The oldest herbal book in the Americas
Photo:
CRUZ – BADIANO MEXICAN CODEX
The Libellus de medicinalibus indorum herbis, better known as the Cruz-Badiano Codex (of Mexican medicinal plants) is the oldest medicinal book that has been produced in America. It was compiled in 1552, at the Colegio de Santa Cruz de Santiago Tlatelolco in Mexico City by the indigenous doctors Martín de la Cruz and Juan Badiano to preserve the knowledge originated by the cultivation of native plants and flowers. The Codex describes 185 different plants and how to prepare remedies, therapeutic uses and cures for diseases or symptoms that the human body presents. The Cruz-Badiano Codex is arranged according to diseases or conditions and goes from head to toe, which corresponds to an indigenous principle of classification.
The Codex, which was kept in the Vatican Apostolic Library until 1990, was returned by Pope John Paul II on his second visit to Mexico. Today, through the efforts of cultural agencies, educational institutions and foreign relations in Mexico, a renewed printed and electronic edition is available at http://codicecruz-badiano.com/index.html#home
Thanks to Vallarta Botanical Garden for this information.
Comments
More From Gardening Calendar
How to Care and Propagate The Superb Calathea
Discover the wonderful Calathea varieties, their care and their dazzling array of colorful leaves for your landscape and indoor plant! Get to know their care, lighting, watering and fertilizing needs – as well as propagation tips – to enjoy their beauty and reap the rewards of their circadian rhythm.
Homemade Insecticidal Soap Recipe Choices
Discover how to create homemade insecticidal soap using natural ingredients for effective and safe pest control in your garden.
Swamp Rose Mallow
Swamp Rose mallow has exotic, oversized flowers that are very striking. New flowers can open every day from July to September.
Stiff Goldenrod
Plant Stiff Goldenrod for a vibrant fall display in prairie gardens, cottage gardens and pollinator gardens. This multi-functional flowering plant is easy to grow and its leaves in fall change to lovely colors of red. Learn more about this impressive species.
How to Grow the Delicate Harebell
Admire the delicate and graceful harebell wildflower with its deep bluish-purple flowers, native to North America and Europe, that are eaten raw, used to make dye, and believed to give witches the power of transformation. A perfect addition to the rock garden that grows through summer and fall, and pollinated by hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.
Veggie Bites – Partial Shade Planter
My partial shade planter is starting to grow. I put a cage in the center and then planted peas; they will climb up the cage.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.