October 3, 2023 · 7:20 am

Natural Healing — Ocalito

Photo credit: SABENCIA Guillermo César Ruiz

One day, my husband and I were cruising around Cerano looking for, I forget what, and suddenly he stopped the motorcycle, hopped off, and pulled some leaves off a shrubby tree, saying they were ocalito leaves and he needed them for seasoning. Well, all righty then. I really couldn’t identify the leaves, and he didn’t have any more information on them, so time went by.

Then another day, I was perusing the herb section in one of the herb stores in town and saw a bag of leaves like the ones my husband had picked, but they were labeled “eucalipto.” Eucalyptus? But surely, eucalyptus wasn’t a tree that grew in Mexico. Time for some research. 

It turns out that eucalyptus trees were brought into Mexico in the late 1800s/early 1900s, predominately the Eucalyptus camaldulensis (rojo) and Eucalyptus tereticornis (azul) varieties. Commercial plantations were established but not well regulated. The trees escaped their growing confines and are now considered invasive species. Other varieties found in Mexico include Dólar de plata (Eucalyptus cinerea) and Eucalipto blanco (Eucalyptus globulus).

While ocalito is the name used in central Mexico, other common names are alcanfor, calipto, árbol de la fiebre, gigante ócalo, calistro, tzon tzko nasi in Oaxaca, ntajine in popoloca, an indigineous language spoken in Puebla. 

Ocalito is commonly used in Mexican herbalism for fever reduction, colds, asthma, and respiratory ailments. 

Eucalyptus camaldulensis bark extract is antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and insecticidal. It is also effective against atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia. Leaf extracts contain antimicrobial,  antimalarial, anticancer, antibacterial, and antimutagenic properties. The essential oil reduces tooth biofilm formation and effectively reduces tooth decay and cavities. Vaginal cream that contains the essential oil has been shown to prevent and treat Trichomoniasis because of its anti-parasitic activity.

Both Eucalyptus torelliana and Eucalyptus camaldulensis effectively treat tuberculosis and the persistent cough associated with that illness and other respiratory issues. 

Eucalyptus globulus demonstrates strong antimicrobial activity. Eucalyptus tereticornis leaf extracts are antimicrobial, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and may be beneficial in combating obesity.

Ocalito leaf infusions are given for resfriado (colds), bronquitis, and asthma. A stronger infusion is used for a mouth rinse. Steam inhalations are prescribed for respiratory congestion and cough. A wash from the bark is made for vaginitis, urinary tract infections, and wounds.

As a rub for colds and flu, combine ocalito, ruda (Ruta graveolens), and romero (Salvia rosmarinus) in a liter of arguardiente (alcohol). Allow it to infuse the alcohol. Before using, warm it, then shake. Apply over the entire body in the evening. Drink the following hot infusion and send the sick person to bed.

Ocalito and Ocote Infusion for the Flu

  • 1 stick of canela (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
  • 1 ocote twig (Pinus montezumae)

Equal parts:

  • ocalito leaves (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)
  • malva leaves (Malva sylvestris)
  • bugambilia morada bracts (Bougainvillea glabra)

Boil in one liter of water for five minutes. Allow to steep for another 5 minutes. Serve with miel (honey) and limón (Citrus aurantifolia).

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Interested in natural remedies? Uncover herbal remedies from traditional Mexican sources for healing and wellness in the Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico series.

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October 1, 2023 · 5:57 am

Roof Project 2023

Almost exactly a year after the last roof project was completed, we managed to scrimp and save enough to get the final third-floor room roof finished. Unfortunately, the intersection between money and time coincided with Mexican Independence Day celebrations, so we had to delay roof-building gratification until the Monday following said festivities.

There was the issue of a rather large swarm of bees that had taken up residence in the chimney. My husband has tried to smoke them out on more than one occasion, to no avail. To avoid angry bees during the tromping up and down while the roof was being poured, we covered the entrance with a blue blanket. It wasn’t foolproof, but it did keep most of the stinging insects contained.

Bruce, Fred, and George were tied in the back by the pool bright and early so that the coladores (roofers) could do their stuff and get the ramp set up. That took nearly no time at all, and so most were sitting around waiting for the materials to arrive. Two enterprising guys went exploring and came back with nopales (cactus) on a stick from up the hill. They requested a knife and cut the spiney bits off–CACTUS FOR DINNER BABY! One of the two also brought his slingshot in case a rabbit, squirrel, or bird presented itself. 

My son was tired even before starting. As his fear of heights prevented him from ascending the ramp to the third floor, he was the water boy as usual–bringing buckets and buckets of water to the cement mixers from the pool. 

