In North America lies a country considered one of the most prominent in the art of herbalism. This includes the cultivation, consumption, and sale of the finest and most varied Mexican medicinal plants . Discover in this article what they are and what many of them are used for.
Mexican Medicinal Plants
Throughout history, natural alternative consumption has been the best complement in the nations of the world due to various circumstances. As it can be following a habit, looking for the healthiest or simply going hand in hand with the economy.
Where in addition, each and every one is a good provided by nature, in which it is only necessary to know the properties, benefits, how to use it and get down to work. Being able in this way, to avoid or evade discomfort, recover from ailments, relieve or placate conditions and even cool off. These being part of the great reasons why it has never ceased to be a consumption option for people of any age.
Having the opportunity to learn about, connect with, and utilize Mexican medicinal plants is of paramount importance. They are among the most extensive and renowned in the world, offering a wide range of applications from traditional infusions, inhalations, and compresses to ointments, creams, baths, and more.
Therefore, given the need to receive, consider, and incorporate this important and powerful natural resource, it establishes itself as an invaluable and feasible support in the home. Furthermore, it facilitates one of the main characteristics of human beings : free will, or the ability to choose what they deem beneficial to their health.
It is for this and more that this alternative has been used since ancient times. That in parallel it has the virtue of adapting and combining with modern medicine without representing a danger. But rather an ideal complement, easy to obtain, take advantage of and use.
Benefits of Mexican Medicinal Plants
Among the most prominent benefits of using Mexican medicinal plants are the following:
- They do not produce dependency in the organism.
- They generally do not cause side effects.
- Many are anti-inflammatory, having the facility to relieve the various inflammations in the body.
- They provide relief in various conditions or ailments.
- They restore or balance the natural properties of the skin.
- They have the powerful virtue of lowering the temperature, because many are antithermal.
- They are diuretic, which facilitates the purification of toxins from the body.
- They motivate or encourage the general state of the body, that is, they become natural stimulants.
- They have the ability to help eliminate bronchial mucus, so they are expectorant.
- They provide relief or rest for the mind and therefore the body.
- They facilitate the evacuation process of the intestines, behaving like a laxative.
- They do not have components or chemical additives of any kind.
- They are highly refreshing.
Properties of Mexican medicinal plants
Among the main properties of Mexican medicinal plants , which also help, balance and combat organic ailments, are the following:
- Anticoagulants
- Antibacterials
- Antibiotics
- Antioxidants
- Astringents
- Analgesics
- Spirits
- depuratives
- Stimulants
- Expectorants
- Antiseptics
- scarring
- Refreshing, among others.
Types of Mexican Medicinal Plants
Among the main types of Mexican medicinal plants are the following:
- Alkaloids: They have the ability to act on the central nervous system, producing analgesic, anesthetic, tranquilizing or, on the contrary, stimulant effects.
- Glycosides: They are produced through the secondary metabolism of the plant. Some have tonic effects, promote cardiac activity, are antibiotics, balsamic, antirheumatic, among others.
- Polyphenols: They have the virtue of being highly antioxidants, that is, they act against free radicals.
- Terpenes: They have a remarkable aromatizing effect, their essential oils are widely used in the practice of aromatherapy. They are relaxing, calming, relieve stress, and can also act in a stimulating way, increasing mood and disposition.
Common Preparation and Administration of Medicinal Plants
Among the common preparations and administrations of Mexican medicinal plants are the following:
- Infusions or also called tea.
- Poultice and plasters, which consists of crushing the plant in a mortar, where it is generally subsequently heated and applied to the condition.
- cooking, is the one that is prepared after boiling the plant.
- Compress, is the one that after boiling the plant and reaching the right temperature. A towel is moistened with the infusion and placed on the affected area.
- Gargle, which is also called a rinse, where the preparation is used for oral cleaning.
- inhalations, where after the infusion is prepared, the smoke it releases is inhaled.
- Juices, in which the plant is liquefied and ingested.
- Syrups, where the property of the plant is extracted and managed in a concentrated manner.
- washed o toilets, in which an infusion is used externally in the body, either through baths or washes.
- Powder, where the plant is pulverized in a dry state and used as indicated.
- Salad, is in which the plant is ingested after adequate disinfection in gastronomic preparations, without altering its natural state.
