage. Considering the context and characteristics of the crops, the nutritional properties of maize, pumpkins and beans are evident. However, parallel medicinal properties of manioc and maize could not be entirely denied. Phytoliths morphologically ascribed to the Asteraceae plant family, which suggest the consumption of medicinal plants of Andean vernacular use, were retrieved in the sediment of dental caries. Our results prove that the analysis of sediment obtained from dental caries is as valuable in tracing medicinal plant-based treatments as dental calculus in archaeological populations. There are still several limitations to approach this topic in dental anthropology, which are discussed in this report. The performance of both analyses -dental calculus and sediment of dental caries, is highly recommended.
Recent developments in stigma maydis polysaccharides: Isolation, structural characteristics, biological activities and industrial application
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A green and cost-effective approach for the production of gold nanoparticles using corn silk extract: A recoverable catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura reaction and adsorbent for removing of dye pollutants
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It contains proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fiber [12]. Corn silk extract has shown positive therapeutic effects in a number of cases such as bladder infections, inflammation of the urinary system, inflammation of the prostate, kidney stones, bedwetting, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels [13–25]. Its therapeutic potential is related to the presence of bioactive components especially flavonoids and terpenoids.
In this study, we have developed an eco-friendly and inexpensive method for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles immobilized on the Schiff-base functionalized SBA-15 by using of corn silk extract as a natural reducing agent. Appropriate analyses confirm the structure of this heterogeneous nanocomposite. This synthesized nanocomposite acts as a robust nanocatalyst for the selective production of biphenyls in Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction and a strong adsorbent for degradation of anionic and cationic dyes such as methyl orange and methylene blue. The results show that this composite leads to the formation of biphenyl derivatives in excellent yields even for less-active aryl halides such as chlorobenzene at mild conditions and efficient degradation of organic dyes (>99%) in a short time through a pseudo-first order kinetic model. Easy separation of this nanocomposite from the reaction mixture by applying an external magnet and its reusability for several times without significant loss in its activity, are the other advantages of this nanocomposite.
Bioguided identification of triterpenoids and neolignans as bioactive compounds from anti-infectious medicinal plants of the Taira Atacama's community (Calama, Chile)
2019, Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Previous ethnobotanical surveys from the north Andean part of Chile, where different ethnic groups are co-existing, with the preeminence of Aymara and Atacama traditions, revealed an extensive domestic use of the local flora. In these communities, traditional medicinal uses are mainly related to the treatment of respiratory, gastro-intestinal and urinary disorders, pain and inflammation, which is closely linked to epidemiological observations.
As these symptoms may be related to infectious diseases, a bioguided evaluation of antibacterial and antifungal activity was conducted on eighteen species selected with the Taira community, in Ollague.
Screening was performed using a large panel of pathogenic germs involved in the main community acquired infectious diseases, represented by Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria of clinical interest and by human pathogenic fungi, using a bioguided approach.
Gram positive strains of clinical interest were highly sensitive to Aloysia deserticola (Verbenaceae) and Krameria lappacea (Krameriaceae) extracts. The bioguided approach led us to identify the isolated neolignan from K. lappacea conocarpan (1), and triterpenoids form A. deserticola (oleanolic acid (6) and ursolic acid (10)), as the main bioactive compounds.
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2017, Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Citation Excerpt :
Relatively, different properties of corn silk delivered from different corn cultivars have been reported (Mohamed et al., 2016). Since ancient time, corn silk has been used as a traditional medicine or a therapeutic remedy in many countries such as China, Turkey, United States, and France for treatment of various illnesses including cystitis, edema, kidney stones, diuretic, prostate disorder, urinary infections, and obesity (Bastien, 1983; Cáceres et al., 1987; Grases et al., 1993; Hu et al., 2010). In particularly in France, PCS is used for stimulation weight loss (Tsuda et al., 2003; Wang et al., 2011) and relief of heart troubles (Keville, 1996).
Corn silk or the stigma of Zea mays L. has traditionally been used in weight loss stimulation and treatment of cystitis, urinary infections and obesity. Purple corn silk, rich of polyphenolic substances, was reported on anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effect in animal studies. However, scientific evidence on mechanisms and targets of action of purple corn silk related to adipocyte life cycle has been limited.
To determine phytochemical compositions and investigate anti-obesity potential of the purple corn silk focusing on interruption of adipocyte life cycle; effect on pre-adipocyte proliferation, adipogenesis, adipocyte lipolysis, and apoptosis.
