Mayan medicine and herbalism.

Natural Medicine

Further proof of how advanced the Mayan civilization was

Mayan Medicine Heals and Prevents, some of its virtues

Mayan medicine was when civilization stood out, its knowledge was so deep that they even came to prevent disease.

To further analyze their effort to combat discomfort, it is important to know the origins and explanations that they used to provide to fights certain symptoms and the different types of doctors that existed.

What was the origin of diseases in Mayan medicine?

Para los mayas, el origen de los males y las enfermedades estaba íntimamente relacionado con los aspectos morales y religiosos. La principal creencia era que éstas provenían del enojo de los dioses, sin embargo, también se contemplaba la presencia de “malos vientos”, de faltas cometidas ante la sociedad y del descuido de la higiene personal en algunas ocasiones.

3 types of Mayan doctors

1 - AH MEN

AH MEN-blog yogakiaora

He was considered a prophet or fortune teller and was in charge of treating everything related to the spiritual or religious aspects through rituals.

He was requested to perform rituals to attract rain or “cha chaac”, to thank the gods for the harvest, to protect the home or property of someone using the “aluxes” or Mayan elves.

2 - PUL YAH

Pul Yah -blog yogakiaora

He was identified as a “Sorcerer Warlock” whose main ability was to drive away “bad winds” or spirits through rituals that included animals and clay idols.

It was believed that he had the power to cause damage to its enemies, for which he could become an animal and reach their target.

3 - DZAC YAH

Dzac Yam Pul Yah -blog yogakiaora

These were the true Mayan doctors, since they had an extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and their healing properties. They were, perhaps, the only ones who established treatments according to the symptomatology or diagnosis of the diseases for which they made extensive records.

It is common to consider Ah Men to be Mayan physicians. However, the most recognized were the Dzac Yah.

Mayan medicine Forms of treatment

The strength of disease treatments resided primarily in the use of herbs, however, they also employed complementary methods such as:

  • Bleeding by using leeches or using dried rattlesnake fangs.
  • The stab with porcupine, fish or maguey bones.
  • Grips and massages to cure certain ailments.
  • Temazcal bath (hot steam and humid environment, mixed with the application of medicinal herbs).
  • Sobada, applied to the foot to relieve pain and sprains.
maya medecine- Yoga Kia Ora Blog

6 Plants for medicinal use

1.- Azahar o Neroli

It is the flower of the sour orange. Mix a handful of orange leaves with a handful of flowers from the same tree, add mint and simmer. Let it rest and drink. It is a pain reliever for those suffering from nervous tension. The orange blossom is highly valued both in cooking and in natural medicine to combat stress and anxiety. Today we discover all its therapeutic properties and the way in which we can consume it. Combats stress and anxiety thanks to its anxiolytic and hypnotic properties. This property of the flower can greatly help children with hyperactivity disorder. It also has healing and soothing properties for the skin. Orange blossom essential oil is used for both hygiene and topical treatment.

azahar, medical plant for nervious tension

2.- Pomolché

The sap of this plant is used to treat difficult grains and smallpox. It has an antimicrobial and cytotoxic use.

The leaves are boiled in a liter of water. Adults with diabetes may experience minor skin problems, including dryness, as increased blood glucose increases fluid loss, causing the skin to begin to dry out, and cracks, openings in the skin appear as symptoms. epidermis and scaling, facilitating the passage of bacteria and germs into the body, which can cause infections.

Furthermore, the skin thickens. This is due to changes in the level of collagen in the skin. Pomolché is an excellent auxiliary and alternative skin regenerating medicine.

Pomolché-medicinal mayan plant

3.- Ciruela

The leaves of this tree serve to eliminate the rash. They are cooked in abundant water, left to rest, and being at a temperature comfortable for the patient, baths are applied throughout the body. It is important that after the bath the patient is not exposed to drafts so as not to block the effect of this preparation.minor skin problems, including dryness, as increased blood glucose increases fluid loss, causing the skin to begin to dry out, and cracks, openings in the skin appear as symptoms. epidermis and scaling, facilitating the passage of bacteria and germs into the body, which can cause infections.

The decoction of the leaves is applied as a compress to tone the skin and relieve various conditions.

The infusion is used to relieve fever.

 

Ciruela - natural medicine mayan plant

4.- Eucalyptus

The cooking is based on eucalyptus and honey or sugar. It is a great remedy for cough. They are mixed, cooked, left to rest and at room temperature they are drunk in a spaced way. For the duration of this treatment, patients should refrain from consuming very cold drinks and very hot foods.

Eucalyptus is mainly used for combat muscle and joint pain, sore throats, gengivitis and skin conditions, decongest the respiratory system, combat cough, flu, asthma or bronchitis, repel insect, purify the air, disinfect and clean, among many other benefits for human health, biological diversity and the environment

Eucalyptus, Medinal mayan plant

5.- Chaya

 Mayas used many plants, such as Chaya (Chay), (Cnidoscolus chayamansa) also known as Mayan spinach, used for its high content of protein, calcium, iron and vitamins, and the resin of the shrub.

The plant provides enormous advantages to the organism, because it contains a remarkable quantity of vitamins, mineral salts, trace elements and enzymes for the benefit of the human body; These are important substances that form a phytocomplex and that act favorably on multiple ailments of the human body, without producing known negative effects.

Among its benefits are the regulation of blood pressure, the improvement of blood circulation and the inflammation of veins and hemorrhoids. It also reduces the level of cholesterol and uric acid, helps to reduce weight and increases the retention of calcium in the body, thereby promoting the growth of bone mass.

Many people consume it therefore as a medicinal plant. The recommended dose is 2 to 6 leaves per day, blended in soups or salads after being cooked.

Chaya- Medicinal Mayan plant

6.- Goyava

The leaves of this plant is used to treat scabies. The leaves are cooked, left to rest and when the cooking is warm, baths are prepared with it.

Goyava, medicinal mayan plant

Without hesitation, the Mayan civilization has been one of the most importance in different areas of today’s life.

 

Many of the herbs that were implemented in Mayan medicine remedies are still used today, demonstrating the effectiveness of herbalism as a healing method and the great intellect of civilization.