Best and Most Used Mexican Medicinal Plants
Among the best and most used medicinal plants, with their scientific names and uses , are the following:
Penguin (Arctostaphylos pungens)
The Mexican bearberry, also known as "pindicua" or "Mexican bearberry," "manzanita," "manzanillo," and "tepesquite," among other names, is a medicinal plant native to Mexico . It is a shrub that grows in temperate to semi-dry forests.
Just as its fruit is processed for gastronomic uses. The same in a dry state is used to carry out remedies that relieve due to its broad anti-inflammatory power, as well as antiseptic. The infusion of its flowers mitigates stomach discomfort and has the ability to act as an excellent diuretic, improving the discomfort caused by fluid retention in the body.
On the other hand, both the root and the leaf of the plant are used to calm prostate conditions, rheumatism, as well as kidney conditions. Having to process them until obtaining an ointment or a tincture. At the same time, it is credited with great relief from suffering from diarrhea and inflammation of various kinds.
Along with these, improvements are attributed to urinary infections, diarrhea, cough, fever, vaginitis (inflammation and vaginal infection), urethritis (inflammation and infection of the urethra), among others.
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
When humidity intensifies asthma symptoms, inhaling the steam from the brewed herbal infusion is an excellent natural remedy. Furthermore, drinking the infusion provides significant relief from flu, colds, hoarseness, coughs, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other ailments, due to its decongestant properties for the bronchi and lungs, as well as its effectiveness in promoting expectoration.
On the other hand, it helps increase the body's defenses and its ointment is used to combat stress and improve breathing. It has broad antiseptic power. It is excellent for eradicating germs present on the skin or on the mucous membranes. It is used in the relief of fevers.
The compresses of its leaves with a little temperature, help in the desinflammation of the kidneys as well as rheumatic ailments. Its use should be moderate, because a high dose produces intoxication in which dizziness, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, stomach pains, suffocation, among others, are evident.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in Mexico . Its infusion is commonly used to relieve conditions such as bronchitis, colds, and digestive ailments. It is ideal for treating flatulence or gas due to its antispasmodic effect. It is also known as a diuretic, relaxant, and often a stimulant. Furthermore, it combats vomiting, heartburn, and vertigo. It is also used to treat loss of appetite, anxiety, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, respiratory mucus, allergies, asthma, and other conditions.
It has the parallel virtue of stimulating the production of breast milk in mothers. Having then, that it behaves as an ideal antiviral, antibacterial, digestive, antioxidant, analgesic, blood glucose regulator, respiratory system stimulant, expectorant, among others.
Your gargle or mouthwash fights bacteria, fungi and deflates the gums. It is characterized by regulating the nervous system. The cooking of its fresh leaves and subsequent application on the scalp eliminates hair loss. A twig is excellent to ward off annoying insects due to its high aroma. Its poultice used on the eyelids and lips fights inflammation.
Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus)
Jicama, also known as Mexican turnip or "pelenca," is another member of the medicinal plants native to Mexico . Besides its use in Latin American cuisine, it is also an important medicinal plant, attributed with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and calming properties, and is effective in reducing fever (febrifuge).
It is normally sought after to combat scabies or scabies on the skin that is highly contagious. It also relieves kidney pain, gout ailments (a form of arthritis with acute pain), muscle inflammation, among others.
Arnica (Arnica montana L.)
This plant is part of a Mexican medicinal plant where only the flower is used; it is also popularly known as "mountain tobacco." Among its attributed medicinal properties are:
- Anti-inflammatory
- antirust
- Antifungal or antimycotic (prevents fungal growth)
- Analgesic
- Antihistamine (to combat allergies)
- antimicrobial
- Fungicide (eliminates parasitic fungi)
- Cardiotonic (increases the efficiency of cardiac function)
- Healing
- Cholagogue (facilitates the expulsion of bile retained in the gallbladder and also has a laxative effect)
Its infusion is recommended not to exceed one cup per week, and it can be sweetened with honey. To treat ailments related to digestion, control of anxiety, circulation, among others. It is excellent for accelerating wound healing processes and preventing it from becoming infected.
Apart from its flowers, tinctures, ointments or ointments are prepared, which help to calm various ailments such as burns, muscle pain. As well as inflammations, tears, arthritis, sprains, bruises, scrapes, blisters, among others. Your gargle or mouthwash relieves the pain associated with tonsillitis and pharyngitis. As a vaginal wash, it mitigates burning or itching.
