Guineahenweed Herbal Tea

Anamu has a long history of use in herbal medicine. In Brazil, the plant has been used in religious ceremonies for centuries. In Brazilian herbal medicine, P. alliaceae is considered an antispasmodic, diuretic, menstrual promoter, stimulant, and sweat promoter. Herbalists and natural health practitioners in Brazil use anamu to treat edema, arthritis, malaria, rheumatism, and poor memory, and as a topical analgesic and anti-inflammatory for skin conditions. Throughout Central America, anamu has been used to relieve birthing pains and facilitate easy childbirth, as well as to induce abortion. In Guatemalan herbal medicine, the plant is called apacin; a leaf decoction is taken internally for digestive conditions, flatulence, and fever and also used externally as an analgesic for muscular pain and skin diseases. Anamu is commonly used in South and Central America as a natural remedy to treat colds, cough, influenza, respiratory and pulmonary infections, and cancer, and to support the immune system. In Cuba, herbalists decoct the whole plant and use it to treat cancer and diabetes, and as an anti-inflammatory and abortifacient.