By Diane Abernathy
The edge of the Great Basin begins in Central Oregon, right outside of Bend to the east. A rugged, barren country, but within it’s harsh environment are many plant remedies, both indigenous and immigrants that serve the local herb aficionados.
The dominant tree of the area is the juniper. Juniperus occidentalis is the local variety, and although not the J. communis listed in most herb books, it is used as an effective substitute. The berry is the part that is usually used medicinally, and can be wildcrafted in the early fall. The tricky part is to get ripe berries, which take two years to ripen, and you will find both ripe and unripe berries on the same tree. Rub the whitish, dusty cover (called bloom) off the berry and if ripe, it will be purple and taste sweet. The unripe berries are green and hard and do not taste particularly good.
Medicinally juniper berries are a diuretic and a urinary tract herb used for cystitis and urethritis. They are also used for arthritis and can be made into a massage oil for sore muscles. Juniper is antiseptic, antimicrobial and can be used as a wash for wounds. In the past it was made into a strong decoction and used to clean sick rooms. Juniper should not be used by pregnant women or if you have a kidney inflammation or chronic kidney weakness. The oils are excreted in the urine and can be irritating to the kidney.
Juniper is also burned as smudge and can be used in saunas. The aromatic properties of the juniper have been used for protection against bad magic, plague and various negative influences in many cultures from the Europeans to the Chinese to the Native Americans.
There are a number of yellow blooming desert shrubs that cause comment and confusion. The yellow bloomer in May is bitterbrush (Pershia tridentata). It really is very bitter, good for the digestion and the liver. Also antiseptic it has been used for wounds and colds.
The bright yellow blooms of the two rabbit brushes (Chrysothanmus nauseosus, and C. viscidiflorus) are often confused with sagebrush, but are much brighter in color and earlier to bloom, starting early August. These had a reputation in the past of use with colds and coughs. It is also occasionally burned as a smudge.
The sagebrush itself (Artemisia tridentate), blooms in early September and is not very bright or showy. Sometimes known as big sage, it was called “doctor brush” by the Native Americans. Sagebrush is antiseptic and antimicrobial and has a long history of use as a disinfectant. It makes an excellent wash for wounds and skin abrasions. The powdered leaves are an old Native American remedy for diaper rash and moist-area chafing of any kind. Dry and powder the leaves and apply to the afflicted parts at regular intervals. The fresh leaves are chewed and applied to mouth sores with good results, if you can stand the taste.
Made into a tea it can be used for colds, both to drink and as a gargle. It can be helpful for headaches and stomachaches. It is a bitter remedy like many of the Artemisia family, such as mugwort and wormwood. You can put it in your bath for soothing sore muscles and as a body deodorizer.
Sagebrush is a popular smudge herb, burned in a tied bundle or as dried powder. It cleanses and purifies both metaphysically and physically with its antimicrobial smoke.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), the environmental specialist, is both common and useful. The off-white composite flowers and the finely dissected leaves are gathered when the plant is in full bloom and are used for colds, fevers, indigestion and internal or external bleeding.
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), tall and stately, is another herb and wild flower that is common in this dry country. Though not native, it likes our climate and has naturalized well. It is a specific for coughs and respiratory complains, both the flowers and leaves being used. The flowers make and excellent ear oil.
Another favorite that turns the roadsides and fields into a carpet of pink in the spring is afillaria (Erodium cicutarium). It is a diuretic, diaphoretic an astringent and is used as a bath herb for sore muscles and arthritis.
This desert landscape, though it may be sparse to the outsider’s eye has many other lovely flowers and herbs as well. If you know where and when to look, the healing plants are abundant.