Volume 4, Issue 8, August – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Medicinal Plants: Habitus in Chamula,

Chiapas, Mexico S. XXI
Ivett Reyes-Guillén Socorro Fonseca-Córdoba Ramón Mariaca-Méndez
Faculty of Social Sciences. Faculty of Social Sciences. The College of the Southern Frontier,
Autonomous University of Chiapas Autonomous University of Chiapas ECOSUR
San Cristobal de Las Casas San Cristobal de Las Casas San Cristobal de Las Casas
Chiapas, Mexico Chiapas, Mexico Chiapas

Abstract:- This article presents the results of a study Both in the Eastern world and in Latin American
conducted in Chamula, indigenous people of Chiapas, countries, the practice of alternative medicine or
Mexico. The study aimed to learn about the use of complementary medicine is common, among which
medicinal plants as practices that have remained over herbalism stands out. In Chiapas, Mexico, Mayan culture
time. In Chiapas, the Mayan culture exposes this exposes this knowledge in customs and customs, and
knowledge in customs and customs, and specifically in specifically in health self-care.
self-care of health. Indigenous peoples have developed
these medical uses and customs through the knowledge The World Health Organization, traditional medicine
of the human body, coexistence with their environment, is the set of knowledge, skills and practices for health
spirituality inserted into the magical-religious world. maintenance, based on indigenous theories, beliefs and
Among the main findings: 1) The most commonly used experiences of different cultures (WHO, 2017). Within
plants are chamomile (Chamomilla recutita), lemon tea traditional medicine in Chiapas, there are countless medical
(Cymbopogon citratus), and linden tea (Tilia expressions, from the herbs who practice herbalism; the
platyphyllos). 2) The main health problems that are snoopers who practice empirical chiropraxia; pushbuttons
treated with medicinal plants are: diseases or digestive with magical-religious strategies; to midwives in charge of
disorders (45%), respiratory problems (37%), nervous midwives and those most often linked to Western medicine
system disturbances (35%), circulatory (27%) or through training courses.
reproductive (26%).3) In the second decade of the 21st
century, traditional medicine practices are cultural While it is true that health systems are cautious about
fields, objectively constructed with habitus that mark the validity of traditional medical practices, it is also true
lifestyles in socially classified system. that international health agencies are increasingly
advocating the rescue of traditional knowledge, as well as
Keywords:- Herbalism, Chiapas, Traditional Practices. linkage between the two types of knowledge. In this regard,
Vázquez and collaborators (2011), state that specifically
I. INTRODUCTION traditional knowledge and practice on medicinal plants is in
force; that is, knowledge continues to be transmitted and
Throughout history, humanity has developed different practiced in this type of medicine for self-care.
forms of use, cultivation and transmission of knowledge
concerning medicinal plants, i.e. it has accumulated The articulation efforts between traditional and
knowledge on therapeutic strategies related to the world western hegemonic systems are not horizontal and open,
magical-religious of different cultures, based at all times on emphasizing the biomedical side in the process of
the empirical rational method and even brought to the validation and scientific translation of traditional
scientific method. medicines, which is ultimately assimilation of indigenous
traditional knowledge (Bolívar y Reyes, 2009).
Herbal medicine is defined as the therapeutic use of a
product derived from a plant or herb, valued for its This document presents results of a study carried out
medicinal properties, taste or aromatic qualities (Barnes, in Chamula, Chiapas, Mexico, an indigenous population
2003). whose practices within traditional medicine continue to be
part of the cultural legacy of their generations. Indigenous
Specifically, herbalism includes the use of substances peoples have developed these medical uses and customs
extracted from herbs, which are prepared in the form of tea, through the knowledge of the human body, coexistence
ointments, bathing water, lotions, soaps, oils. Within with their environment, spirituality inserted into the
traditional empirical practices, these are not evaluated and magical-religious world. In this regard, the Pan American
approved by government regulatory bodies; but that does Health Organization (2001) mentions the strength and
not exempt the pharmaceutical company within the capacity of indigenous peoples as a result of the
processed herbal medicine to approve its use and marketing effectiveness of their traditional health system, whose
through so-called naturist pharmacies (Carrillo et al, 2010). worldview is based on balance, harmony and integrity.

