Traditional Medicine Among the Nahua: Contemporary and Ancient Medicinal Plants

Conclusions

As stated previously, the aim of this research was to ascertain whether there was a continuation of Aztec plant taxonomy and use into the present day. Most of our knowledge about Aztec medicine comes from the codices and texts written by the Colonial Spanish scholars and Aztec elite (Coe and Whittaker 1982; Gates 2000; Ruiz de Alarcón 1629). Since Amatlán is in the peripheral areas of the ancient Aztec state, the information recovered will enable a broader and more sophisticated view of Aztec medicine.

The information presented thus far is still under analysis, yet preliminary examinations indicate that there is some overlap between the medicinal plants mentioned in early colonial texts, such as the Libellus de medicinalibus indorum herbis (Badianus Manuscript), Historia de las plantas de Nueva España, and the Florentine Codex and those used by the modern-day Nahua of northern Veracruz.

This overlap is particularly notable in terms of plant taxonomy, both the gross taxonomy (cuahuitl, xihuitl, acatl, etc.) and the more specific taxonomical attributes, such as the organoleptic and temporal qualities as well as the shape of the plant. There is much less overlap in terms of the actual plants used by both groups as well as their specific uses. Nevertheless, the taxonomy of the plant continues to determine its uses to this day, hence if a plant is bitter or astringent it is very likely to be used to treat diarrheic conditions. In the Badianus Manuscript, Florentine Codex, and Historia de las plantas de Nueva España there are many plants that share the same Nahuatl name as the present-day plants used by the Nahua yet their scientific taxonomy does not coincide. Those that do share the same scientific name include: Arundo donax, Spondias mombin, Psidium guajava, Artemisia mexicana, Tagetes erecta, Plumeria rubra, Parmentiera edulis, Bombax ellipticum, Croton sp., Hylocereus undatus, Mirabilis jalapa, and Mirabilis longiflora.

Arundo donax was used by the Aztecs for excessive heat (Gates 2000:79); among the Nahua it is used for bathing a postpartum woman to remove the excessive heat produced by the blood and fluids of the birthing process. Spondias mombin had several uses amongst the Aztecs, including dysentery (Gates 2000:123), for which it continues to be used among the people of Amatlán. The Aztecs used Plumeria rubra for treating wounds and, though the usage has changed slightly in Amatlán (it is now used to treat discolorations on the skin due to sun exposure), the usage continues to be for dermatological problems. Its Nahuatl name, cacaloxochitl, continues to be used in various parts of México (Miranda and Valdés 1991), yet in Amatlán it is called tlatokxochitl. Psidium guajava was used for dysentery amongst the Aztecs, which is the same usage given to it by the Nahua; its name, xalxocotl, also remains the same across time (De la Cruz 1991 [1552]:45).

Some of the other plants collected existed in the Aztec taxonomy yet their current uses are significantly different. Preliminary explanations for this could be the fact that the region of northern Veracruz during the Aztec period was peripheral and hence many of the plants used by the Aztecs would not be the same as those used by the people of that area during that time. Another reason would be the introduction of many species by the Spaniards, which are now used by the people of Amatlán. They have incorporated these plants into their own taxonomical system and have used them for many purposes, including medicine.

Future analysis of the plants collected is required to be able to determine the extent to which the Nahua and Aztec taxonomical systems correspond to each other as well as the continuation of the usage and knowledge of medicinal plants into the present-day. This data will help preserve this information as well as expand our knowledge about the base and diversity of Aztec and Nahua bio-taxonomy and medicinal systems.

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