Medicinal plants of the Andes and the Amazon. The magic and medicinal flora of Northern Peru

Northern Peru occupies the upper sector of the “health axis” of the Central Andean
cultural area. Few other places on the planet boast a medicinal flora as rich as this region.
Archaeological evidence traces the use of plants used in traditional healing and divination
practices of the region back at least 2,500 years. Current research shows that the composition
of the local pharmacopoeia has changed since colonial times (Sharon and Bussmann 2006)
and that the overall number of medicinal plants employed seems to have increased. This
indicates that the North Peruvian health tradition is still going strong, and that the healers are
constantly experimenting with new remedies. Recent indications of this are the appearance of
Noni (Morinda citrifolia) products in large quantities in plant pharmacies and markets in the
region. This makes it quite obvious that local herbalists are carefully watching international
health trends to include promising species in their own repertoire.