ESPLong before wellness teas and herbal remedies filled store shelves, Mexican and Mexican American families were turning to remedios caseros—home remedies passed from one generation to the next.
Here are three you may remember from your own family.
• Manzanilla — Chamomile Tea: Traditionally used for upset stomach, relaxation and general comfort. A warm cup of té de manzanilla may be one of the most familiar Mexican home remedies. Research into Mexican American folk medicine along the U.S.-Mexico border documented manzanilla being used traditionally for stomach complaints, including nausea and cramps.
• Sábila — Aloe Vera: Traditionally used for minor burns and irritated skin.
For many families, the aloe plant growing outside wasn't just decoration. A piece of the fleshy leaf could be opened and the cooling inner gel applied to the skin. Sábila has a long history of use in Mexican culture, and studies of Mexican American folk remedies have documented its traditional use for burns, cuts and other skin complaints.
• Hierbabuena — Mint Tea: Traditionally used for digestive discomfort and as a soothing after-meal tea. Hierbabuena has long had a place in Mexican kitchens and home-remedy cabinets. The aromatic leaves are commonly steeped in hot water to make a simple tea traditionally associated with settling the stomach. Mint-based herbal remedies reflect the blending of European herbal traditions with Indigenous Mexican plant knowledge that helped shape Mexican folk medicine.
And sometimes the benefit may be simpler than medicine: preparing a warm cup of tea, sitting down and taking a few quiet minutes can be a comforting ritual all its own.
Enjoy these traditions for the comfort and cultural connection they can provide, but don't use a home remedy in place of medical care. If you take medication, have a health condition, are pregnant or have questions about an herbal remedy, check with your healthcare provider first.
