This weekend I spent 4 Neuvo Soles on a bottle of “Nectar de Sabila” at the local market here in Wanchaq. This concoction is some type of cactus juice that, according to its producers, has both nutritional and healing properties. The label states:
The part I find most interesting is the claimed anti-biotic properties. The nectar is produced here in Cusco “por la asociacion de productores y transformadores agro industriales Kay Pachapi Llank’ay“. Anyone who speaks Quechua please tell us in the comments if that name has any meaning.
Nectar de Sabila by Natunec, Productos Ecologicos
The recommended use is a half a glass before or after breakfast, so I’ve been faithfully sipping my cactus juice every morning. It doesn’t taste quite like fruit juice, but not medicinal either, it actually tastes pretty good.
Natural medicine is popular in Peru. Hotels and chamans offer ayahuasca sessions and many typical Andean or Amazon plants are believed to have healing powers, the most famous of these is, of course, the coca leaf.
I’m honestly not a huge fan of the so-called natural medicine here in Cusco, because it is very commercialized for the tourists, just like anything else here in the city. Once you leave the main tourist area in Cusco behind, I do find it fascinating to learn about the healing powers believed to exist in the culture and nature of the Andes.
Nectar de Sabila
Life in Peru 
So, have you been feeling any effects or benefits from drinking the nectar de sabila? Or just experimenting on yourself?!
I should have thought about doing some BEFORE-AFTER tests like cholestrol and things of that nature, but I’m actually just trying it out to see how I like it.
I’ve been blessed with good health, other than getting sick a few times in the first few months after moving to Cusco I’ve been feeling really good 🙂
Sabila is very good for you. This is such a multi-purpose plant. It can be used for medicine, cosmetics, luck, etc
Bloodwork and similar tests, b & a, would be a useful way to identify the effects of sabia. Sort of like “SuperSize Me,” but in reverse. 🙂
Thanks Miguel. I always like learning about the customs/beliefs of the culture here.
Barb: I’m thinking of using my dad as a guinea pig. Since I’ve been in Cusco for some time, I’m pretty well accustomed to the food, climate, etc. When my parents are coming to visit this July I think we may do some documented before / after tests.
Kay Pachapi Llank’ay
Kay means ‘this’. Pacha means time and space.
Kay pacha means ‘this world/time’.
-pi means ‘in/at’. Llank’any means to work/the work.
So the sentence means:
The work in this world.
Thanks Marcos! A great explanation.
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We are sure there is a number of products out there of which we know nothing about. The issue here is to what extent can we trust what is written on the label and how many of those products have been officialy approved and certified?…
“Kay Pachapi Llank’ay” means “Work in this land” o Trabaja en esta Tierra