Fright as an illness
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Fright can causes a number of conditions including loss of appetite and excessive sleep. Children are the most affected patients. Family fights or accidents are the main causes why someone can get sick from fright.
The ingredients used to treat fright come from different places of the said region, not only from Santiago Cuixtla. The fright herb for example, is collected mainly in Santa Maria Yolotepec, Juquila, Oaxaca, and mustard comes from the central whole sale market of Oaxaca City. Thus, the geographical distribution of these ingredients is a good indicator that this syndrome is popular across many communities (with a Chatino origin especially).
In a clay burning pot (ahumador)*, the healer places embers, copal (Bursera Spp.), small pieces of blessed palm,** mustard and small pieces of ocote (Pinaceae). Then, using any kind of cloth, the smoke is spreaded. This is to "call the fright". The following statement is made:
“Come over spirit, where did you get lost?, in the sun? in the boulder?, in the water? In the pathway? Come back… here is your owner, here is your home”.
Once everything is burned down in the clay burning pot, the patient is sprayed*** with mezcal, then, must be well wrapped.
Subsequently, in 250 mL of potable water the following ingredients are blended and pasted: fright herb, sea urchin, guaco (Aristolochiaceae), mustard and rue. Then the patient drinks it.
The relief will become more evident between eight and fifteen days later, always depending on the faith that the patient has in the treatment.
*Ahumador or Clay burning pot: container usually made of clay used in various ceremonies.
** The blessed palm: it is a piece of a local palm leaf used to make figures with a cross shape. They are used as ceremonial objects during Easter.
*** Spraying refers to spreading water or other liquid in the form of small drops. In this case, the mouth is used to spray the patient.