Estafiate: the bitter medicine

One of the traditional medicinal plants that I can recall from my childhood is estafiate. Some people also refer to it as istafiate, mugwort, or wormwood, from among its close to 30 different common names. Botanically, it is known as Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. mexicana. My grandmother always had plenty of it growing in her garden. Back in the mid 50s when we moved to the Heights from the old neighborhood, my grandmother gave my mother a small clump to plant in our own medicine garden. That thing took off and we ended up with a huge stand of estafiate that we would periodically have to thin out. After all, you can only use so much estafiate, especially since you only need a small amount at a time.
The ancient Mexica believed that the plant had a divine character and gave it the name Iztauhyatl, which could be interpreted to mean "plant that produces white water," "water of the salt god," or even "salty and bitter is its water." During the celebration feasts of the deities of water and salt, the elder women dancers and female servants would wear iztauhyatl wreaths on their heads. The rest of the spectators and celebrants would hold branches in their hands.
The uses for estafiate are many and varied. However, within the scope of the most common applications, we see that it was and still is used primarily to treat gastrointestinal conditions. Chewing on a piece of fresh leaf or drinking a small cup of tea is typically what many people do when they want to treat a stomach ache. The plant has a rather unpleasant bitter taste, so the tea is sometimes sweetened with honey, and a squirt of fresh lemon or lime juice is added. The herb is taken by itself or sometimes in the company of other compatible yerbas.
Other related uses for estafiate include treating gas, diarrhea, gastrointestinal and menstrual cramps, intestinal parasites, gallbladder and liver problems, lack of appetite, nausea, and bloating. With regard to respiratory problems, the herb is used to treat tonsillitis, bronchitis, cough, cold and flu, etc. It is taken as a tea, as a gargle, or inhaled as steam vapor. Other traditional uses include treating rheumatism, feminine sterility, wounds, sores, blood circulation, heart conditions, hemorrhoids, kidney problems, diabetes, earache, nervousness, headache, dizziness, victims of lightning strike, and as an antispasmodic.
I would caution individuals from taking estafiate in large amounts and for prolonged periods of time. The herb has uterine stimulant properties, so pregnant women should not take it. Breast-feeding women should also not take it since it reduces milk production. When given to small children or infants, the dosage should also be of a lesser amount.
Estafiate is a close relative of Artemisia tridentate, also known as desert sage or sagebrush. Sagebrush is gathered up, bundled and tied, and then burned as a smudge in ceremonial applications. It is used to cleanse a participant before a ritual, such as a prayer circle or sweatlodge. We can substitute estafiate for sagebrush in that type of application, since sagebrush does not grow in this area.
Estafiate is also used to treat syndromes of cultural affiliation such as susto, aire, mal de ojo, caida de mollera, and other related conditions. The herb is also used by itself, or in combination with other herbs to do limpias.
That will just about do it for this month. As always, consult with your physician or healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy. For questions or comments on this column, I can be reached at glorioso@netscorp.net.