Greetings to all lovers of the cultural and natural wealth of Mexico! In this month of national celebration, we want to pay tribute to a hidden treasure of our country: herbal diversity. It is time to discover how our medicinal plants have been healing and caring for generations of Mexicans, and why it is essential to continue exploring their potential public health benefits.
The Power of Medicinal Plants
In Mexico, the use of medicinal plants to treat various ailments is a deeply rooted tradition. From the grandmother who offered us a chamomile infusion to relieve a stomach ache to the ancestral practices transmitted from generation to generation, plants have been our allies in the search for well-being and health.
But here comes the exciting thing: Mexico ranks second worldwide in the number of registered medicinal plants with 4,500 plants , after China which has 5,000 registered. In third place is Colombia with 2,600 plants. These are the world's first places in herbalism. Of those, only about 500 have undergone pharmacological analysis, approximately only 5%.
The Importance of Research
This impressive number underscores Mexico's unique herbal diversity. However, there is still much to discover. Of the thousands of medicinal plants registered in Mexico, only a few have been studied in depth. It is time to promote research and sustainable management of these plants to make the most of their healing potential.
As a nation, we must recognize and value our herbal diversity as a national treasure. This will not only preserve our cultural and natural wealth, but could also lead to significant medical advances for the benefit of all Mexicans.
Economic impact:
From an economic point of view, medicinal plants are a valuable asset for Mexico. Approximately 10 tons of healing plants are sold daily in the Sonora Market in Mexico City. If we broaden the perspective at the national level, it is estimated that the herbal industry processes and markets around 2,000 tons per month, and if we consider the other naturopathic markets and companies throughout the country, that figure rises to about 3,500 tons per month. This trade not only means income, but also provides employment to thousands of families in rural, peasant and urban environments, although much of this work remains informal.
Impact on Public Health:
From a public health perspective, medicinal plants are the main resource for 45% of the Mexican population. For them, medicinal plants and healing rituals performed by healers are their first line of defense against disease. Another 45% of the population complements herbalism with conventional medicine, demonstrating the effective interaction between these two forms of treatment.
Ethnic and Cultural Importance:
From an ethnic and cultural point of view, medicinal plants are an invaluable link to the traditions and history of Mexico. Approximately 10 million indigenous people, belonging to 56 different ethnicities, use herbalism as part of their health care. This not only means that herbal names and practices are passed down in ancestral languages, but also reveals the deep connection between indigenous culture and herbalism. This ancient heritage is still alive today, as these cultures continue to transmit their knowledge of medicinal plants orally.
In short, herbalism in Mexico is much more than a healthcare approach; It is an economic pillar, a cultural link and a treasure of biodiversity. On these national holidays, let us celebrate our herbal diversity and work together to preserve it and take advantage of its potential for the well-being of all Mexicans. Happy Independence Day!
References:
- Shurkin, J. 2014. "Animals that self-medicate." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 111(49): 17339-17341.
- Wink, M. 2015. "Modes of action of herbal medicines and plant secondary metabolites." Medicines 2(3): 251-286.
- Zamudio, G. 2002. "The Royal Botanical Garden of the Viceregal Palace of New Spain." Sciences 68: 22-27.
- Patwardhan, B., D, Warude, P. Pushpangadan, and N. Bhatt. 2005. "Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Comparative Overview." Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2(4): 465-473.
- MUÑETON Pérez, Patricia. "Medicinal plants: a vital complement for the health of Mexicans. Interview with Professor Erick Estrada Lugo." University Digital Magazine [online]. September 10, 2009, Vol. 10, No. 9. Available on the Internet: http://www.revista.unam.mx/vol.10/num9/art58/int58.htm ISSN: 1607-6079.
