Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth showing a plant of junco (Carludovica palmata) in the FLAAR Mesoamérica ethnobotanical garden. Photo by Vivian Hurtado. July 5, 2024.
On Friday, July 5th 2024, we were honored to give a tour through our ethnobotanical garden to a special group of visitors conformed by experienced chemists and pharmacists. One of our guests was Armando Cáceres, who was recently awarded by the Guatemalan government with the Order of the Quetzal (the highest decoration awarded in Guatemala) for his contributions to science and pharmacology. He has also been a long time friend and colleague to Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth. We were also honored to receive Dr. Ikhlas Khan and Dr. Salvador Cañigueral, both of whom have a long and distinguished career in the study of natural medicinal products and their properties.
Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth got to start the tour by showing the flowers of Aristolochia grandiflora and their interesting pollination method, which never fails to spark curiosity and awe our visitors. Everytime the flowers are cut open by Dr. Nicholas or another member of our team, it's always quite a spectacle to watch tens of flies and other insects that were trapped inside the flowers getting out. However, this time it was also nice to start the tour with Aristolochia grandiflora since it has been a species used for its medicinal properties by local people.
Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth showing and cutting some flowers of A. grandiflora from the FLAAR Mesoamérica ethnobotanical garden. Photo by Vivian Hurtado. July 5, 2024.
Other plants from our garden that were highlighted on the tour for their medicinal use or cultural relevance where Piper umbellatum, Cestrum nocturnum, Hamelia patens, Tagetes sp., Plumeria rubra, Tradescantia zebrina, Ceiba pentandra, and of course our cacao tree (Theobroma cacao).
Some of our visitors on July 5 during our introductory lecture to FLAAR Mesoamérica and medicinal plants documented by our team in recent years.
We also prepared a brief lecture to introduce our visitors to the work of FLAAR Mesoamérica and to some of the plants that we have documented in the last few years which hold potential for their medicinal properties. Some of them have been barely studied in this regard. Among such species, we showcased the following:
Magnolia spp. There are many magnolia trees which are endemic to Guatemala and that are currently endangered. However, exploring the use of their fragrant flowers could help to build a strategy or path to protect them.
Magnolia mayae, Huehuetenango. July 2014. Nicholas Hellmuth.
Lacmellea standleyi. The lechemiel tree (the tree of honey milk) exudes a tasty edible latex. The medicinal properties of the fruits of a close relative that can be found in South América have been studied in other countries, however much more research is still necessary for this local species.
Lacmellea standleyi documented in Cerro San Gil, Izabal. Photo by Nicholas Hellmuth. Jan. 30, 2021.
Plumeria rubra. Many people don’t know that this is a native species to Guatemala. Although it is broadly used for medicine in other countries, the properties of the local variety have probably never been studied.
A wild tree of Plumeria rubra in Santa Elena Petén. Photo by Edwin Solares. May 17, 2023.
Chiranthodendron pentadactylon. This tree is native to the mountain forests of the volcanic chain of Guatemala and has medicinal properties that are still to be explored.
Flower of Chiranthodendron pentadactylon. FLAAR Mesoamérica archive.
Bourreria spp. The infamous árbol del hermano Pedro, as it is locally known has been used for its properties since Pre Columbian times.
Bourreria huanita flowers in Antigua Guatemala. Photo by Nicholas Hellmuth. May 2012.
To continue exploring and documenting the biodiversity of Guatemala could broaden the possibilities to make a sustainable use of the natural resources. For instance, exploring the medicinal properties of wild flora species could help preserve them. In that sense, we were happy to receive this group of visitors in our garden and hope to receive them again in the future.
Posted July 12, 2024 Written by Sergio D’angelo Jerez
Opened avocados (Persea schiedeana) with their seeds exposed. FLAAR Studio, Guatemala City. July, 2015. Photograph by Sofía Monzón.
The avocado tree (in the genus Persea) belongs to the Lauraceae family and it is the bearer of one of the most popular fruits in the world: the “avocado”. Its journey to gain such popularity began, whatsoever, long ago, since it has held significant importance for Mesoamerican civilizations since the pre-Columbian era up to date.
