Cuetlaxochitl : The Poinsettia

Also Known As: Flor de Noche Buena, Euphoribia, Spurge Root, Snake Root, Asthma Plant, Christmas flower, Easter flower, Lobster flower, Mexican flame leaf, Mexican flame tree Euphorbia pulcherrima : Euphorbia – late Middle English: from Latin euphorbea, named after Euphorbus, Greek physician to the reputed discoverer of the plant, Juba II of Mauretania (1st century BC) and pulcherrima – the “most beautiful” or “beautiful treasure” … Continue reading Cuetlaxochitl : The Poinsettia

nixtamal9918th Jan 202110th Dec 20211 Comment

Curanderismo, Herbs, History

Acocoxochitl : The Dahlia

acocoxochitl : (Nahuatl) “flower of hollow stems with water” – atl (water), cocotli (tube) and xochitl (flower) also called Chichipatli : (Nahuatl) “bitter medicine” – chichic (bitter) and patli (medicine) (1) an alternative translation is “dog medicine” chi (dog) and patli (medicine/medicinal herb) (Bye 1986) (Simeon 1984). It is sometimes said that chichimeca people are called “dog” people (although it is likely closer in translation … Continue reading Acocoxochitl : The Dahlia

nixtamal994th Jan 20215th Jan 20213 Comments

Curanderismo, History

Aztec Gods or States of Consciousness?

I have previously written of the mythology (1) of various Aztec deities (2) and even the origin of the word Aztec or if there was even a people known as the Aztecs (3). I recently came across a video regarding Dia de muertos (4) that has convoluted the issue even more. It seems that even amongst those knowledgeable of such things there is even more … Continue reading Aztec Gods or States of Consciousness?

nixtamal994th Dec 202021st Apr 2021Leave a comment

Herbs, History

Lactucarium

I have previously written of the herbal extract known as lactucarium (1) produced from the wild herb Lactuca virosa. This plant, also known as wild lettuce is an edible plant whilst still young and tender. As it ages it becomes too prickly and bitter to eat. Much like other plants of its ilk (dandelion, cats ear, sowthistle) it produces a sticky white sap (or latex). … Continue reading Lactucarium

nixtamal9921st Oct 202023rd Jun 2021Leave a comment

History, Native Plants

Environmentally Friendly Paint from the Nopal Cactus

The nopal, much like the maguey, plays a pivotal role in the history of Mexico. Not only used as both food (1) and medicine both plants have a space in the creation legends of Mexico and both have multiple cultural usages. for both humans and livestock For many generations prior to the arrival of the Spanish the Mexican people made a durable and environmentally friendly … Continue reading Environmentally Friendly Paint from the Nopal Cactus

nixtamal997th Sep 20202 Comments

History, Native Plants, The Kitchen

Pulque Curado : Sangre de Conejo (Rabbits Blood)

Updated 16/06/22 The rabbit holds a special place in the mythological landscape of México. It plays a part in both the legend of the moon (1) and in the creation of pulque. The moon is itself represented in various codices by the image of a jar of pulque, the rabbit was used as a measuring stick of drunkenness (2) and the saying “Ye iuhqui itoch” … Continue reading Pulque Curado : Sangre de Conejo (Rabbits Blood)

nixtamal9922nd Jul 202017th Oct 2022Leave a comment

History, The Kitchen, Uncategorized

Pulque Curado : Tecolio

It is said that pulque is “sólo le falta un grado para ser carne” (one grade shy of being meat) and that the only thing pulque lacks for being meat are bones. Well this drink, tecolio, removes that difference. This drink takes its name from red maguey worms (1), larvae of the moth Comadia redtenbacheri (2) which are added to pulque to create a uniquely … Continue reading Pulque Curado : Tecolio

nixtamal9918th Jun 202017th Oct 2022Leave a comment

History, The Kitchen

Nocheztli : The Cochineal Beetle

(Cochineal/Cochinilla) From Nahuatl “nochtli” (the opuntia/nopal cactus) and “eztli” (blood) Another product introduced to the world courtesy of the nopal is the bright red colourant known as cochineal. Cochineal is produced from the dried bodies of a female insect of the dactylopius genus which is a parasitic scale insect that lives off the nopal. This insect is farmed and its cultivation potentially dates to around 1000AD … Continue reading Nocheztli : The Cochineal Beetle

nixtamal9928th Jan 20206th May 20221 Comment

History

Los San Patricios : Saint Patrick’s Brigade : The Irish in Mexico

Commemorative plaque placed at the San Jacinto Plaza in the district of San Ángel, Mexico City in 1959 “In memory of the Irish soldiers of the heroic St. Patrick’s Battalion, martyrs who gave their lives to the Mexican cause in the United States’ unjust invasion of 1847” March 17th is the day we traditionally celebrate the feast of the Irish saint St Patrick. In México, on September 22nd … Continue reading Los San Patricios : Saint Patrick’s Brigade : The Irish in Mexico

nixtamal9920th Jan 202023rd Mar 2020Leave a comment

History, The Kitchen

What is Mole?

Featured Image courtesy of Luis Cordova 2010 Often referred to as the “Mexican sauce with chocolate in it” this dish is poorly understood outside of Mexico. Even referring to mole simply as a sauce is somewhat a misnomer as it is so much more than that. A mole is no less than a culinary work of art. Each ingredient is individually cooked and prepared according … Continue reading What is Mole?

nixtamal996th Jan 20203rd Apr 2024Leave a comment

Masa Americana

A naturopathic view of the culinary and medicinal sciences of the Americas

Category: History