Surviving Mexico

January 13, 2023 · 6:09 am

Natural Healing — Tomatillo

Tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa or Physalis philadelphica) is also known as tomate fresadilla (tomate de fresadilla), tomate de cáscara, tomate milpero, miltomate (from the Nahuatl mjltomatl field tomato), farolito, and tomate verde or just tomate. In contrast, the term jitomate is used for red tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) from the word XĪTOMA-TL, while these small husked fruits’ name comes from the Nahuatl term TOMA-TL.

Although best known for adding the delicious sour taste to salsa verde, tomatillo has also been used medicinally at least since the time of the Aztecs. Traditionally, this fruit which can be found in yellow, orange, green, and purple, has been used for headaches, infections, fever, stomach ailments, and diabetes although there has been no scientific evidence supporting the plant’s hypoglycemic action.

On the other hand, the calyx, leaf, fruit, and stem have antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, with the husk having the highest concentrations. Additionally, the sticky part of the calyx has anti-inflammatory properties. The fruit has been shown to aid in digestion and is high in antioxidants. Extracts have shown promise in inhibiting pancreatic tumor growth and cancer chemopreventive properties as well.

The toasted fruit is mashed with salt and applied externally for earaches, headaches, and sore throats. Sweetened juice is prescribed for sore throats. Boiling the husk with pericón (Tagetes lucida) is recommended to make a tea to ease a sore throat and hoarseness.

Stomach ailments caused by bilis (excess rage believed to acculumate in the liver) are treated with an infusion made from nopal root (Opuntia ficus-indica) and the leaves from albahaca (Ocimum basilicum), tomatillo, estafiate (Artemisia ludoviciana), yerba buena (Mentha spicata), and orégano de monte (Lippia graveolens). Simmer the ingredients for 10 minutes. Strain. Drink one cup a day on an empty stomach for 9 days.

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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.

Step Right Up

The final project on my son’s house for 2022 was the stairs to the rooftop area. I insisted on these because it’s such a pain to get on the ladder and climb to the roof to check the solar panels and tinacos.

We went back and forth about the design. I thought it should be on the opposite wall from the stairs to the second floor. I also rallied for a set of spiral stairs in the middle around the support beam. But in the end, since it was my husband who made them, they were positioned beside the fireplace over the first flight of steps.

As with most recent projects, this one took WAY longer than it needed to. However, it was not costly. The rebar, sand, and gravel were all leftovers from the roof project. We did need to buy some additional cement mix, but that was only about 1000 pesos total (about $50 USD). Then the wood framing was rented, but not expensive (about 40 pesos).

So the steps are finished. Hopefully, 2023 will see enough funds to finish the very last brick project, a small room with a door that opens onto the roof. Whoop!

2023 Ready or Not!

I struggled the last week or so trying to decide if I wanted to make resolutions, pick a one-word focus, or just throw my hands up and say, “come what may.” I considered the 23 in the 2023 Gretchen Rubin challenge and figured 23 goals were too many. Then I thought maybe picking three goals, but that seemed like too few.

I eventually settled on a one-word focus. In 2023, my focus is COMPLETION.

So what does that entail? Well, I have found myself starting projects and getting distracted with side projects and never getting the original projects finished. So I’d like to COMPLETE them. I get a thrill from project completion, and I’d like to fill my year with those little thrills.

I want to focus on three aspects: writing, building and exercising. Here’s the breakdown.

I currently have 13 (yes, 13!!!!) WIP (works in progress). If I complete even half of those, I’ll feel all sorts of tingles. I’m setting myself up for a writing challenge over on ceflores.com this year instead of a reading challenge.

The next aspect is my son’s house. I’d like to complete everything that requires brickwork/cement. That includes the rooftop accessway and redoing the patio by the pool since we used those bricks in another project. Additionally, I’d like to complete the pool project. That means getting a solar panel and batteries to run the pump in an effort to dissuade the frogs from spawning.

And finally, fitness. Although I’m not going to be “fit at fifty” since that’s just 3 months away, nor have I obtained those Victorian babe arms I so want, I do want to complete my exercise routine every day. I know that I might have another 30-40 years left, and I want to stay as mobile as possible. To that end, I’ve got to keep moving now. And it’s not even like I’m doing hours of workouts–it’s less than 30 minutes (plus 5-8 dog walks) and so completing it every day won’t be onerous.

So what do you have planned for 2023?

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New Year’s is the perfect time to start journaling! Click on the image below to get yours!