Moreover, its impact in the modern world ranges through cultural, economic, nutritional, and culinary perspectives. For instance, its cultivation and consumption have posed a rich historical background not only in Mesoamerica, but also globally right now. With that in mind, the main goal of this article will be to undertake the exploration of such an amazing plant, and showcase how it gained such cultural value in the Pre-Columbian era.
The origin of the “Gem Fruit”: where did the avocado come from?
Group of avocados(Persea spp.) arranged in a Guatemalan traditional basket. Guatemala, Guatemala. July, 2015. Photograph by Sofía Monzón.
It is believed that the avocado (or at least a primitive ancestor of it), along with other members of the Lauraceae family, originated in the Early Cretaceous period, around 94-144 million years ago in the western part of the supercontinent Gondwana (at that time, the Earth and its continents were arranged differently). Furthermore, it is thought that later on, the avocado was dispersed by large primitive mammals that existed in that time, which could consume giant seeds (like those of the avocado and its ancestors), spreading the avocado to the area we now know as Mesoamerica. It was at this point that the origins of the avocado that many of us recall started to develop.
The avocado is native to Mesoamerica, more specifically, to the highlands of central and eastern Mexico and the highlands of Guatemala. In that sense, it is known that the avocado was domesticated in this region, along with other crops such as corn, beans, sweet potatoes, agave, and cassava. This process was developed primarily by Pre-Columbian civilizations, where the avocado fruit was highly valued for its particular characteristics. For instance, the Maya and Aztec groups valued its flavor, texture, and nutritional properties, not to mention the symbolic properties they later conferred it.
FUN FACT: The Aztecs called the avocado "ahuacatl," which some archaeologists suggest could also mean "testicles." In this context, it is known that this fruit was considered important in Pre-Columbian beliefs associated with fertility.
“A sacred fruit”: cultural and spiritual symbolism in Mesoamerican civilizations
Wild variety of avocado (Persea spp.). Las Pilas, Rabinal, Guatemala. August, 2016. Photograph by Alexander Gudiel.
As happened with other plants of Mesoamerica, the avocado was given great cultural value, and to some extent, religious importance because the native cultures considered the fruit to be a gift from the gods. In addition, avocados were also eaten and used in religious practices to invoke higher produce yields, and as a symbol of fertility and rebirth.
Regarding the arts, avocados made their way into numerous depictions, such as mural paintings and ceramics, where they may have represented not only real meals and scenes, but also religious beliefs. For instance, it is likely that the avocado was included in the rites of ceremonial meals of the Mayan people, and in the diet of the elite, which was a sign associated with prosperity and health. Besides, the fruit and other parts of the tree served as remedies for health problems including diarrhea, stomachaches, rheumatism, intestinal worms, toothaches, skin rashes, and menstrual cramps.
Another interesting belief in the Mayan culture was that avocado trees bore the spirits of their ancestors, which among the uses and beliefs previously described, added to the importance of this plant. Hence, it is notorious that this plant held deep spiritual connotations beyond mere utility. The trees were regarded as physical links with the past.
“A real star”: delicious, versatile, and packed with nutritional benefits
Wild avocado (Persea schiedeana) at Tactic market in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala; August 15, 2018. Photograph by Alexander Gudiel.
In Maya culture, avocado was consumed daily. Besides being one of the main foods along with beans, chilies, corn, yuca, and many others, the avocado also remained, up to the present, one of the most valued and consumed foods in Mesoamerica, which has happened to extend to the rest of the world. And this is not a surprise, since it contains many nutritional components, such as healthy unsaturated fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Some of its specific components include monounsaturated fatty acids; vitamins A, E, and C; potassium; folic acid, and a high concentration of fiber. And this doesn’t stop here. Thanks to its high caloric content, avocados are also a great source of energy.
In addition to being highly nutritious, avocados’ texture and flavor allow them to be used in multiple culinary recipes, ranging from savory dishes to desserts, or even as an ingredient for infusions and beverages.