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Volume 4, Issue 8, August – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
The municipality of Chamula, in Chiapas, is located in The knowledge that different ethnic groups have of
the north-central part of the state. It is part of the Tzeltal- their environment and the uses and customs related to it has
Tzotzil Region of the Altos de Chiapas, characterized by its generated millennial knowledge, transcending by
mountainous geography, pine forest and ethnic-cultural generations and even being more specific over time.
diversity. It has an extension of 345 665 km2. Its extreme Contrary to what Gluber (2000) mentions, the young
coordinates are 16o 44' - 16o 54' north latitude and 92o 31' population of Chamula, Chiapas, continues to make use of
- 92o 52' west longitude and its altitude fluctuates between medicinal plants; He grows them; they are participants in a
a maximum of 3,000 and a minimum of 1 200 meters above collective identity, of uses and customs typical of the
sea level. Chamula has 76,941 inhabitants, of which 35,555 Tzotzil ethnic group. Specifically, in health, they are
are men and 41,386 women (INEGI, 2010). participants in the coexistence of traditional medicine and
allopathic medicine.
II. METHODS
Contrary to what Rodriguez mentions (2009), in this
Qualitative observational and cross-sectional research, study there was no difference in the knowledge and use of
the information-gathering tool of which was a semi- medicinal plants between men and women; neither was
structured questionnaire applied to a simple random sample there in terms of age of the interviewee.
n=100, in a Mayan indigenous population called Chamula,
located in the Tzeltal-Tzotzil Zone in the highlands of Within this study, the interviewees mentioned 23
Chiapas, Mexico, in a period from November 2018 to June different species of plants for medicinal use, within them in
2019. order of frequency mostly consumed in tea preparation are:
chamomile tea (21%), lemon tea (14%), tila tea (14%).
The questionnaire was applied prior to informed Most respondents claim to use herbal medicine frequently
consent, having as the only element of inclusion that the instead of allopathic medicine (74%). Regarding
individual was of indigenous origin tzotzil. chamomile (Chamomilla recutita), it has been of common
use worldwide for its healing characteristics, specifically in
III. DISSCUTION gastric diseases of infectious type, antiparasitic,
antispasmodic, defrosting and healing (Osuna, 2005; Mile,
From the results obtained we can discuss two 2008; Urióstegui-Flores, 2014; Ecoherbes, 2015).
moments, one regarding the permanence in the use of
medicinal plants through generations in the study Lemon tea (Cymbopogon citratus), has moisturizing
population. The other time is intended to discuss the main and diuretic properties, as well as antispasmodic, anti-
health problems for which they choose to treat them inflammatory, antioxidant (MS, 2015). Tila tea (Tilia
completely with herbal medicine, or complementary platyphyllos) has diaphoretic, deinflammatory, diuretic,
treatment to allopathic medicine. digestive and relaxing-sleeper properties (Escamilla and
Moreno, 2015).
 Permanence in the use of medicinal plants through
generations in Chamula Chiapas, Mexico The other species mentioned, although less frequently
The average age of the population surveyed is 35 are:
years (min 18-max 86, fashion 20), in equal proportions in
terms of biological sex (men and women), 100% of  Garlic (Allium sativum)
indigenous origin and bilingual tsotsil-Spanish. Mostly  Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
married (64%).  Anis (Pimpinella anisum)
 Boldo (Peumus boldus)
The total number of interviewees consume teas and  Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)
use herbal medicine by going to the institutional doctor  Onion (Allium strain)
only if the health problem becomes complicated and no
 Chilchahua (Tagetes nelsonii)
longer manage to control it. The above coincides with
 Comino (Cuminum cyminum)
Gómez (2012) and Escalona et al (2015), who claim that
 Epazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides)
most of the people interviewed in their study obtain
medicinal plants in the community itself and even grow  Hierbabuena (Mentha spicata)
them. In these studies, the percentage (90%) is high people  Hinojo (Foeniculum vulgare)
who solve their conditions with medicinal plants and only  Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
go to the doctor when the affectation is severe.  Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
 Parsley (Petroselinum sativum)
About how they know how they use plants to treat  Pepper (Piper nigrum)
some health problems, respondents claim to have this  Oak (Quercus robur)
knowledge because their grandparents, mothers, family  Romero (Rosmarinus officinalis)
members, and even friends have taught them. Knowing the  Ruda (Graveolens Route)
most frequent age range (18-20 years), the user population  Sabyla (Aloe vera)
is young, and checks the transfer of knowledge in the use of  Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
medicinal plants from generation to generation.