The ethanolic purple corn silk extract (PCS) was prepared and investigated for phytochemical compositions by LC/MS/MS technique and anti-obesity potential using murine 3T3-L1 cell line. Using methyl thiazole tetrazolium (MTT) assay, the effects on pre-adipocytes and adipocyte viability and on pre-adipocytes proliferation at 24-, 48-, and 72-h incubation period were evaluated. In addition, anti-adipogenesis via inhibition on adipocyte differentiation and reduction of total lipid accumulation was evaluated using Oil Red O staining and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. The lipolysis effect was determined by measurement of glycerol released content using glycerol test kit after 48-h treatment of PCS to adipocytes. Apoptosis inductive effect was done by using 2-(4-Amidinophenyl)-6-indolecarbamidine dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining method.
The polyphenols including anthocyanins, quercetin and phenolic acids and derivatives were found as the major chemical compositions of the PCS. With multiple-stages interruption on the adipocyte life cycle, anti-obesity effect of PCS was interestingly demonstrated. When compared to the control, the PCS at concentration range between 250–1000 μg/mL showed anti-adipogenesis effect as expressing of significant inhibition on pre-adipocyte proliferation at all incubation period (43.52±5.28 – 75.51±9.09%) and significant decreasing of total lipid accumulation at concentration of 500 μg/mL (80.22±6.58%) and 1000 μg/mL (69.62±5.42%). Moreover, the PCS exhibited lipolysis and apoptosis inductive effect with dose dependent manner and significance at concentration of 1000 μg/mL by increase of released glycerol content (173.88±6.13% of the control) and of nuclei condensing and apoptotic bodies (with relative apoptosis induction as 131.74±1.64% of the control).
Our data has evidenced the anti-obesity potential of PCS related interruption at multiple stages of adipocyte life cycle. Its potency was attributed to inhibition on adipocyte proliferation and adipogenesis as well as induction on lipolysis and apoptosis at high concentration. However, further in vivo investigation should be considered to insist the possibility in applications of PCS in prevention and treatment of obesity.
Changing markets – Medicinal plants in the markets of La Paz and El Alto, Bolivia
2016, Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Citation Excerpt :
General ethnobotanical studies in Peru and Bolivia have focused mostly on Quechua herbalism of the Cusco area (e.g. De Ferreyra, 1978, 1981; Franquemont et al., 1990). Other comprehensive studies have centered on the border region of Peru and Bolivia around Lake Titicaca (Roersch, 1994), with many treating the Kallawaya, famous itinerant traditional healers (Andel-Malek et al., 1996; Bastien, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1992; Girault 1987). Other broad studies from Bolivia include the pioneering work of Cárdenas (1943, 1989), De Lucca and Zalles (1992), Oblitas (1992), Zalles and De Lucca (1996), and Beck et al. (1999).
Given the importance of local markets as a source of medicinal plants for both healers and the population, literature on market flows and the value of the plant material traded is rather scarce. This stands in contrast to wealth of available information for other components of Bolivian ethnobotany. The present study attempts to remedy this situation by providing a detailed inventory of medicinal plant markets in the La Paz-El Alto metropolitan area, hypothesizing that both species composition, and medicinal applications, have changed considerably over time.
From October 2013–October 2015 semi–structured interviews were conducted with 39 plant vendors between October 2013 and October 2015 in the Mercado Rodriguez, Mercado Calle Santa Cruz, Mercado Cohoni, Mercado Cota Cota, and Mercado Seguencoma and Mercado El Alto in order to elucidate more details on plant usage and provenance. The results of the present study were then compared to previous inventories of medicinal plants in La Paz and El Alto studies to elucidate changes over time and impact of interview techniques.
In this study we encountered 163 plant species belonging to 127 genera and 58 families. In addition, 17 species could not be identified. This species richness is considerably higher than that reported in previous studies (2005, 129 species of 55 families; 2015, 94 identified species). While the overall distribution of illness categories is in line with older reports the number of species used per application, as well as the applications per species, were much higher in the present study. Overall, informant consensus was relatively low, which might be explained by the large number of new species that have entered the local pharmacopoeia in the last decade, although some species might simply have been missed by previous studies. In course of the present study it became apparent that even well known species might often be replaced by other apparently similar but botanically unrelated species due to environmental and market forces
The present study indicated that, while the floristic composition of markets in the La Paz metropolitan area remained relatively constant over the last decade, with this inventory adding about 20% of species to previous studies, the number of indications for which certain species were used increased tremendously, and that profound differences exist even between markets in close proximity. The dramatic increase in previously not used species used per indication might pose serious risks for consumers. We found serious problems due to species replacements. Even plants that have a well established vernacular name, and are easily recognizable botanically, can be replaced by other species that can pose a serious health risk. Vendor education and stringent identification of the material sold in public markets are clearly needed.

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Pharmacopeia of qollahuaya andeans

Abstract

Social Science and Medicine

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Qollahuaya Rituals: An Ethnographic Account of the Symbolic Relations of Man and Land in an Andean Village

Land litigations in an Andean Ayllu from 1592 until 1972

Ethnohistory

Metaphorical relations between sickness, society and land in a Qollahuaya ritual

Plantas Medicinales de los Callawayas

Aggression and hypoglycemia among the Qolla: A study in psychobiological anthropology

Ethnology

Coca use and the management of carbohydrate metabolism problems in the Andean highlands and the Amazonian lowlands