Medicinal Plants: Back to the Future

Here where I live, spring has sprung. Flowers are blooming and bees are buzzing. In celebration of springtime, take a look at this beautiful publication in Spanish about medicinal plants, called “Volver al futuro” (“Back to the Future”). It shares long-held wisdom about using plants for our health.

Visit: “Volver al futuro”

The author, Jesús del Valle Contreras, is an agricultural engineer. She visits rural communities, including indigenous communities, in different parts of Argentina and in different and diverse ecosystems. She has participated in national and international projects to restore these ecosystems, and she provides workshops about the importance of knowing and protecting plants for personal health and wellness.

I recognized several plants in this book, and many of them have really cool names in Spanish. For example:

“Nasturtium” is “Taco de reina.” (Queen’s Heel)

“Dandelion” is “Diente de león.” (Lion’s Tooth)

The Spanish word for “Passionflower” and “passionfruit” has always been one of my favorites: “Maracuyá.”

Other Spanish common names are the same as the English, such as “Cola de caballo” (“Horsetail”) and “Caléndula” (“Calendula”). It makes you realize how many words cultures borrow from each other or change only in small ways.

Have a look through this beautiful publication, and share it with folks who are interested in the medicinal properties of plants.