1 I'm travelling the world to discover the secrets of lasting beauty,... There's snail secretion in this. ...great health... This is your pharmacy. Yeah. ...and extraordinary long life. Better skin than I've got. (LAUGHS) Look at him. From different parts of the world, I wanna find the secrets. This time my search for great health and well-being is taking me to Mexico. Just about all the beauty treatments I'm finding come from my favourite foods. This is gonna be a culinary dream. Chocolate can actually be good for you. And if I'm not eating the stuff, I'm being rubbed in it. SOTTO VOCE: I'm having my egg read. I'm diving into some very special remedies the ancient Mayan community swore by. Nature is genius! Can Mexico teach us something new that the rest of the world hasn't shown us already? (SPITS) (GASPS) Copyright Able 2015 CHEERFUL MUSIC I'm in the town of Tulum, on the east coast of Mexico, and it's a spine-tingling experience. Look at that sunrise. That's... epically beautiful. For the thousands of Mayans who once lived here, superfoods and natural medicines were a part of everyday life. The Mayan civilisation left some ancient wisdom that we could all learn something from ` the balance of the mind, body and spirit, and that everything is connected. I've heard the same thing in other countries. So what's unique about Mayan health and beauty? JUNGLE MUSIC To find out, I'm visiting a part of the Yucatan jungle where people still celebrate the Mayan way of life. (SIGHS) There's jaguars in this jungle. Frogs. Came across a frog. 'Course there's snakes. And mosquitos, which I'm getting bitten by on my face and on parts of my body which we cannot talk about. Clearly, the Mayans lived dangerously. But I'm prepared to brave more mozzies and the mysteries of the jungle to find out what the Mayans can teach us about health and beauty today. So, welcome to the M` jungle Maya. First up, Anaid's showing me that if you know where to look, you can even find water in trees. This is fresh water from this branch. Nature is genius. Oh my God, what is going on here? 'Next, a meal just ready for the picking.' Look at this. It's like a carpet of caterpillars. With the tacos? Yeah. There's no spine in there. No, they don't` Imagine that exploding in your mouth. (LAUGHS) I would make them pets. But if taco filling can be found on trees, no wonder the Mayans survived so long. And when they needed an energy lift or some ointment, they turned to their own special kind of honey. They are very important. Ah! Oh my God, look at them. Yeah. Oh my God. Oh my God. No, no, no, no, no. While these bees might look a little scary,... Take one. Put your hands... ...they don't sting. The Mayans regarded them as sacred and kept them as pets. And this is the honey in here? I've tasted honey all over the world. So what's so unique about the Mayan variety? Oh my God, it's a lot more, um... watery. Yeah, they` Isn't it? I mean, it's not so... thick and sticky. I just can't believe, like, how... incredible the t` honey tastes. No wonder the Mayans thought their honey was a gift from the gods. BOTH CHUCKLE The ancient Mayans were also huge fans of chia seeds. Oh my God, it's so light. It's vitamin. A lot of vitamin A, B and C. It's full of omega-threes as well, right? Yeah. Yeah. Once, chia seeds sustained Mayan warriors during combat and were more prized than gold. So it's a truly potent seed. Yeah. So you're gonna make me a drink now. These days in LA, we're drinking chia smoothies. But here, they mix chia seeds with honey and lime. Cheers. Cheers. UPBEAT MUSIC Mmm. (GULPS) (GULPS) Very good. So there's our little chia drink, which is known to give you a lot of strength and a lot of power for the day. So it was very very important to the Mayan diet. I'm definitely gonna have problems getting it out of my teeth. But the Mayans even have a solution for that. This man's collecting a sap that's meant to be great for dental hygiene. And this is another of Mexico's gifts to the world. So this is chewing gum? Yeah. Are you kidding me? It's amazing. (CHUCKLES) And to be honest, um, with no sugar in it, it's great. I'm actually really excited that it's not some manufactured commercial product. And it does exist in a state where you can pick it off the tree and actually eat it. How incredible is that? But the jungle didn't only provide food and medicine for the Mayans. It was an incredibly sacred place, especially the cenotes, or mineral baths. A local shaman, or healer, is performing a purification ceremony. This involves communicating with the spirit world as well as a reading of my psychic health. You don't mess with women like this. Female shamans are very