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Creosote Bush

Larrea tridentata (Larrea divaricata var. tridentata, Covillea tridentata)
Chaparral, Greasewood, Little stinker, Hediondilla, Gobernadora

Zygophyllaceae – Caltrop family

Description
At maturity, Creosote bush is a large shrub, approximately 8-10 feet high by the same dimension wide. The stems are flexible, ash-colored and rise vertically, or nearly so, from the ground. When growing on desert flats it has a distinctive funnel-like appearance with the top section of the plant having the widest radius. Most of the leaves are collected in groupings among the upper branches. The leaflets are fused in pairs and resemble a “packman”. The younger leaves are particularly resinous and shiny; with age, their luster diminishes. The yellow petals of the flower have a particular way of twisting perpendicularly to the reproductive center, making the arrangement fan-like. When mature the small fuzzy seed capsules separate into individual wedges, called mericarps.

Beyond normal seed germination, Creosote bush has a relatively unique way of reproducing. The plant is very adept at cloning itself. If you imagine the root crown of Creosote bush as a circle, the clones are created on the circumference, increasing the root crown’s diameter. After a time the center roots die of old age, leaving numerous, physically independent, genetically identical clones spread out in a localized area. Eventually as this process continues plants spread outward like ripples in water created from a dropped stone. Some extremely old plants have been dated in southern California to be approximately 11,700 years old. The age of these ancient plants was determined by calculating the known outward growth rates with the furthest distance genetically identical clones were apart from each other.

The aromatics given off by the plant fill the air after a good rain. The wonderful smell is purifying to the spirit and has the ability to cut through the deepest states of emotional self-absorption.

Distribution
Creosote bush can be found throughout the Sonoran, Mojave, and Chihuahuan Deserts. Huge expanses are found in valley bottoms and basins. It more sparsely occupies slopes and rocky hillsides.

Chemistry
Lignans: nordihydroguaiaretic acid, dihydroguaiaretic acid, isoguaiacin, and norisoguaiacin; flavonoids: apigenin, gossypetin, herbacetin, kaempferol, luteolin, morin, myricetin, and quercetin; saponins: larreagenin a, larreic acid, and erthyrodiol; monoterpenes: a-pinene, limonene, camphene, linalool, borneol, camphor, and bornylacetate; sesquiterpenes: a-curcumene, calamine, b-santalene, edulane, a-bergamontene, cuparene, b-eudesmol, farnesol, and a-agarofuran

Medicinal Uses
If there is one plant that is the medicinal hallmark of the Southwestern Deserts, it is Creosote bush. The plant has such a broad application of use, particularly when combining traditional perspectives from White, American Indian, and Mexican usage, together with science-based evidence, it is no wonder that it is considered a panacea. Looking at Creosote bush’s main spheres of influence, that of a unique antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial agent, we are more able to define and understand the plant’s therapeutic use.

Creosote bush is sedating to pro-inflammatory mediators. Leukotriene and leukocyte activity, histamine and prostaglandin release are all diminished; this makes Creosote bush useful in lessening rheumatoid arthritis pain and soreness. Used internally with other herbs, such as Yucca, and soaking in a bath made with the plant, is of great value in the above problem. Likewise, in autoimmune initiated asthmatic conditions the plant reduces stuffiness of the bronchial airway through reducing the “heat” of the autoimmune process. For other systemic autoimmune hypersensitivities, Creosote bush may be quite useful, as it is also profoundly antioxidant in nature. Topically Creosote bush has been used with success in resolving psoriasis and eczema, particularly in combination with deeper liver therapies and removing dietary and environmental allergens.

Creosote bush is distinctly inhibiting to several prominent viruses that are troubling in these times of social excesses. HPV (Human papillomavirus), the cause of genital warts and cervical dysplasia, is sensitive to Creosote bush’s NDGA content as is Herpes simplex virus types I and II. A douche of Creosote bush tea applied twice daily or a suppository applied before bed is a useful approach for either virus affecting vaginal and/or cervical tissues. Otherwise, topical use of the oil or salve is efficacious. Cold sores respond very well to external salve application.

Studies are not consistent in regard to the plant’s antimicrobial/antifungal activity but observable results have been positive, particularly topical application of Creosote bush to infected cuts and skin punctures. The salve is also a “must-have” when living in venomous spider/cone-nose insect territories. Continually applied Creosote bush tends to be remarkable in reducing the deleterious effects of these varmints.

Although internal use of Creosote bush as a cancer therapy is controversial at best, external preparations are useful in resolving a particular form of premalignant squamous cell carcinoma, called actinic keratosis. These reddened and sometimes scaly patches arise on sun-damaged skin. A topical pharmaceutical preparation of NDGA, called Actinex, was used in the treatment of the condition before being removed from the market because of skin hypersensitivity issues. As by dry weight Creosote bush contains 2-10% of NDGA, whole herb preparations are adequate and chances of adverse skin responses are limited.

Indications
Rheumatoid arthritis (internal and external)
Asthma
Psoriasis/eczema (external)
HPV/HSV, type I and II (external)
Cuts/abrasions (external)
Venomous and non-venomous insect bites (external)
Actinic keratosis (external)

Collection
Collect when new leaf growth is apparent. Using your thumb and forefinger strip the leaves that form in clumps towards the outer-most branch ends. The leaves are easily pulled from their branches; if the flowers and seeds are collected this also is fine. The resin that builds up on your hands does not come off even with the most vigorous scrubbing. Applying a high proof alcohol will help in removal.

Preparations and Dosage
DPT (75% alcohol): 20-40 drops 3 times daily
Leaf infusion: traditional or cold infusion; 2-4 ounces 3 times daily
(1 teaspoon of herb to 1 cup of water)
Salve/oil/bath: as needed
Douche: 2 times daily

Cautions
Do not use Creosote bush while pregnant or nursing. Use of the plant is also not recommended if there is existing liver impairment or inflammation. It is also not recommended to use Creosote bush with other drug therapies that may affect the liver, be they over-the-counter or prescription.

There were a number of cases, particularly in the early nineties where Creosote bush was involved to some degree in triggering liver inflammation. Most cases were self-resolving after discontinuing Creosote bush. The two individuals who required liver transplants took the plant for over a year and either drank regularly an undisclosed amount of alcohol or took a cocktail of pharmaceutical and over-the-counter drugs. So in summation, in healthy individuals small to moderate amounts of Creosote bush used periodically is indeed therapeutic if used for the right reasons. Nevertheless, when used zealously with abandon, as a cure-all, for long periods, Creosote bush can be problematic. There are no cautions for the plant’s external use.

Copyright © 2006 by Charles W. Kane

This and additional profiles are found in Herbal Medicine of the American Southwest