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Natural healing herbs of the Andes
Introduction[Top] The tropical Andes is the most diverse and richest source of fauna on earth, so obviously it's a great source of healing herbs.
The Nomadic Kallawaya healers of Bolivia[Top] 
The Kallawayas are traveling healers who are famous in south America for their knowledge of natural healing herbs.
Many of the Kallawayas understand how to use at least three hundred, the specialists know how to use six hundred herbs. The kallawayas live in Bautista Saavedra which is northeast of Lake Titicaca. They travel all around Bolivia as well as Chile, Argentina, Ecuador and Peru usually by foot.
Totora reeds[Top] 
The Uros people of Bolivia eat the white bottom of totora reeds for the iodine, doing this prevents goiter. The reeds white area is called chullo. They also use the reeds for pain relief; the reed is wrapped around the painful area to absorb it. Additionally they use the flower of the reed to make herbal tea. If it is hot outside, they roll the white part of the reed in their hands and split it open, placing the reed on their forehead. In this stage, it is very cool to the touch. The white part of the reed is also used as a hangover remedy, it is also used as food.
Copal[Top]
Coca[Top]
Mummies dating back to three thousand years ago were found to have traces of coca. There is a lot of archaeological evidence that dates coca leaf chewing as far back as the 6th century. Traditionally cocoa has been used chiefly as a stimulant to combat hunger, thirst and fatigue. It is also used to treat sores, wounds and rheumatism. Coca leaves are very good for altitude sickness. Another of the natural healing herbs in the Andes is cat's claw
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