interview 11 in the addendum) and other sources (see interview 1 in the
addendum and Corredor et al.^15 ) the fat of mojojoy is used to treat bron-
chitis, asthma and other pulmonary diseases. The fat is removed from the
grub and some of it massaged on to the patient’s chest, and the rest is given
to the patient to eat. It has also been reported to be used as a cure for haem-
orrhagic diseases (bleeding).^15
Final comment
The authors have spent more than 20 years, together with the sabedores(as),
researching and documenting their traditional medicine. The limited infor-
mation presented here is based on research by the authors, and unless other-
wise referenced is based on this work. A particular effort has been made to
give credit directly to the sabedoreswho have given specific information.
The authors have recorded ancestral knowledge of healingpueblosor
ethnic groups of the Amazon forest. They do not suggest that the plants
and other natural products should by used by anyone in any way. As has
been reported thesabedores adhere to restrictions and regulations and
have a lifetime of experience of survival in tropical forest conditions. Each
of these treatments has been used by thesabedoresfollowing the necessary
restrictions, dosage and follow-up by the relevantsabedor.
Photography
Unless otherwise stated, photographs were taken by Ann Mitchell and
Blanca de Corredor.
Traditional medicine used in the Colombian Amazon forest | 79Figure 4.12 Phytolacca americanaL. plant
being heated by Uitoto sabedoraAlicia Roman
Sanchez, for the treatment of swollen ankles;
Araracuara, Caquéta medio, Amazonas,
Colombia, 4 April 1992.
Figure 4.13 Mojojoy (Rhynchophorus
palmarumL.), Araracuara, Caquéta medio,
Amazonas, Colombia, 27 June 1991.