MOCHE: A PERUVIAN COASTAL COMMUNITY— GILLIN 



141 



of leaves mixed \vi;h accile rosado is applied to inflamma- 

 tions. According to Valdizan and Maldonado (1922, vol. 2, 

 p. 330), is used in decoction as an astringent wash for 

 wounds in Arequipa; as astringent in ocular affections in 

 Loreto and Huancayo; leaves fried in oil as an analgesic 

 in earache in northern Peru ; infusion or maceration of 

 leaves given in enemas for bloody stools ; decoction with 

 barley, ycdra (ivy), vcrdolaga (purslane), and altea (mal- 

 low) in pulmonary hemoptisis (Arequipa) ; decoction 

 made with leaves of rosemary, to which, when cool, beaten 

 white of egg is added, taken by mouth to stop bloody 

 vomit (Arequipa) ; widely used against hemorrhages of 

 all kinds and against inflammations. 

 Maichill (Tliei'elia neru folia). In Moche an infusion is 

 used for bathing wounds and pimples. According to 

 \'aldizan and Maldonado (1922, vol. 2. p. 283), the seeds 

 are poisonous and are used in some parts for killing dogs; 

 in the jungle regions the stringed nuts are used as cascabels. 

 Maiz bianco, white corn kernels. Used in setting up a 



brujcria mesa. White corn is specified. 

 Malva real. A roadside green plant, used in enemas. 

 Marrajudia (unidentified). A drop of the milk is used in 



the eye to remove film. 

 Matico, yerba de soldado, cordoncillo (Piper angustifol- 

 ium). Taken as an infusion of the leaves for cough and 

 as a douche for inflammations of the vagina. According 

 to Valdizan and .Maldonado (1922, vol. 2, pp. 130-132), 

 the pulverized leaves are widely used to cicatrize the 

 umbilicus of the newborn child and an infusion of the 

 leaves is generally used to bathe wounds. Also reported 

 as a pectoral from Santiago de Chuco. 

 Menthol. "Mentholatum" or a projirietary imitation of this 

 mentholated salve. Obtained in the Trujillo pharmacies 

 and also in the Moche tiendas, usually in small tin cans 

 about the size of a half dollar. 

 Molle (Schinus tnolle). A small berrylike fruit growing on 

 a bushlike tree native to Peru. In Moche the leaves are 

 bound on sprains, in hot form, so that "cold does not enter 

 the bones." Fruit is sometimes eaten ; in other areas 

 citicha is made from it, but only rarely in Moche. 

 Nogal (Juglans regia, J. neotropica). The first species was 

 apparently introduced by the Spanish after the time of 

 Padre Cobo, as he does not mention it. Professor Weber- 

 bauer has found /. neotropica growing wild in the valley 

 of the Utcubamha and the jungles of the Montafia, accord- 

 ing to \'aldizan and Maldonado (1922, vol. 2, p. 13?). In 

 Moche an infusion of the leaves is used internally as a 

 [jectoral and in douches for vaginal baths, also as a bath 

 for all types of inflammations. It is also reported as an 

 astringent in uterine baths in Arequipa and Lima, as a 

 wash for wounds in Lima, and as a cough remedy in the 

 Department of Lima and, with boiled milk, for the same 

 purpose in Arequijia. A decoction made of scrapings of 

 the wood is taken internally to reestablish menstruation, in 

 Arequipa. And in the south, leaves are placed under the 

 pillow as a cure for insomnia (Valdizan and Maldonado, 

 loc. cit.). 

 Paico (Cheno podium ainbrosioides). In !Moche the leaves 

 are removed, heated moist, and bound in a poultice on any 

 painful part of the body. According to Valdizan and 

 Maldonado, Cobo gives the following information of 



aboriginal uses: Leaves were applied in the form of a 

 poultice to any tumor to reduce it ; this species was also 

 used to reduce flatulency, for which purpose it was eaten, 

 or cooked with viuiici, drunk hot before breakfast with 

 some aji; paico eaten with much salt reduces the swellings 

 of gouty legs. In modern Peru, according to Valdizan and 

 Maldonado (vol. 2, pp. 146-147), the leaves are eaten as 

 seasoning in food ; leaves also eaten as a vermifuge ; 

 cooked root is applied as an astringent to bleeding wounds ; 

 it is given internally as an infusion for siislo in Huancayo; 

 cooked leaves mi.xed with borraja (Borago officinalis) in 

 cure of "caracha" ; it is said that roasted leaves are eaten 

 to counteract chills and "aire" in Trujillo; also, the juice 

 is taken to stop diarrhea ; in Cutervo, an infusion of three 

 hearts of paico, taken 3 mornings successively with a Pater 

 Noster each morning, is believed to increase intelligence. 



Fez, resin. Obtainable in the pharmacies. 



Pie de perro. In Moche used in infusion as emollient and 

 diuretic. 



Polvo de lagartija. Pulverized, dried, white feces of the 

 small lizard; used in cure of umbilical hernia and placed 

 on navel of newborn child to hasten healing and to prevent 

 rupture. 



Rabo flaire. Roots are mashed up and used as infusion, 

 mixed with infusions of chicoria and verbena in enemas. 



Romero, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). In Moche an 

 infusion of the leaves is taken internally for heart trouble; 

 also appears as a pharmaceutical preparation, agua de 

 cspanto, one of the "waters of susto." For inflammations, 

 especially of the eyes, an infusion of the flowers. Accord- 

 ing to Valdizan and Maldonado ( 1922, vol. 2, p. 291 ) , this 

 plant was brought to Peru in 1579 by Alonso Gutierrez 

 from Spain. 



Rosa de castilla (Rosa indica, according to Angulo). The 

 infusion of the leaves is administered internally as a purga- 

 tive and in douches for vaginal baths. 



Ruda (Ruta graveolens). In Moche the plant, minus the 

 roots, is used in raw form to give massages in the cure 

 of susto. The stalks which have been used in curing are 

 then placed on the ground under the growing plant. If a 

 brujo wishes to do harm to the person who has been cured, 

 he kills the growing plant. This causes the susto to 

 return, as well as the appearance of other symptoms. Also 

 used in decoction as an agent to promote menstrual flow 

 and as an abortifacient. Used also against brujeria, to 

 attract women, and also for good luck and good times. 

 Elsewhere in Peru, say Valdizan and Maldonado (1922, 

 vol. 2, p. 221), the temples are massaged with the leaves 

 for "aire" in Arequipa and Ambo; an infusion or powder 

 of the leaves is used internally for dismenorrhea and as 

 abortifacient ; a decoction is administered in enemas as a 

 vermifuge; the stems are used to stop the nosebleed of 

 scrroche (mountain sickness) ; infusion of the stems in 

 southern Peru for palpitations, hysteria, and in general 

 as an antispasmodic ; infusion of the leaves drunk for 

 epilepsy in Loreto, etc. 



RumilanchL Used as an infusion to promote menstrual 

 flow and as an emollient. 



San Juan. A creeping vine with a yellow flower. Body of 

 an asiistado is rubbed with the whole raw plant. 



