Chilcuague and the Sierra Gorda: A Root Born from the Mountain

Deep in the mountains of north-central Mexico, among mists, canyons, and temperate jungles, a root is born with history, power, and tradition: chilcuague, also known as Heliopsis longipes or the “golden root.”

A gift from the Sierra Gorda and other sacred lands

Chilcuague grows wild in highly biodiverse mountain regions. Among them stands out the Sierra Gorda of Querétaro, a protected natural area with great ecological and cultural wealth. In this area, inhabited by Indigenous and farming communities, chilcuague has been used for generations as natural medicine and ceremonial plant.

But its origin is not limited to a single state. It also grows strongly in:

• The mountains of San Luis Potosí, where it is part of rural herbal knowledge

• The southern highlands of Zacatecas, where it forms part of traditional home remedies

• The northeast of Guanajuato, especially in communities that preserve ancestral medicine

• The Sierra Alta of Hidalgo, an ideal environment for its growth thanks to humidity and altitude

• And to a lesser extent, it has also been reported in wild areas of Jalisco and Michoacán

The root that holds the wisdom of the Earth

Chilcuague is not cultivated in industrial fields nor does it grow in just any soil. It needs specific altitudes, mineral-rich soil, moderate humidity, and partial shade. Its environment is key: the root absorbs the strength of the mountain, and with it, preserves the memory of the peoples who have known how to use it for healing.

More than a plant, chilcuague is a bridge between past and present. Its origin in these regions defines it not only as a botanical species, but as a symbol of resistance, healing, and connection to the Earth.

Its benefits are countless, and we continue to discover more—no doubt, the Earth gives us what we need.