Lastly, the use of avocados has surpassed culinary purposes. Due to their composition, they have been incorporated into various products such as vitamins, medicaments, creams, perfumes, shampoos, soaps, and other supplements.
FUN FACT: There are several varieties of avocado that are recognized by their differences in size, flavor, weight, texture, and appearance. Each of these vary in how they can be consumed and in their medicinal properties. Some varieties are "Hass," "Lamb Hass," "Reed," and "Zutano."
"Revolutionary”: how the avocado has changed the economy
Avocado farm in “Parramos”, Chimaltenango, Guatemala; 2011. Photograph by the FLAAR Mesoamérica Team (FLAAR Mesoamerica Photo Archive).
The avocado has had a significant global impact, with its fruit being one of the most consumed and most valuable agricultural products on the global market right now. Within that context, there is a strong demand for it in North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, where Mexico is known to be the leading producer and exporter of avocados. Moreover, this dynamic has not only encouraged its cultivation, but also has had a significant impact in the labor market, due to the labor it requires through each growing and commercialization stage.
Economic impact of the avocado (cv. Hass) wilt disease complex in Antioquia, Colombia, crops under different technological management levels. Crop protection, 101, 103-115.
Avocado production: Water footprint and socio‐economic implications. EuroChoices, 20(2),
48-53.
UHROVÁ, L.
2021
El simbolismo del aguacate como planta cultural a través de los tiempos y en diversos entornos culturales: desde la Mesoamérica precolombina hasta la República Checa contemporánea. (Tesis de pregrado).
World Traditional Medicine Day is commemorated on October 22, a day established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1991 through the Beijing Declaration, with the aim of rescuing, preserving, promoting, and widely disseminating the knowledge of medicine, treatments, and traditional practices. Through this agreement, Member States of the United Nations are asked to promote policies that guarantee the safe and effective use of traditional medicines.
Keep reading the note to find more information about traditional medicine in the World and in Mesoamerican countries.
Malvaviscus arboreus Cav. Sombrero Garde, Yaxhá, Petén. Erick Flores, 2018. Note: A decoction of the flowers is used in the treatment of bronchitis, fevers, inflammation of the digestive tract, as a gargle to treat sore throats, and in popular practice as an emmenagogue. A decoction of the leaves is used for the treatment of cystitis, diarrhea, gastritis, and sore throat
What is traditional medicine?
According to the definition of the United Nations, traditional medicine is the sum of total knowledge, skills, and practices based on theories, beliefs, and native experiences to different cultures, explainable or not, and used in the maintenance of health, as well as in the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of physical or mental illness. It comprises various health practices, approaches, knowledge, and beliefs from plants, animals, and mineral sources; spiritual therapies, techniques, manuals and exercises applied singly or in combination to maintain well-being, in addition to treating, diagnosing, and preventing diseases.
Traditional medicine encompasses a wide diversity of therapies and practices that vary between countries and regions. In some countries it is called “alternative” or “complementary” medicine. It has been used for thousands of years and its practitioners have contributed greatly to human health, particularly as primary health care providers at the community level. It is recognized as a fundamental source for the health of millions of human beings, an essential component of the tangible and intangible heritage of the world’s cultures, a wealth of information, resources, and practices for development and well-being, and a factor of identity of numerous peoples on the planet.
Aristolochia grandiflora Sw. Restaurante El Montañes, San Jerónimo, Baja Verapaz. Erick Flores, 2017. Note: The roots are abortifacient, sudorific and emmenagogue. They are used in the treatment of snake bites. The leaves are also sudorific and it is used in the treatment of cold and chills.
Traditional Medicine in the World
Traditional Medicine is a broad term used to refer to traditional Chinese, Hindu, Western Arabic, Olmec, Maya, Aztec, and/or various forms of indigenous medicine. This includes therapeutic practices, and experiences immersed in specific cultural contexts, which involve the use of herbal medicines, animal parts, mushrooms, and/or minerals. Likewise, they include non-medication therapies, such as acupuncture, manual practices, and spiritual therapies.
