The Essence of Ritual Baths

The Essence of Ritual Baths

Here is another plant with an offensive common name: Catinga de Mulata (“scent of the mixed-race woman”) (Aeollanthus suaveolens), so let’s stick to the scientific name on this one! Aeollanthus suaveolens is a very aromatic annual herb cultivated in Brazil as a medicinal plant, and in Africa mostly for its use as a food flavoring in soups, but also as a medicinal and aromatic plant and a soap substitute. 

In Brazil, A. suaveolens is used in the treatment of skin, ear and eye diseases, as well as an important ceremonial plant by Afro-Brazilians for ritual baths, and for victims of “mau-olhado” (“the evil eye”).   In the Amazonian region it is used as a tea or juice in traditional medicine for gastritis, epilepsy, stomach pain and diarrhea. A. suaveolens is also traditionally used for earache, asthma, constipation, hiccups, coughing, fever, headache, as a tranquilizer and the onset of stroke. 

Beyond its medicinal and culinary uses, A.suaveolens is a plant of potential value for its essential oil & perfumery, especially due to its high content of Linalool. The essential oils have been confirmed to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity and have the following composition: (E) -β-farnesene (37%), Linalool (33%), α-Santalene (3%) and linalyl acetate (3%).

#APlantADay #UsefulPlants #MedicinalPlants #Ethnopharm #Ethnobotany #Brazil #aromatherapy #essentialoil #Herbs #evileye 

*This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.

Scroll to Top