Traditional medicine or Mayan herbal medicine does not provide immediate relief, but it heals, hence its importance and the need to rescue it, said Román Pat, heir to this ancient tradition and herbal practitioner, who opened his office in Playa del Carmen.
“It will not cure you at the moment, like a doctor’s medicine, it has its process, but it will fight the disease, and many times it does not relieve you, it heals you, that is the difference and that is why we have a lot of clashes with them,” he said. Fortunately, he said, representatives of science and medicine have respected herbal medicine, acupuncture and traditional therapists.
Román Pat is a recognized promoter of Mayan culture; Last year he published a book precisely on Mayan herbalism and this 2023 he achieved another of his dreams: having a space to care for his patients. This is the Maya Kaxan xíiw ts`aako`ob (Herb Seekers) Herbalism Center. The place is located on 120 avenue with 14th street, in the Ejidal neighborhood. Attend by appointment by phone 984 1642867.
“You have to know traditional medicine, you also have to see that there are many charlatans, but know what benefits it has, we do not use chemicals, perhaps some elements do have a certain degree of alcohol to preserve, but they do not lose their essence,” he shared.
He stated that they are traditional methods that in the Mayan culture are only given to “the chosen ones”, because not everyone can dedicate themselves to it, because even if they do not have the knowledge, which is transmitted from generation to generation, it can attract problems, since in addition they must have a connection with medicinal plants.
All the natural elements that are used for this type of medicine, he emphasized, require special treatment, because they are living beings with which they have communication, in addition to being plants in which practically no pests enter.
Most of the people who are really dedicated to preserving this medicine, do everything at the moment, when the person requires it, so something 100 percent natural and “without any chemicals” is being given.
Unfortunately, he announced that many trees that have medicinal properties have been lost and are only found in some towns, so they have to generate an approach with the communities and with the people who are dedicated to cultivating them to obtain the raw material.
In his case, he has had three Mayan teachers from whom he continues to learn, a priest and two healers, who have focused on teaching him all the knowledge about the properties and benefits of each of the plants, fruits and trees in the area. and that they can treat a wide variety of diseases.
Editing: Emilio Gomez