Rainforest Remedies: One Hundred Healing Herbs of Belize

by Rosita Arvigo, Michael J. Balick

Timely book on rainforest herbology and traditional healing. Authors work with Central American healers to compile herbal lore.

Genres: Reference

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1992

About the author

Rosita Arvigo is an American herbalist, author, and teacher dedicated to the study of medicinal plants and their role in human health. Born in Chicago in 1941 to immigrant parents, she was influenced by 1960s counterculture movements and lived in communes across the U.S. and Mexico. Her interest in traditional medicine began during her time in rural Mexico, where she witnessed the healing power of plants during a birth complication. She later studied Naprapathy in Chicago and returned to Belize, founding a clinic and learning from traditional healer Don Elijio Panti. Arvigo also co-founded the Ix Chel Tropical Research Foundation and The Arvigo Institute to preserve and share traditional plant knowledge. Her work combines modern therapeutic methods with ancient healing practices, especially those focused on women’s reproductive health. Though praised for preserving Indigenous wisdom, she has faced criticism for commercializing traditional techniques and privileging Maya traditions over others. Arvigo maintains that her teachings were passed down with full consent. She continues to advocate for the respectful integration of herbal knowledge into holistic health practices.

Reviews

[JennyLopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of the herbs were well known enough to be included in general Western herbals. Belize also seems to be very different than other rainforest regions like the Amazon