Aztec Ruins National Monument, NM
Ethnobotany Series
| ➠ Four-wing Saltbush |
| • Globemallow |
| ➠ Prickly Pear Cactus |
| ➠ Rocky Mountain Bee Plant |
| ➠ Sages |
| ➠ Threeleaf Sumac |
| ➠ Yucca |
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Globemallow
If you catch a hint of something with orange flowers growing by the roadside in New Mexico, it might be Globemallow (Sphaeralcea spp.), another plant that has had important uses for indigenous peoples in the Four Corners area. The plants grow to a size of up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. There are about 10 to 12 varieties in this area, and they all grow in dry, desert-like soils, disturbed washes, roadsides, and other similar places.These plants were used by Acoma/Laguna, Cochiti, Hopi, Navajo, Tewa, and Zuni people, among others, primarily as medicine for various ailments. The flowers, stems, and leaves were crushed in hot water and blended to make a salve to put on wounds, punctures, or sunburn for healing as the gooey substance has properties which causes the skin to heal quickly and helps clean the wound and prevent infection. The leaves could also be steeped in hot water to make a tea to drink in treating colds, flu, or cough. The stems were sometimes chewed like gum, or they could be soaked in water to make a foamy type of shampoo which helped prevent hair loss.
The roots were used in several ways as well. Sometimes they were boiled and chewed with cactus root to treat constipation or other intestinal problems, and also as a medicine for pregnant women. Finally, the roots were used for ceremonial purposes, either by being boiled and drunk as a tea for ceremonial medicine, or by crushing them into a powder and mixing with water for a body paint or paste.
