Beebush
Globe Mallow
Sumac
works by encouraging the body to
sweat which is the starting point of
breaking a fever, and secondly is a mild
sedative which allows the person to
sleep during dis-ease. The taste is
quite pleasant and can also be drunk
for enjoyment.
Catclaw Acacia, Acacia greggii, can
look a lot like a Mesquite except for its
yellow puff ball flowers. There are sev-
eral species of Acacia and they can all
be used interchangeably. Its most
notable property is astringency, which
is characterized by the tightening affect
it has on tissue. This being said,
Acacia is your remedy the morning
after a long night out on the town by
easing stomach nausea, vomiting and
hangover. Also a good plant for first
aid, it is an affective hemostat and anti-
microbial wound wash. All around a
good plant to know.
Pajul del Norte, with its several vari-
eties, is universally called Desert
Sumac, or just Sumac. There are other
common names for native species such
as Evergreen Sumac, and Little Leaf
Sumac, but since their medicinal qual-
ities are interchangeable, just plain
Sumac will correctly suit. Probably
most notable as a wild food, it is also
aptly called Lemonade Berry. A cool-
ing and refreshing beverage for hot
days can be made by steeping a hand-
ful of fresh berries in one gallon of
clean water, and sweetening with
honey. The berries can also be dried
for later use. The leaves have many
more medicinal uses than do the
berries. To name a few, it is a superb
disinfectant and soft tissue sore tighten-
er for nostrils, lips, mouth, and nursing
mother’s nipples, as well as general
burns, scrapes and cuts.
Oreganillo, Aloysia wrightii, also
Cenizo
known as Beebush and Desert
Oregano. Ahhh, the smell of Beebush
warmed by the sun! Appropriately
named, bees love the sweet scent too.
Although sweet to the smell, it is an
aromatic bitter tea, and drunk before a
meal can aid in the digestive processes.
Or, if indigestion and bloating follows
a meal, a cup of tea will likewise aid in
moving these symptoms along.
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