YUCCA SCHIDIGERA
Coral Piña
Yucca Schidigera commonly known as Adam’s Needle Yucca is a plant, member of the agavaceae family. Also known as Mojave yucca, Spanish bayonet, and Spanish dagger due to its “sharp dagger-like leaves” (Montgomery, 2010). North America and Central America are place of origin to Yucca Schidigera (van Wyk & Wink, 2004), currently one can find Yucca plant in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. In order for the plant to grow healthy it must be on a rocky desert slope; full of sun and soil that provides good drainage (Montgomery, 2010).
Native Americans used Yucca Schidigera to treat different illnesses such as arthritis (Cheeke, Piacente, & Oleszek, 2006). According to Dr. Cichoke the Navajo, Lakota and Cheyenne would use Yucca Schidigera to make soap out of the root and shampoo from the leaves. Other tribes including the Blackfoot and Kiowa used the root in a tonic for the treatment of hair loss (Cichoke, 2001). Yucca root was and is currently used as a food source.
Powder and extract for Yucca Schidigera is currently being used as animal feed addit...
Peyote was originally described in 1560, however it was not until the middle of the nineteenth century that botanists were able to conduct field research and correctly classify the cactus (Anderson, 1980). Field studies have concluded that there are two distinct populations of peyote which represent two species. The first and most common, Lophophora williamsii extends from southern Texas reaching south to the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi. The second and least common of the two species is Lophophora difusa, which occurs in the dryer terrain of the Mexican state of Queretaro. This species differs from the more common species by, "being yellowish-green rather than blue green in color, by lacking any type of ribs or furrows, by having poorly developed podaria (elevated humps), and by being a softer, more succulent plant" (Anderson 1980). Native Americans use peyote in their religious practices because of its psychoactive properties, and is usually eaten as mescal buttons, the dried, brown pieces of the above part of the cactus (Lewis, 1977).
Native Americans have a long history of using native plants, berries, herbs, and trees for a wide variety of medicinal purposes. Native Americans have been using these methods for thousands of years.
Volpato, G., Godinez, D., Beyra, A., & Barreto, A. (2009). Uses of Medicinal Plants by Haitian Immigrants and Their Descendants in the Province of Camagüey, Cuba. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 1-9.
Monarda fisctulosa had various uses for the Native Americans. This multipurpose plant may also be known as Bee Balm, horsemint, wild oregano, or many more. The most common name is bee balm due to the multitude of bees that are drawn in; some rest on the back side of flower petals, while others spread pollen between the plants. In total, there is approximately fifteen known species currently growing. The parts of the plant can be consumed in a variety of ways. The plant was, and still is, used to treat many issues and illnesses. This paper will describe the characteristics of Monarda, and the many uses for the leaves and flowers.
The Aztecs would use this plant for firewood, fencing fields, roof tiles, plates, dishes, paper, thread for all types of garments like shoes, and cloth. They would make nails out of the horns of this plant and would use its juice for wine, vinegar, honey, and sugar. Document 3, shows us the “Discourses of the Elders” this was written by an unknown author in the 16th century, an Aztec noblewoman described the education of “noble boys” and “noble girls”. The adults had begun to teach the boys how to battle, hunt, shoot a blowgun, hurl stones, how to use a shield and a hand sword, they also learned to throw hand spears, netting, and snaring. Other were taught “the different crafts” such as feather work, how feathers and plumes were arrayed, mosaic work, goldsmithery, jewel cutting, metal polishing, song composition, music, the science of the heavens, the study of the sun, the moon, and the stars. Others took to the fields or the flower gardens to teach them how to sow seeds, to plant trees and flowers, work the land. Girls were taught cleaning, cooking, sprinkling, making beverages, how to spindle, different kinds of embroidery, and dyeing of rabbit
The Creosote bush, Larrea tridentate, is the most characteristic specie of the North American deserts. It is in the Zygophyllacaeae family. Although considered native specie, it is actually an invader from South America. The common name creosote suggests one of the reasons it is able to survive in some of harshest environments. According to Schultz and Floyd, “stems and evergreen leaves are covered with a sticky resin that smells like, but doesn’t contain, the wood preservative creosote…the resin screens leaves the leaves against ultraviolet radiation, reduces water loss, and poisons microbes and plant eating animals.” The creosote bush starts as a single stem, but then when it matures it grows into a circle. The outer edges of the bush flourish will the center, where the soil has been depleated, dies. These two things about the creosote help it survive long periods of time. In the Mojave desert “a specimen in question was estimated to about 6000 years old, which makes it twice as old as California Redwoods (Sequoia) and at least 1000 years older than Bristle-cone pine (Pinus aristata)” (Williams) making it the oldest plant in North America. Individual creosotes can live for about 100 years, but the circles that form are exact clones of the original. “An elliptical grouping of such clones found in the Mojave Desert has been dated as about 11,700 years old, arguably making it the oldest plant life yet known” (Microsoft Encarta).