The materials arrived a bit late; it being the Monday after all the Independence fun, several of the workers at the ferretería failed to arrive for their shift. A phone call and run into town got things moving, and the roofing activities finally commenced.

Since this is only a smallish room, half the size of the room below it, even with the late start, they were done by noon. The haze finally cleared away, and the workers sat beneath our jacaranda trees in front of the house, which Cocoa and Bear did not approve of.

Around 1, the circus moved on. All that was left was a bit of tapping to solidify the cement setting, and it was finished–the last roof. 

The wood guy, though, has been a pain this time around. He wasn’t the same guy we usually rent the framing wood from, and this guy wanted half up front. Ok. Then, the day AFTER the roofing, he came by again and wanted the other half. Umm. No. Generally, the wood rental is paid upon completion of the cement drying period — 22 days. He came twice more that week. As I hadn’t expected to need to have that money on hand, I didn’t have it right then. On his third trip to La Yacata, I was able to hand over $1000 pesos, and he seemed okay with that, the remainder to be paid once the wood is removed and picked up. 

Needless to say, there wasn’t a lot of extra cash in my pocket during September, even with a nice book royalties check. Here’s hoping October is a little easier in the financial department.

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Read more about our off-grid life in La Yacata in A to Z Reasons Why La Yacata is the Place to Be in Any Disaster: A Prepper’s Guide to Mexico, part of the La Yacata series.

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September 11, 2023 · 7:19 am

Natural Healing — Café

Photo credit: Noyolcont

I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing better than Café de olla in the morning! But did you know coffee is medicinal as well? WhooHoo!

The genus Coffea is made up of at least 80 species and originated in Africa. Café arrived in Mexico in the late 1700s. Nowadays, Mexico is one of the world’s largest exporters of organic-certified coffee, mostly grown by small cooperatives of indigenous laborers. About 90% comes from the states of Chiapas, Veracruz, Puebla, and Oaxaca. 

The majority of the coffee produced in the country is the shade-grown Arabica variety. Robusta only makes up about 4% of the total coffee produced. At least three varieties have been given the denominaciones de origen mexicanas from the el Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial (IMPI), meaning they are recognized as being an original product of Mexico. These are the hybrid Garnica, its mutation Garien, and Oro Azteca, another hybrid. 

In Mexican traditional medicine, coffee is prescribed for la gripa (cold), fever, headache, to improve digestion, as a mental stimulant, and increase a mother’s milk production. However, generally, coffee is not recommended for nursing mothers as the caffeine can be passed to the baby through the milk, and then the baby is awake all night! 

Five grams of unroasted coffee beans are boiled in ½ liter of water for fever reduction. Add the juice from one limón (Citrus aurantifolia) and sweeten it with miel (honey). To treat a headache, coffee grounds and manteca (lard) are spread on leaves of the maravilla plant (Mirabilis jalapa) and then applied to the temples. 

Regular café consumption has been shown to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, kidney, liver, premenopausal breast, and colon cancers, and chronic liver disease. The seeds are antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antiviral, antifungal, anti-ulcer, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory. They also have hypolipidemic effects. 

One cup of coffee has 1 mg of vitamin PP which lowers cholesterol, eases arthritis, and boosts brain function. Three cups provide up to 50% of the daily requirement. Coffea also contains mangiferin which has anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, and neuroprotective activities.

Topically, seed extracts reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation discoloration. The caffeine content creates diuretic and temporary hypertensive effects. It also increases stomach acid and stimulates kidney and liver function. 

Coffee seeds can reduce gallbladder disorders and may be beneficial in reducing acute gout inflammation. Roasted coffee brews demonstrate a stronger hepatoprotective effect when compared to green coffee brews. Some studies suggest that regular coffee consumption can reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by stimulating the central nervous system. In small concentrations, coffee may aid in sleeping and reduce the intensity of migraines when used in conjunction with ergotamine. As a stimulant, it can increase blood pressure, body temperature, blood circulation, and respiratory processes. 

If you’d like to incorporate some coffee into your morning, definitely try Café de Olla.

Café de Olla

  • 2 piloncillo cones (brown sugar)
  • 1 stick of canela (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum)
  • 100 grams of ground café (Coffea)

Boil 2 liters of water with the canela and piloncillo cones. Boil until the cones dissolve. Then add the coffee grounds, stir, and remove from heat. Cover and allow to steep between 5-10 minutes, depending on how strong you like your coffee. Strain and serve.

Traditionally, this drink is made in a clay pot, una olla de barro, and served in clay mugs.

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Interested in natural remedies? Uncover herbal remedies from traditional Mexican sources for healing and wellness in the Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico series.

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