Aloe vera
The Native Americans relied on desert plants to take care of two of the more common problems associated with living in the desert—insect bites and sunburn. Today we can do the same thing by taking advantage of several native plants you may find in your backyard, along the roadways, or out in the wild (but please don’t pick in restricted areas!).
Desert plants for sunburn
If you get just a little too much Arizona sun, you can turn to several desert favorites for sunburn relief. Consult an illustrated guide to southwest plants (see Charlie Kane’s book below) to help you identify these selections.
Datura stramonium/Wikimedia
- Aloe: This desert plant is well-known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. To apply to sunburn, cut off a leaf, split it, scrape out the pulp, mash it, and apply to the affected area. You can also simply cut off a leaf and squeeze out the gel, but you will likely get more mileage out of the pulp.
- Datura: The leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers of Datura stramonium, also known as jimson weed, stinkweed, and mad apple, are valued for their medicinal properties. These pureed plant parts can be applied to sunburned skin to help relieve inflammation, burning, and discomfort. Some people combine aloe and datura.
- Plantain: Three types of plantain are common in the desert southwest: the Plantago purshii (woody plantain), P. major (broadleaf), and P. lanceolata (buckthorn) varieties. All have upright leaves that can be crushed, and the mashed results can be applied to affected sunburned areas.
Plantago lanceolata/Wikimedia
Desert plants for bites and stings
To relieve the pain, inflammation, and discomfort associated with minor bites and stings, you might consider these desert plants.
- Chickweed: The Stellaria nitens is also known as shining chickweed. It is often found growing in rocky crevices and under shrubs. The crushed fresh leaves can reduce itchiness and irritation from bites and rashes. It can also be used on sunburn to reduce redness and inflammation and slightly help pain.
- Penstemon: Dozens of species of penstemon thrive in the desert southwest. The most common medicinal use for penstemon is for stings, bites, and rashes. Both the leaves and flowers should be crushed and the mash applied to the affected site.
- Plantain: The heated, wet leaves or crushed leaves can be applied to stings and bites.
Learn about native desert plants
If you would like some help identifying and learning how to use native desert plants, the upcoming Medicinal Plant Walk may be for you. On May 2, edible and medicinal plant expert Charlie Kane, author of Herbal Medicine of the American Southwest, is hosting a Medicinal Plant Walk at Feliz Paseos Park, Tucson, from 8 to 11 AM. He will discuss the many therapeutic uses of native desert trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. Reservations are required, and there is a $10 fee. For more information contact Meg Quinn at Meg.Quinn@pima.gov
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