powerful. (CHUCKLES) And suddenly, I'm the focus of her powerful gaze. It's as if she's trying to look into my soul. (SPEAKS SPANISH) TRANSLATOR: You are burdened by bad energy and sadness. Leave it all. May you go ahead and overcome this with the light of the truth, and walk ahead. Admit your mistakes. JUNGLE MUSIC DARKENS Hmm. I'm not sure about all that. Dona Berna's also renowned for mixing herbal cures with practical magic. MOSQUITO BUZZES WHISPERS: That is a big mosquito. And with so many Mayan health treatments nearby, I'm hopeful she's got a remedy for mosquito bites. My entire body's filled with... mosquito right now. It's kinda making me a little irritable, to be honest. So she found this plant that is gonna help me hopefully with my mosquito... So she's heated it up` oh, yeah. (SPEAKS SPANISH) And apparently relief is only three breaths away. (BREATHES DEEPLY) (BREATHES DEEPLY) Oh. Yeah. Como siente? > Feels fresher. It just feels a lot less, um... heavy and, kinda, itchy. It's definitely takes` As she said, it kind of feels more fresh. Um, it's just kind of taken the` the swelling out of it. Done. Now, I don't wanna swim in this cenote, cos there's too many mozzies. But nearby, there's an absolutely stunning one that the Mayans also regarded as sacred. The Mayans used these to clear their mind, bodies and souls. And you can see why ` they're incredibly beautiful. You can see all the rocks that are kinda crystallised in the background and... Even though there's a lot of people around, there's something very very special about these. They definitely have something very very sacred about them. And I wanna stay in here because all my itchy bites, it's making them feel better. A lot better, a` Actually, a lot better. Coming up ` the ancient Mayan superfoods that are taking over the world today... Oh, quite sweet. ...as I eat my way around Mexico. There's worms in there? Oh my God. Oh my God. No, no, no, no, no. 1 UPBEAT MUSIC On my tour of beauty, I've arrived in the culinary capital of Mexico. I'm in Oaxaca. And this kinda looks like it could say 'O-ax-a-ka'. But I'm in 'Wa-ha-ka'. Oaxaca is one of the poorer states of Mexico but is rich in great new world foods. Can hardly wait to try some. At this store, they make one of the world's favourite sweet treats. But can they convince me this is healthy? I dunno about that. Mexico gave the world chocolate 500 years ago. Hola. Hola. But not the super sweet kind we're used to. The Mayans made it from cocoa beans without milk or sugar. So basically, you take these beans, cinnamon and almonds. And then put them through this. You watching? And then it comes out. Voila. And it's all natural. Wow. And this is how Salvador's family has been making chocolate for centuries. That's no sugar? No. No, no, no sugar. That tastes amazing by itself. Yeah. It's energy. Yeah! Yeah. And there's antioxidants. 'It's also high in magnesium, calcium, iron, copper and zinc.' Look at that. Smells good. So, we're gonna make a really amazing drink from this. Agua caliente. Like, I drink coffee in the morning. People from Mexico are more likely to drink chocolate. Oh, I can do it? Yeah. Yeah, yeah. You. > It is frothing it up and mixing it ` chocolate and water. Gently. Is that good? Yes. Here we go. It's strong, eh. > Strong? Yeah. Yeah, yeah. > Drinking a Mayan drink right now. Yeah, it's good. Yeah. Nice and frothy. Very light. (CLEARS THROAT) This has got no sugar or`? Makes you... I'm gonna be strong? Yeah. (CHUCKLES) I don't think I can be stronger than I am. So, like chia seeds, the Mayans believed chocolate was great for strength. And just add cinnamon and a little sugar and you have this chocolate bar. (CHUCKLES) I like that. Is it? Yeah. It's good. Chocolate can actually be good for you. I'm finding Mexico is full of ingredients and food that are becoming popular in the pantries of health-conscious people worldwide. I'm now in the countryside of Oaxaca. Now, the soil here is extremely fertile. A lot of my friends, especially those with wheat allergies, are getting into amaranth ` a grain which is making a huge resurgence here. Roque is showing me how it's grown. So, amaranth is very similar to quinoa. Yeah. They are, like, uh, from the same family. Quinoa is also healthy. The protein that the amaranth have is, like, so strong, like is` is like meat or milk. Wow. But it's better because` because there's no, like, fat in` in the` in the grain. Instead of having wheat, where gluten's a problem for you, this is a great substitute. Yeah, yeah. And you can make flour to make, uh, uh, breads and tortillas. This is like a traditional kitchen, eh, with these comales