The Hot and the Cold: Ills of Humans and Maize in Native Mexico (Anthropological Horizons)

Rating:
Summary: excellent source of material on humeral medicine in Mexico
Review: This book had my attention from the first pages in the introduction. Chevalier and Sanchez-Bain did an excellent job discussing and deciphering the ancient humeral medicine beliefs connected with food and people in ancient Mexican belief--specifically the Nahuas. Corn and other foods take on a whole new meaning in this account. We learn what is considered hot and cold (according to temperature) and how some foods are beneficial to our bodies and generate heat or cold, while others generate excessive amounts of either temperature and can actually damage our own levels of warmth of coolness when consumed. The book covers everything from cultivation and the important processes that must be carried out in insuring that the farmer raises a good crop, to the use of food as medicine in ritual, to the history of creation according to Popoluca belief. Check out this book! Not only is it well-written but very engaging!