Alhusema (Lavender)
New Mexicans have relied on alhusema for years for its use in botanical herb remedies. First introduced by early Spanish settlers, it is used as a mild stomach tonic for colic in infants, but it is also a reliable aid in adult stomach disorders. Alhusema does have a sedative effect that makes it an excellent calmative for migraine headaches and nervousness.

Amole (Yucca Root)
This is New Mexico's state plant. It was popular with many Indian tribes years ago for its wide use in shampoos and detergents. Because amole contains steroids, it is used to reduce pain and inflammation due to arthritis and rheumatism. For these symptoms, the inner pith of the bark is used to make an herbal tea remedy.

Chamiso Heidondo (Sagebrush)
This native sage is highly pungent. Because the herb promotes sweating, it is great for dry fevers and colds. Indians regularly use chamiso heidondo in their sweat bath ceremonies to cleanse their bodies by excreting wastes and toxins through the skin.

Chicoria (Dandelion Root)
This yellow flower is used as an effective blood builder and purifier. Chicoria tea is recommended for anemia or liver disorders. This tea is traditionally drunk to dissolve urinary stones and to aid in kidney infections.

Damiana
Damiana is a naturally stimulating herb, which makes it an excellent aid when a boost of energy is needed. It is also known to be an excellent diuretic, relieving mild swelling of the hands and feet.

Indian Paintbrush
This plant's name was derived from its popular use as a paint for pottery and a dye for animal hides by Indians of the old southwest. New Mexicans use the herb as a diuretic to aid in water retention.

Flor de San Juan (Evening Primrose)
Spanish Americans use this herb as a diuretic to cleanse the urinary tract. The root, leaves and tops of the plant are all used in botanical herb remedies. The roots are chopped and boiled with honey to make cough syrup. Leaves and tops are used to make a laxative tea for constipation. Studies done on this herb have shown its use to be beneficial in treating PMS.

Inmortal (Creeping Milkweed)
Inmortal was named appropriately by Hispanic Americans due to its ability to regrow, without interruption, even if only a small portion of the root remains in the ground. Traditionally, the herb is used in tea form during and after childbirth to help stimulate uterine contractions and promote internal healing. For lactating mothers, inmortal speeds the changeover to milk production. This herb is also taken for shortness of breath, as a snuff for sinus congestion, and as a preventative against disease.

Lanten (Broadleaf Plantain)
The primary use is to treat bee stings, rashes and skin irritations. It was used by many Indian tribes in poultices for wounds and snake bites. A decoction of the boiled seeds aids in childhood lung problems, mild stomachaches and painful ulcers. The seeds of lanten are combined with fruit juices or brandy to make a laxative tincture that is very soothing to the inner lining of the intestinal tract.

Maravilla (Four O'Clock)
Maravilla's main use is in receipes for analgesic rubs for sore muscles, inflamed joints and menstrual cramps. When the root is chewed raw, it acts as an appetite suppressant.

Osha
Osha is quite possibly the most well-known herb in New Mexico, used by generation after generation for basically any problem. The root is the most potent part of this plant and is the most widely used. Chewing the root raw soothes sore throat and gum irritation. A tea of the boiled root loosens phlegm and combats viral colds and flu. Powdered osha root is used to make a soothing cough syrup. Traditionally, osha has been declared sacred for its powers as a talisman to ward off rattlesnakes, evil spirits and witchcraft curses.

Ponil (Apache Plume)
Ponil has been valued for years for its use in hair rinses that stimulate growth and promote healthier, stronger hair. The powdered stems of ponil combined with manstranso and flour make a paste used to massage out tension in stiff muscles.

Puncheon (Mullein)
Puncheon leaves are smoked or taken in tea to remedy chest infections, asthma, or any breathing disorders. A recipe of puncheon boiled in milk and sprinkled with cinnamon is taken for coughs and diarrhea. An oil made by steeping the flowers in olive oil and adding one garlic clove is an excellent remedy for earaches and infections of the ear. When drunk before bedtime, it is said to be effective in combating insomnia.

Una de Gato
Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is an herb that grows in the rain forest of the Peruvian Amazon. Native Peruvian indians have used it for centuries, dating back to the ancient Incas. The root contains unique active constituents to help support the body's natural defenses, and can be obtained without needless destruction of the plant, thereby protecting the delicate Amazon ecosystem. Today, cat's claw is the subject of extensive scientific research and is used worldwide as a nutritional supplement.

Trementina de Pinon (Pine Pitch)
Trementia de Pinon is well known for its drawing powers. A drop of the melted pitch placed on an embedded splinter and allowed to dry will remove the splinter when the wax is peeled off! A tea of the pitch is useful in loosening phlegm in the chest and in treating urinary tract infections.

Lisa Braddock provided us with this report (thanks, Lisa) and says that more information on the herbs of New Mexico is available from Rio Grande Herb Company, Inc., PO Box 12125, Albuquerque, NM 87195, 1-800-806-3805.