313 VENEZUELAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
The ripe fruit is wholesome, but considered to be very heating (ca^ 
liente). This distinction of heating and cooling fruits and drugs is 
generally carried through ; we might say, sthenica and asthenica. 
Mango and oranges are called heating ; Indian figs, sweet lemons, 
Lechoza, etc., cooling. Water is taken only after the first class. Drink- 
ing brandy after eating Cambures is also believed to cause immediate 
death, (The same belief exists in Peru; see Tschudi, * Travels in 
Peru; New York, 1853, p. 132.) 
Mani {AracJiis liypofjdea, L.). The toasted seeds are said to be 
aphrodisiac, [The same belief I found existing in Mexico. — Ed.] The 
oil extracted from the fresh seeds is of a very agreeable smell and taste, 
but easily gets rancid. 
Manirote (Jnona Mc 
A decoc- 
tion of the inner part of the bark is taken in dropsy. The fruit is 
sweet, but unwholesome. 
MadranzQ {Marruhlim vulgare^ L.), Leaves used for bathing in 
paralysis. 
Mastuei'zo {Lepidium sallvtim, L.). Used as an antiscorbutic and 
antiseptic. The root is said to be a good remedy for chronic diarrhoeas. 
Lepidinm Virginicum, L., is called '' Mastuerzo silvestre.*' 
Mata de Miel ; Melero {Combelrum velutimim^ De Cand., teste Mo- 
ritz in herbario *' ob florum odorem mellis"). A decoction of the 
leaves is recommended in pulmonary diseases. 
Mata de Queso = Cheese-bush {Buddleja Americana^ L.), The 
leaves are put on tumours or other inflamed parts of the skin. 
Maya {Nidularium Karatas^ Lemair ; Griseb. West Ind. Plor. p. 591). 
The somewhat acid fruit acts as a mild purgative. It is considered 
to be very heating. " The Indians give the same names to the stars, 
which we call ' Cabrillos ' (the Pleiades) ; they say ' Mayaguarallo/ 
that is, * equal to a bunch of Maya.' " (* Historia de la Nueva Anda- 
lucia/ by Pr. Antonio Calin, ed. of Caracas, p. 12.) 
Mejorana {Origanum Majoranay L.). Cultivated. 
Melon {Cucumh Melo, L.). Cultivated on account of its edible 
frait. An emulsion of the seeds makes a very refreshing beverage. 
Menibrillo (Cvdonia vulga7'is, la. I not G lis tavia angmtif alia 
I 
as in the Isthmus of Panama (Seemann, Bot. Her. 126). With the 
fruit an excellent jelly is prepared, which is somewhat astringent, and 
the mucilaginous seeds are given in pectoral diseases. 
