Alternative Medicine: The Panti Medicinal Trail

ABOVE: Dr. Rosita Arvigo and Traditional Mayan Healer and Shaman Don Eligio Panti.

During one of their walks in the forest to gather herbs, Don Eligio Panti showed Dr. Rosita all the medicinal plants that were growing along the path. That path has been preserved, and it has become one of the major attractions for tourists who visit the Cayo District.

Visitors to the Ix Chel Tropical Research Center can walk along the trail, which has signs in front of each medicinal tree and plant describing its history and uses. Near the end of the walk, visitors can view a recreation of Don Panti's home. A fee of $5 US is charged for a self guided walk. A guided walk and presentation costs $30, or $50 if given by Dr. Rosita herself.

Dr. Rosita has also established Rainforest Remedies, a cooperative enterprise that makes and markets herbal remedies in liquid form, as well as dried herbs to be used to make medicinal teas; the company shares its profits with its employees and the traditional healing cooperative. These alternative medicine remedies are derived from the plants that are "rescued" before the bulldozers can get to them. They have colorful names, such as "Traveler's Tonic" and "Belly Be Good." These remedies are sold in most gift shops in Belize (the "Jungle Salve" is especially useful for quick healing of mosquito bites); and are also marketed overseas in the Caribbean and in Europe. They can be ordered individually by mail in the U.S., but federal labelling regulations and the powerful A.M.A. lobby have so far blocked their distribution to U.S. health food stores.

Also available at Ix Chel (as well as in many gift shops in Belize and most bookstores in the U.S.) is Dr. Rosita's recently published book: "Sastun--My Apprenticeship with a Mayan Healer;" published by Harper, San Francisco (ISBN 0-06-250255-7); and a paperback edition of "Rainforest Remedies--One Hundred Healing Herbs of Belize," by Rosita Arvigo and Michael Balick (ISBN 0-914955-13-6).

Ix Chel Farms and the Panti Trail is right next door to Chaa Creek. Many tourists get there and back by canoing along the river. Most Cayo resorts and hotels can arrange a canoe rental and will arrange to pick you up when you dock.

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