Category Archives: Natural Healing

Natural Healing — Llantén

Photo credit: Robert Flogaus-Faust

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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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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2021 Limpia–bad mojo be gone

I don’t know about you, but 2021 brought with it a lot of bad energy and sorrow. My mom died in May. My uncle, her youngest brother, died in November. People that I love have been ill and have yet to recover. The uncertainty of what might be open and what remained closed and whether it would be better to avoid holiday social gatherings brought more stress. The rising cost of living. Employment uncertainty. I could go on, but you get the gist.

With all of this, my sister-in-law decided that it would be fortuitous to visit Chencha, the curandera again. We haven’t been there in years. In fact, Chencha did not receive any visitors for over a year when she was recovering from COVID and in mourning for her husband that died of the same illness. But since she was up and about again, a spry 70-year-old, my sister-in-law made an appointment for us.

We were the only visitors in the waiting room at each visit. We all wore masks and took proper sanitary precautions. And so here’s how the limpias went.

Both my sister-in-law and I had her read the cards for us first. Our readings were very similar, the main difference being that T. would be introduced to a man from the U.S. shortly and have a whirlwind romance. No romance in my future. However, all the projects I have in mind will work out to my benefit, which was mostly my concern. I tend to overdo it when it comes to future plans. 

Then it was time for the limpia, cleansing. I called my husband in and had him go first. He wasn’t expecting that. He didn’t want his cards read either. Said he didn’t want to know. Anyway, Chencha started her prayers and all of a sudden burped so loud I imagine people in the street could hear it. She stopped a moment and said that my husband “andas bien fregado” (in bad shape). I have to agree with her there. She started again with the egg and rue branch movement and upped the intensity of her prayer. 

When she finished and went to crack the egg that had passed over and around my husband’s body, there was some sort of black figure in the yolk. She said it looked like a person in a wheelchair. Her interpretation of that was that someone was seeking to harm him. Their intentions were that he’d end up unable to get around, an invalid. She gave him a candle, a blessed Jesus card, and a bottle of Chloro-feel, mint-flavored. This beverage contained sodium copper chlorophyllin (a digestive aid), methylparaben (a preservative), mint, and propylparaben (an anti-fungal and anti-microbial compound). He was to drink a shot of it 2-3 times a day. He did and it certainly cleaned out his intestines. 

T. and I had a bit of salado (saltiness) in our egg. This is thought to be due to people’s jealousies and their petty actions caused by that. I’m never too chuffed about what other people think of me. T., on the other hand, was all in a dither. Since none of us had clear yolks, we went back a second time. 

The second visit resulted in a nearly clear egg for me, a cloudy one for T. and an extremely cloudy, but no black figure for my husband. Chencha also gave T and me plants. She said these were called La Flor del Espiritu Santo (Holy Spirit Flower) because the flower looked like a dove. There are a variety of colors, but ours were orange/yellow. She said these would bring money into our place of business if we planted them there. Since T and I both work out of our homes, we planted them there. For plant lovers, this plant is Epidendrum radicans Pav. ex Lindl., which is a type of wild orchid. 

I didn’t go to the third session. I developed a rapid onset stomach flu or something and stayed in bed. My husband and T. went and had their limpias. T. was nearly better, but could stand for one more session. My husband was still in bad shape. 

Chencha sent a remedy home for me with my husband. She told him (and even wrote it down) to make a tea with equal parts romero, mejorano, and tomillo. Boil them in 1 liter of water. Then strain and serve. Add one tablespoon of honey and the juice from one limón. 

I had all of those ingredients on hand and my tea was soon prepared. I drank two cups before bed. By morning my fever was gone and my stomach was improved. YEAH! 

So, in all, I can’t say the three of us were rid of the bad 2021 mojo completely according to the egg thingy. It looks like we’ll be carrying some of it forward into 2022. Well, I guess we’ll have to see how it goes then. Onward!

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