Marked by an astonishing variety of cultures and climates, Peru ranks among the ten most biodiverse countries on the planet. These characteristics, including its exuberant flora, render the use of medicinal plants a common practice in various regions of the country. Although rural communities had been using matico as a remedy for centuries, it acquired particular relevance in urban settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Former users aware of its benefits resumed its consumption, new users emerged, and others began to inquire about its effectiveness. This illustrates how critical care requirements, new technologies and the utilization of rural remedies in urban settings can give new meaning to long-standing practices, triggering the transmission of traditional knowledge concerning certain plants. In this case, the matico tree has gained public visibility, and knowledge of its medicinal value has extended into new cultural environments.