Each year, people spend billions of dollars on pharmaceutical drugs, but what if there was an option that was cheaper and natural? Herbal medicine has been around for thousands of years and shows no sign of stopping. Many are familiar with Aloe Vera, a plant commonly used to treat burns, but it can also be used to speed the healing process of cuts. Herbal remedies have been around for a long time and have saved lives, like little Teddy’s life in No Witchcraft for Sale.
A member of the phylum Gnetophyta, the Ephedra genus is a perennial, dioecious shrub that reaches 1 1/2 to 4 feet tall (7). There are multiple species of this genus that inhabit the desert regions in certain parts of the world. The three species E. sinica, E. intermedia, and E. equisetina are found in Asia, particularly China and Mongolia. Ephedra distacha is from Europe. India and Pakistan are home to E. gerardiana. North American species consist of E. nevadensis (Mormon tea), E. viridis (desert tea), E. americana, and E. trifurca (7). It takes an average of four years for the shrub to achieve maturation (10) and is harvested in the fall (11). Ephedra has been used medicinally for hundreds, even thousands of years in the regions where it grows.
on herbal folk remedies used by Aztec women. It was found that some of herbs they were using
Wald, Matthew L. Energy Department Recommends Yucca Mountain for Nuclear Waste Burial. The New York Times, n.d. Web. 18 May 2014. .
The Indian Hemp plant is found all over the world, including. the US. There are three different types of Indian Hemp. They are Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Rudderalis. These three plants vary in size and mood altering effect.
Quinoa is not just a staple as far as diet. Its leaves and stems also contain medicinal properties and are still used throughout the region. External applications are used to treat abscesses and bleeding (Capodistrias), and quinoa is known to alleviate depression, stress, and provide stimulants for growth hormone that is essential for developing children. These health practices are just a few practiced by the local healers and is central in an abundance of their remedies.
Maize also has uses beyond being used as a food source or being turned into oil. Maize’s main use is for food, but it can be used in creative ways. For example the popped kernels of maize, commonly referred to as ‘popcorn’ is seasoned and coated in different ways in order to make the ethnic foods of Vietnam and Peru. Corn is also used to create basic alternative medicines and herbal supplements using the corn silk, but this use is not often capitalized on. The starches from maize are a major source of material for products like plastics, fabrics, and adhesives. Also a by-product from the maize ‘wet milling’ process called ‘corn step liquor’ is of a major use to the biochemical industry because it is a perfect culture to grow many kinds of m...
Common names for Datura are numerous, some of the most common ones being raving nightshade, thorn apple, stinkweed, Devil's apple, Jimson weed, and angel's trumpet (Heiser 1969:140 and Avery 1959:19). Datura can be found throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas as either native or adventive plants, and some have also been found in Africa and Australia (Conklin 1976:5). The epicenter of diversity of this plant is in the New World, specifically in Andean South America and in the southwestern United States/Mexico region (Lewis 1977:423-4). This data correlates with the generally agreed upon origin of Datura, although this topic was debated for some time. Researchers now believe the plant originated and evolved in Mexico and the American Southwest, followed by adaptive radiation into new desert environments (Conklin 1976:5).
.... My family and I have used chamomile for certain health conditions such as conjunctiva of the eye, when battling with the common cold, as an antiseptic for mouth sores, and also as a form of anti-anxiety therapy. I have never used Chamomile in any other form than tea although I am aware that chamomile does come in different preparations such as cream and powder.