The floating city of Belén (left), also known as the Venice of Perú, is an eye-opening study in urban mestizo resilience and survival amidst poor sanitation, poverty and under-employment.

(left) Many homes are built on balsa logs which float as the seasonal rise in river level inevitably comes. Others are elevated on stilts just above the normal annual high-water mark.

It is unsafe to enter this area without a trusted guide.  Hustlers, pickpockets and pack snatchers are common and tourists are a prime target.

Some, like chuchuhuasi and clavo huasca, are hailed as aphrodaisiacs and tonics for ailments ranging from sexual dysfunction to rheumatism and arthritis. 
The legendary jungle elixirs Siete Raices (Seven Roots) and similar concoctions usually contain these two components along with others.

Uña de gato and sangre de grado have gained global recognition as effective treatments for immuno-depressive disorders, ulcers and skin lacerations. 

Caution is adviced in transactions for deception is common and one cannot be sure of the authenticity of their purchase without trusted and knowledgeable guidance.