Its administration must be controlled due to the high risk of intoxication that is manifested by dizziness, vomiting, stomach pain, among others. Its use is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. As it is contraindicated in people with irritable colon, ulcers, digestive situations of various kinds, among others.
Stafiate (Artemisia ludoviciana)
Estafiate is a medicinal plant native to Mexico that grows wild . It is commonly known by names such as "hierba maestra," "artemisa," "estomiate," "cola de zorrillo," and "incienso verde," among others. Its primary uses are:
- Infusions
- Dyeing
- Syrups
- Essential oils
The medicinal powers attributed to it are especially antimicrobial, digestive, effective in expelling intestinal worms, liver protector, among others. Bearing in mind that it is widely sought after to relieve diarrhea, colic, nausea, stomach pain, eliminate toxins, relieve menstrual pain. As well as treating cramps, stimulating appetite, treating gallbladder and liver ailments, among others.
Peppermint (Mentha spicata)
It is known as one of the most widely used Mexican medicinal plants . It is an effective digestive aid and restorative, thanks to its powerful ability to relax the smooth muscles of the digestive tract. It helps alleviate colic, relieves bloating, reduces the effects of indigestion, and reduces nausea and flatulence.
Studies have shown that it is ideal for improving symptoms caused by irritable bowel syndrome. Being more effective if the capsules of its oil are ingested. It is also used as a tonic and is known as a good cell oxygenating agent. Its concentrated cooking and drinking helps to expel worms (roundworms). It has a great influence to calm toothache, cramps, diarrhea, stress, sore throat and conditions caused by arthritis.
Remarkably relieves headaches, intensifying its action if a little of its oil is rubbed on the sides with a gentle massage or the smoke of its infusion is inhaled. Due to its bactericidal and antimicrobial power, it is effective in combating bad breath by chewing its leaf or gargling and rinsing the mouth after cleaning. It reduces the level of androgens in women, which is the cause of abnormal hair growth, in areas such as the face, chest and abdomen.
Purple Lemon Balm (Mexican Agastache)
Purple lemon balm, also known as "monbalm," "house lemon balm," "red lemon balm," "tama," "white lemon balm," and "wild lemon balm," among other names, is a medicinal plant native to Mexico . It has powerful effects, including digestive relief, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties, diarrhea relief, and sedative effects. It also increases body temperature.
Therefore, it is usually sought to treat conditions that include indigestion. Like abdominal distention, colic, general stomach pain, flatulence, nausea, vomiting. As well as dizziness, fatigue, colds, organic discomfort, among others. Its home administration is generally based on infusions, preparation of its tincture and extracts. It is completely contraindicated during pregnancy as well as during breastfeeding.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
This powerful member of the Mexican medicinal plant family is widely known for its effective calming and sedative properties, and is primarily sought after to combat sleep disorders, anxiety, and irritability. It is also attributed with excellent benefits for treating muscle and joint pain.
Relieves mild body tremors, relieves depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, and confusion related to hyperactivity or attention deficit disorders. It also has anti-inflammatory power, and can be administered in cases of chronic inflammation of the intestine, inflammation of the diverticula that are generated in the colon, among others.
Cuachalalate (Amphipterygium adstringens)
The cuachalalate, also known by some of the names of "cuachalala", "cuachinala", "matixeran", "pacueco", "coachalalate" or "chalalate". It is widely known and requested in Mexico. Considering others that excellent benefits are attributed to it. Its preparation is based on preparing an infusion with the bark, which is the part generally used, grayish in color. Likewise, macerations are prepared or it is also possible to pulverize it to add it to solutions.
On the other hand, the resin is used directly in skin treatments that include pimples or sores. It has a high anti-inflammatory power, it is used to control fevers, it is calming, antibiotic and analgesic. Therefore, it is requested to treat colds, coughs, skin lesions, intestinal infections, stomach pains, gastric ulcers, gastritis, toothache.
As well as ailments in the female reproductive system, such as urinary infections, inflammation of the uterus or fallen uterus. It is also attributed the benefit of calming or mitigating the condition associated with stomach cancer, among others. This plant is characterized by being a bush or tree that grows to an average height of 10 meters, being located in practically the entire Mexican country.
Its growth occurs in soil types with relevant characteristics of scrubland, subtropical forest, mountain forest, among others, where the climate is semi-warm, warm or temperate.
