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An Aztec Herbal: The Classic Codex of 1552

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This little book has an amazing history. Supposedly, It's one of the only copies that was left behind that documented the medicinal uses of Aztec healers. It was not known to have still existed until it was given back as a gift to Mexico by the Vatican only in our life time. The Aztecs knowledge of herbal remedies are fascinating to read about. Most of the ailments we experience today are mentioned but the extensive set of plants and even animal remains are worth learning about since many of the particular ingredients are also commonly used in Southeast Asia today by a number of healers.

For instance the use of the dogs gallbladder, and other species alike in curing skin infections or fractures. Also the use of urine which today is frowned upon but considered an important valuable remedy by many first nations. The codex is valuable in the way it combines many different unrelated ingredients, similar to how we now isolate a particular active chemical from a particular plant. At first glance you might wonder how in the world did they think of combining these plants with a burnt hawks wing for example?

But after further examination you will appreciate the reasons behind the complex mix of ingredients and realize the far reaching value of these medicines used by people who survived for thousands of years healing themselves by using only the very ingredients that existed around them. Since most people today can barely understand the ingredients used in their shampoos, at least the Aztecs used ingredients that we could actually visually imagine.