Category Archives: Natural Healing

November 16, 2021 · 6:21 am

Natural Healing — Yoloxóchitl

Yoloxóchitl (Talauma mexicana) is also known as Flor de corazón, Magnolia mexicana, yajlachhi in Zapotec, and Mexican heart flower. It is native to Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras and in danger of extinction because of deforestation. It’s extremely fragrant white flower was highly prized by the Aztecs for both its aroma and medicinal properties. Interestingly enough, it was also used as a flavoring in chocolate beverages.

The seeds, petals, leaves, and bark are used in a variety of treatments including gout, epilepsy and fever and as a diuretic. The flowers are used in Oaxaca as a treatment for asthma. However, its main use is for heart issues. In the Zapotec tradition, a petal infusion is the treatment to strengthen the heart. A leaf infusion is used to improve circulation and tone the heart.

Studies show that Yoloxóchitl (Talauma mexicana) does indeed have both digitalis and diuretic effects. Furthermore, scientists have proven that it can be an effective treatment for as t hma. Unfortunately, there has not been much research done on this beautiful flower and with its status as an endangered species, it may soon be lost altogether along with its medicinal benefits.

Heart Tea

Yoloxóchitl (Talauma mexicana) 5 grams of the seeds and bark
Valeriana roja (Centranthus ruber) 1 small root
Flor de manita (Chiranthodendron Pentadactylon) 1 dried flower

Allow to steep and drain. Drink one cup per day as needed to calm heart palpitations.

Heart Tonic Infusion

4 tablespoons of Yoloxóchitl (Talauma mexicana) flower cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons of Flor de azahar (Citrus aurantiifolia)

Boil in 1 liter of water for 2 or 3 minutes. Allow to steep for 30 minutes. Drink 2 or 3 cups per day.

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Interested in natural remedies? Uncover herbal remedies from traditional Mexican sources for healing and wellness in the Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico series.

Natural Healing — Flor de Tila

Originally, I was under the impression that the flor de tila that was a staple ingredient in my favorite relaxing tea blend was from the Mexican linden tree. After all, several herb books I own that focus on Mexican herbs use the terms linden and tila interchangeably. However, doing just a little more research, I found that flor de tila is NOT any species in the family Malvacaea at all. Rather it belongs to the Pentaphylacaceae family and all my research on this beneficial herb went out the window since I had been searching for the wrong plant. What is more likely is that the correct term in Mexico is flor de tilia (not tila) or flor de tilo when referring to the blossoms of the linden tree in the genus Tilia.

As you can see from the picture, Flor de tila (Ternstroemia lineata) dries much darker than linden flowers. The flower structure is also very different. Linden trees are much larger than the Ternstroemia lineata, which tends to only grow to about 20 feet.

Flor de tila (Ternstroemia lineata) is native to areas of higher altitudes in central Mexico. It is also known as ucharillo and charapit uku in Purépecha. The wood is used to make certain guitar components. This plant is used in traditional Mexican remedies for insomnia, menstrual cramps, and headaches. It is also used as a digestive aid, sedative, and for bronchitis.

There have been no studies done on the medicinal properties of Ternstroemia lineata. In fact, until recently, this species was classified as Ternstroemia pringlei, also known as flor de tila. A few studies have been done on Ternstroemia pringlei showing it has a sedative effect supporting its use for insomnia treatment. Leaf extracts from the plant are effective against liver flukes and the leaf, petal, fruit and seed are antioxidant.

I did find a few concoctions in my little herb books that use Ternstroemia lineata and not linden but because of the error in identification, I had to discount many of the remedies both online and from the books in my library.

Flor de Tila Headache Tea

Boil ½ liter of water.

Add:

2 to 4 grams of flor de tila (Ternstroemia lineata)

To make a sleep aid tea, add 10 grams of bitter orange leaves (Citrus × aurantium).
To make a cough tea, add 5 grams of (starflower)(borrajo officinalis).

Flor de Tila Heart Palpitation Tea

Drink daily before meals

Boil ¾ liter water.

Add:

5 matarique branches (Psacalium decompositum)(Desert Indian brush)
20 flores de tila (Ternstroemia lineata)(Tila flowers)
2 pinches of sauco (Sambucus)(elder flowers)
2 flores de manitas (Chiranthodendron pentadactylon)(Hand Flower Tree flowers)
1 branch of alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
2 pieces of valeriana roja (Centranthus ruber)(red valerian)

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Interested in natural remedies? Uncover herbal remedies from traditional Mexican sources for healing and wellness in the Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico series.

Natural Healing — Pasiflora

I’ve mentioned before the amazing relaxing tea blend I stumbled across that contained:

Jamaica (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Flor de Azahar (citrus Aurantium)
Flor de Tila (Ternstroemia lineata)
Flor de Manita (Chiranthodendron pentadactylon)
Hojas de Naranjo (Citrus aurantium)
Melisa (Cedronella Mexicana)
Manzanilla (Matricaria chamomilla)
Pasiflora (Passiflora Ciliata)
Hojas de Limón (citrus medica)
Yoloxochitl (Talauma Mexicana)
Rosa de Castilla (Rosa centifolia)
Alhucema (Lavandula angustifolia)

I’ve done some research on many of the ingredients and today I’d like to add to your knowledge about Pasiflora.

Pasiflora (Passionflower) was called coanenepilli (snake tongue) in Nahuatl because of the curvy membranous outgrowths’ resemblance. In Maya, this plant is known as Pochil or Kansel-ak. It was a traditional remedy for snakebites and fevers. When the Spanish missionaries arrived, they named this unique flower passionaria after the passion of Christ. In their eyes, the circle of membranes was representative of Christ’s crown of thorns. Dr. Nicholas Monardes called the plant granadilla in his book Joyfull Newes Out of the Newe Founde Worlde because the small fruit resembled granadas (pomegranates) in his view. He recorded a remedy that used the juice from these fruits to relieve stomach pains.

There are more than 600 species of passiflora, most of which are found in Mexico, Central and South America. Believe it or not, there is even a stinking passion flower (Passiflora foetida) that catches insects in the hairs on its bracts to eat, making it a protocarnivorous plant. This plant has been shown to be useful in treating inflammatory disease.

The fringed passion flower (Passiflora ciliata) is the variety most often used in teas as a sedative. The purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is often grown for its fruit called maracuyá which has proven health benefits including the prevention of diabetic related complications.

In herbal remedies still used in Mexico, pasiflora is often included in treatments of insomnia, anxiety, and nervousness including opiate withdrawal. Studies have shown that Maypop (Passiflora incarnata) extracts are effective sleep inducers as well useful in the treatment of anxiety and depression. And researchers have confired that at least one variety, the giant granadilla (Passiflora quadrangularis), contains serotonin.

There have been reports of negative reactions to pasiflora such as nausea, tachycardia, and drowsiness, therefore care should be taken when using this plant, especially since so few varieties have been studied.

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Interested in natural remedies? Uncover herbal remedies from traditional Mexican sources for healing and wellness in the Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico series.

Category Archives: Natural Healing

Natural Healing — Yoloxóchitl

Heart Tea

Heart Tonic Infusion

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Natural Healing — Flor de Tila

Flor de Tila Headache Tea

Flor de Tila Heart Palpitation Tea

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Natural Healing — Pasiflora

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