Medical application
In Mexican folk medicine, sinicuiche is considered a narcotic, intoxicant, diuretic and antipyretic (DiAZ 1979: 77*,
Jiu 1966: 2540. The Huasteken use the shrub as a medicinal bath additive (ALCORN 1984: 665*). In the Mexican
In folk medicine, a tea made from the leaves is considered to promote digestion (MARTiNEZ 1994: 294* ). The herb also serves that
Treatment of rabies and against the »evil eye« (ARGUETA V et al. 1994: 851 * ). Its use is widespread
Syphilis (MALONE and ROTHER 1994: 136).
Heimia salicifolia is primarily of ethnogynecological importance in Mexico.
So shall barren women prepare a bath
Sinicuiche, pericön (Tagetes lucida, cf. Tagetes spp.), rosemary (Rosmarinus offinnalis L.'6°, cf. incense, essential oils)
and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia MILL.; syn. Lavandula ocinalis CHAIx)'6'. To promote fertilization
women should have a daily tea made from sinicuiche twigs, dorrnilona (Mimosa pudica, cf. Mimosa spp.), gobernadora [Larrea
tridentata (DC.) CAV.], raiz de la fuerza ("root of power"; unidentified) or raiz hijera (?). If a woman
remains childless, it shall sinicuiche branches together with cuatecomate (Crescentia alata H.B.K),
pericon (Tagetes lunda) and
Take corn on the cob (Zea mays) as a tea. To increase fertility, to treat sexual weakness and
In case of frigidity as well as ovarian inflammation and womb problems, the vagina should be treated with a tea made from rosemary and sinicuiche
be steamed.
A potion is made after childbirth and to treat the symptoms of a threatened miscarriage
Sinicuiche, cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), pulque (cf. Agave spp.) and piloncillo (?) were drunk (ARGUETA V et al. 1994: 851*).
The Makä Indians from the Chaco in Paraguay use the fresh Heimia leaves as an expanding plant plaster
Wounds from thorns stuck in flesh. The Heimia leaves are said to facilitate the extraction of the sting
simplify; they also seem to help the wound to heal (ARENAS 1987: 290*). The Pilagae from the
Argentine Chaco put the fresh leaves on ulcers,
drink a root decoction for stomach pains and bathe
therein with scabies (FILIPOV 1994: 188*).