A review of two thousand years of traditional medicine in Cajamarca, Peru: historical use of medicinal plants

Authors

  • Wilsser Silva Universidad Nacional Agraria la Molina
  • Seminario Juan F. Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca
  • Gabriela I. Seminario Ordoñez Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca
  • Alejandro Seminario-Cunya Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Chota
  • Juan F. Montoya-Quino Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca
  • Diego A. Sotomayor Universidad Nacional Agraria la Molina

Abstract

Background: In Peru, knowledge of traditional medicine dates back to pre-Inca times, such as “Cupisnique”, in northern Peru, where a complex system of traditional medicine was developed. With the arrival of the Spanish in Cajamarca in 1532, attempts were made to suppress these practices through evangelization; however, cultural resistance and the vastness of the territory favored their persistence, also integrating European elements.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in scientific databases with broad coverage, such as Google Scholar and Web of Science (WOS), supplemented by physical libraries, with the aim of systematizing information related to the historical use and trade of medicinal plants in the department of Cajamarca, Peru.

Results:    Results: The cultures that inhabited the Cajamarca valleys already practiced healing or shamanism, a tradition that has endured to the present day. During the colonial period, attempts were made to restrict traditional medicine, although species such as cinchona (Cinchona spp.) proved their therapeutic value. In the early and middle republican periods, interest was limited, but inventories and botanical studies were carried out. In the contemporary period, research in various scientific disciplines stands out. Markets supply Cajamarca and the Peruvian coast with medicinal plants, mainly of wild origin.

Conclusions:  In the department of Cajamarca, the use of medicinal plants and traditional medicine originated in pre-Inca times and has endured throughout history. Today, it is reinforced by scientific contributions that highlight its cultural therapeutic, and economic value. It also plays a strategic role in supplying medicinal plant species to markets.

Keywords: Ethnobotany, Andean worldview, Shamanism, Preservation of knowledge, medicinal plants market.

Author Biographies

Wilsser Silva, Universidad Nacional Agraria la Molina

PhD Candidate in Engineering and Environmental Sciences at the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina and Master in Science and Technology of Sustainability at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain. Agronomist Engineer, graduated in the first place of the class of 2013 from the National University of Cajamarca. With extensive experience in research for the conservation of vulnerable ecosystems and in advising on reforestation projects, climate change, circular economy and sustainable development. Author of multiple scientific articles published in indexed journals.

Seminario Juan F. , Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca

Senior lecturer at the National University of Cajamarca (UNC), with a Master's degree in Botany from the Colegio de Postgraduados de Mexico, with a PhD from the National University of Cajamarca. Professor of the courses of Plant Physiology, Tuberous Culture and Plant Propagation, in the undergraduate and. Methodology of Scientific Research and Thesis Seminar at the Postgraduate level. I do research on agrobiodiversity. I have published in indexed journals on these topics.

Gabriela I. Seminario Ordoñez, Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca

I am currently pursuing a master's degree at the National University of Cajamarca, in the area of Public Health, I am investigating the in vitro antibacterial activity of essential oils of Piper aduncum and Tara spinosa on multidrug-resistant bacteria that cause bovine mastitis. I am a graduate of the career of veterinary medicine from the National University of Cajamarca. Currently I am in charge of the National Service of Agrarian Health of Peru, in Peru.

Alejandro Seminario-Cunya, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Chota

Agronomist engineer, graduated from the National University of Cajamarca. Master of Science in Development and Environment. D. in Environmental Management and Natural Resources, both from the Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca. Co-author of three books. Author and co-author of several scientific articles published in indexed journals related to medicinal plants, crops and native forest species. Co-author of a book chapter on medicinal plants of the Cajamarca region. From 1994 to 2019, I worked as a hired professor at the National University of Cajamarca, in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. In 2018 and 2020, I served as a guest lecturer at the Graduate School of the National University of Trujillo in the mention of Agricultural Sciences. Since 2019, I have been working as a senior lecturer at the Autonomous University of Chota-Cajamarca. Between December 2019 and January 2022, I served as sub coordinator of the Professional School of Forestry and Environmental Engineering at the National Autonomous University of Chota. From December 2019 to June 2020, I served as Director of the Environmental Management Research Institute of the Professional School of Forestry and Environmental Engineering; in the same period I chaired the Honor Court of UNACH. From January 2022 to January 2024 I served as Coordinator of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. From 2022 to 2024, together with other colleagues I managed to publish 8 scientific articles in indexed journals. At the local level, I have also published collectively some scientific articles in the journal of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Chota.

Juan F. Montoya-Quino, Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca

Master of Science in Environmental Management at the Graduate School of the National University of Cajamarca (UNC). Curator of the CPUN Isidoro Sánchez Vega Herbarium of the UNC. Areas of interest: plant taxonomy, plant morphology, ecology, phytogeography, phytosociology and scientific research of the flora of Northern Peru.

Diego A. Sotomayor, Universidad Nacional Agraria la Molina

Biologist graduated from the Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa-Peru, with a Master's degree in Ecology from the Universidad de La Serena-Chile, studies of Second Specialty in Conservation Biology at the Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa-Peru in agreement with the Universidad Complutense de Madrid-Spain and PhD in Biogeography at York University-Canada. Currently I am a Senior Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering at the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina. I have more than 15 years of experience in scientific research and consulting in environmental issues: ecology, biological diversity, management and conservation of natural resources. My research is related to ecological interactions and mechanisms of biodiversity maintenance in arid environments; as well as biological conservation, with emphasis on agrobiodiversity.

Downloads

Published

2025-09-30

How to Cite

Silva, W., Juan F. , S., Seminario Ordoñez, G. I. ., Seminario-Cunya, A., Montoya-Quino, J. F. ., & Sotomayor, D. A. . (2025). A review of two thousand years of traditional medicine in Cajamarca, Peru: historical use of medicinal plants. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 32, 1–23. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/7016

Issue

Vol. 32 (2025)

Section

Reviews

License

All articles are copyrighted by the first author and are published online by license from the first author. Articles are intended for free public distribution and discussion without charge. Accuracy of the content is the responsibility of the authors.