After nearly a year of research, writing, editing, and despairing, I’m delighted to announce that FINALLY Volume 5 in the series Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico is available on Amazon. Isn’t the cover lovely?
I haven’t done any free book promotions for this series yet, so I thought I’d give it a whirl this book launch. For the next few days, you can get the ebook version for FREE. Whoop! Whoop!
Don’t think I’m ready to rest on my laurels (pun intended) just yet. I’m working on compiling a special hardcover edition that contains the plant studies from volumes 1-5. Look for that beauty coming soon. I don’t want to give a specific date as the rainy season and internet service may have something to say about my progress.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this most recent offering all about my herb passions. Here’s another link to go and grab your FREE copy while the offer is still good.
My sedum investigation began with the positive identification of Colita de burro AKA Donkey’s Tail (Sedum morganianum) which I had growing in my garden. Also known as cola de borrego (sheep’s tail), it seems to be purely ornamental. However, in my research I did find several other species of sedum that were used medicinally here in Mexico.
Siempreviva (Sedum praealtum) is an effective spermicide, 20 percent more effective than Nonoxynol-9 when used as a vaginal postcoital douche. It is also known as shrubby stonecrop and green cockscomb in English and tetzmitl in Nahuatl. Francisco Hernández, Fray Bernardino de Sahagun, and Martín de la Cruz make mention of this plant’s medicinal use by the Aztecs in their writings.
Its leaf sap is applied topically to treat burns, hemorrhoids, gum inflammation, and conjunctivitis. The leaves are chewed and swallowed for dysentery, scurvy, and typhoid. In the state of Morelos, the leaves are chewed for toothache relief, and a leaf warmed on the comal (griddle) is placed over an aching ear. Sedum praealtum has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
For excessive bleeding during menopause, a decoction of sedum is drunk before breakfast until the bleeding has stopped. One tablespoon of this decoction cooled overnight is taken before breakfast for frequent, burning urination.
For tonsil inflammation, the leaves are ground and soaked in vinegar. The gargle is warmed and used two or three times a day. In addition, a leaf decoction drunk as a tea is prescribed. If there is a fever in addition to the inflammation, the decoction is made from the flowers.
The term siempreviva (always living) refers to the plant’s hardiness. Not only is it heat and drought tolerant, but it is able to withstand freezing temperatures. Because of this robustness, one group of researchers has proposed its use as green roofing in Mexico City to mitigate air pollution.
Sedum praealtum closely resembles Sedum dendroideum, which is also commonly called siempreviva in many areas. In the state of Mexico, the Mazahua people use the name medye, while in Puebla, the Popoloca prefer the term kanda chansa.
The primary visual difference between these two varieties of sedum is a red tint on the edges of the leaves on Sedum dendrioideum, which Sedum praealtum lacks. In many remedies, the two varieties are used interchangeably.
Cloudy vision and redness in the eyes are treated by squeezing the leaves so that a drop of sap enters the eye. Using Sedum dendroideum has demononstrated healing process of corneal damage caused by pterygium, commonly known as eye web.
For intestinal issues, 10 grams of the leaves are crushed and added to a liter of water and drunk for 15 days. This plant has shown to be a natural nontoxic therapeutic alternative for the treatment of gastric ulcers. It is also an effective treatment for gastrointestinal disorders as a tea infusion due to its gastroprotective properties.
Two split leaves dipped in manteca (lard) of sedum dendroideum is a headache remedy. The fresh sap from the leaves of the Sedum dendroideum are antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory. Leaves warmed and mashed to make a poutlice are applied to sore and inflamed muscles. Mashed leaves are placed directly on a wound to stop bleeding.
Another variety of sedum, Sedum mexicanum, Mexican stonecrop, or uva de gato mexicana (Mexican cat grape) may possess therapeutic potential for liver fibrosis.
Sedum oxypetalum known as jiote or Siempreviva is a traditional remedy for periodontal disease. Studies have shown it promotes the regeneration of mineralized tissues making it useful in teeth strengthening. As a mouthwash, the juice is warmed, swished over the gums, and held in the mouth for a few minutes before spitting out. Sedum oxypetalum also possesses antifungal activity.
Every April and May, guys with wheelbarrows full of mamey are roaming the streets. You won’t want to miss out on this experience! The fruit is sweet and tasty and made into milkshakes and ice cream. But it’s not just another tasty treat.
Mamey (Pouteria sapota) is native to Mexico. It’s also called zapote mamey and mamey colorado. In Nahuatl, it is chichiltzapotl or tezontzapotl. The large brown seed is pixtle from the Nahuatl word pitztli, meaning seed.
It has a thin, hard shell. The fruit itself is a distinctive reddish-orange color. You can tell when it is ripe by squeezing it like you would an avocado. If it gives a little, it’s ready. If it’s still hard, it might need a day or two to ripen up yet.
In Sierra Norte, the pixtle is boiled, smoked, and cut for an enchilada sauce or pixtamales, a type of tamale prepared with hoja santa and chili ancho, and a common offering in altars for el Día de muertos. In Tabasco, the seed is a pozol beverage ingredient. In Puebla, the roasted and ground seed is mixed with cacao. In Guerrero, pixtle is added to atole de fiesta, usually served with tamales. In Oaxaca, the pit is one of the tejate beverage ingredients. Other ingredients include maiz (Zea mays L.), cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao), and flor de cacao (Quararibea funebris).
The seed and leaves are used in a poultice for wounds and sores. The pulverized seed mixed with aceite de rincino (caster oil) is used in treatments for alopecia. For bronchitis or other respiratory ailments, the seed is toasted first, then ground into a powder, and added to a tea. To treat acne, the powdered seed is mixed with the juice from one limón and applied to breakouts. Wash with warm water after 30 minutes. For liver ailments, the pixtle is grated into a cup of boiled water and drunk daily for two weeks. The fruit is prescribed for gastritis and diarrhea or used topically for skin treatments. The fruit has anti-amyloidogenic and anti-tumorigenic properties. It contains carotenoids which give it its distinctive color. It is also anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antioxidant. The leaves demonstrate antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-cancer activities.
Batido de Mamey
1 plátano (Musa spp.)
1 medium-sized mamey (Pouteria sapota)
2 tablespoons vainilla (Vanilla planifolia)
½ cup miel (honey)
2 cups coco milk (Cocos nucifera)
Remove the tough outer shell and large smooth seed from the mamey. Blend all the ingredients until it reaches the desired consistency. If it is still too thick, add more milk.
Surviving Mexico 
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