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Volume 4, Issue 8, August – 2019 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
This population grows or collects the medicinal plants The above, show us in a reality where conflicts are
it uses by 65%, in a small percentage they buy them in the generated between the different types of medicine, the
market or in health food stores. It is precisely because of Western, traditional, alternative. When asked specifically,
this practice, living in many mainly Latino cultures, that 88% say they stop taking allopathic medications and
FAO (2005) proposes the family garden as an appropriate replace them with medicinal plants. While studies have
alternative for families to produce and consume at low cost been conducted on the contradiction between these medical
fresh, healthy, solvent products some of your needs and practices and hegemonic medicine, we also find that
preferences. The garden must generate products such as herbalism has become more meaningful due to discoveries
vegetables, edible, aromatic and medicinal plants. about the healing properties of some species such as are the
white zapote (Casimira edulis) for the treatment of high
As for the expense they consider making monthly for blood pressure; the nopal (Opuntia streptacantha) in the
the use of these plants, it goes in a range of 60 to 280 treatment of diabetes (Rivera, 1999; Uriostégui-Flores,
Mexican pesos (3-15 DLS/USA). Some studies claim that 2008; Oliva-Peña, 2017).
the preference in the use of medicinal plants by the
population is related by low costs, easy access, side effects IV. CONCLUSION
that are minor or null, compared to allopathic medicine
(Delpino, 2011; Lima, 2012).  Interviewees use herbal medicine for self-care health go
to the allopathic doctor only if the health problem
 Main health problems for which they choose to treat becomes complicated and they no longer manage to
them completely with herbal medicine, or control it.
complementary treatment to allopathic medicine  The most commonly used plants are chamomile
Among the main health problems that are treated with (Chamomilla recutita), lemon tea (Cymbopogon
medicinal plants, in order of frequency are: diseases or citratus), and tila tea (Tilia platyphyllos)
digestive disorders (45%), respiratory problems (37%),  The main health problems that are treated with
nervous system disorders (35%), circulatory (27%) or medicinal plants are: diseases or digestive disorders
reproductive (26%), the remaining percentage corresponds (45%), respiratory problems (37%), nervous system
to another wide variety of occasions when they use these disorders (35%), circulatory (27%) reproductive it
plants, such as bone pain, depurative baths, cosmetic use. (26%).
 Having quoted Malinowsky (1948) and Bourdieu
Specific mention should be made that, of the total (1988) before, we can affirm that the world of
number of interviewees, most use this type of plants with traditional medicine, in this case herbalism, in Chamula,
healing characteristics within a magical-religious Chiapas, Mexico, is a habitus and these are developed
framework, that is, not only consume them, but they do so in a continuum through the generations. In the 21st
accompanied by a series of rituals of healing involving century, the end of the second decade, traditional
spiritual, magical, religious aspects. 88% of respondents medicine practices are cultural fields, objectively
make use of different types of traditional medicine through constructed with habitus that mark lifestyles in socially
so-called hierberos, pulsadores, sobadores, midwives. classified systems.

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