of, uh, ceramic. Right. Today, we're making tostadas, mixing amaranth with coconut and corn. And this is one very very healthy way to actually eat a tostada. I love tostadas too. I love tostadas too. They're so good. SOFTLY: Fantastic. They are ready. You can... yeah, just break. Yeah. (CRUNCHES) Oh, quite sweet. < Yeah. Mmm. (CRUNCHES) But the most popular way to eat amaranth is by popping the grain... And you can smells the amaranth flavour. No, it's absolutely gorgeous. ...then using it to create bars called alegrias ` literally meaning 'happiness'. This is a perfect gluten-free snack. Yeah. It's a health snack. Oh my God, it's so light. (CHUCKLES) It's great. You can feel this actually gives you energy. You don't feel heavy in your stomach. What a great little breakfast bar too. Yeah. Yeah. MOUTH FULL: Amazing. I love it. I love the way Mexicans can turn so many of their native ingredients into the most delicious and healthy meals. Nora. Hola. How are you? Today I'm shopping with Nora, who's passionate about the Mexican ancestral diet. This way. This afternoon, she's cooking a traditional meal for me and her family. (CLAPS) OK, fantastic. So many amazing things I've never heard of. There's worms in there? Oh my God. Oh my God. No, no, no, no, no. Do you eat them? Come on, Rachel. Finding the strength to keep up with her is tricky. This way. Come on, Rachel. > Thank God for the chia seeds and chocolate. (CHUCKLES) What are these? Green tomatoes. Oh my God, they're chillies. (LAUGHS) That is` Is it hot? (LAUGHS) > Welcome to the chilli world. Wow, this is gorgeous. Welcome home. Mi casa es tu casa. (CHUCKLES) Are you ready? Yeah, I am. We're going now to do the mole verde. OK. I know that 'verde' means green, but what's a mole? 'Salsa' means sauce. What we're gonna do here is we're gonna fry these white beans. OK? OK. Did the Mayans eat mole? Of course. Is it very nutritious, the mole? Of course. Of course. You look at me like I'm crazy. This is` This is` This herb is really beautiful. You see? It is the hoja santa. And there's nine other green herbs and spices that will make this mole very verde. But I have to ask you something ` how spicy we're gonna do this dish? Oh, just do it what you would normally do. Mole is a Oaxacan speciality. You can make it as hot as you like. And I've heard chiles verdes are super hot. Oh my God. Two! Just, I'm gonna... put one and a half. (CHUCKLES) It's OK. right here. Yeah, one and a half with all the seeds. OK. Tomatillos. But is this a tomato? It is a tomati` This is a t` It is a tomato. Nora blends tomatoes, chillies and herbs together... Colour's gorgeous. ...and adds chicken. So now we just wait until boiling. Nora, who inspired your cooking? It's always exciting to cook for a family. Cooking, it is the action of love, you know. Mm. I think it is` what, um, keep, you know, the family together. It is the heart of the house. Mm. OK, ready. Mealtime in Mexico means the family gathered around the table. Eating isn't something to be rushed. I like this. You wanna make`? Do you want me to pass it down? Yes. You want an extra pepper? No. (CHUCKLES) < No? (LAUGHS) OK. < Let's go see if this is spicy enough for my sisters. OK. Oh my God, do you like spicy? Si. Spicy. ALL LAUGH And you just pour in a little bit. The mole ` it's really good. Mm-hm. Very tasty. It has a really, kinda, delicate spice to it, but completely, um` I mean, I'm completely OK with it. So it's not too spicy. We could've gone a little heavier on the spices. See? And we're toasting with chia mixed with honey and citrus, of course. Come back to Oaxaca, Rachel. I will, that's for sure. (LAUGHS) And to end the perfect Mexican meal, a pie made with amaranth and apples. Everything's really light and really fresh and not too sweet. It's perfect. It's perfect and it's healthy. Mm. Yeah. Very healthy. Mexico's truly another confirmation of the importance of the ancestral diet. Following eating patterns from ancient cultures, I reckon, definitely has its benefits. Family, food, love and, um,... culture. I'm a fan. WOMEN CHATTER Coming up ` more psychic readings... SOTTO VOCE: I'm having my egg read. ...as a traditional healing gets messy. (SPITS) (GASPS) 1 STREET BAND PLAYS FESTIVE MUSIC I've been eating my way around Mexico. But now it's time to discover more about my spiritual well-being. So this is it. Frida, a model and actress, is going to introduce me to some ancient remedies. This is a temazcal. That means house of steam. OK. So this is a sauna kind of feeling, but you actually heal your body and soul. Yikes. I think that might mean another assessment of my psyche. Alejandro is a healer who claims he owes his well-being to the effects