Damiana : Turnera diffusa

syn T.aphrodisiaca (although there are claims that these are two different plants) Also called : Hierba del pastor, shepherds herb, Hierba del venado, damiana de California (or Guerrero), mizib-coc (misibcoc, misib-cooc, xmisibcoc, miixcoc)(Maya) This herb is native to Mexico, southern Texas, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. In Mexico it is used to flavour liqueurs for an aphrodisiac effect. In 1699 Father Juan Maria … Continue reading Damiana : Turnera diffusa

Quelite : Porophyllum pausodynum

Also called :  Guaymas Poreleaf, hierba del venado, maravilla P.pausodynum, a less well known variety of slender poreleaf that was used by the Mexicans of Guaymas to alleviate headaches. (Johnson 1969). Guaymas poreleaf is native to the semi-arid region of subtropical northern Mexico and is named after an historical port city in Sonora. Before European settlement this area was populated by the Guaymas, Seri and Yaqui peoples. … Continue reading Quelite : Porophyllum pausodynum

Quelite : Porophyllum lanceolatum

Also called, clavelina, hierba del ciervo, hierba del venado, yerba del venado, ıvira käti (Isoceño-guaran´ı) quilquina (Argentina) This herb is used in west-central Argentina primarily as an infusion. One study of P.lanceolatum (Mattana etal) showed that extracts from this plant look promising as a potential natural therapy against Gram-positive bacteria (1).  According to the Colegio de Farmacéuticos de Santa Fe (2) in Argentina it is … Continue reading Quelite : Porophyllum lanceolatum

Quelite : Porophyllum scoparium

Also called : shrubby poreleaf, hierba del venado, jarilla, romerillo, pomerillo, Transpecos poreleaf. P.scoparium is a narrow leaved variety of pore leaf. In Mexico P.scoparium is used as a remedy for rheumatism, fever and intestinal problems. This herb is currently being used by the Grupo Medico Dr. Zurita SA de CV in Mexico City. Dr’s Manuel A Zurita Lopez and Maria Esther Zurita Jiminez on their … Continue reading Quelite : Porophyllum scoparium

A Note on Deer Weed : The Danger of Common Names

Yerba del venado (Hierba de Venado, Yerba del ciervo) The first text I have come across that refers to papaloquelite under the moniker “deer weed” is that of Hernandez who writes of the herb MAZATLIPAPALOQUILITL or deer papaloquilitl. mazatl. Principal English Translation: deer. – Frances Karttunen: MAZĀ-TL pl: MĀMAZAH – MAZĀ-MEH deer / venado (M), ciervo quilitl. Principal English Translation: edible herbs and vegetables – … Continue reading A Note on Deer Weed : The Danger of Common Names