Ábrete Corazón - Interview with Dr. Rosa Giove

In this interview recently released, Dr. Rosa Giove tells us about the origin and specificity of the ikaros she sings, and especially about Ábrete Corazón, the most famous ikaro that she received.

The "ikaro" is the song or melody used by healers during ritual works, especially during ayahuasca ceremonies. The ikaros are key elements of traditional Amazonian medicine and represent the essential means to transmit wisdom and healing practice.

The main topics of this interview are:
- The first contact with the ikaros;
- Ikaros and energy points;
- The order and specificity of the ikaros;
- The origin of Ábrete Corazón;
- The authorship of the ikaros;
- The message of Ábrete Corazón.

Evaluating herbal medicine preparation from a traditional perspective

A new article produced by Takiwasi's research department has recently been published in the journal Anthropology & Medicine: "Evaluating herbal medicine preparation from a traditional perspective: insights from an ethnopharmaceutical survey in the Peruvian Amazon". Authors: Giorgia Tresca, Olivia Marcus & Matteo Politi.

Abstract
The field of medical ethnobotany has historically contributed to the advancement of modern pharmaceutical and biomedical science through bringing discoveries from the field into the laboratory. In ethnopharmacology, a sub-field of ethnobotany, there is a concerning lack of ethnographic methods reported in the literature. The ethnographic approach is essential for detailing traditional methods of preparation and administration of plant medicines, yet pharmaceutical researchers overemphasize western epistemologies of medicinal discovery and production. In the present work, we propose an ethnopharmaceutical survey as a model to investigate the culturally recognized standards necessary for the formulation of herbal medicines. Fieldwork based on participant observation and semi-structured interviews examined the modes of preparation employed by traditional healers in the Amazonian region of San Martín, Peru. The authors draw on anthropological insight into plural epistemological encounters and propose an ethnopharmaceutical approach that takes seriously the Amazonian methods and perceptions for the preparation of traditional plant medicines.

The packaging of Nuwa herbal teas wins prize

The packaging of the brand new Nuwa herbal teas prepared by the Takiwasi Laboratory in partnership with the Awajún community of Shampuyacu won the Bronze prize in the packaging category during the 4th edition of the Latin American Design Awards. The ceremony took place on Friday, February 28, 2020 in Lima, to award the best creative and visual design proposals in Latin America.

Fibra branding study of Lima has been responsible for designing the packaging of the infusions made with the medicinal plants grown by the Awajún women of the Shampuyacu Native Community, thanks to a project in which Takiwasi Laboratory participates along with Conservation International Peru. Nuwa herbal teas will son be launched to the market.

Takiwasi Center
Prolongación Alerta 466, Tarapoto, Peru
Phone: +51 (0)42 522818 / +51 (0)42 525479
www.takiwasi.com
takiwasi@takiwasi.com