THE WORLD'S NATURAL MEDICINE is found in the Peruvian Amazon

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Gold of the Jungle: Medicinal Plants in the Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon Rainforest is full of yet-to-be-discovered medicines and chemicals coveted by scientists worldwide. But indigenous people in the Amazon, of course, have known the power of rainforest plants for thousands of years! During a recent visit to the Posada Amazonas and Refugio Amazonas lodges, I visited the lush garden of the Ese Eja People to discover jungle healing for myself. To give you a taste of these traditional healing practices, I’ve included seven of the most important Medicinal plants in the amazon rainforest used in Tambopata, and around the Amazon basin.

1. Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca or Banisteriopsis caapi – Photo by Jeff Cremer

In Quechua, Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi) means “vine of the soul” or “vine of the dead.” In recent years, the plant has received worldwide attention — both good and bad — as a psychedelic drug that travelers seek out for a bohemian “trip.” But the reality of Ayahuasca is much closer to that original meaning. For centuries, probably longer, Amazonian indigenous people have macerated and boiled the plant to use in sacred, ritual practice. Shamans use Ayahuasca to connect their patients with the spiritual realm or their ancestors, and for other medicinal purposes.

2. Chacruna

Chacruna

Chacruna or Psychotria viridis – Photo by Alden Wicker

 

While many people think of Ayahuasca as a single, psychotropic plant, Shamans in the Tambopata area actually mix the vine with Chacruna, a small shrub, for spiritual ceremonies. Chacruna (Psychotria viridis) contains the hallucinogenic chemical DMT, which mixes with the MAOI anti-depressant compound in Ayahuasca to make a potent brew.

Today, this combination of the Ayahuasca and Chacruna plants (or similar plants with DMT) has reached far beyond the Amazon itself. Several churches and spiritual movements, most notably the Brazilian Santo Daime Church, have spread Ayahuasca’s psychedelic practice worldwide. The use of the plants has incited controversy and challenging legal and cultural questions: What tensions may exist between indigenous people using the Ayahuasca brew traditionally, and North Americans and Europeans using it to have a personal psychedelic journey? Should the plants’ use be legal internationally?

3. Uña de Gato or Cat’s claw

Uña de gato

Uña de Gato or Cat’s claws. Photo by AndeanNatural.com

The tall vines of Uña de Gato curve upwards around tree trunks, with tiny, twisted green thorns under the leaves — giving rise to the plant’s name, “Cat’s Claw” in English. Amazonian peoples use Uña de Gato’s roots as a “cure-all” medicine for everything from rheumatism pain to toothaches, deep injuries to ulcers. Since European scientists encountered the Amazon plant in 1830, it’s become common around the globe. Several varieties serve different healing purposes in North America and Europe, and a different type is common in Chinese medicine.

Today, Uña de Gato is a popular herbal supplement, and scientists have begun to study the root. So far, they’ve discovered that the plant may help regulate the immune system, have anti-inflammatory properties, and possibly fight viruses or bacteria as well! One of Uña de Gato’s traditional uses is slightly less, well, medical, but perhaps just as useful: in the Peruvian Amazon, some consider it an aphrodisiac.

4. Achiote or Annatto

Achiote

You might not recognize Achiote’s spiky, bright red fruit at first glance, but if you’ve traveled in Latin America, chances are you’ve tasted it! Cooks add the crushed seeds of the Achiote tree (Bixa orellana) to dishes to give them yellow or orange color, along with a slightly peppery, nutty flavor. But Achiote, also called Annatto, is much more than a tasty ingredient. Amazonian indigenous groups have used it for ritual body painting, sunscreen, insect repellent, and more. Some people use the leaves as well, boiling them to treat fevers or speed up the healing of wounds. Recently, scientists have studied Achiote more formally, and so far they’ve found that it contains carotenoids, calcium, and folates. The plant may also have antioxidant effects.

5. Sanipanga

Sanipanga

Sanipanga is another natural dye of the Amazon, with leaves that can turn the skin a semi-permanent purple color. Among some indigenous groups, a spiritual belief is attached to the plant as well. If you can extract the purple color from the Sanipanga (Picramnia sp.) leaf by rubbing it into your fingers, you carry good spirits within you. If you fail to extract the color, on the other hand,  you might have bad spirits! Traditionally, the plant also has an antiseptic effect when rubbed into skin or wounds. This is another of the most important Medicinal plants in the Amazon rainforest.

6. Matico

Matico or buddleja globosa

Matico or Buddleja globosa. Photo by Wikimedia Commons

The colorful flowers of the Matico plant are eye-catching, but it is the leaves that hold their true magic. Amazon residents have long used Matico (Buddleja globosa) for muscle pain, sore throats, and other common ailments. Folks often boil the leaves in a tea to help with inflammation, body aches, or coughs. Now, scientists and companies outside the region have woken up to the plant’s usefulness too! Researchers have confirmed the ways Amazon peoples use Matico, finding that it has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, and can help to quickly heal scars or wounds.

7. Cordoncillo

Cordoncillo Medicinal plants in the amazon rainforest

In a traditional Medicinal Plant Garden, our guests may get the chance to chew on the Cordoncillo leaf, producing a slightly numbing effect many compare to Novocain. In fact, the Ese Eja People and other groups use it for exactly this reason! Cordoncillo has a variety of traditional uses, including disinfecting wounds, treating respiratory illnesses, stopping blood hemorrhages, and treating gallstones. Since the 1800s, the plant has become known globally as a hemostatic (to control/stop bleeding) and as an astringent for cuts.

