Category Archives: Health

February 1, 2022 · 7:06 am

Natural Healing — Llantén

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.

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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January 4, 2022 · 7:33 am

Natural Healing — Cola de Caballo

Photo credit: Allen Gathman Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine

The other day in the market, I noticed several bound herb packets including te de limon and manzanilla. The third mound was unfamiliar to me, so I asked about it. The woman selling them said it was cola de caballo and was for kidney disease. All righty then, time for another plant study!

Cola de caballo (Equisetum spp) is also known as equiseto, limpiaplata, cien nudillos, cola de rata, caña carricillo, and candalillo in Mexico. This plant is believed to have been part of the staple diet of herbivorous dinosaurs. There are about 30 species and subspecies in the Equisetaceae family, which reproduce by spores rather than seeds. At least three varieties, Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine, Equisetum laevigatum and Equisetum myriochaetum, are native to Mexico.

Traditionally in Mexico, it’s used as a diuretic, for kidney stones, and bladder or urinary tract infections. It’s also used in treatments for gout, wounds, hair loss, conjunctivitis, cough, diabetes type 2, and to increase energy. The young shoots are eaten as a vegetable. It has a grassy flavor, as to be expected.

A tea made from romerillo (Viguiera linearis) and cola de caballo (Equisetum laevigatum) is prescribed in Chiapas, Durango, and Sonora to treat urinary disorders. In Oaxaca, a tea prepared with 4 teaspoons dried or 8 teaspoons fresh of leaves, flowers, stems, and roots (Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine) in 1 cup of boiling water is given for kidney stones. Allow the infusion to steep from 5-20 minutes. Strain and drink daily before meals. In Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca, cola de caballo (Equisetum myriochaetum) is combined with barba de maíz (Zea mays), corn silk, for treatment of kidney ailments. Seven to 12 grams of each ingredient is added to ½ liter of water and boiled for 15 minutes. Two cups are prescribed daily. Yet another kidney stone treatment calls for a decoction made from cola de caballo (Equisetum myriochaetum), nopal paddle (Opuntia ficus-indica), and gobernadora leaves (Larrea tridentata) prepared every morning and cooled by the morning dew for 40 days.

A wash for wounds consists of 200 grams (Equisetum myriochaetum) boiled for 30 minutes in 2 liters of water. Because cola de caballo has a high silicone content, it is believed that drinking a daily infusion will promote shiny hair and strong nails.

Research on Equisetum arvense, the most commonly studied variety, has been shown it to be anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, cardioprotective, and antimicrobial. This variety has also demonstrated the ability to increase bone mineral density supporting its use in treating wounds including its application to bone healing.

Equisetum myriochaetum also shows promising health applications. It has anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, antioxidative, and diuretic activity. Equisetum hyemale is antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiparasitic. It also lowers cholesterol. Most other species and subspecies have not been examined thoroughly, but undoubtedly will have similar properties.

Note: Individuals with low potassium levels should not use remedies with cola de caballo.

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Interested in health? Learn traditional Mexican plant remedies used today for wellness with

Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies Volume 1 & 2.