Catuaba herb: Stimulate Your Immune System…And a Whole Lot More

When we speak of aphrodisiacs or natural sex enhancement in Brazil, the word that comes to everyone’s lips is “Catuaba.” Catuaba (scientific name, Trichilia catigua) is known all over the world as the Brazilian Viagra without the harmful side effects. In Brazil, Catuaba has such a following that we have a saying about it: “up to sixty years old, a father’s children are his own; after sixty, they come from the Catuaba.”

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Ora Pro Nobis: Give us this day our daily…hedge clippings

In the month of May, there is an interesting festival in the interior of Brazil in the state of Minas Gerais, called The Festival of Ora Pro Nobis. The name is Latin meaning “pray for us,” but this is not a religious festival by any means. On the contrary, it’s a festival of food, specifically in regional dishes made with the leaves of the Ora Pro Nobis plant -- not to mention all the beer and caipirinhas one can drink. Ora Pro Nobis…pray for us.

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Boldo do Chile: A cure for the common hangover…and more

Boldo do Chile is one of the most well known herbs in Brazil, although due to its horribly bitter taste, it’s not necessarily one of the most popular. In the southern half of Brazil, you can find a boldo bush growing in the back yard of just about any rural or suburban home. It’s a hearty plant that is easy to grow and cultivate. And as much as Brazilians love to party…it’s good to have this natural hangover remedy close at hand.

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