Culantro is also known as cilantro habanero, cilantro de monte, cilantrón, and cilantro camino although it is not related to Coriandrum sativum. Other names include chillangua, culantro coyote, alcapate, escorzonera, tlipotón, samat (with the spelling variant xamat, and spiritweed or Mexican coriander in English.
Although native to tropical Mexico, and Central and South America, this green has become popular worldwide. It can be added as a flavoring or eaten as a vegetable when tender. Chopped fresh leaves are often added to white rice and beans to add flavor.
In general, culantro is used for digestive issues, including diarrhea, dysentery, meteorism (abdominal swelling caused by gas), intestinal parasites, and lack of appetite. It is also used to treat certain gynecological conditions such as amenorrhea and hemorrhaging. In some areas of Mexico, a root infusion is given to speed up delivery or assist in expelling the afterbirth.
As a food source, culantro is high in crude fiber, fat, beta-carotene, and riboflavin. The leaves contain phytosterols and appreciable amounts of iron, zinc, copper, manganese, vanadium, and cobalt.
Azomiate, Barkleyanthus salicifolius has the botanical synonym of Senecio salignus and is native to Mexico and Central America. Common names include chilca, jarilla, izcatzoyatl (faja de algodón) or necheloli (para recoger la bilis) in Náhuatl, it oksini in Purhépecha, ra-yhotitha in Otomí, baldag shi ingol in Zapotec, alzumihatl in Oaxaca and willow ragwort in English.
Azomiate is classified as a cold plant. The leaves are boiled to make a mouthwash. In Sonora, azomiate is prescribed for gastritis, sores, wounds, laryngitis, and vomiting. In Chiapas, it is utilized as an insecticide. For back pain, a wash is made from fresh leaves. For acne, crushed leaves mixed with mezcal are applied to the blemishes.
In Puebla, it’s prescribed as a way to combat fever through a confortativo (relief) placed on the stomach. Crushed leaves from aliso (Alnus jorullensis subsp. jorullensis), lengua de vaca (Rumex crispus), and azomiate are placed on the stomach as a poultice. Another fever confortativo consists of azomiate leaves and petals from rosa de castilla (Rosa gallica) that are applied to the stomach and covered to keep it in place for three hours. The remedy is affected when the herbs appear cocidas (cooked), having absorbed the fever’s heat.
Another confortativo combination is made for diarrhea. Azomiate leaves, rosa de castilla (Rosa gallica) petals, tomillo leaves (Thymus vulgaris), orégano mexicano leaves (Lippia graveolens), a clove of ajo (Allium sativum), slices of cebolla (Allium cepa), mirto leaves (Loeselia mexicana), mastranzo leaves (Mentha rotundifolia) and hierbabuena leaves (Mentha spicata) are chopped and added to alcohol with a few drops of vinegar. This mixture is placed at the base of the stomach and wrapped to keep it in place for at least six hours.
The most common use for azomiate in central Mexico is in limpias (cleansings). Ailments known as mal de ojo (evil eye) caused by mirada fuerte (hexing), mal aire (bad air), espanto (sudden fear), and coraje or bilis (excessive rage) are diagnosed when the affected has diarrhea, fever, nausea, restlessness, weeping, and pérdida del alma (spirit loss). Mal aire is believed to be caused by stepping into a space a spirit is already inhabiting or the area where someone has died. The malignant air the remains can move into a body, causing illness. Confirmation of mal aire is made by surrounding the patient with copal incense. If the smoke eddies, then mal aire is the diagnosis. Another way to diagnose the illness is the limpia con blanquillo (egg cleansing). An egg is rubbed over the ailing person’s body and then cracked into a glass of water. If the yoke has air bubbles or looks like a remolino (swirls), then treatment for mal aire beings. Treatment consists of brushing the affected person with branches of azomiate, ruda (Ruta chalepensis) pirú (Schinus molle), and retama (Cassia tomentosa), which are then disposed of outside so that the spirit doesn’t transfer to another person.
A tincture for rheumatism is made from crushed leaves marinated in tequila for three weeks and applied daily for one or two weeks before bed. For digestive pain, the tincture is massaged on the upper portion of the stomach twice a day. A poultice is made for from a branch with leaves soaked in alcohol and rubbed on bruises. A wash is made from the infusion of leaves and used to clean wounds, then a poultice of leaves is placed over the area. Irritated skin is treated by rubbing fresh azomiate leaves over the area.
Note: Many Senecio species are toxic. There’s no evidence that azomiate (Barkleyanthus salicifolius) is dangerous. However, all the remedies cited call for its topical use rather than ingestion.
Things feel so stagnant right now that setting goals, intentions, or even choosing a direction feels premature. I’m hoping that over the course of this month, some of the issues keeping me stuck will begin to move toward resolution. In the meantime, I looked back at what I intended to do in 2025—if only to take stock of where things actually landed.
Writing and Reading
I didn’t get anything new published this year, though I did manage some haphazard writing along the way. I did much better with my 2025 reading challenge and have already set new goals for 2026. Reading is free, after all, which makes it one of the few areas where progress doesn’t depend on outside circumstances.
La Yácata
The escrituras opportunity ended up throwing a wrench into several La Yácata projects. An enormous amount of time and energy was redirected toward that process, which meant other plans were pushed back. Phase 2 of the electricity project did get started, but it wasn’t completed. That rolls directly into a 2026 goal: finish at least Phase 2, which would fully cover the three main roads.
The well project didn’t move forward at all in 2025. We do have plans to erect a wall around the pozo area, and we’d like to begin water extraction now that the títulos de agua (water extraction permits) have been paid for. The short-term idea is to use a community water truck for home deliveries until water lines can be installed. However, getting the pump running requires a separate electricity line to the pozo, and that won’t be possible until at least Phase 3 of the electricity project.
Construction
My son’s house wasn’t finished, and now that we’re both living here, completing the floor will be more complicated. That said, there was progress: the window glass was installed, the bathroom was completed (minus a door), fencing was improved on the adjacent garden lot, and some walls were painted. Any further work on his house will have to wait. Right now, there simply aren’t extra funds for construction.
One priority is setting up the solar backup system. My husband disassembled it before ousting us, and every electrical outage costs me money. I bought the inverter last week, so what’s left is a battery and wiring to reconnect the panel. Ideally, that happens in January, but finances remain uncertain.
Self-Care
Last year included a horrific head injury, followed a few months later by a knee injury so severe that it couldn’t bear weight for nearly two weeks. If nothing else, I hope 2026 is accident-free. My exercise equipment is still at the other house, which I currently can’t access. Depending on how the upcoming legal battle unfolds, I’m hoping I’ll at least regain access to, or possession of, those items.
In the meantime, I’ve been focusing on restoring normal cortisol levels, which has helped reduce the swelling in my knees. I’ve also been sleeping better. My mind hasn’t quite accepted that we’re safe yet, so focus remains a challenge. For now, it’s slow and steady.
Conclusion
If there’s a theme here, it’s restraint. I’m not giving up on progress on these aspects of my life, but I’m not forcing movement where there isn’t room yet. For now, caution feels appropriate. Movement can come later.
Surviving Mexico 
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