Description

Written as a guide to the medicinal wild plant life of the Southwestern United States, Medicinal Plants of the American Southwest joins traditional anecdote, modern research, and empirical observation, to provide a working model on how to best apply the region’s flora. Encapsulated within 102 profiles (covering more than 160 southwestern botanical medicines), each plant’s medicinal use, specific therapeutic indication, geographic range, botanical characteristics, chemical composition, preparation, dosage, and cautions are well described. A comprehensive preparation segment includes instruction on the making and use of teas, tinctures, syrups, salves, ointments, oils, washes, fomentations, and other modes of application. Readers will also find the therapeutic index, glossary, bibliography, and general index valuable additions. 112 color photos further assist the reader in plant identification.

Plant list: Acacia, Aloe, Antelope Horns, Baccharis, Beargrass, Beebrush, Bird of Paradise, Bouvardia, Bricklebush, Brittlebush, Buttonbush, California Poppy, Caltrop, Camphorweed, Canadian Fleabane, Canyon Bursage, Canyon Walnut, Chaste Tree, Chinchweed, Clematis, Cocklebur, Copperleaf, Cottonwood, Creosote Bush, Crownbeard, Crucifixion Thorn, Cudweed, Cypress, Datura, Desert Anemone, Desert Barberry, Desert Cotton, Desert Lavender, Desert Milkweed, Desert Willow, Dogweed, Elder, Elephant Tree, Filaree, Flat-Top Buckwheat, Globemallow, Golden Smoke, Greenthread, Hopbush, Jojoba, Jumping Cholla, Juniper, Kidneywood, Leadwort, Limberbush, Mallow, Manzanita, Marsh Fleabane, Mesquite, Mimosa, Mormon Tea, Mountain Marigold, Night Blooming Cereus, Ocotillo, Passionflower, Penstemon, Periwinkle, Pipevine, Poliomintha, Poreleaf, Prickly Pear, Prickly Poppy, Puncturevine, Purple Gromwell, Ratany, Rayweed, Red Betony, Sage, Sagebrush, Scouring Rush, Senna, Snakeweed, Soapberry, Spanish Needles, Sumac, Syrian Rue, Tamarisk, Tarbush, Texas Ranger, Tobacco, Tree of Heaven, Trixis, Trumpet Flower, Turpentine Bush, Velvet Ash, Verbena, Western Black Willow, Western Mugwort, Western Peony, Wild Lettuce, Wild Licorice, Wild Oats, Wild Rhubarb, Wolfberry, Yerba Mansa, Yerba Santa, Yucca.

Medicinal Plants of the American Southwest was first published in 2006 (as Herbal Medicine of the American Southwest). Updated with new findings every 2-3 years, it continues to inform and inspire all who find interest in the therapeutic application of southwestern plants.

Readers interested in higher-elevation mountain-oriented southwestern/western plant medicines will be better served by Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States (2017).