One of the characteristics of traditional Mexican medicine is the use of natural resources as a remedy. Pre-Hispanic codices show how diseases were treated, although it was believed that their origin was for cosmological reasons, there was a firm intention to comprehensively treat the causes and symptoms of diseases.

During the colonial era, at the national level, thanks to the herbaria, it was possible to inventory around 3000 plants, which were considered medicinal.

Dr. José Eleuterio González, showed great interest in the fact that botany was a fundamental part in the training of the students of the School of Medicine, and of doctors in general. He says that: "So it is convenient for young doctors and apothecaries to dedicate themselves with determination to the study of botany, which, on the other hand, both facilitates the study of the other branches of natural history." (González Mendoza, 1881, p. . fifteen)

Under this premise, in 1881 he wrote “A speech and a catalog of classified plants: aimed at students of the Monterey School of Medicine”, where he lists the plants he had been able to examine and classify, located in the city of Monterrey and its surroundings. By grouping 376 plants in alphabetical order, classifying them by vulgar name, scientific name and family.

The common diseases of the region, epidemics and many times, the shortage of medicines, led Dr. Gonzalitos to the constant study of the local pharmacopoeia.

In 1888 he published "Oral Lessons of Medical and Therapeutic Matters", where he is no longer limited to plants, but also speaks of animal and mineral resources as a form of medical treatment. Which divides into narcotics or narcotics, cyan medications, antispasmodic medications, stimulants or excitators, diaphoretic or sweaty, diuretics of the animal kingdom, and emetics; of each of them explains the mode of collection, the organoleptic characteristics, chemical composition, therapeutic properties, mode of preparation and administration.