number of medicinal plants found commonly throughout the 

 Huancabamba valley. For example, an infusion of the leaves of 

 yatama {Salvia discolor HBK) {Davis 683) is taken internally for 

 stomach indigestion. The leaves and stems of the /lor de 

 guayacan {Tecoma starts var. velutina DC) {Davis 683) is drunk 

 to treat tuberculosis. The solanaceous hierba del aire {Lyco- 

 persicon hirsutum Dunal) {Davis 680) provides a general tonic, 

 while the rhizomes of certain ferns known as calaguala (e.g. 

 Niphidium sp.) are employed in infusions for relieving liver 

 ailments. 



The magic plants, many of which are locally found only 

 around the sacred lagoons, may be employed medicinally, but 

 are also used for th^ seguros or as additives to the hallucinogenic 

 potions. As medicines, the spirit plants are considered especially 

 powerful. For example, an infusion of the ground leaves of 

 pegapega {Befaria resinosa Mutis ex. L.) {Davis 703) mixed with 

 honey is the strongest recognized treatment for respiratory 

 ailments, A decoction of the entire chagapa morada plant 

 {Gentianella formosissima (D. Don ex G. Don) Fabris ex 

 Pringle) {Davis 751) in aguadiente is drunk for yellow fever. A 

 similarly prepared decoction oi chagapa roja {Gentianella sp.) 

 {Davis 702) is a highly regarded febrifuge. An infusion of 

 huachumillo {Baccharis genistelloides (Lam.) Per.) {Davis 674) 

 is drunk to treat inflamations. An unidentified member of the 

 Juncaceae — hierba de dominacion — is a magical plant that 

 allows one to dominate enemies, as it insulates one's "forces of 

 white magic from the power of evil". One of the most important 

 of the Huaringas plants is hornamo morado {Valeriana ad- 

 scendens Turz,) {Davis 756), a powerful purgative that is 

 sometimes added to the San Pedro preparations. Sharon (1972, 

 1978) reports a series of additives under the generic term 

 "hornamo" — hornamo bianco, hornamo amarilla, hornamo 

 morado, hornamo cuti, hornamo caballo. Although only 

 hornamo morado was specifically identified by my informant, it 

 is significant that at least three other species of Valeriana {V. 

 malvacea Graelsn, {Davis 743), V, Mutisiana (Wedd.) Hoch. 

 {Davis 752) and F. microphylla HBK, {Davis 753) were found 



377 



