[Neurological aspects described in The treasure of medicines for all illnesses by Gregorio López].

Introduction: Latin American medicine in the 16th century produced the first collections of herbs with native plants from the New World. Treatises on popular therapies appeared, which included gallenic remedies as well as incorporating autochthonous plants. We review the main neurological diseases and their treatments described in The Treasure of Medicines for All Illnesses by Gregorio Lopez (1542-1596).

[Treatment of headaches among the Aborigines of Tierra de Fuego. A comparison with other anthropological studies].

Summary Introduction: Several different indigenous groups (Yamana, Selk'nam, Alacaluf, Haush) used to inhabit the Patagonian region of Tierra de Fuego, but are now extinct.

Aim: To analyse the healing practices that these prehistoric aborigines used to treat headaches and to compare them with those observed in other anthropological studies.

Development: The article reviews the most important manuscripts from the end of the 19th century written by anthropologists and missionaries who were in contact with these peoples (Bridges, Hyades, Gusinde).

[Ritual use of Anadenanthera seeds among South America natives].

Introduction: Several South-American native societies snuff psychoactive seeds in magic-religious rituals since ancient times.

Objectives: To describe archeological, historical and ethnographical evidences regarding the ritual use of vilca or yopo (Anadenanthera sp).

Development: Anadenanthera seeds were used in South America 3,000 years ago.

An anthropological study about headache and migraine in native cultures from Central and South America.

Objective: To describe the ritual and ethnobotanical treatments about migraine performed by shamans from several native cultures.

Methods: Anthropological field study conducted with Tzeltal Maya (Mexico), Kamayurá (Brazil), and Uru-Chipaya (Bolivia) American Indians.

Results: Migraine is called yaxti-wanjol chawaj by Tzeltal shamans.

An anthropological study about epilepsy in native tribes from Central and South America.

Purpose: Epilepsy was a well-recognized disease in pre-Columbian cultures. However, anthropological studies about epilepsy in native cultures living at the present time are scarce. The objective of this paper was to study native perception and myths about epilepsy, their magic-religious healing rites and ceremonies, and the natural treatments that archaic cultures used.