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.
Tropaeolum spp. is native to Central and South America, from Chile to Mexico. As seems quite common among plants, there are some naming issues that cause confusion. First, in English, this plant is often called nasturtium. However, it does not belong to the watercress genus Nasturtium officinale. Tropaeolum was given this common name because it produces a similar oil as watercress.
Another language name issue is the term mastuerzo used for this plant from the Spanish nastuerzo, meaning “de nariz torcida” (crooked nose). Mastuerzo is also used to identify the plant Lepidium virginicum, known as pepperwort in English and Mexixquilit in Nahuatl. I’ve seen several reputable herb texts make this misidentification error with the Nahuatl term. The matter is made clear with this illustration for a hiccup remedy from The Classic Codex of 1552. The plant Mexixquilit in no way resembles the climbing Tropaeolum majus but is a fair representation of Lepidium virginicum.
Pelonchile from the Nahuatl pelonchili is a more precise name for this plant. The etymology gives us even a little history. Pelon from the word pelun meaning from Peru, and chili the term for anything spicy. This breakdown suggests that the plant originally came from South America and lets us know that it has a spicy taste. Nicolás Monardes, author of the 1569 herbal Historia medicinal de las cosas que se traen de nuestras Indias Occidentales introduced pelonchile to Spain.
Other names include capuchina, cachaco de muladar, espuela de caballero, mexiquelite from the original pelonmexixquilitl meaning edible plant from Peru, texao, marañuela, taco de reina, curutziti, chimbindo in the Bajio region of Mexico, cuitziquiendas in the Tarascan language, and jauaxola in Purépecha.
The Tropaeolum genus has about 80 species. The climbing varieties belong to the family Tropaeolum majus, and the bushier types are classified as Tropaeolum minus. The flowers and leaves are edible for all varieties. Juice is made from a handful of crushed fresh leaves drunk before breakfast for at least 15 days as a tonic. The leaves are also added to soups for a lightly spicy flavoring.
Pelonchile is full of trace elements and bioactive compounds easily absorbed by humans. The flowers contain potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, and zinc. Because of the plant’s high content of vitamin C, anthocyanins, and polyphenols, it provides antioxidant activity.
Melasma, a condition that causes dark, discolored patches, and chloasma, the same condition that occurs in pregnant women, is treated with a decoction made with Pelonchile flowers drunk two or three times a day.
Pelonchile essential oil demonstrates antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-diabetic, hypotensive, anticancer, and expectorant effects. It has been shown to be effective in the treatment of digestive and respiratory illnesses, especially bacterial infections in the bladder and upper air tract.
An infusion made from the dried plant is prescribed for colds, flu, bronchitis, and cough. To make this, five grams of pelonchile are added to one cup of boiling water. Allow it to steep for ten minutes before straining. Drink two cups per day for three or four days.
The seeds contain a high content of erucic acid, which can be used to treat adrenoleukodystrophy, a hereditary condition that damages the myelin sheath that insulates nerve cells in the brain. It is a strong diuretic. A cold infusion for digestion is prepared by adding a pinch of stems, leaves, or seeds to a cup of cool water and allowing it to steep overnight before drinking.
The leaves have been shown to be useful in the treatment of liver cancer. The plant is antibiotic. It also shows the potential to prevent and treat obesity. It demonstrates anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Guaco is the common name for plants in the Aristolochia genus, not to be confused with Cleome serrulata or Mikanie guaco, which are also known as guaco. There are at least 500 species of Aristolochia, mostly found in the tropics. Approximately 65 are native to Mexico. At least three have been very recently discovered and named; Aristolochia purhepecha found in Michoacán; Aristolochia chiapensis native to Chiapas; Aristolochia emiliae in Jalisco.
Guaco flowers have a strong odor to attract insects, which then become caught in the perianth tube. Once an insect has been captured, the hairs wither, and the insect is released, now covered with pollen.
Most often, guaco is prescribed for stomach ailments or pain relief from poisonous bites and stings. Although guaco is the most common name in Mexico, some species of the plant have other regional names.
Aristolochia plants have been shown to be anticancer, antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antiviral. They also have antiplatelet, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective activity. Additionally, the plants have demonstrated antifibrotic activity and anti-diabetic potential. Many varieties cause changes in the estrous cycle, and no remedy containing guaco should ever be taken by pregnant women as the plant is toxic.
A few studies have been done on specific plants in the Aristolochia genus. Aristolochia taliscana exhibits antimycobacterial, anti-inflammatory, trypanocidal, and neuroprotective activity. A plant decoction is made to treat malaria.
