Tag: Andean medicine

Evidence from mummified human remains in Northern Chile indicates the use of coca leaves as early as 1000 BC, highlighting a long history of this practice. This ancient tradition speaks to the many traditional benefits of eating coca leaves, which have been valued for thousands of years by Indigenous communities in the Andean region for energy, health, and ceremonial purposes.

According to the OECD, Peru's life expectancy rose approximately 13 years between 1980 and 2022, but the broader question of 'Are Peruvian people healthy?' is complex. This reflects significant improvements in some health indicators, alongside persistent challenges like obesity and a fragmented healthcare system.