The Sierra Popoluca live on the slopes of a volcanic mountain range in southern Veracruz (Mexico). In their mythology, a cocoa tree marks the entrance to the after world.
“The Popoluca is a solemn man. His pleasure comes from hard work, from the knowledge that his milpa [corn field] is good, that his family will have plenty to eat and that enough will be left over to buy a few luxury items” (Foster 1945, p.: 180, UC Pub. Archeol. Ethnol.).
The hot and humid climate promotes infectious and inflammatory diseases of the skin. Paulinia pinnata L. (Sapindaceae) is used against infections of the fingernails.
The roots of Smilax aristolochiifolia Mill. (Smilacaceae) are used to treat scabies and pimples.
Preparation of a cataplasm against erysipelas.
Leaves of a Loranthaceae mixed with sour tortilla dough are ground into a smooth paste with the “metate” and the “mano”.
The paste is smeared on Piper auritum Kunth (Piperaceae) leaves.
The cataplasm is carefully applied to the affected skin.
The cataplasm is covered with a cotton towel.
Fever is treated with a shower bath using a maceration of different fresh and “cooling” leaves.
One of the most frequently used species to treat fever is Justicia spicigera Schldtl. (Acanthaceae)…
…and Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud. (Fabaceae).
The leaves and herbs are ground on the “metate”.
The maceration of the ground leaves is filtered through a towel.
The maceration of the ground leaves is filtered through a towel.
The maceration will be brought to the patient in a bucket.
Culture bound syndromes like engaño are treated with symbols and ceremonies.
Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae) is used in a “limpia” (spiritual cleansing ceremony).