The most stocked pharmacy in the country, enriched with the wisdom of indigenous peoples and communities Hapé.
Who hasn’t had a chamomile, anise, peppermint or lime blossom tea to soothe a stomach ache, help digestion, or to relax? Who has not heard the words arnica, cuachalalate, mullein, sage, horsetail or boldo?
According to the Ministry of Health, 90% of the Mexican population has chosen one of the 4,500 medicinal plants in Mexico at least once in their life, comments Roberto Campos Navarro , an academic at the UNAM Faculty of Medicine. and remember that our country occupies second place in the world in this type of documented flora.
Botany has been the most accessible and effective medicine for people and communities in Mexico. The pre-Hispanic Codex De la Cruz-Badiano , chronicles and other documents from the Colony and countless modern exhaustive research developed by prestigious universities and other national and foreign knowledge centers, give an account of the knowledge of medicinal plants and their use in towns and cities. .
For example, the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (Conabio) mentions the registration of the Mexican Social Security Institute of 3,000 species of plants with medicinal attributes, of the 4,000 that are estimated to exist in Mexico, and that represent the 15% of the total Mexican flora. It specifies that only 5% of the total of these plants has been analyzed pharmacologically. Of that universe, 250 are sold daily, 85% are extracted from the wild without sustainable management plans, and 80% of the Mexican population has made use of it.
Crushed for poultices, macerated in a spirit drink for tonics, cooked for vaporization or prepared in teas and infusions, roots, bark, fruits, seeds, bulbs and peels offer remedies to relieve, cure or maintain physical, emotional, mental or mental health. spiritual, improve our quality of life at a lower cost, and even achieve great longevity.
It is also very true that the active principles or chemical compounds of plant species constitute the primary ingredients that the pharmaceutical industry uses in its patented commercial medicines.
Let’s see a very small sample of the knowledge developed mainly by indigenous peoples and communities, and transmitted from generation to generation about some of the most commonly used medicinal plants:
Bugambilia. This small and beautiful white flower, which is given showiness and color by its modified leaves or bracts of various colors, grows in clusters of a climbing plant and is used, mainly the fuchsia, magenta and red ones, as an antitussive, antipyretic and expectorant. That is, it combats dry cough, reduces fever and helps eliminate mucus from the upper respiratory tract. It improves the respiratory system as it promotes the correct functioning of the lungs and oxygenation of the body. Its traditional medicinal use is widespread in the central and southern states of Mexico, in cases of respiratory infections such as cough, asthma, bronchitis and flu.
The leaves of this plant cause constipation and its roots have laxative properties. But they are also antiseptic and applied to the skin they help fight acne, infections and peeling, in addition to accelerating wound healing if applied as a cold infusion.
Momo, acuyo, tlanepa or yerba santa. Piper auritum is an aromatic plant for edible use, which also helps reduce fever, is relaxing, helps proper intestinal function and reduces stomach pain. Its medicinal uses have been known since pre-Hispanic times and, during colonial times, Spanish priests called it Santa when they marveled at its healing properties. Its anti-inflammatory virtues help reduce vaginal and stomach inflammation. In tea it relieves cough and respiratory congestion. In addition, it maintains adequate blood glucose levels, provides vitamin C and prevents respiratory diseases such as asthma, as well as rheumatism and eye irritation.
Muitle, muicle or Virgin’s herb. This shrub is a powerful blood regenerator. Prepared as an infusion, it releases a reddish color to which its magnificent qualities are attributed. Fruit is added to make a tonic that eliminates anemia. It is used to combat diabetes and diarrhea of different origins, and is a detoxifying, digestive, antipyretic and antibiotic. In treatments against depression and anxiety, it reduces symptoms of depression and hopelessness if used regularly, according to a study by the Los Lagos University Center . Many emotional symptoms associated with menopause are also treated, such as bad mood, sadness and irritability. Its extracts are effective in mouthwashes; It promotes the disinfection of wounds and stimulates the functioning of the immune system. Its leaves have fluidizing properties that promote the secretion of mucus produced in the respiratory system by bacteria or viruses, and it is extremely effective in clearing the respiratory tract through vaporization.
Thyme . Aromatic herb for food use, it is also an excellent antibiotic, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, digestive, mucolytic, hypotensive, antioxidant, carminative, analgesic, antiseptic, antifungal, demulcent (protector of the digestive mucous membranes), antitussive and diuretic. From its small leaves an essential oil is obtained that is useful for strengthening the respiratory tract, applied mainly to the chest, throat, temples, neck and soles of the feet.
Onion. This white or purple bulb, in addition to being widely used in cooking, is an excellent antibiotic. It attracts microbes, so if someone gets sick at home, it is recommended to purify the environment by placing an onion cut into four in each corner of the patient’s room so that it attracts harmful microorganisms; It should be thrown away every day and a new one placed. Its use is common at wakes to avoid contamination.
Vaporub. In popular medicine it is used against vomiting, nausea, ear infections, toothache or throat pain, burns, dermatitis and as an antiseptic. Respiratory decongestant, combats dry cough and reduces cold symptoms. It can be easily grown in pots or outdoor gardens, where it grows quickly. It has anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, decongestant and anti-anxiety properties. It is recommended to drink it hot or as seasonal water in cases of respiratory diseases.
Guava. Guava leaves are widely healing. They are antiseptic since they are used to combat diarrhea, acne and pimples; prevents damage caused to the skin by free radicals and protects it from photoaging; Due to its diuretic properties and high potassium content, guava leaf is ideal for avoiding fluid retention that causes inflammation. Its chewed leaves help eliminate toothache and mouth ulcers.
In addition, it helps eliminate the feeling of hunger, which helps maintain the ideal weight. It also helps avoid respiratory diseases due to its high content of vitamin C, which prevents flu, colds, coughs and sore throats.
Herbalism is a basic resource of popular medicine , but our knowledge of it is scarce and imprecise. We are far from ensuring an appropriate rescue of this flank of culture, indicates the study Knowledge and use of medicinal plants in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara.
He adds that “the ‘return’ to nature that the consumer society announces with a great variety of products of plant origin may lead us not necessarily to preserve the tradition or application of treatments in a traditional way, but to search for extracts or active ingredients for the development of supplements or patented allopathic medicines, which implies niches of opportunity and danger for this medicinal practice.”