Traditional medicine has maintained its popularity throughout the world. Since the 1990s, there has been a resurgence of its use in many developed and developing countries. It is widely used and is a rapidly growing and economically important healthcare system. According to WHO estimates, 88% of all countries make therapeutic use of practices such as indigenous medicine, herbal medicine, acupuncture and others. In Africa, up to 80% of the population uses traditional medicine to help meet their health needs. In China, it accounts for around 40% of healthcare. In the Americas, 17 nations and territories have their own laws, policies and programs to recognize, protect, and include traditional and ancestry-based knowledge in their health system. Specifically, in Latin America, populations continue to use traditional medicine as a result of historical circumstances and cultural beliefs.
Cochlospermum vitifolium (Willd.) Spreng. Km. 25, CA9 Villa Nueva, Guatemala. 2014. Note: The roots and flowers are used to treat infections, headaches, stomachaches, and snake bites.
Traditional Medicine in Mesoamerica
Mesoamerican medicine had its own root and evolution, as it is based on specific concepts about the structure of the world and the origin of life. The ancient inhabitants of this territory imagined that the world was a huge cube. In the middle of that imaginary cube was a rectangular platform inhabited by man, where they located earth itself with its mountains, plants, animals, rivers and lagoons surrounded by the sea. That sea water arose on that distant horizon to form four immense blue was that reached the sky, conceived as the lid of the bucket. The sky roof was supported by 4 enormous trees, one in each corner. There was an underground world, the region below the habitable earth platform, which had nine cold levels where clouds formed, water was born, and aquatic beings lived. Above the platform they imagined thirteen celestial levels where light and heat were born and it was through this medium that the stars, the sun, and the moon and other beings of Mesoamerican mythology traveled.
In the pre-Hispanic world, the people conceived the disease as a product of action of beings that inhabit celestial floors and the underworld, and that through the elements of the platform: wind, water, sun, earth, animals, and others; they resulted in an imbalance in the human body. In this worldview, medicine was concerned with helping the patient regain balance. Medicinal plants were a resource with which the inhabitants of Mesoamerica helped themselves to seek a cure for their disease. These plants were used in different ways: ointments, to relieve disorder through the skin; potions, for external and internal use, vaporization, etc. The inhabitants maintained an almost perfect order and organization, with doctors specializing in different tasks. There were even schools to teach young people the art of healing and there were medicinal plant markets where the people could visit, buy and consult doctors.
Currently, many of these practices continue to be used within communities in Mesoamerican countries. The indigenous traditional medicine is practiced by therapists commonly known in Spanish as “curanderos” (traditional healers), “hierberos” (herbalists), and a considerable number of other specialists including “viboreros” or “culebreros” (snake healers), “rezanderos” (prayers), “sobadores” (massage therapist), “ensalmadores” (sorcerers), as well as “sabios” (wise ones) or shamans. These specialists offer different services aimed at preventing illness, restoring health, and maintaining individual collective and community health. They are often experts in health matters, but they are also religious or civil authorities, or individuals who are knowledgeable about the weather and give advice on planting practices. They base their practices and knowledge on the cosmovision of the traditional indigenous system and the population views them with profound respect and as intrinsically linked to the community.
Cestrum nocturnum L. Nicholas Hellmuth, 2018. Note: An extract of the plant is used as an antispasmodic and as a treatment for epilepsy. In recent studies the methanol extract of the plant has shown bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and various other bacteria. In laboratory tests, the extracts of the plant are shown to inhibit tumor growth and prolong the lifetime in a dose-dependent manner.
Methods, Procedures and Material Therapeutic Resources used in Mesoamerica
There are different methods for diagnosing illness in traditional medicine. They can include one or several of the following procedures: close observation of the patients and their environment, dialogue, divination, dreams and dream interpretation, pulses, “limpias” (cleansings), ingestion of psychotropic plants, premonitions or warnings, inquiry into behaviors, and assessment of emotional, climatic, social, and interpersonal factors among others. Sometimes the same procedure is used for both diagnosis and healing.
