February has another COMPLETE writing project! I’m tickled pink, well maybe green, that El boticario mexicano: Remedios herbales tradicionales para el resfriado y la gripe has been released!
It took some time between the English and Spanish versions because, of course, it had to be translated! My son was the lead on that! He even signed up for a Spanish spelling course online of his own volition during the months he spent hammering away at the translation.
Then the formatting took a bit of time because the program I previously used went to a monthly plan rather than a one-time fee per book, and as I have, well, I don’t know exactly how many books I have out now, but a lot of books, and paying for that would break the bank. So I had to learn how to format using another program.
Anyway, it’s ready now, and in celebration, both the English and Spanish ebook versions are FREE for the next few days.
Before the conquest, chia (Salvia hispanica/Salvia columbariae) was one of Mexico’s basic food sources along with maíz (Zea mays), frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris), and huaútli (Amaranthus). Bernardino de Sahagún recorded in the Historia general de las cosas de Nueva España detaled the production, comercialization, and uses of chia.
Chia was so important to the Aztecs that there are words for the process of making oil from chia (chiamachiua), one who makes the oil (chiamachiuhqui), the process of polishing something with chia oil (chiamauia), one who sells chia oil (chiamanamacac), the process of extracting oil from chia seeds (chiamapatzca), one who extracts oil from chia seeds (chiamapatzcac), chia oil (chiamatl), to become stained with chia oil (chiaua), to describe something greasy (chiauacayo) or oily (chiauac), a marzipan-like paste made from chia seeds (chiancaca), and a place where chia seeds are found (Chiapan modern-day Chiapas).
The seed was known as chiyantli, chien, chian, chia, or chiantli. A sprig of chia was centzontecomatl. As a verb chiya or chia meant to wait for, in reference to the tedious process of extracting oil from the seeds. Chianzotzolatoli was a drink prepared with toasted maíz and chia.
Pinolatl is a beverage made from maíz and toasted chia seeds. Pinolli was ground chia (or maíz) seeds made into flour now known as pinole. The Purépecha make small tamales made from pinole which are placed on the Día de Muertos alters each year.
Chia was associated with the diety Chicomecóatl, the feminine aspect of Centéotl. Both were deities of fertility and abundance. Corn, beans, and chia were included in the offerings made during their celebratory months.
Medicinally, the seeds, roots, leaves, and flowers were used by indigenous groups for skin infections, gastrointestinal ailments, fever, respiratory issues, urinary tract infections, eye diseases, and disorders of the nervous system.
Raw or toasted, chia is added to beverages, soups, oatmeal, yogurt, and salads regularly in Mexico. When the seeds are soaked, they release mucilage which is a gelatin-like liquid.
Conjunctivitis is treated by placing a single seed in the eye. The mucilaginous substance that forms allows the eye to be wiped clean. Raw seeds are chewed as a digestive aid. For a fever, a drink made from limones (Citrus aurantiifolia), sweeted with miel (honey), and chia seeds is prescribed.
Tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa or Physalis philadelphica) is also known as tomate fresadilla (tomate de fresadilla), tomate de cáscara, tomate milpero, miltomate (from the Nahuatl mjltomatl field tomato), farolito, and tomate verde or just tomate. In contrast, the term jitomate is used for red tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) from the word XĪTOMA-TL, while these small husked fruits’ name comes from the Nahuatl term TOMA-TL.
Although best known for adding the delicious sour taste to salsa verde, tomatillo has also been used medicinally at least since the time of the Aztecs. Traditionally, this fruit which can be found in yellow, orange, green, and purple, has been used for headaches, infections, fever, stomach ailments, and diabetes although there has been no scientific evidence supporting the plant’s hypoglycemic action.
The toasted fruit is mashed with salt and applied externally for earaches, headaches, and sore throats. Sweetened juice is prescribed for sore throats. Boiling the husk with pericón (Tagetes lucida) is recommended to make a tea to ease a sore throat and hoarseness.
Stomach ailments caused by bilis (excess rage believed to acculumate in the liver) are treated with an infusion made from nopal root (Opuntia ficus-indica) and the leaves from albahaca (Ocimum basilicum), tomatillo, estafiate (Artemisia ludoviciana), yerba buena (Mentha spicata), and orégano de monte (Lippia graveolens). Simmer the ingredients for 10 minutes. Strain. Drink one cup a day on an empty stomach for 9 days.
Surviving Mexico 
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