Guyana_Visit



		The Amerindians expertise with medicinal plants is centuries old. The distance from and the scarcity of medical clinics has meant that a large proportion of medical care still relies on traditional medicines. The richness of the flora in Guyana gives the " Medicine Man " - half herbalist and half magician - a wealth of choice from the 294 species with recognised curative properties. Two simple problems such as coughs and colds can be treated by almost 50 different plants, whilst eczema has a choice of five remedies. The botanist, Tina van Andel has listed 43 illnesses or conditions which can be treated using plants. Even though this traditional form of medicine has no market value, some preparations are available commercially. The best known is crab oil, which is made from the seeds of the " crabwood tree " (Carapa guianensis). It is frequently prescribed since it has properties as a mosquito repellent, hair oil and as a tonic. Some of the plants found in the rain forest, the pau d'arco (right), the suma (below left) and the damiana (below right). Spiritual problems also have their remedies: the leaves of the jacaranda copaia are burned beneath the hammock of someone " possessed "; children are bathed in a decoction of Crescentia cujete leaves or rubbed with the rhizome of the aromatic Cyperus odoratus to drive out demons. In the capital, however, afro-guyanese and Asian Indians buy some of the Amerindians medicinal plants. Not only are they cheaper than western medicine but they are also reputed to be more effective than western medicine. Some plants have no competition in western medicine, for example the aphrodisiacs. In order to make the most of the rich diversity of this flora and the knowledge of the Amerindians, a government plan has been projected to identify and analyse these medicinal plants with a special fund to help the Amerindians.
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