Aristolochia trilobata (bejuco guaco) demonstrates antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects. A vaginal douche to treat infection is made by boiling a leaf in ½ cup of water and the root is heated and placed directly on a throbbing tooth infection.
Aristolochia Mexicana is tlacopatli in Nahuatl and was used to treat urinary tract infections and speed labor during a difficult birth. Francisco Hernández reported its use in the treatment of abscesses, dysentery, and deafness. He described two varieties, coayxtelolotli (Aristolochia odoratissima) and Tomahuactlacopatli (Aristolochia pringlei), utilized in the treatment of venomous bites and stings.
Aristolochia maxima has the botanical synonyms Aristolochia geminiflora and Aristolochia constricta. It’s native to South and Central America. In Guatemala, it is known as canastilla and in parts of Mexico, it is known as tecolotillo and wako aak’ in Maya. It’s often prescribed as a root decoction for stomach pain. Studies have shown that it reduces the severity of opiate withdrawal symptoms.
Aristolochia brevipes, with its botanical synonym Aristolochia Wrightii, is often referred to as hierba del indio. It has anti-cancer properties, as well as antimycobacterial and anti-tuberculous activities. Boil five guaco leaves in a liter of water and drink a room-temperature glass every day as a cancer preventative. Gallbladder pain can be treated with the same infusion three times a day cada tercer día (every other day).
Aristolochia monticola, another variety known as hierbo del indio, is used in Baja California Sur for bilis (excessive rage), digestive issues, and intestinal parasites. It is also used in diabetes treatment and eye infections (lagañosos). For intestinal parasites, one root Aristolochia monticola section is boiled along with the estafiate root (Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. mexicana) and taken daily before breakfast.
Aristolochia Watsonii, with its botanical synonym Aristolochia porphyrophylla, has stinky flowers that resemble a rat’s ear. The entire plant is toxic. However, it has been used as a treatment for snakebite, in a leaf decoction to reduce fever, and as a substance to expel the placenta after birth.
Aristolochia elegans, known as Flor de Cálico or flor de patito, is often used as an anti-venom. Studies have shown that the roots are an effective treatment for scorpion sting symptoms. The plant also demonstrates antiparasite and antimycobacterial activity.
A poultice for scorpion stings is made by dampening the crushed plant with warm water and placing it on the stung area. In addition, a hot infusion is made with one leaf in a cup of boiling water drunk at three-hour intervals until the pain subsides.
The entire Aristolochia grandiflora plant is used as an anti-venom in the event of snakebite. The leaves are made into a poultice for rheumatism pain. Aristolochia asclepiadifolia Brandegee, native to Veracruz, is prescribed for dysentery and poisonous stings and bites.
One cup of a tincture, about ten milliliters, made from five guaco stem pieces about six cm long, soaked in five liters of aguardiente (liquor), is a recommended diarrhea treatment. Because of the toxicity of the plant, it should only be administered once per illness period. If diarrhea continues after this treatment, another remedy should be given that does not include guaco.
Aristolochia odoratissima, also known as cuaco, sombrerito, hediondilla is prescribed as a stimulate, diuretic, and antipyretic. The leaves are used as a poultice for swollen lymph nodes, venomous bites or stings, and sciatic or arthritis pain. A tea infusion made from the roots or flowers is prescribed for arthritis pain. Studies show that the plant does provide an analgesic effect.
Aristolochia ovalifolia and Aristolochia arborea (guaco de árbol) are used as snake bite treatments in Veracruz. Aristolochia pentandra is the species used in Tabasco and Yucatán. Additionally, Aristolochia pentandra is given for stomach pain (empacho) and used in wound care. An antiseptic wash is made from the flowers. Aristolochia impudica (guaco de palo) is prescribed for snake bites, cough, heart pain, and diarrhea.
One snake bite treatment calls for five 2.5 cm guaco stem sections harvested from a mature plant, a dry seed from the crucetillo (Randia monantha Benth), and a piece 3 to 5 cm of contrayerba (Dorstenia contrajerva L.) These are added to a liter of aguardiente (alcohol) to make a tincture. After being bitten, the person should drink a “trago” (shot) of the tincture and head to the nearest clinic or hospital for further treatment.
As a treatment for cansancio (fatigue), the guaco tincture does not include crucetillo or contrayerba. One tablespoon is recommended each week. As a treatment for skin diseases, small amounts of shade-dried root powder are taken orally for 48 days.
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