of the temazcal. He's saying that he hopes that he has the best day for you for your renewal ` emotionally and physically. But before my renewal can take place, I have to be extremely chilled. So first, we're doing relaxation exercises. And allow yourself to feel your body. (SPEAKS SPANISH) You body is starting to talk to you. SINGS: Ha venido, el Senor. As the temazcal heats up, we brush ourselves with basil. Alejandro believes it will cleanse our bodies and draw out bad energy. # Mi esperanza y mi fe... My heart is racing, and I'm sweating buckets. This is a spa experience like nothing I've ever had before. # Mi esperanza... # After an hour and a half, Alejandro's ready to assess my psyche. The shaman in the jungle told me to let go of bad energy. I wonder what he will say. He's rubbing his hands together to give his energy to start healing. (SPEAKS IN SPANISH) < Does it hurt there? Oh, yeah. < Your heart is not good. Mm. < It's overcharged with something that you have stuck in yourself. RESTRAINED: Ow. Alejandro tries to restore my balance by pushing hard on different pressure points. Apparently, this can tell him about my emotional well-being, my strengths and my weaknesses. (SPEAKS SPANISH) Yeah. (SPEAKS SPANISH) No, I felt released. Your body comes down and it settles into yourself. (CHUCKLES) You're amazing. Thank you. Aw. (SPEAKS SPANISH) How do you feel? I feel good. Much lighter than when I came in. Brighter, now. You're glowing. My body and soul might be better balanced, but a second opinion never hurts. SOTTO VOCE: I'm having my egg read. Rocio is also a healer and performs egg cleansing. Apparently, it clears a person's energy field, ridding them of bad toxins. There's also a bit of emotional assessment too. Just my luck (!) So, basically, she takes the egg and then rubs it on different parts of the body. (SPEAKS SPANISH) So, through this process with the egg, collects all the e` energies from around the body to help purify and de-stress the mind. Well, now we're gonna crack the egg and actually see what is in it. Because, apparently, once we open it, something's gonna happen. (SPEAKS SPANISH) TRANSLATOR: The egg is one of the biggest cells, and it has movement on its own. Your energy is fine, but something big has happened in your life which you haven't got over. But you're in a good way to get over it. Some good news at last! Everything you've said so far is` is, um,... The egg's telling a good story. (CHUCKLES) But the egg's also absorbed my bad energy, so it has to go. SPLASH! Good riddance. Here we go. And what cleansing would be complete without a bunch of herbs? (SINGS IN SPANISH) (BREATHES DEEPLY) Now she's drinking mescal, the local 49% proof alcohol, which some Mexicans believe has curative properties. I'm kind of intrigued to see what's gonna happen with this. (SPITS) (GASPS) Both sides need to be blown. (SPITS) (GASPS) SPANISH GUITAR MUSIC That's two eggs and two blows down. It's the second egg that will now reveal my state of well-being. (SPEAKS SPANISH) TRANSLATOR: The whites are really see-through. You're cleaner now. The yolk is still not the centre, but your health is good. When people are sick, these yolks are black. The good news is I only needed two eggs, because usually it goes on to three. And I need better nutrition, fibre, um,... some water with parsley or hibiscus. I was a little bit tired, she said. And also, she said that I have a` a good ability to be able to heal. I just love this stuff. It's` It's definitely part of my nature. And a little bit of magic in your life, I don't think,... is harmful. UPBEAT MUSIC So I've basically eaten my way through Mexico with the chocolate, the honey, the mole, the, uh, chillies, the amaranth. And the ancestral diet ` how important it is here. And having people like Nora and her` her knowledge of the ingredients and the plants that are in her own country is really important. The healers here were a big surprise. Apparently, I've got a whole list of things to sort out. If you've got an angry person, they're pretty much an ugly person, right? So for me to work on that stuff is really really important. But the best thing about Mexico is the people. These amazing people that I've met. Humble and proud and hard-working and have a great love for their family. And that is very much a part of the culture here. It's pretty incredible. So, I'm in Oaxaca, but I know it kinda looks like 'Oh-sa-ka-ka'. Oh... Wa... (LAUGHS) Osaka! Osaka. Are we in Tokyo? No. So, I'm in Oaxaca right now. But it kinda looks like 'O-ax-a-ka'. Right? Well, it's not. It's 'O-ha-ka'. < 'Wa-ha-ka'. 'O-ha-ka'. LAUGHS: 'Wa-ha-ka'! Like the haka. (LAUGHS) Copyright Able 2015