Guatemala’s Herbal Medicine Workshops. My Hunt for Ancestral Medicinal Herbs

Ethical Fashion Guatemala
3 min readApr 19, 2024

I live in Texas and have spent the last two decades researching and applying herbal remedies to individuals I treat.

With the rising global interest in natural medicines, I’m having difficulty finding genuine medical plants. “Pure” refers to medicinal herbs that have never been treated with pesticides or fertilizers to promote growth.

Last year, I was introduced to James Dillion, the owner of Ethical Fashion Guatemala LLC, a company that has been involved in the Mayan herbal medicine sector in Guatemala for some years. I now have a source of amazing herbs to use for my treatment needs. Right from the Mayan Women Healers of Guatemala.

See the article about a Guatemalan mother and her range of beauty goods.

https://www.girltalkhq.com/guatemalan-mother-entrepreneur-creates-line-of-locally-sourced-handmade-beauty-products-for-her-daughter/

Guatemala’s Herbal Medicine Workshops

Guatemala’s Herbal Medicine Workshops

The Mayan healers have used Herbal Medicine for Centuries, plants have played a significant role in human affairs, influencing medicine and healthcare.

Herbal Medicine Workshops take participants on a trip to explore the medical gardens in San Pedro and San Juan, meet with local indigenous healers, and learn about the history, cultivation, and role medicinal plants play in health and healing.

See, smell, and taste the rejuvenating and healing powers of medicinal plants through interactive demonstrations and samplings.

This is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your connection to herbal medicine in a rich sensory experience in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

The adjoining village of San Juan La Laguna where we visit a medicinal garden that is run by a local women’s cooperative.

You will have an opportunity to tour the gardens, learn about the herbs and their uses, as well learn about their belief in caring for the land with love, and without harming it by using pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

Lake Atitlán, located in the highlands of Guatemala, is known for its natural beauty and cultural richness. The region surrounding the lake is home to indigenous communities, such as the Maya, who have a long history of utilizing herbal medicine for healing and wellness.

The indigenous people living around Lake Atitlán have a deep knowledge of local plants and their medicinal properties. They have developed a rich tradition of herbal medicine, which has been passed down through generations. Many of these herbal remedies are derived from plants that are native to the region.

The use of herbal medicine at Lake Atitlán is often integrated into spiritual and holistic healing practices. Traditional healers, known as “curanderos” or “healers,” play a vital role in the community by diagnosing and treating illnesses using a combination of plant-based remedies, rituals, and energy work.

Some commonly used plants in the herbal medicine practices around Lake Atitlán include:

  1. Aloe vera (Sábila): Known for its soothing properties, aloe vera is used topically to treat burns, cuts, and skin conditions.
  2. Chamomile (Manzanilla): Chamomile is often consumed as a tea to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and aid digestion.
  3. Moringa (Marango): Moringa leaves are highly nutritious and are used to make teas or added to food to boost overall health and vitality.
  4. Eucalyptus (Eucalipto): Eucalyptus leaves are used to make steam inhalations or essential oils, which can help relieve respiratory congestion and sinus issues.
  5. Basil (Albahaca): Basil is used for its digestive properties and is often consumed as a tea to alleviate stomach discomfort and improve digestion.

https://ethicalfashionguatemala.com/guatemala-herbal-medicine-workshops/

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Ethical Fashion Guatemala

Ethical Fashion Guatemala LLC empowers local craftspeople to earn a living while preserving their cultural heritage