The knowledge of Aztec medicine was recorded in 1552 in a document called the Badianus Manuscript. it was written by Martin de la Cruz (dates unknown), an Aztec physician, and listed ointments and drinks used to treat a wide variety of illnesses and conditions.
The Spanish found that many of the herbs Aztec healers used were more effective than European medicines. They admired Aztec medicine and were interested in learning from it. The Europeans, however, disliked anything in Aztec medicine that seemed to suggest rituals connected to witchcraft or the devil.
Some herbs the Aztecs used as medicine are still used to help the sick. For example, the Aztecs used catnip to calm patients and catnip tea is sometimes drunk today for the same purpose. Yerba buena, a type of mint, soothed stomach aches. Today it is used to treat aches in the stomach and other parts of the body.
The Aztecs used various parts of the prickly pear cactus to get rid of intestinal worms, strengthen the lungs, and increase mothers' breast milk. Modern scientific studies have shown that parts of this cactus might help control the disease diabetes. The prickly pear may also contain chemicals that can help the body fight other diseases.
Aztecs felt that it was their job to help relieve the suffering of their people. They were not going against the gods in doing so, since the gods had the power to stop the herbs from working. If the gods truly wanted a person to suffer and die, no amount of medicine would provide a cure.
The Aztecs also paid attention to dental health. Diners washed their mouths out with water after eating and picked out any bits of food from between their teeth. The Aztecs had an early form of toothpaste, made out of ashes and honey. The root of a plant served as a brush.
World History
