According to the Mapuche medicine, there are four types of medicinal herbs: "Weychafeke Lawen" (strong herbs), "füshku lawen" (soft herbs), "reke lawen" (native herbs of common use but dificult to get) and rukake lawen" (of common use)
This time we will talk about the strong herbs.
Weychafeke Lawen - Strong herbs.
Palgiñ o Palqui: it is used like a "contra" (to weaken negative energies generally caused by envy). It is used to bring down a fever, to ease toothache and paralysis, in this case the body is rubbed with a mix of leaves and egg yolk.
Chakay or Espino blanco (Hawthorn): "contra". It is used for stomachache and gastritis.
Küla o Quila: for rogations. It sap is used for disease of the eyes.
Kurü Mamüll o Palo negro: "contra". It use for the period pains, indigestions and flatulence In infusions.
Foye o Canelo: The sacred tree of the mapuche people. It is used like "contra" in night ( (Machitun) and daytime (Nguillatun) ceremonies. It is used for bruises and low blood presure too. It have a lot of vitamine-c. It is an "antiescorbútico".
Wülwe o Contrayerba, huilhue: it is used like "contra", for indigestion or constipation.
Refü o Tomatillo: "contra". It is used for rubbing the body and to ease "frío interno".
Trafen Trafen o Quebracho: It is used like "contra" for children "ojeados".
Triwe o Laurel: "contra". To rub the body (warm). In the Machitun , the triwe is plant in the sick person´s house and is used alternate with canelo, in the head and feet. It is used for Flatulence and fever too.
Trupa o Tabaco del Diablo: "contra" in Machitunes. Its strong sap is used like an anesthetics for toothache.
Source: Knowledges and experiences about Mapuche Medicine of two Wenteche families. Mapuche Lawentuwün Epu Reyñma Wenche Ñi Kimün Mew.
Mapuche authors: Luis Alberto Huaiquimil Mulato Elvira Carmen Pichun López Francisca Caniulaf Pichun José Quidel Lincoleo Zoila Maria Hinostroza Cea Olga Ines Alchao Hinostroza Segundo Ceferino Caniulempi Painevil Marcelina Pichun López
Other authors: Teresa Duran Pérez Enrique Hauenstein Barra