Write a comment
Peruvian Emoliente

Emoliente

Herbal Infusion (non-alcoholic)

Peruvian Emoliente is an herbal tea popular with young and old, poor and rich, especially in the cold winter months. Sold by street vendors around the country at corners, bus stops or parks and plazas, it is part of Peruvian lifestyle and believed to have healing and protective powers.

No wonder, because emoliente is made of many Peruvian medicinal plants, herbs and seeds. A great beverage to get warm, add some minerals and vitamins to your diet and boost your body.

Ingredients vary depending on the region and availability; and, of course, every vendor has its own secret recipe adding or omitting flavors according to tradition or what's on hand. So, it's difficult to lay the finger on the ingredients characterizing a typical emoliente.

Anyway, important components are surely toasted barley (cebada tostada; believed to reduce cholesterol, may help with digestion and relieve cold symptoms), flaxseed (linaza; high in Omega-3s and fiber, supposed to stabilize blood sugar and prevent / reduce cancer) and Peruvian lime juice (limon; rich in vitamin C).

Peruvian Emoliente
Peruvian Emoliente made at home

Other ingredients often used in different combinations include horsetail (cola de cabello; has diuretic properties, may help with osteoporosis and senility), boldo (supposed to help with digestion, stomach upset, even hangover), stone-breaker (chanca piedra; supposed remedy for kidney stones may help reduce blood pressure), cat's claw (uña de gato; may help with cancer treatment, inflammation, viral infection, digestive and bladder problems), plantago (also called plantain, llantén; has anti-toxic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties) and aloe vera (when used internally supposed to help with stomach ulcer, colitis and gastritis, may reduce cholesterol, may help with asthma and diabetes). Sometimes alfalfa juice (rich in vitamins and minerals), cinnamon and (brown) sugar, honey, or pollen is added.

While you find emoliente "tea bags" or ready to go mixtures in many stores and supermarkets in Peru, abroad it might be difficult. So, if you like or need to make your own emoliente, try our basic emoliente recipe and experiment with your favorite extra ingredients.

 

LimaEasy's Recipe for Emoliente

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 l (a good 6 cups) water
  • 100 g toasted barley
  • 40 g horsetail herb
  • 50 g flaxseed
  • 15 g boldo leaves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • a few leaves of mint, lemon verbena, anise or chamomile
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • (brown) sugar or honey to taste
 

Preparation:

  1. Bring water to a boil.
  2. Then add the toasted barley, horsetail herb, flax seed, boldo leaves and cinnamon stick or other herbs to taste.
  3. Let simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
  4. Strain, add the lime juice and sugar or honey to taste.
  5. Serve hot and enjoy!
Say something here...
characters left
or post as a guest
All comments MUST be in English and will be moderated before publishing.
They will appear below within 24 hours.
Loading comment... The comment will be refreshed after 00:00.

Be the first to comment.

Peru Newsflash

Peru Event Calendar

Latest Content...

Latest Video

Maria Reiche - Memories

Maria Reiche - Memories

Submitted by: Tintin
05 December 2021

Long Reads...

  • Peruvian Archaeology

    The Mystery of the Nazca Lines in Peru

    In the 1920s, when people first flew across southern Peru, they made an astonishing discovery. Stretching below them,…
  • Peruvian Personalities & Founders

    Francisco Pizarro González (1474-1541)

    Francisco Pizarro, a peasant from Spain, was one of the least well-equipped conquerors in history. However, in the name…
  • Peruvian Archaeology

    The colorful Fabrics and Textiles of Peru

    Europe’s first knowledge of Peruvian textiles was acquired following the Spanish invasion of Peru in 1532, when the…
  • Peruvian Legends, Myths & Tales

    The Jeweled Frog and the Condor

    By a quiet pond, at the side of a cloud-topped mountain in Peru, lived a small green frog and his large green family.…
  • Peru Info

    Peruvian Economy

    The Peruvian economy is an emerging, social market economy highly dependent on foreign trade and classified as an upper…