Mexican pepperleaf

There is a Mexican legend that the Virgin Mary used this plant's leaves to change the baby Jesus – hence its spanish name of hoja santa (sacred leaf). The plant's aromatic leaves are widely used in Meso-American cuisine for making tamales (Mexican steamed packets), mole verde (a green salsa popular in Mexico) and even Verdín, a green liquor. It is also used as a medicinal plant to treat headaches and swelling from wounds. The roots have anaesthetic properties and they are chewed to relieve toothache. The leaves are used as fish bait.