South americans use a(an) to ward off the evil eye, which many believe to cause illness.

South Americans use an amulet or talisman to ward off the evil eye...

Belief in the evil eye dates back to Classical antiquity. Peter Walcot's Envy and the Greeks (1978) listed more than one hundred works by these and other authors mentioning the evil eye. The evil eye has been deeply rooted in Spanish popular culture throughout its history and Spain is the origin of this superstition in Latin America. In South America to give someone the eye can be an involuntary act. It can be done just by looking or admiring babies, animals or inanimate objects, causing illness, pain and sometimes death on babies and animals. The best way to ward off the evil eye is via amulets and talismans. They vary from country to country but they can be specific stones, jewelry, particular plants, many times toxic.