Baccharis articulata
- Origin
- South America
- Part used
- See detailed notebook
- Tradition
- Traditional ethnobotany
Known as “carqueja” in the pampas and dry regions of South America, Baccharis articulata is a bushy plant with flattened, jointed stems, unmistakable among all others. For generations, popular herbalists of Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil have prepared it as a bitter infusion, reputed to accompany difficult digestion and support the liver.
Traditional uses
Support for slow digestion
Traditionally drunk after copious meals, carqueja infusion is reputed in South American popular pharmacopoeia to soothe stomach heaviness and bloating.
A bitter cleansing plant
Regarded as a bitter, tonic plant, it has long been used to accompany seasonal cleansing regimens and support liver function in popular tradition.
Stimulating the appetite
Its pronounced bitterness has earned it a reputation as a traditional aperitif, taken before meals to whet the appetite in certain rural areas of Argentina and Uruguay.
A traditional use for popular diabetes care
In certain rural traditions, carqueja is mentioned among the plants used empirically to accompany blood sugar balance, a use that should be approached with caution and never as a substitute for treatment.
What to know before use
Not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding, due to insufficient safety data. Use with caution in people with diabetes or on hypoglycemic treatment, due to a possible interaction; medical advice is recommended. Avoid prolonged regimens without a healthcare professional's advice, as traditional use remains limited to occasional intake. Do not exceed the usual doses reported by tradition, as this plant has not been the subject of extensive toxicological studies.
The detailed notebook
- Prepared as a paste or decoction
- Traditional duration of use
- Known contraindications
- Related species and their uses
Where to find it
Partner herbalists — available with the detailed notebook.
Sources
PFAF, Wikipedia