When the rainy season hits Costa Rica, it doesn’t just bring back the frogs and turn the roads into rivers. It also signals the unofficial start of flu season. Coughs, colds, and fevers start making the rounds—and that’s when the real healers come out. While modern pharmacies see a bump in sales, it’s the herbalists, bush doctors, and backyard abuelas with generations of plant wisdom who truly shine this time of year.
Walk through a local feria and you’ll notice bundles of fresh leaves tied in string or wrapped in newspaper. These aren’t for decoration—they’re frontline medicine. In Costa Rica, especially when the skies are gray and everyone’s sniffling, the jungle becomes the pharmacy.
Why Does Flu Season Hit Hard During the Rainy Months?
Blame it on close quarters and constant moisture. When the rain pours, people stay indoors. Add in humid air, fluctuating temperatures, and damp everything, and it’s the perfect recipe for seasonal sniffles. Ticos know this rhythm well, which is why their cabinets (or gardens) are stocked with plant-based remedies that have stood the test of time.
Go-To Rainy Season Remedies (And How Locals Use Them)
🍃 Guava Leaves (Hojas de Guayaba) – Not just for fruity drinks. These leaves are boiled into a slightly bitter tea that tackles sore throats and stomach aches fast. It’s the Costa Rican equivalent of an herbal reset button.
🌿 Ginger Root (Jengibre) – Grated into boiling water, it makes a spicy, sinus-clearing brew. Add honey and lime for a punchy, flu-fighting tea that feels like a warm hug for your throat.
🌾 Lemongrass (Zacate de Limón) – With its fresh citrusy scent, lemongrass tea is a go-to for fevers, restlessness, and general rainy-day blahs. It’s calming, comforting, and smells like clean air after a storm.
🌱 Matico (Piper aduncum) – Known as “soldier’s herb,” this jungle plant has a strong reputation for treating infections, coughs, and even wounds. Boil the leaves for tea or crush them into a healing paste.
🌬️ Eucalyptus Leaves – Used mainly in steam treatments. Just drop them in hot water, throw a towel over your head, and inhale deeply. The menthol-like vapors unclog sinuses and soothe your chest.
🌿 Oregano Criollo – Don’t confuse this with your pizza seasoning. This wild oregano is powerful and peppery. A few steeped leaves can make you sweat out a cold like you’ve just run a jungle marathon.
🍈 Noni (Morinda citrifolia) – Noni juice is famous—and not always for the right reasons. It smells like gym socks but is taken in small doses to help boost immunity. Locals swear by it, even if they hold their nose when drinking it.
How Do Locals Take Their Medicine?
It’s not complicated—and that’s the beauty of it. Remedies are prepared with simplicity and care.
Teas (infusions) are made from leaves steeped in hot water. Decoctions involve boiling tougher parts like roots or bark for a longer time. Tinctures soak herbs in alcohol or vinegar and are taken in drops. Steam inhalation, especially with eucalyptus, is a classic for chest colds. And yes, some brave souls chew raw leaves or roots for fast-acting relief.
Many of these are sold at roadside stalls or by herbalists with hand-labeled bottles and decades of knowledge. If you’re lucky, you might even get a story or two with your bundle.
Why Rain Supercharges Plant Medicine
Rain is life in Costa Rica. When it falls, everything grows faster and stronger, including medicinal herbs. Some plants only sprout during this time. Others hit peak potency when the soil is soft and full of nutrients. For bush doctors, this is the season of abundance. It’s not just flu season—it’s the harvest season for healing.
In rural communities, these natural cures aren’t a quirky alternative—they’re the first line of defense. There’s pride in knowing what plant helps what ailment, and passing that knowledge on is as vital as the remedies themselves.
A Few Quick Tips for Safe Herbal Use
- Ask someone who knows – Don’t just guess; misidentifying plants can be dangerous.
- Start slow – Especially with potent herbs like matico or wild oregano.
- Watch for allergies – Natural doesn’t mean harmless. Always test first.
- Store correctly – Dry herbs need to be kept away from moisture or mold.
- Use common sense – If symptoms worsen or don’t go away, it’s time to visit a doctor.
FAQ: Herbal Remedies in Costa Rica
Q: Can I buy these herbs at local markets?
A: Absolutely. Most town ferias and roadside stands have fresh or dried medicinal herbs year-round, especially during the wet season.
Q: Do Costa Ricans still use these remedies today?
A: All the time. While some reach for pharmacy products, many locals, especially in rural areas, trust herbal medicine first.
Q: Is there a difference between a bush doctor and a herbalist?
A: Not much. Bush doctors often work with ancestral, oral traditions, while herbalists may have formal training. Both rely on deep knowledge of plants.Q: Is it legal to make your own herbal medicine in Costa Rica?
A: Yes, it’s legal for personal use. Selling it as a treatment for serious illness without proper approval, however, is not.
