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.
Bananas were originally cultivated in Southeast Asia. Many historians believe that bishop Vasco de Quiroga brought the first rootstocks to Mexico from Santo Domingo in 1554. In Mexican herbalism, plátanos are considered “cold” and should be avoided in the treatment of “hot” ailments such as dolores de ijar (menstrual cramps).
Plátano cultivation is taken seriously. In Tabasco, Ch’ol farmers are particular about the soil where plátano is grown. The preferred environment is made up of black or sandy soils. Musa paradisiaca, a type of plantain, is the variety whose leaves are used in tamale preparation, and the fruit is typically boiled or deep-fried before serving.
The air-dried leaves and cluster stems of the plátano manzano, known as Ja’as in Mayan, are used in remedies for tuberculosis (peste blanca). Studies have shown that the Musa acuminata variety at least presents antimycobacterial activity supporting its use in TB treatments. In some areas, a poultice is made from mashed, ripe bananas and applied to the back and chest of a person with pneumonia.
You might remember that when Joey impaled himself on the fence, the vet mushed an entire banana into the wound to aid in recovery. Well, seems there is something to that after all.
Plátano peels are used to promote wound healing. For external skin infections, a still-green peel is set out to dry and then wrapped on the wound area as a poultice. For dry skin, a mask or poultice is made from the fruit. For itchy mosquito bites, the underside of the peel is rubbed on the skin. Other common uses include as an aid to treat constipation, urinary tract infections, breathing difficulties, and nervous system ailments.
A concoction for alcoholics involves boiling coconut water from two coconuts (Cocos nucifera) in a new clay pot and the peels from five plátanos. Add piloncillo and steep it all for three days. Every morning for nine consecutive days, this drink is served with a dash of alcohol to discourage overindulgence.
A tea made for insomnia is made by boiling one plátano (with peel) and canela stick (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) for 15 minutes in a liter of water. Strain and add miel (honey) to taste.
Thus, it should come as no surprise that plátanos are an excellent addition to a healthy diet. The antioxidants found in this sweet fruit show promise in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Its dopamine content reduces the severity of depression. It’s also antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal. Regular ingestion has shown to be cell-protective, providing an anti-cancer effect. Banana starch as part of a regular diet promotes healthyweight loss. More specifically, the variety musa sapientum has been found to be anti-hyperglycemic.
Surviving Mexico 
