February 1, 2022 · 7:06 am

Natural Healing — Llantén

Photo credit: Robert Flogaus-Faust

Llantén (Plantago major) has many names in Mexico including llantén mayor, llantén de hoja ancha, lengua de carnero, orejas de burro, lengua de vaca, lantén, paletarea, plantén, anten, antena, chile de pato, and mucilago. Several sources also claimed that in Nahuatl this plant was known as acaxīlotl. However, this name actually refers to the root of the tolpatlacti, which is a reed and not the broadleaf plantain. The confusion I believe began from a description of acaxīlotl by Francisco Hernández de Toledo who stated that the leaves of the plant that the edible root is from are similar to llantén (plantain) but larger. 

Llantén grows wild in La Yacata and I had no idea it had any medicinal application until I started researching it. Traditionally, llantén is applied externally for headaches, wounds, burns, insect bites, cold sores, and eye inflammation. Boiled fresh leaves are applied as a healing poultice for wounds. Leaves added to rosewater (Rosa gallica) infusion make a cooling wash for irritated eyes. Leaves applied directly to the cold sore reduce inflammation. Fresh llantén and geranio (Pelargonium spp.) leaves are mashed, salted, and bound to the head to treat headaches. Plantago major has hematopoietic activity, is inhibitory against hyaluronidase and collagenase enzymes, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerative, anti-bacterial, and anti-nociceptive, making it appropriate for wound healing application.

The leaves are made into a diuretic tea, gargle for sore throat and mouth sores, and as a wash for vaginal irritation. Simmer ½ cup of leaves in two cups of water for this infusion. As a diuretic, drink a cup of tea made from two to four grams of dried leaves, three times a day. It has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties as well as demonstrated effectiveness in the management of oral mucositis and a relaxant effect on the tracheal smooth muscles of the throat. Additionally, llantén is antigiardiasic and protects against kidney damage. 

Note: Llantén should not be used by individuals with heart conditions, those taking blood-thinning medication, or women who are pregnant or lactating. 

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Curious about the effectiveness of Mexican herbal remedies? Delve into the science of plants for well-being by:

Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico.

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January 31, 2022 · 6:46 am

Sending Love Through the Mail from Mexico

A number of my friends and family in the U.S. have come down with the dreaded viral infection going around now for the past 2 years. Although we keep in touch regularly with text messages and an occasional phone call, there’s nothing like sending a handwritten sentiment to brighten someone’s day. 

With the Mexican mail system being what it is, I had all but given up on sending cards. However, if you remember, last December, I discovered Signed cards and I can send cards once again. The trick is, Signed cards sends the cards from the U.S., completely bypassing Correos de Mexico. And I can still personalize the cards since it’s merely a matter of uploading a picture of my message which Signed cards will print out for me. 

Anyway, it’s a nice thing to be able to use. AND since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, it’s yet another opportunity for you to send some personalized love through the mail and make someone’s day. If you are interested, check out the Signed cards site.

Signed Cards

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January 28, 2022 · 6:50 am

Introducing the Practical Mexican Herbalism for Wellness Academy

I’m pleased to announce my first school on Teachable–the Practical Mexican Herbalism for Wellness Academy. Eventually, there will be a whole slew of courses to take, but for right now, my first course is Traditional Mexican Cold and Flu Remedies.

It’s particularly apropos right now. With the extremely high contagious factor of the Omicron variant circulating, odds are that even if you are double-vaxxed and boosted, you’ll come down with it, unfortunately. However, according to all reports, this is a milder variant and most individuals will be able to recuperate at home. 

Although quite a bit of research has gone into creating vaccines as a preventative measure, there’s not a lot being done on how to manage symptoms once you’ve got it. That means you’ll need to fall back on tried and true old-fashioned cold and flu remedies. That’s where this course will help you out. 

As a case in point, my son contracted COVID at the very beginning of the pandemic and has been struggling with long COVID symptoms ever since. I’ve searched high and low for recommended treatments, but haven’t found any. Again, the focus continues to be on vaccine production rather than alieving lingering effects, so we’ve turned to herbal remedies to help him get back to a semblance of normality. It’s hard to see an otherwise healthy young adult struggle with breathlessness, brain fog, and fatigue. Romero (rosemary) seems to work the best for his situation either as an inhalent with sea salt or in a tea and provides some relief.

In addition to romero mentioned above, you’ll also learn about immunity-strengthening herbs and plants, remedies for headache, nausea, and sore throat, and even explore a cleansing after illness ritual common in the area of Mexico where I live. 

So if you’ve a hankering for more herbal knowledge, then check out Practical Mexican Herbalism for Wellness on Teachable!

Check out the Traditional Mexican Cold and Flu Remedies Course


And as a bonus just for reading this far, you can download the Traditional Mexican Bugambilia Cough Remedy ebook for FREE!

Get your FREE ebook Traditional Mexican Bugambilia Cough Remedy

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