Praia: Traditional medicine remains alive in its practices and knowledge, but it needs to be better preserved – vendors

Praia, Sept. 10 (Inforpress) – The use of medicinal plants remains part of the daily lives of many Cape Verdeans, and, according to vendors and practitioners Sara Correia and Janira Barros, this tradition needs to be better preserved.

At the Platô Market in the city of Praia, Janira Barros—who has spent five years selling plants and natural products from the stall she inherited from her grandfather—recounted that she learned her trade from her grandmother while living in the interior of Santiago and that she continues the business today out of passion.

Among the plants sought after by customers are rue, fennel, chali and mint – all of which are very well known – as well as guava leaves, rosemary and aloe vera.

According to the vendor, people frequently look for rue to use in smudging rituals, as well as for stomach aches and protection against the evil eye; rosemary is also sought after for smudging.

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