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December 2, 2025 · 10:22 am

Natural Healing — Pelonchile

Photo credit: B.navez

Tropaeolum spp. is native to Central and South America, from Chile to Mexico. As seems quite common among plants, there are some naming issues that cause confusion. First, in English, this plant is often called nasturtium. However, it does not belong to the watercress genus Nasturtium officinale. Tropaeolum was given this common name because it produces a similar oil as watercress.

Another language name issue is the term mastuerzo used for this plant from the Spanish nastuerzo, meaning “de nariz torcida” (crooked nose). Mastuerzo is also used to identify the plant Lepidium virginicum, known as pepperwort in English and Mexixquilit in Nahuatl. I’ve seen several reputable herb texts make this misidentification error with the Nahuatl term. The matter is made clear with this illustration for a hiccup remedy from The Classic Codex of 1552. The plant Mexixquilit in no way resembles the climbing Tropaeolum majus but is a fair representation of Lepidium virginicum.

Pelonchile from the Nahuatl pelonchili is a more precise name for this plant. The etymology gives us even a little history. Pelon from the word pelun meaning from Peru, and chili the term for anything spicy. This breakdown suggests that the plant originally came from South America and lets us know that it has a spicy taste. Nicolás Monardes, author of the 1569 herbal Historia medicinal de las cosas que se traen de nuestras Indias Occidentales introduced pelonchile to Spain.

Other names include capuchina, cachaco de muladar, espuela de caballero, mexiquelite from the original pelonmexixquilitl meaning edible plant from Peru, texao, marañuela, taco de reina, curutziti, chimbindo in the Bajio region of Mexico, cuitziquiendas in the Tarascan language, and jauaxola in Purépecha.

The Tropaeolum genus has about 80 species. The climbing varieties belong to the family Tropaeolum majus, and the bushier types are classified as Tropaeolum minus. The flowers and leaves are edible for all varieties. Juice is made from a handful of crushed fresh leaves drunk before breakfast for at least 15 days as a tonic. The leaves are also added to soups for a lightly spicy flavoring.

Pelonchile is full of trace elements and bioactive compounds easily absorbed by humans. The flowers contain potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, and zinc. Because of the plant’s high content of vitamin C, anthocyanins, and polyphenols, it provides antioxidant activity.

Melasma, a condition that causes dark, discolored patches, and chloasma, the same condition that occurs in pregnant women, is treated with a decoction made with Pelonchile flowers drunk two or three times a day.

Pelonchile essential oil demonstrates antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-diabetic, hypotensive, anticancer, and expectorant effects. It has been shown to be effective in the treatment of digestive and respiratory illnesses, especially bacterial infections in the bladder and upper air tract.

An infusion made from the dried plant is prescribed for colds, flu, bronchitis, and cough. To make this, five grams of pelonchile are added to one cup of boiling water. Allow it to steep for ten minutes before straining. Drink two cups per day for three or four days.

The seeds contain a high content of erucic acid, which can be used to treat adrenoleukodystrophy, a hereditary condition that damages the myelin sheath that insulates nerve cells in the brain. It is a strong diuretic. A cold infusion for digestion is prepared by adding a pinch of stems, leaves, or seeds to a cup of cool water and allowing it to steep overnight before drinking.

The leaves have been shown to be useful in the treatment of liver cancer. The plant is antibiotic. It also shows the potential to prevent and treat obesity. It demonstrates anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

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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 — Bigotillo

I had a terrible time with the nomenclature for this plant. Every source I consulted listed at least 20 local names. However, most of them were problematic. For example, Poinciana is also Caesalpinia gilliesii, Flor de Nochebuena is Euphorbia Pulcherrima, Hoja Sen is another name for Senna alexandrina, Cabellos de Ángel is Calliandra grandiflora as well, Tabachín and Flamboya are local names for Delonix regia, and Ave del Paraíso is also Strelitzia Reginae. To top it off, Caesalpinia pulcherrima is considered a synonym for Poinciana pulcherrima. Thus, the question remained on what to call this plant.

After considerable research, I could verify that the names bigotillo, virundera del Perú, barbona, and ciringuanico or siringuanico in Purepecha did indeed refer to Caesalpinia pulcherrima and only Caesalpinia pulcherrima. Several sources also said that in Nahuatl, this plant was known as the “shrimp flower” but after searching the Nahuatl Dictionary archives, I could not verify that. In English, most gardeners seem to go with the Mexican bird of paradise or Dwarf poinciana.

Caesalpinia pulcherrima is found in most areas in Mexico and is thought to be a native plant species, but botanists aren’t quite sure about that either. Then there is the apparent conundrum that Caesalpinia is toxic, but this species is used extensively as medicine. So more verification was in order. As it turns out, the ripe (but not unripe) seeds contain tannic acid. In most cases, pets and children will experience gastrointestinal discomfort, including vomiting and diarrhea if the seeds are eaten, but it is not fatal.

In Mexico, the leaves are used for fever reduction, the flower is used for pain, and the unripe seeds are prescribed for respiratory illnesses and cough. Just four grams of the root will trigger a miscarriage in the first trimester, so this plant should never be used during pregnancy. It’s no surprise then that in Veracruz, a flower infusion is given to bring on menstruation.

Mouth ulcerations and gum disease are treated with the root. Liver disease calls for a leaf infusion. In Michoacan, an infusion of flowers, leaves, and branches is made and drunk in place of water for bronchial ailments. The root, stem, or leaves are used for colds and flu with cough in other areas as well. For stomach ailments, including dysentery and ulcers, a cup of bigotillo leaf infusion is prescribed. To treat venereal diseases, insect bites, wounds, fever, and skin infections, a wash is made from the leaves. An anti-fungal wash is made by simmering the roots.

The Kiliwa in Northern Baja California consider the bigotillo highly toxic. A concoction that contains bigotillo meant to harm others can be obtained from brujos (witches) or hechiceros (sorcerers).

Caesalpinia pulcherrima flowers, leaves, and green fruit contain anti-inflammatory properties. Older adults in parts of Colombia use the flowers and leaves tincture to relieve rheumatoid arthritis pain.
Bigotillo demonstrates α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and has been found to delay the process of diabetic retinopathy. It is anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant. It exhibits gastroprotective effects and antiulcer activity, supporting its use as a digestive treatment. It has shown itself to be useful in treating tuberculous and is an immunostimulant compound.

Infusión de Bigotillo for Respiratory Illness and Cough

2-3 bigotillo flowers (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)
2-3 epazote leaves (Dysphania ambrosioides)
5-10 gordolobo flowers and leaves (Verbascum thapsiforme)
5 palo mulato flowers (Bursera simaruba)
5 bugambilia morada bracts (Bougainvillea glabra)

Add the ingredients to 1 liter of boiling water. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and serve with miel (honey).

NOTE: Not to be used during pregnancy.

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