As stated in the previous post, the third
principle of Mayan healing was an important one that stressed the recognition
of natural cycles. The relationship between Mayan shamans and certain plants
was deemed a mutually beneficial one where the two would choose and cooperate
with each other to bring healing to the patient. The cooperation of a shaman
and his chosen plants were deemed successful if the concocted herbal remedy
brought healing to the patient.
Due to the substantial role that surrounding
flora played on Mayan healing, the study as well as the observation of plants
was of high importance. As shamans began to familiarize themselves with certain
plants they could distinguish which plants were appropriate for a remedy. The
growing familiarity of plants led to greater respect for what nature had to
offer. Shamans began to utilize their growing familiarity and knowledge to
concoct more potent and effective herbal remedies.
However, the study and observation of plants
were limited to the social elites especially the Mayan shamans. Therefore
commoners were only able to appreciate the efficacy of plants when herbal
remedies were administered upon them.
A variety of herbs/flora that were utilized to concoct remedies.
A vital observation of Mayan healing is that
when Mayan shamans would concoct a certain herbal remedy to prescribe to their
patients they would rely on the plant’s colors. For example shamans utilized
chili peppers for medical conditions that were caused by an imbalance or
unnatural flow of blood. The chili pepper could also be used to rid the body of
parasites via release in the bloodstream.
The cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum)
Another example is the use of yellow flowers or
vegetation to cure jaundice characterized by the yellowish pigmentation of the
skin as well as the white parts of the eye.
As studies and observations of plants expanded
Mayan shamans took a rather liberal approach when administering herbal remedies
in a variety of forms. Planets were boiled, eaten raw, smoked, snorted, or
inserted into one of the body’s orifices. As long as the plant was making some
form of contact with the patient it was deemed that the healing process had
already began.
Mayan shamans also reinforced the notion that the efficacy of an herbal
remedy also heavily relied upon the freshness of the plant. When preparing most
herbal remedies, shamans collected the necessary flora to create the remedy in
a timely fashion to ensure that the plant’s potency did not waste away with
time. Fresh vegetation was imperative when dealing with ailments of the skin
including burns, deep cuts, etc. The vegetation would often be applied directly
to the skin and kept closest to its natural form. In many cases, the
application of fresh vegetation directly to the skin hinted at the idea of
shielding the skin from exterior spirits that were detrimental to the patient
and responsible for causing that ailment.
There has been some information pertaining to the Mayan shamans
utilizing flora to create a higher state of consciousness or a trance-like
state. As recorded by the Spaniards, flowers such as the Angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia arborea) were utilized by the
Mayans to create visions and hallucinations as part of the healing process.
The Angel's trumpet (Brugmansia)
