A brief glossary on herbs Compiled by Eliseo “Cheo” Torres, University of New Mexico

1. Aloe Vera Zabila, Sabila – It is possible to buy the extracted gel in bottles for use on cuts, burns rashes, insect bites, acne, or as wrinkle-preventative. Mexican-Americans mix the gel with water and drink it to treat arthritis, rheumatism and stomach disorders. 2. Arnica – As a tincture, rubbed for inflammation, bruising, sprains and arthritis. 3. Basil (Sweet Basil) Albahaca - Basil tea can be used as a gargle for sore throat or to heal sores in the mouth. The same tea can also be used externally on insect stings. A decoction of Basil, Honey, and Nutmeg is supposedly good to give to a mother immediately after childbirth to aid in expelling the afterbirth. 4. Cat’s claw Uña de gato (Peruvian type) - Helps the immune and digestive systems and aids with viral infections and inflammations. 5. Chamomile Manzanilla - Its flowers as well as its leaves are used to make a tea which is taken to calm the nerves and to aid digestion. A stronger tea is consumed when fever is present. It is said, too, that those who wish to break the nicotine habit should chew fresh or dried Chamomile flowers when the urge for a cigarette strikes. 6. Chaya (Spanish Tree) - The leaves are rich in iron, calcium, and vitamins. Used for type 2 diabetes and as diuretic. 7. Cinnamon Canela – Strips of Cinnamon bark can be grated or bruised and then used to make a tea which is taken to aid digestion or stimulate the appetite. 8. Citron Flowers Flor de azahar – The flowers from the orange or lemon tree can be picked fresh and brewed as a tea to cure insomnia. 9. Cloves Clavos – One can chew a clove to kill the pain of a toothache or wrap it in cotton and place it in the ear to treat an earache. A few drops of oil of cloves in water can be taken to stop vomiting. 10. Cornsilk Barbas de elote – The Cornsilk strands should be boiled and the resulting liquid drunk to treat bladder and kidney ailments. Cornsilk is said to relieve water retention and thus is given in the morning to children who wet the bed. 11. Creosote Bush Gobernadora - Taken as a tea made from the leaves of the plant, Creosote Bush is thought to relieve kidney problems. 12. Eucalyptus Eucalipto – The leaves are used as a tea to promote digestion, but more often they are boiled and the steam inhaled to relieve congestion and cough. 13. Linden Flower Flor de tila - Tea made from this flower is used as a tranquilizer. 14. Mint Yerbabuena – A tea made of any of these is said to provide relief from stomach and nausea, but can also be taken to aid digestion. 15. Osha Chuchapete – The root is used for sore throat, coughs, colds and congestion and a skin wash for infections. 16. Rosemary Romero – Used as skin wash, for baldness, delayed menstruation, and to increase memory. 17. Rue Ruda – Rue tea, taken in small amounts, will stimulate menstruation. 18. Tepezcohuite - Helps with wounds, burns, scars, wrinkles and acne.

COMMON AILMENTS (FOLK BELIEFS) TREATED BY CURANDEROS (FOLK HEALERS)

Mal de ojo –The comes through excessive admiration, of those too weak to absorb it; babies are usually the victims. Treated by sweeping the person three times with an egg and forming little crosses with the egg while praying three times. Afterwards, the person is given a hot herbal tea.

Susto - Translated as loss of spirit or soul; could be considered shock; also known as “magical fright”; usually caused by bad news or a bad scare. Treated by praying three times while sweeping the body with a broom or special herbs (rue, rosemary, cedar, basil, pirul). Afterwards, the person is given a hot herbal tea.

Caída de Mollera – Known as “fallen fontanelle” and afflicts only babies; can be brought on by a fall or rough handling. Treated by pushing with the thumb up against the roof of baby’s mouth while the fontanelle area is packed with moist salt, soap, or egg white.

Empacho – Thought to be produced by something stuck in the stomach or a blocking of the intestines. Caused by eating something raw, eating too quickly, or not chewing food completely. Treated by rubbing the stomach with an egg followed by a castor oil laxative. In some cases, the back behind the stomach is rubbed with warm olive oil and the skin is pulled making a snapping sound, thus loosening what is stuck.

------Reference: Healing with Herbs and Rituals and Curandero: A life in Mexican Folk Healing. University of New Mexico Press, www.unmpress.com, 505-272-7777.