Porophyllum gracile (Porophyllum junciforme, P. putidum)
Yerba del venado
Porophyllum macrocephalum
Odora
Compositae – Sunflower family
Description
Porophyllum gracile is a small, many-branched perennial, not more than 2 feet tall by the same wide. Except for a few linear leaves, the slender branches are practically leafless. In the spring P. gracile’s bluish-green coloration distinguishes it from surrounding plants. The inconspicuous flowers are purplish-white; they are supported on ½-¾ inch long involucres. New stem growth, leaves, and flowers are strongly aromatic.
Porophyllum macrocephalum is a 1-2 foot tall annual with ovoid, mostly opposite, thickened leaves. Like P. gracile, the involucres are also thickened, and on them rest inconspicuous, purplish-white flower heads. When crushed the whole plant is aromatic; the odor is pungent and not at all unpleasant.
Distribution
Porophyllum gracile populates hillsides and basins of the Chihuahuan, Mojave, and Sonoran Deserts. From 4,000 feet and below P. gracile is found throughout southern Nevada, southern California, and Arizona. P. macrocephalum is essentially a southern Arizona plant. South from the Peloncillo and Baboquivari Mountains it is found between 3,500-5,000 feet on rocky slopes, hillsides, and canyons.
Chemistry
Acetylenic thiophenes; monoterpenes: a-pinene, sabinene, and myrcene; sesquiterpene: b-cubebene; fatty acid derivatives: 7-tetradecene, cis-4-decenal, pentadecanal, and heptadecanal
Medicinal Uses
Use Deerweed when in need of a simple gastric carminative. When the stomach feels full and distended from improper dietary choices several sprigs of the fresh plant or a little of the fresh plant tincture will relieve the distress. Eating several leaves or flowers has the uncanny ability of making anyone with trapped stomach air, burp. For colicky babies it can be thought of as an equivalent to Catnip, working well to relieve trapped gas and spasm.
Indications
Dyspepsia with bloating and nausea
Colic
Collection
In the spring or summer when new growth is apparent, collect the top several inches of fresh branches from the plant. Leave older, woody sections as they have little value, which is evidenced by their lack of scent.
Preparations
Individuals who live close to Deerweed will benefit most from the plant, as eating a small handful of the fresh herb is by far the most efficacious way of receiving its benefits. The fresh plant tincture is second in serviceability. After drying the plant, the scent diminishes. The herb infusion is less effective than the fresh plant or the fresh plant tincture.
Dosage
Fresh leaves and flowers: eaten as needed
FPT: 30-60 drops 3 times daily
Leaf infusion: 4-8 ounces 3 times daily