Ethnobotany of the Southwest Medicinal Plants

Zia Sign Five Directions Five Elements

North-South-East-West-Center Spring-Early Summer-Late Summer-

Fall-Winter

Common Name: Chaparral - Gobernadora

n Larrea tridentata: medicinal n Also known as Hediondilla n Influences the Liver; blooms

in Spring; purifies & detoxifies.

n Leaves and flowers used in teas, extracts and oils.

n Also used in skin remedies and in baths.

n Should be used with in low doses in a clear tea or water

Common Name: Vervain - Dormilon

n Verbena coccinea n Also known as: Sleepy

Head n Influences the Liver;

cooling & calming; aids in sleeping; assists in drug detoxifying.

n Flowers & leaves can be used in infusions- hot or cold and liquid extracts.

Common Name: Common Mallow

n Malva Neglecta: edible and medicinal

n Leaves and young shoots of common mallow are edible raw or cooked. All parts of the plant are astringent, laxative, urine-inducing, and have agents that counteract inflammation, that soften and soothe the skin when applied locally, has demulcent properties and induces the removal (coughing up) of mucous secretions from the lungs.

Common Name: Stinging Nettles

n Urtica dioica: edible and medicinal n Used for tea, stopping bleeding. Diuretic, brings circulation,

arthritis, joint tension, nourishes female reproduction.

n High in Iron, Chlorophyll and Formic Acid

Common Name: Purslane - Verdolagas n Portulaca oleracea:

edible and medicinal n Perennial and very

common n Benefits the Heart and

kidneys; the expressed juice, taken while fresh is very cooling to hot inflammations and soreness.

n Can be eaten both raw in salads and lightly cooked with onions, eggs, and many other dishes.

n Very high in Vitamin A, C, E, and omega fatty acids

n A pleasant sour, juicy flavor for summer

Common Name: Rose Hips Rosa

n Sp. Rosa: edible and medicinal

n Cooling, refreshing, tonic for the Heart

n A cousin of the Hawthorn berry

n They are extremely high in vitamin C

n Mostly used in tea but also used in soups.

Common Name: Yerba Mansa

n Anemopsis californica: medicinal n The whole plant is analgesic, blood purifier,

disinfectant, diuretic, stomachic and tonic for the Heart; cooling.

n Excellent for cosmetic and topical inflammations

Common Name: Wild Currant - Mora

n Ribes aurea: edible and medicinal

n Blackcurrant fruits are a good source of minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin C. They have diuretic and diaphoretic actions, help to increase bodily resistance to infections and are a valuable remedy for treating colds and flu; a Heart food

Common Name: Prickly Pear Cactus Nopal/Tuna

nOpuntia sp.:edible and medicinal nCooling to the Pancreas/Spleen n The entire plant can be used as a food source. Contains large amounts of B vitamins. Prickly Pear Cactus is believed to lower blood glucose levels, partly due to its coating of the gastrointestinal tract. Prickly Pear Cactus may also be effective in treating gastrointestinal infections, strengthening the tissues of the digestive tract, and in lowering cholesterol. It may be useful topically in the healing of minor scrapes and burns.

Common Name: Tomatillo

n Solanum: edible n Tomatillos are a good source of vitamin C n A relative of the tomato and member of the nightshade

(Solanaceae) family tomatillos provide that tart flavor in a host of Mexican green sauces

Common Name: Anil Del Muerto

n Verbesina encelioides: medicinal

n Also known as Flower of the Dead

n Perennial n Used as an anti-

inflammatory and topically for; cold sores, boils, pimples, hemorrhoids and spider bites. Topically as a salve and its flowers are used in infusions.

Common Name: Poleo/Brook Mint

n Mentha arvensis: edible and medicinal n Assists in assimilation and digestion n The whole plant is anaesthetic, antispasmodic, antiseptic,

aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, refrigerant, stimulant and stomachic

Common Name: Mullein - Gordolobo

n Verbascum thapsus: medicinal

n Benefits the Lungs; a tea is used for hacking cough and for soothing sore lungs from infections; mildly sedative

n May be smoked in place of tobacco

n Markedly demulcent, emollient and astringent properties, cough of consumption.

