I recently returned from an amazing trip to Guatemala and Belize. In the jungle of Belize I had the opportunity to visit with Rosita Arvigo.
I had the pleasure of reading Rosita’s book Sastun in 2010. I was pretty enamored by it and I’d say it played a pivotal role in my choice to pursue the study of herbalism. I ‘found’ Sastun at an independent used book seller in Montpelier Vermont. I tore through those chapters in a deep way, remembering myself back into the web of plant wisdom. I began my herbal studies the following year and kept at it for the next six.
Rosita took myself and my partner Michael on a verbal voyage of Mayan Medicine, Gods and Goddesses. We quenched our thirst and restored electrolytes in the shade (it was 104 degrees!) with Rosita’s famous Jungle Juice. We spent time connecting with jungle and garden plants.
We were particularly drawn to the Gumbo Limbo Tree {Bursera simaruba} Also commonly know as ‘naked Indian’ or ‘ tourist tree.’ The Gumbo Limbo is a wonderful ally for rashes on the skin or any type of contact dermatitis (i.e. poison wood) both internally and topically. Use the leaves, stem and bark. Taken as a beverage, it helps replace iron and other minerals. Rosita uses is as part of her recipe for Jungle Juice.
‘Walking in the mountains with a woman was very good luck’ ~ Don Elijio Panti (Mayan Traditional Healer and Rosita’s mentor). Ix Chel, Goddess of Healing + Fertility shows her medicine more readily when a woman is present. Ix means Woman, Goddess, Divine Feminine; Chel means rainbow or translucent light. Her name translates to ‘Lady Rainbow.’ *Image above shows Ix Chel through the 3 phases in women’s life: Maiden, Mother, Grandmother.
