Table 3 Medicinal uses of animals and animal parts in traditional therapy in villages close to San Guillermo MaB Reserve (San Juan, Argentina)

Lama guanicoe

Leg

The leg is left to dry and, when necessary, it is smelled.

Lung diseases

Respiratory system disorders

1

0.54

The leg is allowed to dry; and then is used to knead the affected area of the body

Cervical muscle spasm (“aire”)

Muscular-skeletal system disorders

1

0.54

The dry leg is heated over ashes and then it is used to knead the affected area of the body, forming a cross.

Transient facial paralysis (“hora”)

Nervous system disorders

30

16.13

Feces

The feces are allowed to dry; then hot water is poured over it and the resulting liquid is drunk.

Mountain sickness

Mountain sickness

1

0.54

Bezoar stone¹ (Not every guanaco has it)

Found in the stomach or liver of the guanaco, the bezoar stone is bright; immediately after removing the stone from the animal it must be put in the mouth, otherwise it disintegrates. The stone is put in a glass to prepare tea.

Heart diseases

Circulatory system disorders

23

23.36

Stomach diseases

Digestive system disorders

1

0.54

Mountain sickness

Mountain sickness

2

1.07

Wool

Wool is burned to produce smoke or is prepared as incense stick.

Pain in ear in children

Infections

1

0.54

Meat

Used for cooking food.

High cholesterol level

Circulatory system disorders

1

0.54

Blood

It is extracted from the animal and drunk.

Mountain sickness

Mountain sickness

1

0.54

Lama vicugna

Leg

Same as with guanaco leg. The dry leg is heated over ashes and then it is used to knead the affected area of the body, forming a cross.

Transient facial paralysis (“hora”)

Nervous system disorders

1

0.54

Rhea pennata

Fat

It is mixed with lemon juice and sugar, afterwards is heated and then it is drunk. It is melt with tobacco and chamomile and then the preparation is kneaded on the chest, and a hot cloth is put over it. Candies where made of it.

Influenza, cold, chills, and congestion

Infections

28

15.05

Asthma, bronchitis, and cough

Respiratory system disorders

24

12.90

Joint and bone pain, rheumatism

Muscular-skeletal system disorders

12

6.45

Sore throat

Inflammation

5

2.69

Cervical muscle spasm (“aire”), and spasm in animals

Muscular-skeletal system disorders

1

0.54

Conti²

The lesser rhea stomach is allowed to dry and then it is milled and drunk as a tea or soup. It is also cooked with some water to be used as cream.

Stomach disorder

Digestive system disorders

9

4.84

Indigestion

Digestive system disorders

9

4.84

Lung and bronchial problems

Respiratory system disorders

2

1.07

Cervical muscle spasm (“aire”)

Muscular-skeletal system disorders

1

0.54

Skin problems

Skin/subcutaneous cellular tissue disorders

1

0.54

Feather

Smoke is made with a drop of oil or sugar over the embers.

Evil eye

Evil eye

8

4.30

Smoke is made with a drop of oil or sugar over the embers.

Ear pain in children

Infections

8

4.30

Meat

To cook food.

High cholesterol level

Circulatory system disorders

1

0.54

Lepus europaeus

Fat

The fat is heated, and when cold, the ointment is collected for use.

Lung and bronchial problems.

Respiratory system disorders

1

0.54

Puma concolor

Fat

The fat is heated, and when cold, the ointment is collected for use.

Rheumatism and bones’ pain

Muscular-skeletal system disorders

5

2.69

Chest pain

Respiratory system disorders

5

2.69

Pseudalopex sp.

Fat

The fat is heated, and when cold, the ointment is collected for use.

Asthma

Respiratory system disorders

2

1.07

Conepatus chinga

Liver

It is allowed to dry and then it is drunk as a tea or soup.

Lung problems

Respiratory system disorders

1

0.54