Common Name: Gumweed Yerba del Buey

n Grindelia squarrosa: Medicinal n Benefits the Lungs n Use dried aerial parts for Anti-spasmodic, expectorant,

hypotensive. Can benefit asthmatics.

n Used in topicals to cool inflammation from poison ivy/oak

Common Name: Snakebroom Escoba de la

Vibora

n Gutierrezia sarothrae: medicinal

n Known to induce sweating, reduce arthritis, help joint health, colds, indigestion, stings, open sores and baths.

n Use flowers for infusions and stems for open wounds esp. stings and bites.

Common Name: Wolfberry Mora del Lobo

n Lycium sp.: edible and medicinal n Benefits the Kidneys; moistening; tonic; a cousin of Goji Berry n The berries appear to exert a beneficial effect on the kidneys, protecting it

from damaging toxins. The root stimulates the involuntary nervous system that governs the internal organs. The root also relaxes the walls of the arteries, allowing them to expand and thus lowering blood pressure.

Common Name: Horsetail Cola de Caballo

n Equisetum arvense: medicinal

n Benefits the kidneys;

clearing; detoxifying; tonifying.

n A tea is diuretic and cooling to urinary tract infections.

n Tonic to the Bladder

n May also help staunch bleeding

n Very mineralizing for bones

Common Name: Willow - Jara

n Salix sp.: medicinal n Assists the kidneys. n Pain relieving quality

and cooling. n Excellent in tea or

baths for pain, backache, headache

n Can benefit cystitis, urethral irritation, prostatitis, ovaritis, and kidney inflammations.

Common Name: Canadian Fleabane

n Conyza Canadensis: medicinal

n Dried pulverized flower heads make a snuff that, breaks up a head cold or catarrh, Other uses and teas for rheumatism, lameness, and stomach disorders, tanning hides, lotions for body pain and headaches, steam used in ceremonies, smoke to ward of insects. It was also used to clear intestinal parasites, hence the name.

Common Name: Four-wing saltbush

n Atriplex canescens: edible

n No member of this genus contains any toxins, all our thought to have edible leaves.

n Used for Dye; Drinks; Leaves; Seeds; its Fire retardant properties; Hedges; Potash and its soapy foam is used for stings.

Common Name: One Seeded Juniper

n Sp. Juniperus monosperma: edible and medicinal n Uses: Fruit, Gum, Antiphlogistic, Birthing aid, Diuretic,

Febrifuge, Laxative, Odontalgic, Pectoral, Poultice, Stomachic, Beads, Dye and Wood.

Common Name: Four O Clock

n Mirabilis multiflora: dye or medicinal

n The boiled flowers make a light brown or purple color for dying wool. The roots of older plants make a blood-strengthening tea for pregnant women. Teas are made to treat colic, eye infections, muscle soreness, body swellings, rheumatism and indigestion. The leaves are dried for smoking material. Has a sedative property.

Common Name: Dandelion

n Taraxacum officinale: edible and medicinal

n The leaves are high in vitamin A, vitamin C and iron, carrying more iron and calcium than spinach

n Diuretic, tonic and slightly aperient. It is a general stimulant to the system, but especially to the urinary organs, and is chiefly used in kidney and liver disorders

Common Name: Common Thistle

n Sp. Cirsium: edible and medicinal n Can be eaten flowers, root, seed and

stem.

n Antihaemorrhoidal; Antirheumatic; Poultice.

n The roots have been used as a poultice and a decoction of the plant used as a poultice on sore jaws.

n A hot infusion of the whole plant has been used as a herbal steam for treating rheumatic joints.

n A decoction of the whole plant has been used both internally and externally to treat bleeding piles

Common Name: Tomatillo

n Sp. Solanum: edible n Tomatillos are a good source of vitamin C n A relative of the tomato and member of the nightshade (Solanaceae)

family tomatillos provide that tart flavor in a host of Mexican green sauces

Common Name: Willow

n Salix sp.: medicinal n Assists the kidneys. n Pain relieving quality

and cooling. n Excellent in tea or

baths for pain, backache, headache

n Can benefit cystitis, urethral irritation, prostatitis, ovaritis, and kidney inflammations.

