Surviving Mexico

October 2, 2020 · 6:29 am

Natural Healing — Geranio

Every so often, my husband will head out to my garden and come back chewing something or other. Sometimes it’s an actual fruit or vegetable. Sometimes it is a leaf off my Wandering jew plant and sometimes he’s salted and eaten a leaf from my geranium plant. He swears that it was the remedy Mama Sofia (his grandmother) would prescribe when he had a bit of a stomach ache.

Not one to let unexamined herbal remedies slide by, I set about to find more on this plant. The genus for this plant is pelargonium spp and there are nearly 300 varieties. It is native to South Africa but was brought to Mexico in the seventeenth century.

Although a favorite of certain species of butterflies, the Japanese beetle becomes paralyzed after eating geranium flowers. It seems that they contain quisqualic acid which causes excitotoxicity (nerve cell death).

In Mexico, geranio leaves are mashed with vinegar and salt and applied to the forehead to alleviate headaches. A decoction made from red geranium flowers is used to treat diarrhea. Another diarrhea remedy calls for a rounded spoonful of ground geranio root boiled in ½ cup of water drunk every hour until the ailment ceases.

An upset stomach can be treated with a tea made from geranio, manzanilla (chamomile) and yerba buena (spearmint). Pelargonium sidoides and Pelargonium endlicherianum have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that will indeed calm your stomach. Pelargonium roseum Willd. is antiparasitic and thus another variety that can soothe your digestive system if you have intestinal parasites.

The leaves are also applied topically to treat sores and wounds. Pelargonium graveolens has antifungal properties and is effective in healing diabetic foot ulcers. Pelargonium asperum and Pelargonium peltatum are antibacterial in nature.

Scented geraniums have long been used in perfumes. Pelargonium quercifolium smells like incense. The Prince Rupert variety has a lemon scent. P. radula has a lemon-rose smell. P. odoratissimum has an apple scent. P. capitatum smells like attar of roses. The aroma of the Reunion Geranium (Pelargonium roseum Willd) has an antidepressant effect.

Pelargonium sidoides is an effective treatment for acute respiratory tract infections. Extracts from the root of this same plant can calm a cough. Rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) essential oil has anticancer components.

Not all varieties have been studied scientifically, but there is more than enough evidence to say that geranio belongs in a curandera’s garden after all.

***

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

The Show Must Go On

Who says life can be boring during self-isolation? Not me, that’s for sure. Our animals have all decided that they are circus stars or at least TV stars and there’s never a dull moment around here!

You already know about Jolina and her kids, who believe they are part of a circus routine, rolling out the barrel just 20 minutes after birth.

Now we have Mama Chicken and the Magic School bus.

Our broody hen finally hatched some pollitos. She’s been an attentive mother for the most part. She kept them safe and sound in the corral for a week. Then, suddenly, one day, we hear this clucking and peeping symphony. My son ran out there yelling, “She’s decided to take them on an adventure!” And sure enough, there they were, under her wing, peeping excitedly as they left the corral.

We aren’t exactly sure what Terry will do when confronted with these chicken nuggets on legs and we weren’t ready to risk it, so back into the corral they went. My son said that she was like the teacher on the Magic School Bus cartoon. “Ok everyone, get under my wings. It’s time to head into the volcano!” Although, they may have been headed through the digestive tract instead.

Then there’s Fuzz, who has decided in retribution for the arrival of Cocoa, he’d become Douglas Fairbanks. On several occasions, he’s tried to slide down the blue screen I have for work, much like the sails of a pirate ship.

Cocoa is not one to be left out in the starring role. He’s decided that every moment possible would be a WWF session. Fuzz is the competitor whether he’s up for a romp or not. Starting as early as 5 am, Cocoa is ready for round one!

The Puppers continue their gladiator reenactments every time my son heads out into the back yard. Those of us about to die, we salute you! BATTLE COMMENCE! George, of course, takes on the starring role as the head dog. I will vanquish you, Fred!

Red has been fitted with his first saddle. He’s too young to be ridden, but my husband has been having him run in circles with the saddle on so that he becomes accustomed to it. Lady has a new set of shoes and happily does a little tap dance every time her hooves hit the road. All we need now are the elephants, and we’re good to go!

Terry’s contribution to the Greatest Show in La Yacata is fairly dismal. Every day, without fail, he bolts from the gate and drags my son out the door, nearly dislocating his arm. That’s really is one and only trick. Too bad he seems unwilling to try some of these tricks!

So, with all our barnyard animals joining in, quarantine, or no quarantine, the show must go on!

***

Spot the Cat

A few days after Cocoa joined the gang, my son tried to introduce the new addition to the Puppers. Fred was curious but George was jealous. He barked at Cocoa who leaped out of my son’s arms and ran to the corner of the yard, curling up on himself like a pillbug. My son was disappointed. He’d hoped they could be friends.

Since the dogs aren’t getting along, we have three walks to take in the morning, and three in the afternoon. Fred and George have priority. Then Terry, as fast as possible–Terry’s choice not ours. Finally, Cocoa. He’s small, so he doesn’t go too far, but he loves the grass. He throws himself about like a kid in a ball pit. He isn’t much interested in doing his business outside though–too many things to sniff.

Our walks have added a Where’s Waldo activity just to liven things up. The borega guy has an orange and white cat that looks like a sun-bleached Garfield. This cat has taken to my son like they are long lost buddies. It comes mewing along every time it sees us, completely oblivious to the dogs.

So each of our walks, we play Spot the Cat! Sure as anything, at some point along the walk, Garfield will appear. Sometimes it’s on a rock, waiting like the Cheshire Cat. Other times it is in the cornfield, just watching us pass.

Fred and George are absolutely stunned at Garfield’s presence, every single time. They freeze and it takes some coaxing to get them started again. Terry, when he takes the time to notice, tries to attack. The new leash has proven its mettle. Cocoa can’t see Garfield over the clover and has no reaction whatsoever.

We’ve recently realized that Garfield is actually a Mrs. Garfield, and a pregnant one at that. She now not only appears on our walks but follows us home meowing piteously for food. She’ll only accept food from my son for whatever reason. And since she’s eating for 23 (or so my son says) she comes morning, noon, and night for more vittles.

I think she’s taken up residence in my sister-in-law’s house and that’s where the kittens will appear. Time will tell!

***

Surviving Mexico

Natural Healing — Geranio

Share this:

The Show Must Go On

Share this:

Spot the Cat

Share this: