Quelite : Chepiche/Pipicha : Porophyllum tagetoides
Porophyllum tagetoides (syn P.linaria, Kleinia tagetoides ): chepiche, chepito, pipicha, pipitza, pipitzcaquilitl (Nahuatl), tepicha, quelite oaxaqueño, escobeta, papalo delgado (thin papalo), Cole de coyote (coyote tail), yerba de la venado (so called because the plant exhales a stench similar to that which gives off the meat of the deer)(sic) (Hieronymus. G), nlí-dún (Zapotec) named after a stinging ant (ndún), one assumes because of its smell … Continue reading Quelite : Chepiche/Pipicha : Porophyllum tagetoides
Papaloquelite : What’s in a name?
Porophyllums were first described by Linnaeus in 1753. The University of Arizona has specimens in their Herbarium collected from the Sonora and Chihuahua regions in the 1800’s. The Latin translations of some of the names in the poreleaf family are as follows; The common name “Papaloquelite” is from the Nahuatl words papalotl (butterfly), and quilitl (edible weed, vegetable; adj green). Quilitl (quelite) is from the Goddess Quilaztli, the goddess of “those … Continue reading Papaloquelite : What’s in a name?
Quelite : Quillquina : Porophyllum ruderale
Updated 07/07/22 Also called, chapáhuate (Totonac), chucha, cilantro boliviano, Bolivian coriander, Killkiña, (Bolivia) Quilquiña / Quillquiña / Quirquiña (del quechua killkiña), killi, hierba del shingo (Peru), namu, anamu (strongly scented herb), chucha, shuca ruda (Peru), guacamaya, Picão-branco, cravo de urubu (black vulture marigold)(Brazil), yerba de cabra (goat plant), yerba de venado (deer grass), yerba del ciervo (deer grass), yerba galinazo (buzzards breath), yerba porosa, rudade gallina, … Continue reading Quelite : Quillquina : Porophyllum ruderale
Medicinal Uses of the Maguey
The maguey has been used in the treatment of syphilis, to accelerate the healing of wounds, as a cure for gonorrhoea, is a formidable antiseptic of the stomach and intestines and has laxative properties. According to the Antiguo Recetario Medicinal Azteca, to treat syphilis; the fluid extract of the maguey root is used, from which 10 drops are taken in the morning dissolved in a little water and 10 … Continue reading Medicinal Uses of the Maguey
Is Tequila Medicinal?
In 2018 it was popularly reported that the consumption of tequila was linked to (and may actually be good for) weight loss. Unfortunately this was just media generated hype. The key issue with the misrepresentation of this information involves a particular type of carbohydrate known as a fructan, more specifically agavin. A paper was presented at the 247th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in … Continue reading Is Tequila Medicinal?
Pulque
Pulque (1) is another marvel of nutrition from México. It a mildly alcoholic (between 2-7% ABV) (2) drink produced by fermenting the fresh sap of the maguey (3). This liquid is a highly nutritious raw probiotic drink that contains a wide range of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids and it is said in México that the only thing it lacks for being meat is the bones. This … Continue reading Pulque
Quelites : Quilitl
Even though anthropological studies are often undertaken there are no truly accurate records of the native use of wild plants. The daily foods of indigenous peoples are usually considered a food of low social status and are often overlooked by peoples of a “developing” society, in particular those people of the society doing the developing. This was the case in Mexico where some plants were … Continue reading Quelites : Quilitl
FOMEX : The Friends of Mexico
The Friends of Mexico is a cultural friendship group with chapters around the world. In Perth, Western Australia it was born in 2006 under the initiative of Ambassador H.E. Martha Ortiz de Rosas. It is run by a group of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers who get together to celebrate the culture of Mexico and share it with the people of Perth. FOMEX has expatriate members … Continue reading FOMEX : The Friends of Mexico
What is Curanderismo?
I am asked this question every time I mention the word. Curanderismo is often described (somewhat disparagingly I feel) as “Mexican folk medicine”. I feel that the term folk medicine is used for the lack of a better term and totally undervalues this system of healing, for this is what it is. The word curandero (curandera if the practitioner is female) is derived from “curar” … Continue reading What is Curanderismo?
The Medicinal Qualities of Nopal Cactus
The Opuntia species of cactus (also called Nopal cactus) has been used for food and medicinal purposes in México since before the time of the Aztecs. The fruits (knowns as tunas in México) and the “leaves” (botanically known as cladodes) are eaten on a daily basis. The cladodes in particular are a tasty and nutritious green vegetable (once the spines have been removed). As a vegetable it … Continue reading The Medicinal Qualities of Nopal Cactus
Masa Americana 