Try the Coca Tea — But Don’t Bring It Back

Coca leaves were considered sacred by the Incas and have since been used as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments, including headaches, sore throats, and stomach upsets. The coca leaf is now an important part of Peruvian culture.

For millennia, Peruvians and their forefathers have used coca leaves to treat altitude sickness. The leaves are chewed by the locals or used to make tea, which you will undoubtedly be offered several times while there. It's definitely worth a shot, if only for the plant's cultural significance in this part of the world. So try it and see if you like it — just don't try it too close to bedtime because it's a stimulant and may keep you awake. Instead, in the evening, try some Andean mint tea. It is not only tasty and soothing, but it also has many of the same altitude-relieving properties as coca. Finally, don’t try to bring a box of coca tea bags (or the leaves themselves!) back to your country — it’s illegal.