Traditional Medicine and Andean Nutrition

The Muña: Andean Mint.

Popular Knowledge and History

People of the traditional Andean culture of Peru preserves a unique shrub with healing properties which it’s been used by the ancient inhabitants of Peru in medicinal formulas for a long time ago. The plant is called Muña by Peruvian Andean people however someone else also decided to give it the name of Andean mint or infusion of the Andes.

It would seem that the origin of its name Muña comes from a word of Quechua language Munay means "to adore." Probably the Spanish-speakers transformated original word Munay in Muña, in this way they adapted it into the Spanish language for an easier pronunciation.

The Minthostachys Mollis family Lamiaceae, of which there are at least 12 variants, is widespread in the Andean world. Even to the south of Peru this plant takes different names such as: huayco, coa, chancua, Poleo .

The Andean Mint is a perennial stem, semi-ligneous brunella of a variable height between 80 to 120 centimeters with flowers of color purple, crimson and white. His leaves measure two to three centimeters and its aroma is similar to the mint but with an unmistakable peculiarity. Has a potent antibacterial property because it contains pulgona, mentona, menthol, isometona piperinico acid, 1-8 cineol, carvona, B-pinene, C-pinene in fact is used in  Andean agriculture  to repel insects of the night from the cultivated  field.

This plant grows in Peru between 500 and 3,500 meters above sea level as a wild plant. In the eighteenth century, an anonymous herbalist known by his pseudonym of Hieronymus gave an exotic Latin name Plantae Diaphoricae Peruviensis, recommending the use, to scent El agua ardiente, liquor made ​​of sugar cane.

Also the Andean community used it to combat insects that attack plants such as: worms of potatoes, corn, cabbage and onion. The Mint of the Andes is prepared in the form of ointment, which is produced to extracting and processing its oil, besides it used on livestock to combat external parasites. The farmers consider it like a blessing of Mother Earth (the mother earth is the Mama Pacha a divinity of Andean culture)

The shurb is also used during the Zafa House, is auspicious ritual that takes place for the inauguration of a new house. The mint also is useful to disinfect the abandoned houses.

Traditional medicine.

The popular knowledge spreads the healing’s properties of Muña, used in some native ceremonies, someone hold that the leaves awake the whole body of human being; in fact the Incas’ sons know that the Muña allows to penetrate oxygen thorough the pores of the skin, used it like medicine an ill person will get the sensation of be leger and relieve. Thanks to deep aroma, the Muña will help to fell free of every mental stress and almost immediately the whole body will begin the experience of receive the healing energy of nature.

Also it’s perfect for headaches, stomach aches, flatulence, diarrhea and various physical ailments. Many Peruvian healers (Chiamanes) use it in form of ointment for help dislocations, rheumatic problems of bones and chronic respiratory disease. It’s a plant rich in calcium (4.7 times more of the "Maca" [1]) and phosphorus.

[1] Maca ,  is a plant that grows in the Peruvian Andean region, is considered a food of great nutritional value. The Andean people known since antiquity, that its root is used to improve physical and mental condition.

Andean  Nutrition

The Peruvian wild leaves set the first place as condiment for preparation of recipes of typical dishes of Peruvian cuisine, the Guiso (a kind of stew) and los Chupes (soup made ​​with meat or seafood) of great protein value, typical of the area south of Peru.

The infusion which is obtained from the leaves, it’s useful to help digestion. Been using every day on the Andean life, many people also recommend it to overcome the fatigue that the body has to endure, due to the altitude while traveling through the mountains, it’s recommended specially at the tourists who visit the Andean region and undergo of Soroche (it’s an ill called altitude sickness or mountain sickness due to lack of O2). This use also has motivated to rename the Peruvian plant by the visitors as The Infusion of the Andes!

The Muña is a so popular plant and is part of the soul of the people and his popular knowledge.

                                                      Carlos Alberto Domínguez Chero

Bibliography:
• Rivarola Marco del Solar, "Muña la menta de los Andes" www.elportaldelperu.com 16/05/2012.
• mi macetita, "Muña" http://mimacetita.blogspost.it. 22/05/2012.