This is my first article on the medicinal plants of the Southwestern United States (many of which also grow in northern Mexico) especially the ones that grow in the Sonoran desert
Before I continue I would like to give my gratitude to the native peoples (both in the United States and Mexico) who live in this area and were the first to discover the medicinal properties of these plants which grow in their enviroment and have been using them for thousands of years. Furthermore I would like to give thanks to herbalists such as the late Michael Moore, Charles W. Kane whom have written books that have helped me learn about these wonderful medicinal herbs. Additionally I would like to thank my instructors Lynn Romero and Feather Jones, both certified herbalists, who teach classes at the Naturopathic medical school that I attend and have always been more than happy to answer any questiosn that I have had.
Now on with our conversation,
BEFORE YOU HARVEST ANY DESERT PLANT MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ASKED PERMISSION TO DO SO IF YOU ARE NOT HARVESTING FROM YOUR OWN HOME. ALSO MAKE SURE THAT ITS NOT ILLEGAL TO HARVEST THE PLANT
Creosote bush (chaparral, gobernadora, hediondilla) Larrea tridentata
photo taken from wikipedia.org
Creosote bush a native plant of the desert is an evergreen bush that grows up to 1-3 meters (3-9 feet in height) the stems bear resinous dark green leaves. The flowers are 25mm in diameter with 5 yellow petals. The plant has an aroma that I would describe as burnt rubber, the leaves when crushed have a pleasant odor that reminds me of the desert after a rain shower. Creosote is endemic in the region where its found
parts used: Leaves and flowers
How to collect: find a place where there are several plants growing cut a few stems that appear healthy preferably during the rainy season when the plant is most vibrant and full of life. try to collect stems from various plants that way you dont over harvest a single bush.
furthermore I strongly suggest that you give thanks to the plant and any entity to which you pray (god spirits etc.) for having the priviledge of using the plant as medicine and also asking for the healing of the person whom you shall give the remedy to.
External use: yes
Internal use: yes
mode of use: Oil infusion (external), salve (external), tea (internal), macerated fresh plant (external)
Medicinally the plant may be employed for all types of conditions both internal and external and in my opinion Creosote is like a medicine cabinet in a bush. Traditionally this plant has been used externally for such common ills like scrapes, cuts, burns, acne, skin infections, and more serious conditions like sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, varicella, and snake bites.
when you use the plant in an external form the aroma is quite pleasing. Internally when drank as a tea I can tell you from personal experience that it is extremely bitter.
Now how to make the oil:
Materals needed: ample amounts of olive oil (castor oil, or jojoba oil), heavy duty scissors, a 1/2 quart transparent glass jar, a metal sieve and of course Creosote bush stems with leaf and all.
1) harvest several fresh Creosote stems
2) cut the stems with leaf and all into smaller portions in order to make it easier to place them in the glass jar. fill the glass jar 3/4 of the way full.
3) Add the oil until you cover all the plant material and fill the rest of the jar, if its necessary with a wooden stick you can move the plant material to make sure the oil settles in nicely.
4) put a tight lid on the jar and label it with the date and contents (both type of oil, and plant used)
5) place the jar in a place where it will receive plenty of sun light and wont be disturbed for at least 2-3 weeks.
6) After the time has lapsed you may now filter the oil from the plant material and split up the oil into smaller glass containers if you like.
7) The oil is now ready to be used and applied to the afected area of the skin
Ashta Nemanha Nuiknew (until next time my friends)
Before I continue I would like to give my gratitude to the native peoples (both in the United States and Mexico) who live in this area and were the first to discover the medicinal properties of these plants which grow in their enviroment and have been using them for thousands of years. Furthermore I would like to give thanks to herbalists such as the late Michael Moore, Charles W. Kane whom have written books that have helped me learn about these wonderful medicinal herbs. Additionally I would like to thank my instructors Lynn Romero and Feather Jones, both certified herbalists, who teach classes at the Naturopathic medical school that I attend and have always been more than happy to answer any questiosn that I have had.
Now on with our conversation,
BEFORE YOU HARVEST ANY DESERT PLANT MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ASKED PERMISSION TO DO SO IF YOU ARE NOT HARVESTING FROM YOUR OWN HOME. ALSO MAKE SURE THAT ITS NOT ILLEGAL TO HARVEST THE PLANT
Creosote bush (chaparral, gobernadora, hediondilla) Larrea tridentata
photo taken from wikipedia.orgCreosote bush a native plant of the desert is an evergreen bush that grows up to 1-3 meters (3-9 feet in height) the stems bear resinous dark green leaves. The flowers are 25mm in diameter with 5 yellow petals. The plant has an aroma that I would describe as burnt rubber, the leaves when crushed have a pleasant odor that reminds me of the desert after a rain shower. Creosote is endemic in the region where its found
parts used: Leaves and flowers
How to collect: find a place where there are several plants growing cut a few stems that appear healthy preferably during the rainy season when the plant is most vibrant and full of life. try to collect stems from various plants that way you dont over harvest a single bush.
furthermore I strongly suggest that you give thanks to the plant and any entity to which you pray (god spirits etc.) for having the priviledge of using the plant as medicine and also asking for the healing of the person whom you shall give the remedy to.
External use: yes
Internal use: yes
mode of use: Oil infusion (external), salve (external), tea (internal), macerated fresh plant (external)
Medicinally the plant may be employed for all types of conditions both internal and external and in my opinion Creosote is like a medicine cabinet in a bush. Traditionally this plant has been used externally for such common ills like scrapes, cuts, burns, acne, skin infections, and more serious conditions like sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, varicella, and snake bites.
when you use the plant in an external form the aroma is quite pleasing. Internally when drank as a tea I can tell you from personal experience that it is extremely bitter.
Now how to make the oil:
Materals needed: ample amounts of olive oil (castor oil, or jojoba oil), heavy duty scissors, a 1/2 quart transparent glass jar, a metal sieve and of course Creosote bush stems with leaf and all.
1) harvest several fresh Creosote stems
2) cut the stems with leaf and all into smaller portions in order to make it easier to place them in the glass jar. fill the glass jar 3/4 of the way full.
3) Add the oil until you cover all the plant material and fill the rest of the jar, if its necessary with a wooden stick you can move the plant material to make sure the oil settles in nicely.
4) put a tight lid on the jar and label it with the date and contents (both type of oil, and plant used)
5) place the jar in a place where it will receive plenty of sun light and wont be disturbed for at least 2-3 weeks.
6) After the time has lapsed you may now filter the oil from the plant material and split up the oil into smaller glass containers if you like.
7) The oil is now ready to be used and applied to the afected area of the skin
Ashta Nemanha Nuiknew (until next time my friends)
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