The therapeutic resources vary depending on the diagnosis and the specialty of a given traditional healer. Some resources include the use of medicinal, psychotropic plants, and plants used in rituals, medicinal animals and amulets, minerals, hydrotherapy (“temazcal” a pre-hispanic sweat lodge or tub bath), sacred places, “mandas” (penance or sacrifice offered to alleviate the problem), “rezos” (prayers), promises, pilgrimages, offerings to holy or sacred entities, and power staffs.
Cordia dodecandra A. DC. Paso Caballos, Río San Pedro, Petén. Nicholas Hellmuth, 2016. Note: The bark, flowers and fruit are used to make cough syrup. The fruit is eaten raw with a sweet pulp and is considered a delicacy by local people. It is also highly esteemed for making preserves.
Traditional Medicine in a Modern World
In the seventies, an important change occurred in the use and study of herbalism in most of the world. Such a shift came from the World Health Organization, which recognized that medical plants used by indigenous cultures played an important role in the health of many countries. In the present year, a report by WHO showed that 40% of pharmaceutical products have a natural product basis encompassing traditional, complementary and integrative medicine. In a world where many people still associate traditional medicine and complementary spiritually with witchcraft, integrating indigenous forms of healing into mainstream healthcare may be challenging but necessary.
The truth is that modern medicine is in dire need of new drugs. Getting a new substance past the research and development stages and onto the market takes years and the investment is enormous. Additionally, growing drug resistance, partly caused by drug misuse, has rendered several antibiotics and other life-saving drugs ineffective. Both trends make scientists and pharmaceutical laboratories urgently search for new sources of drugs and pay more and more attention to traditional medicine. A few achievements have fueled interest in traditional medicine as a source of highly successful and profitable drugs. As revealed at the WHO summit, many landmark drugs like aspirin, artemisinin, and childhood cancer treatments also derive ingredients from traditional medicine.
Pithecellobium dulce Mart. Tamarindito, Petexbatún, Sayaxché, Petén. Nicholas Hellmuth, 2019. Note: The pulp has been used as astringent and haemostatic, to treat gum ailments, toothaches, and bleeding in any wound. The cortex is used to treat chronic diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, and tuberculosis. The extract of the leaves is used for indigestion, prevent miscarriage, and bladder pain. The ground seed is used to treat ulcers, diabetes mellitus, biliary disorders, fever, cold, sore throat, malaria, skin pigmentation, acne, dark spots, conjunctivitis, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema and leprosy.
Mesoamerica is one of the most diverse regions in the world both biologically and culturally. This region is occupied by the influence of the Aztec, Mayan, Teotihuacan, Toltec, and Olmec cultures. Here we have more than 19,000 species of flora described, of which Guatemala has around 10,300 of those species. Many of them have significant use in the region, not only for ancient cultures but also for current populations. We have many species with edible, medicinal, commercial, ecological, and scientific importance. Our goal over the years has been to document this diversity and share it with the public so that they can better understand the beauties that this region has to offer.
Selenicereus testudo. Petexbatun, Sayaxché, Petén. Nicholas Hellmuth, 2019.
As a team, we are interested in flora, fauna, and educational research in the Mesoamerican region. We are dedicated to documenting and photographing the flora that has a significant impact and value on the region. Our efforts focused on researching plants that have medicinal, edible, and other significant uses. The current projects that we have been working on in recent years have the purpose of documenting through high-resolution photography the biodiversity of different areas of Guatemala. These have been used to generate photographic reports and educational material on our platforms.
Río Dulce, Livingston, Izabal. Haniel López, 2021.
Yaxhá-Nakúm-Naranjo National Park (PNYNN) is the largest protected area in Guatemala, inside the Mayan Biosphere Reserve located in the north of the country, in the department of Petén. This project started in 2018 and ended in 2019. We have documented and made photo essays with the aim of publicizing the natural resources found in the protected area. We documented a wide diversity of flora in the park, among the most interesting has been the flowering of the wild vanilla orchid (Vainilla insignis Ames) which is believed to have had a significant use for ancient cultures in food and continues to be used today and even synthesized to imitate its flavor. We also found other interesting plants such as a species of orchid with aquatic habits (Bletia purpurea (Lam.) DC.), flowering tree cacti (Selenicereus testudo (Karw. ex. Zucc.) Buxb.), and a species of yellow paintbrush flower (Combretum fruticosum (Loefl.) Stuntz).
