The use of medicinal plants in South Texas

Humankind has inhabited what is now South Texas and Northern Mexico for several thousand years. It is believed that the first settlers to arrive in these lands migrated from Asia via the Bering Strait and on down and across the length and width of the Americas. These were our first ancestors.
As the various bands of people settled the vast new frontier, they came to develop and depend on the medicine that they found growing in the land. As these people continued to establish settlements and explored new areas, their knowledge of new medicinal plants evolved. The plants of the northern latitudes were very different from those of the southern latitudes. The forests, deserts, plains, mountains, coasts, and tropics yielded different species of plant medicine. It was therefore up to the people to learn which plants could heal and how.
In 1492, Columbus landed in Cuba and claimed it and its inhabitants for Spain. Spanish settlers began arriving on the island in 1511. All "needy" Spaniards arriving to Cuba were given encomiendas, which were grants of land that included the indigenous people that lived on the land. The new settlers were greedy for slaves, and quickly the indigenous human population was depleted. On February 8, 1517, a group of conquistadores sailed west from Cuba in search of more gold, land, and slaves and eventually landed near Cabo Catoche, Yucatan on March 5, 1517. From there they made their way to the capital of the Mexica empire, Tenochtitlan, or Mexico City, and ultimately conquered it in 1521, and the rest, as they say, is history. As the men that comprised the conquistadores made their way up through Mexico, they took or were given native women as wives, and fathered children. Some of the native women went back to Spain with their Spanish husbands and introduced Native American bloodlines to Spain. The Conquest formed the beginning of yet another part of the ancestry of South Texas.
Next to gold, one of the most valuable commodities exported from the newly conquered Americas back to the old world were medicinal plants. The people of Europe had been ravaged by plague and were having problems with other diseases, including syphilis. Because of this, any potential cure was worth at least its weight in gold. Medicinal plants were sent to Europe by the shipload.
The medicinal plants in South Texas are a combination of native and introduced species. The migrating indigenous people introduced some species to our area from other parts of North, Central, and South America, while other species came from Africa, Europe, and Asia courtesy of the Spaniards and subsequent foreign settlers.
Herbal medicine has always been a part of the culture of South Texas. This is due primarily to the strong influence of our native ancestry. Through archaeological and anthropological studies, there is physical evidence that pre-Colombian, indigenous peoples used native medicinal plants in what is now South Texas and Northern Mexico as far back as 10,500 years ago. It is quite apparent that early inhabitants of this land had a working knowledge of healing plants. There are probably very few people in South Texas who have not taken some sort of herbal remedy at some point in their life. For many of us, yerbas have been an integral part of our lives since we were born. Physicians who practice medicine along the border should realize that their patients take herbs as well as prescription drugs, and must take that into account when prescribing medications. When we consider that 25% of all prescription drugs have their origin in plants or are currently derived from plants, then it only makes sense to accept the fact that plants can be also be medicinal on their own merit.
Nopal, our native prickly-pear cactus, and one of the most prevalent brush species in South Texas, has been shown to help control diabetes, and lower cholesterol. Anacahuite, or wild olive, is a traditional cough and cold medicine, as is oregano and cenizo. Chaparro amargo is commonly used to treat diarrhea. Sangre de drago has always been used to prevent hair loss and to treat gum disease. Gobernadora has a history of treating kidney stones. Manzanilla, or chamomile, in tea form, is one of the first medicines given to newborns in South Texas. It is traditionally used to treat infant colic. Yerbabuena, or peppermint, is commonly taken to treat nausea and indigestion. Hoja de naranjo is usually taken for digestive problems, while azahares, or orange blossoms, are taken to soothe nerves or to treat insomnia. Guayacan is traditionally used as a blood purifier and to treat coughs. Popotillo, pelos de elote, and palo azul are used to treat bladder and urinary tract problems. Mezquite and uña de gato are used to treat eye conditions. Zàbila, or aloe vera, an introduced species, is used to treat just about everything from burns to ulcers. Tronadora is a popular remedy used to lower blood sugar. Peyote, popular with vaqueros and ranch hands to relieve pain and inflammation and fight infection, is chopped and soaked in alcohol, with the resulting tincture rubbed into scrapes, cuts, bruises, sore knees, and joints.
Just because a plant is all-natural doesn't mean it's always harmless, though. There are some very powerful, all-natural poisons. Some herbs may weaken or potentiate the effects of a pharmaceutical drug. Even simple everyday foods or spices such as grapefruit, coffee, chocolate, or black pepper can cause an interaction with certain drugs. If you are not sure about the identity of a particular plant or dried herb, it is best not to use it. If you are taking prescription drugs, or are under a physician's care, always consult with your doctor before taking any herbal medicine. Today, physicians are increasingly more informed in the use of herbs and alternative or complimentary medicine.
That will cover it for this month. As always, consult with your physician before using any herbal remedies. I can be reached via e-mail at glorioso@netscorp.net for questions or comments on this column.
For more information on herbal medicine in South Texas, go to www.laredosnews.com and click on "The Medicine Man" column or the "Medicine Man Archives" for a collection of articles.
I thought that some of you might enjoy eating elotes asados, or roasted corn, which is pretty popular at our house.

Elotes Asados (Roasted Corn)
4-8 ears of fresh sweet corn with husk on
Several Mexican limes, sliced in half
Salt
Chile powder, chile chipotle, or bottled hot sauce
Fresh crushed or garlic powder (optional)
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Mayonnaise or salad dressing (optional)

Roast corn with husks on over coals or in a gas grill for about 20 minutes, turning 2-3 times.
Remove husks and silk, and rub corn with lime and sprinkle with salt, and garlic if desired.
Place back on the grill and allow corn to slightly brown. Turn often to avoid burning.
Remove from grill, and season further to your liking.