Guarani is both the name of the second language spoken in Paraguay, as well as the name of the indigenous people that at one time covered most of Paraguay, as well as parts of Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina. It means "forest people." Today's Paraguayans are the descendants of Guarani women and Spanish conquistadores. This cultural heritage is very important to the Paraguayan people. In addition to Guarani being one of the 2 official languages, Paraguayans have an amazing understanding of the natural healing properties of plants. They call these plants "remedios" translated remedies, and put them in their terere or mate. Terere and mate are teas made from a type of holly leaf. The yerba leaf is steeped in hot water for mate, and iced water for terere. So, back to the remedios.In the smallest of supermarkets, a large section is devoted to at least a dozen remedios. Some of these are added just for the taste, but others are used for the medicinal benefits. You can also buy them on various street corners where indigenous people bus into the city every day to sell their wares. They also come door to door in large baskets, and can even be bought in the terminals. Somebody sets him or herself up with yerba (the holly plant), and hot or cold water (depending on the season), dozens of different remedios, and a single cup or hollowed out bull's horn, with a special metal straw called a "bombilla" that has a filter on the end (so you don't suck up the yerba and remedios- you can only drink mate or terere through these straws). You just approach these vendors, pay them a mil, and get to choose which remedio you want! Then they make you up your very own mate or terere! You drink it, of course, using the cup and bombilla that they provide. When you're done, they rinse out your cup, rinse off your metal straw, and wait to loan them out to the next customer.
Part of me is awed by their use of the remedios. Until an hour ago, another part has always been a bit skeptical. For example, yerba is a known stimulant. One time I mentioned that I was having trouble sleeping and one my friends suggested that I add some remedio to my mate before bed (I don't remember what it was). This remedio was known to induce sleep. I was just a little confused, though, about the efficacy of adding a depressant to a stimulant… I kinda laughed about it, but she was completely serious. And this young woman is very sharp. It's not like the people who use remedios are just those who don't know better. The most professional of the professional use remedios. And really, who am I to think that scientists' Pepto Bismol is superior to something already existing in nature? I'm not willing to dismiss the remedios. So anyway, I'm pretty curious about these things, so lately I've started branching out and trying to use some of them, myself. Several weeks ago, I bought some "menta'i" that I've been sucking down all day with my terere. This morning I picked up my little bag of leaves and turned it over to see what ailments I'd been relieving. And this is what I discovered, "stomach settler, stimulant, tonic and antispasm, anxiety pain, vomiting, upper repertory/ chest problems, asthma, and boosts your appetite!" WHAT? It's been boosting my appetite? Wonderful. That has always been the express goal of my life. I'm so glad to know that it's finally been realized.
