the flowers, that is. my sweetie and i went down to big bend for my birthday weekend not too long ago...the flowers were popping everywhere !! in this post i've included the traditional southwest names if applicable, as well as their traditional southwest uses (except where denoted with
*asterisks*, which is my general knowledge and/or experiences
). note, the
traditional uses are for the pure knowledge of it's history that i'm highlighting, and in no way am i saying this is still how they are used, or should be used. the credation for this information comes from the book Los Remedios by Michael Moore and Mimi Kamp. it's a superb way of re-looking at southwest plants, which is exactly what i'm doing on my return.
INDIAN PAINTBRUSH, FLOR DE SANTA RITA
so bright, bold and billowing. there must be something wrong with a person if they don't pull off on the side of the road just to look at this flower...even if they're not a flower person, it's so exquisite. who knows what color will appear...soft yellow, sorbert orange, candy apple red, or any variation of yellow, orange and red.
medicinally, as a tea it is used in water retention due to changes in weather and temperature, i suspect altitude and pressure would apply too, like a long plane flight.
INMORTAL, ANTELOPE HORNS
again, indescribable...i have no words...this was one of my first introductions to arizona and i haven't seen it again until now. medicinally, it's primary use if for respiratory ailments, and secondarily used for reproductive and heart ailments. as a reproductive medicine, the tea is drank to help expel afterbirth, and to stimulate breat milk. as a respiratory aid, the root tea is used for shortness of breath, an enlarged heart due to old age, and an expectorant for bronchitis. the powdered dried root was snorted to relieve pressure headaches from sinus infections. the following is verbatum, because it is so shock-full there is no need to paraphrase..."combined with OSHA, it is a general preventative for the onset of any disease. it is said to be effective for internal bruises and abdominal pain; and some people say it relieves gallbladder attacks. it stimulates delayed, crampy menses. it has been used to induce abortion, but, to [his] knowledge, it is ineffective for this purpose."
BIG BEND BLUE BONNETS, not Texas Blue Bonnets
no medicinal quality except perhaps a flower essence, of which i'd like to make
my fellow plant i.d.er and chauffeur
CATCLAW ACACIA, UNA DE GATO
fresh springs of this flower put in a bottle of room temp water makes a refreshing beverage...an exotic fragrance that makes me think of honey, jasmine and sweet, warm milk...*it also seems to me to be an aphrodisiac, but i suppose that could depend on the person...the cold infusion water is quite addicting, and can be refilled over and over again without using new springs....we refilled our water for almost three days using the same herb, and the flavor never faded...medicinally the leaves and bark are used as an astringent for gastro/digestive issue, and settles the stomach...the flower is quite lovely and magically and stands on its own as aromatherapeutically.*
traditionally, the powdered pod is used as a poultice for bruised, sprains and general muscle pain. it is interchangable with MESQUITE; pod and leaf tea used as an eyewash; pod, leaf or bark tea used to treat dysentary, diarhea and stomach ulcers. the gum is used to ease upset stomach from food poisoning, flu and surgery.
PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS, and SPINELESS PRICKLY PEAR
all the years i've been here i've never actually seen this in full bloom the way they are this year...so abundant!! which is great news because this means lots of *prickly pear juice...like the Acacia water, prickly pear juice is something to enjoy daily, and is also a popular margarita version out here in the west. medicinally though, it is used as an antiinflammatory for asthma, among other things, as well as a tool for regulating blood sugar inbalances.*
imagine looking out over the vasness of the desert, and in the low areas are miles and miles of yellow and white clusters of ruffles as far as the eye can see...
OCOTILLO
i know i say "this is my favorite" about every plant and flower, but truly, the ocotillo floored me when i first moved out here...so bizarre, and intriguing...a Chi mover for stagnant lower abdominals, a lymphatic, treats gallbladder infections, reduces benign tumors and cysts...also makes a cool, refreshing cold infusion water...if so bold, try letting is ferment a little, it tastes like watermelon.
FEATHER DELEA
she's so wild and bold with her flourescent hairs and white fur...makes a great tasting tea for no other reason except that it tastes great.
a secondary source, Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs (Peterson Field Guides) states that the Keres Indians used the tea to increase lung capacity and endurance for running, and as an emetic before eating. the leaf tea is considered to be a strong laxative.
DAMIANA, DAMIANITA
known primarily as an aphrodisiac (trust me, just smell it), and restores sexual debility. a mood elevator for depression and anxiety. a gentle diuretic, and stomach settler. *i like to spike my bedtime tea with a little pinch...a nervine that helps to relax and ready one's self for sleep...i tend to dream with this herb too*
BULL NETTLE, TOMATITO
a nightshade and heavily toxic, it is not recommended medicinally. HOWEVER! i love the "howevers" of toxic plants...the berries can be used instead of rennet to curdle milk in making cheeses, an old southwest tradition
GOLDWEED, GOLDEN CROWNBEARD, BUTTER DAISY, ANIL DE MUERTO
leaf tea as an antiinflammatory to relieve gas and pain due to distension of stomach and intestines, ulcers, colitis, and hemorrhoids.
PURPLE SAGE, CENIZO
a simple, declicious tea taken at the onset of a cough, cold or fever
the following are either for enjoyment, or i'm not positive on the identification. if positive ID is confirmed for those in question, i will re-post with updated info.
aster kisses
the biggest petrified tree i've ever seen. the fine specimen on the bottom right gives you an idea of just how big it is, with that being the heart of the tree he is leaning on. we named this the Mother Tree, like on Avatar.
these dream-scapes reflect how we felt that day
the day's harvest
