[On Mexican medicinal plants]

Area of Science:

• Ethnobotany
• Pharmacology
• History of Science

Context:

• Spanish scientific expeditions in the 18th century, led by Martín Sessé and Alessandro Malaspina, collected significant botanical specimens.
• Early documentation of Mexican medicinal plants by Juan Navarro and foundational works on plant distribution by Humboldt and Bonpland.
• Establishment of pharmacological research at the Instituto Médico Nacional in the late 19th century.

Purpose:

• To trace the historical development of botanical and pharmacological research in Mexico.
• To highlight key figures and institutions that contributed to the field.
• To underscore the continuity of Mexican botanical-pharmacological tradition.

Summary:

• The 18th century saw extensive botanical collection and early descriptions of medicinal plants.
• The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked the beginning of systematic pharmacological studies.
• Modern Mexican scientific institutes continue this rich botanical-pharmacological heritage.

Impact:

• Provides a historical overview of Mexican medicinal botany and pharmacology.
• Recognizes the contributions of early explorers, botanists, and scientists.
• Emphasizes the enduring legacy and ongoing vitality of this scientific tradition in Mexico.