Program Details
Students will learn about local medicinal plants and local Peruvian uses of plant properties to treat a wide range of ailments. Local healers will demonstrate preparation and use of specific plants. Toxic components of tropical plants will be examined and
- Location:
- Lima, Peru
- Program Type:
- Study Abroad
- Degree Level:
- Undergraduate
- Term:
- Winter Semester
Program Overview
- Program Description:
- Medicinal Plants of the Peruvian Amazon uses one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet as a classroom setting to expose students to the incredible biochemistry of the flora of primary and secondary tropical rainforest.
Students will learn about local medicinal plants and local Peruvian uses of plant properties to treat a wide range of ailments. Local healers will demonstrate preparation and use of specific plants. Toxic components of tropical plants will be examined and drugs that have been derived from rainforest biochemistry will be discussed. Sustainability issues will be introduced and examined from pharmaceutical, "food pharmacy" and global health perspectives.
Three University of Maryland credits.
- Setting Description:
- Participants will spend one night in a hotel in downtown Lima (or Lima airport depending on arrival time) and two nights in a modest guest house in Iquitos. Iquitos is considered the gateway to the Amazon. From Iquitos on, all transportation will be by boat.