Clavo huasca is a forest liana vine in the same botanical family as the legendary ayahuasca. The name means ‘clove vine’ (‘clavo’ = ‘clove’ or ‘nail’; ‘huasca’ = ‘vine’) and refers to the rich clove-like scent of the trunk and leaves.
Sections of the trunk and stems are macerated in aguardiente (sugar cane liquor), producing a drink said to be an aphrodisiac and an effective treatment for fever and rheumatism. It contains the clove-scented chemical eugenol which soothes toothache. It is a fundamental component of the famed Amazonian tonics siete raices (seven roots) and veinti uno raices (twenty-one roots).
Sections of the trunk and stems are macerated in aguardiente (sugar cane liquor), producing a drink said to be an aphrodisiac and an effective treatment for fever and rheumatism. It contains the clove-scented chemical eugenol which soothes toothache. It is a fundamental component of the famed Amazonian tonics siete raices (seven roots) and veinti uno raices (twenty-one roots).