Medicinal Herbs: The Ancient Inca Herbal Remedies That Help Fight Arthritis, Diabetes And Even Cancer

The Inca Empire of Peru was one of the greatest of all ancient civilisations, and a principal factor in its expansion and prosperity was the special knowledge of medicinal herbs that the Incas possessed. Now the healing secrets of medicinal herbs from the Andes are being rediscovered - in particular, vilcacora, sangre de drago, manayupa, pasuchaca, flor de arena and hercampuri. As an HSI member, you are among the first to learn about their remarkable therapeutic actions against a range of illnesses.

Scientific research has found that they can help treat everything from Type II (non insulin-dependent) diabetes, psoriasis and arthritis to hepatitis, stomach and duodenal ulcers. The medicinal herbs are also proving beneficial in the management of cancer.

Polish missionary was indirectly responsible for bringing these medicinal herbs to the West. It was a Polish missionary priest living among indigenous tribes of the Amazon rainforest, who was the first European in modern times to learn about the health-giving properties of these medicinal herbs. So impressed was Father Edmund Szeliga that, in the 1960s, he established a clinic in the Peruvian capital Lima, where thousands of people have been helped to regain their health.

It wasn't until 1997 that knowledge of the medicinal herbs was brought to the West by four Polish doctors: Alina Rewako, Jacek Belczewski, Jacek Kazinski and Marek Prusakowski. They had heard of the potent medicinal properties of Andean plants and travelled to Peru where they discovered that what might seem mere folklore from a Western perspective, was a fully developed branch of science in South America. Three years later the doctors established the Andean Medical Centre in London. They have had significant therapeutic success in treating a range of conditions from inflammatory illnesses to life-threatening diseases with these medicinal herbs.

Modern research confirms what the Incas knew all along
Each of the medicinal herbs has been found to possess an astonishing array of benefits for maintaining good health. They include:

Vilcacora: Used traditionally to treat inflammatory conditions, vilcacora also helps boost immunity, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels 1, 2, 3.

Researchers have found that vilcacora is effective against chronic gastric and intestinal disorders, viral and bacterial infections (including viral hepatitis), skin allergies and rheumatoid arthritis 4.

Sangre de Drago: Traditional applications include the relief of fever, malaria and diarrhoea. Sangre de Drago is also a powerful anti-inflammatory and has been widely used to relieve joint pain5, while its antiseptic properties make it beneficial in the treatment of influenza6.

When applied topically to the skin it enhances wound healing and ulcerations 7.

Manayupa: A natural detoxicant used for blood cleansing and purification. Manayupa boosts metabolism and contains anti-inflammatory compounds 8. Researchers have also identified sedative properties 9.

Pasuchaca: This medicinal herb has a restorative effect on pancreatic functions and the latest research has shown that it may regulate blood sugar levels in non insulin-dependent diabetics 10.
Pasuchaca also has an antioxidant effect and boosts immune function 11.

Hercampuri: Traditionally used to prevent the formation of gallstones, this herb aids digestion and helps normalise cholesterol levels 11.

Flor de Arena: This medicinal herb helps eliminate uric acid from the blood and connective tissue and also acts as a diuretic 12.

Due to its detoxifying action, it helps improve kidney and nervous system function 13.

A herbal detox can make treatment far more effective
Practitioners experienced in the use of Andean medicinal herbs divide their use into two stages:

'Purification' and 'Treatment'. 'Purification' improves the general condition of the body by encouraging the removal of toxins. It also prepares the body for the action of other plant-based preparations. It requires a six-week course of herbs: two weeks on manayupa, followed by two weeks on flor de arena and then two weeks on hercampuri.

The 'Treatment' stage varies according to the nature of the disease and the individual. In cancer cases, for example, vilcacora and sangre de drago are recommended. For diabetic patients (non insulin-dependent), pasuchaca is the herb of choice; and for chronic viral hepatitis B and C, cirrhosis and fatty degeneration of the liver, hercampuri, vilcacora and sangre de drago are administered. On average the 'Treatment' stage lasts for three to six months.

What To Take For Best Results
These medicinal herbs are available to take in capsule form - the general suggested dosage is one to two capsules three times a day of the recommended medicinal herb. Flor de arena is available as a tincture and the dose is 10 to 20 drops in 50ml of water or juice three times a day. If you are planning to take these medicinal herbs, it is important that you seek the advice of an experienced herbal practitioner and keep your own doctor fully informed.

Contraindications: Vilcacora must not be taken while undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, it may be taken three days after the end of these therapies but should be terminated three days before another session. The herb should also be avoided in the case of blood transfusions, before and after organ transplants, in patients treated with insulin and steroidal hormones and within three days before and three days after vaccination against contagious diseases.

Manayupa and hercampuri have a diuretic action, this may increase the excretion of conventional medication from the body. For this reason patients are advised to inform their doctor, as the dosage of prescribed drugs may need to be temporarily increased. The herbs should not be taken by pregnant and breastfeeding women.

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12. Plantas medicinales y salud ind'gena en la cuenca del Rio Madre de Dios, Peru. Didier Lacase y Miguel Alexiades. Federacin Nativa del Rio Madre de Dios y afluentes (FENEMAD) y Centro de estudios Regionales Andinos 'Bartolom de Las Casas', Cuzco, PERU, 1995.
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