| Field notes | Herb, 8 cm. Rhizome rich in starch. Leaves green above (adaxially) with white streaks between the veins, purplish green below (abaxially). The flowers are said to be white and small. Nom. vern.: piñ-tapé-capitan (Cayapa) Use: 1) for bites of the "equis" snake (Bothrops atrox), 2) to calm down a very tense patient, 3) as perfume. Preparation: ad 1) the leaves are crushed thoroughly, mixed with alcohol and drunk, ad 2) a small part op the leaf is added to the food, and ad 3) the leaves are crushed. The smell is very attractive Notes: it is neccessary to sleep three days in separate quarters before preparing the herb, otherwise it wil not have the desired effect. The herb is considered extremely valuable. We only encountered it once and the place was carefully marked so that it could be found again |
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