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What Aztec orchid was a love potion?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

December 31, 2001

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading—>Click here.

Killer Savings Nursery Links—>Click here.

Killer Picks: Necklace, 'Vanilla', 'Pearls Dance in the Aztec Sun'—>Click here.

Incense sticks & dish, 'Breath of Vanilla', Zapotec wool rug, Salad plates, 'Azteca'—>Click here.

When Hernan Cortes and his soldiers marched into Tenochtitlan, they were greeted by the last Emperor of the Aztecs, Moctezuma Xocoyotzin. The Aztecs had had ten years of portents, omens of the fall of the empire. Moctezuma sent gold and slaves to Cortes. Perhaps, as a final gesture of friendship, the Spanish 'guests' were offered a drink made of chocolate, red peppers, honey, and tlilxochitl (Vanilla planifolia Swartz).

Meeting of Hernando Cortes and Aztec Emperor Montezuma II in Tenochtitlan, c.1519 Giclee Print
Buy Giclee Print at AllPosters.com

Moctezuma II was stoned to death by his own people and Cortes got Mexico.

Vanilla pods could only be produced in Mexico and Spain controlled Mexico. Legend says vanilla came into being when the daughter of the fertility goddess could not marry the mortal youth she loved. She changed herself into the vanilla orchid so she could forever belong to her mortal and his people. Unfortunately, the legend is not verifiable as native to Mesoamerica.

But the legend obviously worked in Europe. Vanilla got the reputation of being a potent aphrodisiac. Vanilla beans (seed pods) were used both as a flavoring and perfume. Ground pods were added to desserts to settle the stomach and calm hysterical women.

Vanilla pods were placed in linen closets for the vanilla-scented pillowcases kept headaches away. Vanilla perfume was used behind the ears to entice lovers. Elixirs of vanilla were said to cure the impotent, proof of which, Moctezuma had over 300 wives!

Orchid Works has a beautiful photograph of the flower of Vanilla planifolia. To view the photograph, click on the link:

http://www.orchidworks.com/orchids/Feb98/vanilla.htm

The Department of Botany at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has a photograph of the Vanilla planifolia vine. To view the vine, click on the link:

http://www.botany.wisc.edu/greenhouse/Roomthree-Va.html

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

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Wood and cotton long necklace, 'Vanilla'

NOVICA®

Nature's immense riches inspire Mariella in the fabulous design of this hand-crafted necklace. Arang wood is transformed into sleek vanilla pods that graciously hang from cotton threads.

Known as Makassar ebony, arang is a noble hardwood of rich dark grain which Mariella wishes to preserve through her designs. Therefore, she has not used any varnish or lacquer coating that could affect the appreciation of the wood's natural beauty.

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Silver choker, 'Pearls Dance in the Aztec Sun'

NOVICA®

Droplets of sunlight cast a spell of enchantment in this choker, created with singular artistry by Oscar Figueroa Escorcia. Suspended on sterling silver links, cultivated river pearls glow in tones of yellow, blue and rose. Figueroa infuses his unique creativity with Taxco's silver tradition in the crafting of inspired jewelry designs. View Larger

.925 rating silver.

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Silver Earrings, 'Pearls Dance in the Aztec Sun'

NOVICA®

Droplets of sunlight cast a spell of enchantment on these earrings, created with singular artistry by Oscar Figueroa Escorcia. Suspended on sterling silver links, cultured pearls glow in tones of yellow, blue and rose. View Larger

.925 rating silver and pearls.

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Incense sticks and dish, 'Breath of Vanilla' (3 box sets)

NOVICA®

Sirinart Bongkotmas captures vanilla's sensual scent in the form of this fascinating aromatic set. Featuring a medley of cones and incense sticks, each set includes the intriguing beauty of a maple leaf ceramic dish. Bongkotmas prepares each stick from bamboo and sawdust, as well as the desired aromatic materials. She then presents each set in three elegant saa paper boxes holding 20 incense sticks and 15 cones each.

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Zapotec wool rug, 'Center of Fire' (5x8.5)

NOVICA®

A diamond blazes at the heart of this Zapotec rug conjuring images of ancient civilizations and their enigmatic artistry. Gregorio Ruiz preserves tradition by weaving this piece on a rustic loom. Pure virgin wool is dyed using organic extracts such as the cochineal insect or moss. The Aztecs admired the Zapotec's richly colored weaves and demanded the payment of tribute in the form of cloth, thus encouraging a textile legacy that now enjoys world renown. View Larger

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Salad plates, 'Azteca' (set of 6)

NOVICA®

Pre-Hispanic motifs of Aztec inspiration distinguish these stoneware plates, ideal for salads, canapés, or dessert. Guadalupe Servin, a talented designer, combines ancient techniques with innovative motifs in original, functional pieces crafted entirely by hand.

The artisans first fire the piece at a low temperature. The resulting "bisque" or "biscuit" is carefully glazed by hand and returns to the kiln at temperatures of up to 2,462° F (1,350° C).

Original and versatile, these exclusive stoneware pieces are dishwasher safe and free of lead and toxins. "There are ancestral techniques we strive to reproduce and revive," the artisan and her husband affirm.

Because each piece is hand-crafted, there may be slight variations in size and weight. However, this only enhances and confirms the originality and authenticity of the pieces. View Larger

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