Vainilla insignis. Reserva de la Biosfera Maya (RBM), Petén. Edwin Solares, 2022.
We also have been working on the biodiversity documentation in the Main Protected Areas of the Mayan Biosphere Reserve (RBM) in Petén in collaboration with the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP by its acronym in Spanish). This project started in 2021 and will continue until 2025. We have also documented lots of native species such as a species of water flower (Nymphaea ampla (Salisb.) DC.), an edible species of cotton tree (Cochlospermum vitifolium (Willd.) Spreng.), and the differences between the Pseudobombax ellipticum (Kunth.) Dugand and the Pachira aquatica Aubl. flowers. An interesting one is the report of the bromeliad Aechmea bracteata (Sw.) Griseb which has great cultural value in indigenous communities such as its healing properties, it is part of religious ceremonies, and its fibers are used in the creation of tools. This species is also an important host of a wide variety of fauna and has an important function within the ecosystem of the treetops.
Nymphaea ampla. Laguna Petexbatun, Sayaxché, Petén. Nicholas Hellmuth, 2019.
In addition to the department of Peten, Izabal offers a range of recreational activities, is home to numerous nature parks and diverse natural landscapes. It has white sandy beaches, tall jungle-covered mountains, mangrove swamps, seagrass ecosystems, and the Mesoamerican Reef System of the Caribbean Sea. In addition, it has an incredible flora and fauna diversity and three different cultures coexisting (Mayan Q’eqchi, Garifuna, and Ladinos). This makes the department a great destination not only for tourists but also for our team to investigate. In cooperation with the municipal authorities, we have been producing educational material specifically for the Livingston municipality. We have registered species such as the water snowflake (Nymphoides indica (L.) Kuntze), an interesting species of waterlily (Nymphaea ampla (Salisb.) DC.), and multiple species of Heliconia genus. It is worth mentioning that this project has also focused on documenting edible plants of wetlands.
Crinum americanum. Lagunita El Salvador, Livingston, Izabal. Nicholas Helmuth, 2020.
Currently, we have a total of 148 photo essays of the flora, fauna, and ecosystems from these three projects in which we have worked. 41 of them are dedicated to plants with ethnobotanical importance. If you are interested in learning more about the diversity of plants that you can find in Guatemala and that we have recorded in our projects, we invite you to visit our websites to learn more about them through the following link: https://flaar-mesoamerica.org/shop/
Written by Flor Morales Arroyo.
Posted September 18, 2023
Written by Flor Morales Arroyo.
One of our long-range goals is to find all wetlands plants of the Maya world that are edible. Week after week our team hikes to remote areas or travels in boats far up rivers never traversed by any botanist or ecologist.
So far we have found three Hibiscus plants or which one is edible for sure and we estimate the other two are also.
Our first discussion was on Hibiscus furcellatus, a Hibiscus that is common in several seasonally inundated savannas of Parque Nacional Laguna del Tigre (PNLT), Reserva de la Biosfera Maya (RBM), Peten, Guatemala.
Cochlospermum wrightii in the Zacapa area of Guatemala, in the sun between Crescentia alata trees. Photo by Nicholas Hellmuth.
Cochlospermum wrightii (A.Gray) Byng & Christenh is the accepted name, achiote family. The Cochlospermum wrightii that we saw are ground herbs (not yet even a foot high) but their relative, Cochlospermum vitifolium can grow easily to 3 meters height as a shrub and often over a dozen meters as a tree.
We have seen and photographed Cochlospermum vitifolium in dry areas along highway CA9 from Guatemala City towards El Rancho but this was the first time we stopped to photograph Cochlospermum wrightii. When in flower Cochlospermum vitifolium is easy to notice and we have photographed this in several areas of Guatemala in the recent decade.
