Medicinal plants have accompanied humans since ancient times, there is no culture that has not developed its own medicinal flora, which is generally transmitted by oral tradition. Until a few decades ago the recognition of these plants was still part of the medical study and also of wide popular knowledge.
The increasing urbanization and consequent distance from the wild sources of medicinal plants has led to a growing ignorance of their natural presentation. Although most people believe they can recognize a medicinal plant by the shape of its leaves, its smell or other characteristics, the specific recognition of a plant is only possible if you have its sexual organs, that is, if you have its flower. This floristics of medicinal plants is little known although it would have a practical use by allowing us to recognize exactly that we are facing the medicinal plant that we are looking for and not against another species with similar characteristics of its leaves or stems.
A peculiarity of medicinal plants is that some of them have flowers of unusual beauty. In the following selection we show some flowers of medicinal plants that stand out in some cases for their wide use and in others for their variety and diversity of therapeutic uses, but at the same time they have inflorescences of particular and peculiar beauty. All the photos correspond to the botanical gardens of medicinal plants of the National Center for Intercultural Health (CENSI) of the National Institute of Health, in Lima, Peru.
These gardens are unique in their kind in our country as they preserve more than 500 different species of medicinal plants, most of them Peruvian, thus allowing their visitors not only to learn more about the traditional properties of plants but also to delight in the rare beauty of its flowers.
CEDRON (Aloysia citrodora Paláu)
Native South American shrub, also known as aromatic verbena, It was introduced to Europe since the 16th century. In popular medicine it is used in the form of an infusion as a stomach tonic and the treatment of indigestion. In traditional Peruvian medicine, broader uses are reported, including respiratory conditions as well as gastrointestinal. An antioxidant effect has been scientifically proven.
AGUAYMANTO (Physalis peruviana L.)
Native Peruvian plant, its fruit is known as cape gooseberry in the Amazon and in English as goldenberry, it belongs to the same family (Solanaceas) as the potato and tomato, it has spread throughout America and much of Africa, where it is grown commercially. In addition to its use in food, its antioxidant and antitumor effect in lung cancer has been proven.
ACHIOTE (Bixa orellana L.)
South American shrub known for its seeds that contain the pigment annatto or bixin widely used in the food industry. Its traditional, very wide uses, include from the ritual use of its coloring to the use of the leaves for their antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
CANTUTA (Cantua buxifolia Juss. Ex Lam)
National flower of Peru, in Inca times it was consecrated to the sun or Inti and for that reason its wide diffusion. The inflorescence was used in folk medicine against coughs and for inflamed eyes. The decoction of flowers and branches is used against diarrhea.
YAWAR PIRI PIRI (Eleutherine bulbosa (Mill.) Urb)
Traditionally used for fertility problems and gynecological diseases. Other traditional uses include it as a Vulnerary, plants used to treat superficial wounds and ulcers. Its antibacterial and antifungal effect has been demonstrated.
CAIGUA (Cyclanthera pedata (L.) Schrad)
Climbing plant native to the Peruvian coast and widespread in the Andean area of all South America; well known for the nutritional use of its fruit, traditional uses are reported for liver diseases and diabetes. In popular medicine it is used in weight-reducing diets and blood pressure control.
GUANABANA (Annona muricata)
Native tree of Peru, widespread throughout South America, its fruit, also known as graviola, is widely known Its leaves and bark are traditionally used in a wide variety of digestive and respiratory ailments, in recent years a supposed anti-cancer effect has spread. There is no evidence of such an effect in humans, although antitumor effects are reported in animal tests.
YUCA (Manihot esculenta Crantz)
South American shrub, whose root, also known as cassava, is widely used as food. Its leaves are traditionally used for skin infections, itching, burns or eruptive diseases; other uses include it as an antiparasitic.
PASSION FRUIT (Passiflora edulis Sims)
Amazonian vine whose complex flower has given rise to various interpretations, including theological ones. Its fruit is used as a flavoring or to make refreshing drinks; Its dried leaves are traditionally used “for the nerves” with a calming or even hypnotic effect, it is also reported as an antipyretic and for skin problems.
CHACRUNA (Psychotria viridis Ruiz & Pav)
Native plant of the Peruvian Amazon is used as a purgative, but its most widespread use is in joint cooking with Banisteriopsis caapi (ayahuasca) to make the concoction used in the ayahuasca ritual. Its psychoactive properties limit its self-medication in traditional medicine, and it can be used only by traditional healers.