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Snakeweed
Gutierrezia sarothrae, G. microcephala Snakebroom, Matchweed, Resinweed, Escoba de la víbora, Yerba de la víbora, Collálle Description Snakeweed is a low-growing small bush. This clump-forming deciduous perennial has somewhat of a woody base. The small, linear, green leaves are apparent from mid-spring though early to mid-fall when the plant flowers. The leaves are resinous and when crushed are sticky and aromatic. When in flower the small yellow blooms cover the upper portion of the plant giving it a frosted appearance. The two most abundant species in the west are Gutierrezia sarothrae and G. microcephala. They differ mainly in floral characteristics. G. microcephala’s flowers are cylindrical and have 1 or 2 ray and disk flowers per head. G. sarothrae’s flower heads are shaped more or less like a slender top, each flower having 3-8 ray and disk flowers.
Distribution Snakeweed is a common plant widely distributed throughout the west. It can be found practically from almost sea level to almost 10,000 feet. It is found in great abundance on over grazed rangelands. Gutierrezia microcephala is found from southern Colorado west to the White Mountains of California, east through much of Arizona, New Mexico, and southwest Texas. From 2,000-6,000 feet the plant inhabits several different vegetation zones: Oak-Juniper Woodlands, Desert Grasslands, and the Mojave Desert. Look for the plant on slopes, flats, and hillsides. G. sarothrae has the widest range of the two. Throughout the western interior, the plant is found on flats and plains from 3,000-6,000 feet.
Chemistry Terpenes: geraniol, g-humulene, trans-verbenol, verbenone, a-pinene, b-pinene, limonene, nopinone, myrentol, polyalthic acid, and daniellic acid; flavonoids: sarothrin, calycopterin, jaceidin, and sudachitin
Medicinal Uses Snakeweed is mainly used externally to reduce joint soreness, particularly from rheumatoid arthritis. The plant, being broadly antiinflammatory and especially sedative to muscular-skeletal pain, may be found particularly helpful to sufferers of “fibromyalgia”. Not only is soaking in a bath of Snakeweed tea before bed the preferred method of application, it is also generally relaxing and therefore assisting to deeper sleep states, making it doubly beneficial for these individuals. A small amount of the tea can be sipped while soaking for added benefit. The liniment, oil, or salve can be applied for similar relief of painful areas. Like its close relative Turpentine bush, Snakeweed is antimicrobial. Applied to cuts and scrapes it will facilitate healing by retarding bacterial growth.
Indications Rheumatoid arthritis/osteoarthritis (internal and external) Chronic muscular pain (internal and external) Cuts/scrapes (external)
Collection Collect Snakeweed from late summer to early fall in bloom or not. Allergy sufferers may prefer to gather the plant without flowers. Prune the upper new growth. This can either be bundled with rubber bands or string, or collected loosely and then dried.
Preparations Several ounces of herb are used to make a gallon of tea. This then is added to bath water. It is best to infuse the herb owing to its volatile oil content.
Dosage Leaf infusion: add to bath water; internally, 1 cup daily Oil/salve/liniment: as needed
Cautions Do not use during pregnancy due to the plant’s potential stimulatory effect on uterine musculature. Large amounts are not recommended internally due to the plants remote possibility of causing liver toxicity. |