Brazilian Phytotherapy
A unique fusion of indigenous Amazonian, African, and Portuguese healing traditions backed by growing clinical research.
Brazil
History & Philosophy
Origins
Brazilian phytotherapy draws on three converging streams — indigenous Amazonian plant knowledge, African healing traditions carried through Candomblé and other Afro-Brazilian religions, and Portuguese colonial medicine.
Core philosophy
Unlike many traditional systems, Brazilian phytotherapy has developed an unusually strong modern clinical research base, treating traditional plant use as a starting point for pharmacological investigation rather than an alternative to it.
Practiced today
Brazil's national health regulator (ANVISA) formally licenses phytotherapeutic medicines, and the public health system (SUS) has actively expanded access to regulated herbal medicine as a complement to conventional care.
Herbs, foods & remedies
96 herbs traditionally used within Brazilian Phytotherapy — most often for Digestive Issues, Inflammation, Liver Support.
Açafrão-da-Terra (Turmeric)
Curcuma longa
Açaí
Euterpe oleracea
Agoniada
Plumeria lancifolia
Alcachofra (Artichoke)
Cynara scolymus
Alcaçuz (Licorice)
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Alecrim (Rosemary)
Salvia rosmarinus
Alho (Garlic)
Allium sativum
Amor Seco (Desmodium)
Desmodium adscendens
Andiroba
Carapa guianensis
Araticum
Annona crassiflora
Aroeira (Brazilian Pepper)
Schinus terebinthifolia
Babosa (Aloe Vera)
Aloe vera
Bacuri Butter
Platonia insignis
Bardana (Burdock)
Arctium lappa
Boldo Brasileiro
Plectranthus barbatus
Cajá (Yellow Mombin)
Spondias mombin
Caju (Cashew)
Anacardium occidentale
Cajueiro (Cashew Tree)
Anacardium occidentale
Calêndula (Calendula)
Calendula officinalis
Camomila (Chamomile)
Matricaria chamomilla
Canela (Cinnamon)
Cinnamomum verum
Capim-Santo (Lemongrass)
Cymbopogon citratus
Cardo Mariano (Milk Thistle)
Silybum marianum
Carqueja
Baccharis trimera
Cat's Claw (Cipó Unhas de Gato)
Uncaria tomentosa
Catuaba
Trichilia catigua
Cavalinha (Horsetail)
Equisetum arvense
Chanca Piedra
Phyllanthus niruri
Chapéu-de-Couro
Echinodorus grandiflorus
Cidreira (Lemon Verbena)
Aloysia citrodora
Cipó-Alho (Garlic Vine)
Mansoa alliacea
Confrei (Comfrey)
Symphytum officinale
Copaíba
Copaifera langsdorffii
Crajiru
Arrabidaea chica
Cravo-da-Índia (Clove)
Syzygium aromaticum
Dente-de-Leão (Dandelion)
Taraxacum officinale
Equinácea (Echinacea)
Echinacea purpurea
Erva Cidreira (Lemon Balm)
Melissa officinalis
Erva Grossa
Vernonia condensata
Erva-Cidreira Arbustiva
Lippia alba
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