The Peruvian natives frequently employ this plant to treat 
scurvy and mouth sores. 
LINACEAE 
Linum confertum nom. nud. 
(merulagueén) 
An infusion and decoction are frequently prescribed in treating 
catarrhal coughs and lung ailments. When crushed and mixed 
with urine, the plant can be applied as a poultice to dissolve 
various kinds of tumours. 
MELIACEAE 
Guarea purpurea C. DC. in DC. Monogr. Phan. | (1878) 564. 
(chenior) 
Indian women in Peru dye their cotton goods and baize a 
purplish hue with this plant. 
MALPIGHIACEAE 
Malpighia nitida Jacq. Enum. (1760) 21. 
[ Bunchosia nitida (Jacq.) Juss. in Ann. Mus. Par. 18 (1811) 481.] 
(ciruela del pais; ciruela del fraile) 
The seeds, in flavour rather like fresh almonds, have purgative 
properties and bring on nausea. 
POLYGALACEAE 
Polygala aff. discolor nom. nud. 
(mascca) 
Indian women use the bark of the root to prepare a wash to 
cleanse and stimulate hair. Intensely bitter, the bark forms a 
lather like that of soap. 
Polygala vulgaris L. Sp. Pl. (1753) 702. 
(clinclin) 
In Chile, a warm infusion of this plant is valued as an excellent 
diuretic. 
Monnina polystachya R. et P. Syst. (1798) 171. 
According to Ruiz, the bark has been shown to be effective in 
treating dysentery and asthmatic ailments. Three grains of its 
powder are taken in the morning and evening at the beginning of 
the treatment, and the dose continues to increase for several 
months. 