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If you want to know what it is like in the jungle, this is the place to come. Amazing scenery, wildlife, and knowledgeable guides. To get the most out of the experience prepare for some early starts and early bedtimes. A fantastic few days which I won't forget in a hurry. Read all

The excursions were the best part of the trip and how the guides were so knowledgeable and welcoming. We were lucky to have seen all different kinds of animals including capybara, giant river otter, spider monkey, red howler monkey, scarlet macaw, hoatzin. Read all

It gives a great insight into the jungle. We had a great visit. I recommend going during the dry season. Our guide Luis M. was excellent! Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, kind and a gentleman. Bear in mind it's going to be hot and humid with some mosquitos. It's a jungle out there! Read all

A spectacular experience—Juan Carlos and Carmen, we’d like to sincerely thank you for our stay at your lodge on the banks of the Tambopata River. This part of our two-month trip through Peru and Bolivia left an indelible impression on us. The transfer itself was a testament to the professionalism of your team: the journey from Puerto Maldonado to the lodge—with a very tight schedule to arrive before dark, a guide waiting for us, and a smooth trip by bus and boat—went off without a hitch despite our tight flight connections. Everything about the lodge won us over: comfortable accommodations in the heart of the jungle, good food, and a comprehensive, well-structured excursion program with morning, afternoon, and evening tours. We were thrilled every time we saw something new. We’d especially like to highlight our guide, Jordi: his knowledge of the flora and fauna, combined with his patience in spotting wildlife, made our stay truly special. Equally impressive was the condition of the jungle: pristine, clean, and home to an intact ecosystem ranging from big cats to macaws. The care and responsibility devoted to maintaining this place are evident. Incredible guides. And the entire staff was very attentive. Highly recommended Read all

A spectacular experience—Juan Carlos and Carmen are incredible guides. And the entire staff is very attentive. Highly recommended Read all

It was a wonderful experience and a pleasant surprise. The staff and guides at the Rainforest Expeditions lodge were fantastic and always went out of their way to ensure we had the best possible experience. Thank you to Juan Carlos and Carmen for their care and dedication to the group. Read all

We had an excellent 5 night stay at TRC with two couples. The remote Lodge and accommodation are unique especially with the open walls to the jungle in the rooms. The guides were first rate with superb knowledge and their ability to spot fauna in the dense jungle was incredible. We saw many species of monkeys; macaws, parrots, tapirs, etc.. even lucky enough to spot a jaguar. Food and service was really good. While not cheap it was I think very good value for money. We really enjoyed all the hikes and citizen science activities as well, he trips on the river and the clay licks. Overall amazing experience! As it’s the jungle not a zoo, you can’t guarantee that you’ll see everything all the time so allow enough days to properly explore. Read all

A once-in-a-lifetime experience in the middle of the rainforest. From airport pickup in Puerto Maldonado to the lodge and back, everything was exceptionally well organised. Communication was clear throughout, with the team always explaining what would happen, where to be and what to take care of. The staff at both HQ and the lodge were incredibly attentive, making the entire stay feel completely carefree. At this price point, this is the level of service you expect, but it is still impressive to experience it in such a remote setting. The food was another highlight: very well curated and balanced, with plenty of options at every buffet and, surprisingly, we never had the same dish twice. Read all

This was an excellent experience!! Highly recommend if you’re interested in visiting the Amazon Rainforest and Tambopata region. Especially happy with our guide Miguel, who was highly professional, informative, and organized. It was an immersive adventure and we got to see so many unique plants and animals. 10/10! Read all

Amazing experience at Refugio Amazonas. Rooms were comfortable and clean. Great buffet spread every day. Staff were friendly and attentive. Our guide Alan was very informative. Overall would definitely recommend a visit! Read all

We stayed 3 nights at Posada Amazonas during our summer trip to Peru, and it was definitely one of the biggest highlights of the whole journey. The staff were incredibly warm and welcoming. Our guide, Joss, was professional, friendly and amazingly knowledgeable. Sometimes it honestly felt like he could communicate with the animals — he could spot black caimans or giant river otters from hundreds of metres away! The excursions were unforgettable. We saw beautiful macaws, giant river otters, capybaras, sloths, tarantulas, an anaconda, different species of monkeys, toucans and so much more. I especially loved the rainforest walks and joined both the daytime and night walks. Every walk felt completely different, and you never knew what you might find. What also made the stay special was the lodge’s involvement in scientific and environmental projects. There was a talk every evening, and we learned a lot about the rainforest and its wildlife. We also joined the “Discover New Species” activity and helped search for possible new species of tiger moths — such a fun and memorable experience. The lodge itself is definitely rustic luxury rather than a city-style 5-star hotel. There is no air conditioning or hair dryer, but the hot shower, fan and hammock in the room were all very comfortable and suited the rainforest setting perfectly. And surprisingly, the internet connection was excellent — even the boats had Starlink! One of the things I appreciated most is that Posada Amazonas is a collaboration between Rainforest Expeditions and the local Indigenous community that owns the land. Many community members are directly involved in running the lodge, and you can really feel how much the staff care about and are connected to this rainforest, which is part of their ancestral home. If you are looking for an authentic, educational and truly memorable Amazon rainforest experience, I highly recommend Posada Amazonas. We absolutely loved our stay. Read all

The Tambopata Research Center (TRC) offers a well-organized immersive rainforest experience within the Tambopata National Reserve. The TRC and its accommodations put a spin on the term creature comforts by keeping guests comfortable while they commune among the creatures within the rainforest. I appreciated, through what I observed and the interactions I had, the attentiveness of the TRC team members. They knew their guests and seamlessly organized a lot for our benefit. The center assigns guests to a small group with a dedicated guide. In my case, Erick Arguedas was a superb ambassador for all things living in the rainforest, in part because it was the environment in which he grew up. His role was to ensure we got the most out of our visit. Being a long-term TRC guide gave him the expertise he needed to easily fulfill this role. Read all