Common Name: Yarrow

n Achillea Millefolium: medicinal

n Diaphoretic, astringent, tonic, stimulant and mild aromatic.

n Used in teas and compresses to stop bleeding.

Common Name: Spearmint/ Yerba Buena

n Mentha spicata: edible and medicinal

n Used mainly for digestion problems.

n Leaves are bruised and infused.

Common Name: Cattails

n Typha latifolia: edible and medicinal n Different parts of cattails should be harvested at different times of the year

and require different ways of processing. It is suggested to collect the rhizomes and rhizome shoots in late fall to early spring. The fibrous outer layers should be peeled off while still wet. In spring, the "bulbous" base and shoots can be pickled. The shoot can be used raw as in salads or used in stew. To make a flour, the rhizome is ground down and the fibers are removed. The flour can be dried and stored for later use.

Common Name: Red Clover

n Trifolium pretense: edible and medicinal n Treats skin inflammations as psoriasis and eczema, an expectorant and demulcent,

and is helpful in the treatment of bronchitis and spasmodic coughs, particularly whooping cough. May stimulate the liver and gall bladder and has been used for constipation and sluggish appetite. The blossoms were smoked as a remedy for asthma. An infusion of red clover blossoms used as a skin wash, or a poultice prepared from fresh blossoms, may relieve the irritation of athletes foot or insect bites. As an eyewash, red clover tincture diluted with fresh water may relieve conjunctivitis. More recently, red clover has been studied as an alternative remedy for hot flashes in menopausal women as well as hot flashes in men following surgery for prostate cancer.

Common Name: Potentilla

n Sp. Potential: Medicinal n Also known as; Silverweed n Used for lotion, haundice, loose

teeth, removing skin defects, cramps, etc.

n # A tablespoonful of the herb, boiled in a cup of milk, has been recommended as an effective remedy in tetanus, or lockjaw. The tea should be drunk as hot as possible.

n # The dried and powdered leaves have been successfully administered in ague (an acute ailment that causes shivering or alternating chills and fever), the more astringent roots have been given in powder in doses of a scruple (about 1.3 grams) and upwards.

Common Name: Barberry

n Berberis fendleri: edible and medicinal

n Can be eaten cooked or raw. Medically used for an antibacterial; cancer.

n A yellow dye is obtained from the root.

Common Name: Tomatillo

n Sp. Solanum: edible n Tomatillos are a good source of vitamin C n A relative of the tomato and member of the nightshade (Solanaceae)

family tomatillos provide that tart flavor in a host of Mexican green sauces

Common Name: Wild Lettuce

n Lactuca serriola: medicinal

n The drug resembles a feeble opium without its tendency to upset the digestive system. It is used to a small extent as a sedative and narcotic.

Common Name: New Mexico Olive

n Forestiera neomexicana: edible and medicinal

n The fruit is edible

Common Name: Horsetail Cola de Caballo

n Equisetum arvense: medicinal

n Benefits the kidneys;

clearing; detoxifying; tonifying.

n A tea is diuretic and cooling to urinary tract infections.

n Tonic to the Bladder

n May also help staunch bleeding

n Very mineralizing for bones

Common Name: Cholla Cactus

n Sp. Opuntia: edible and medicinal

n Also known as the Teddy Bear Cholla

n Nopales (the edible species of prickly pear and the harvested whole pads of the same) are very nutritious. Nopalitos (small pads that are cut into bite-size pieces) are mucilaginous like okra, and good for thickening broths. The mucilage also helps control blood-sugar levels associated with adult-onset diabetes.