navajo tea

This pretty creature is blooming in an out-of-the-way place behind the old barn, near the lake. It is one of the several green-threads (Thelesperma sp.) that blossom here summer-long.

This wild herb was used to make a beverage and medicinal tea by several Southwest Native American tribes. The tea may be called Navajo Tea, Pueblo Tea, Zuni Tea, or Hopi Tea, depending on who's using it. Cota is one of the native names for the tea. "Green-thread" describes the thin, thread-like leaves. There are lots of variations in the flowers, depending on the particular species (the plant has a wide range), but it's the leaves that are distinctive.

The traditional method of preparing and bundling the harvested plant is described here. To make the tea, which tastes to me like a smoky green tea, the bundle is simmered in a couple of cups of water for 5 minutes. The tea is said to boost the immune system, soothe intestinal cramps, and calm indigestion. Some of the research suggests that it has one of the same active constituents (luteolin) as rosemary.

I've read that when Native Americans harvest this plant, they do it with reverence, gathering from the four directions (east, west, north, south) and giving thanks to Earth for her green gifts. I think about this as I snap a photo and say a quiet thank you for such beauty--for all the small beauties that that fill this landscape. Stones, leaves, seed pods, wisps of grass, shiny beetles and bright gold butterflies, a century-old cedar fence post wrapped with creeper and topped by a cheerful mockingbird--all at home here in this place, as am I.

Reading note. "In belonging to a landscape, one feels a rightness, at-homeness, a knitting of self and world...There is only one world, and we participate in it here and now, in our flesh and our place."--Scott Russell Sanders, Staying Put: Making A Home in a Restless World

Comments

[Susan Lee]

I work at a transitional housing shelter for Navajo women and children who are survivors of domestic violence in Farmington, NM.

I would love to talk to someone who actually gathers this tea and uses it. Where can I find it around Farmington/Shiprock? How will I be sure I am getting the right thing?

When is it harvested? What time of year is that around here?

Gathering and making this tea would be a great project for our group.

Thanks to anyone who can help me out.

[DJ Nutima]

Greetings to all that respect our Mother Earth. I am a Hopi and am currently enrolled at New Mexico State University. I enjoyed your post and the different colored flower than I am use to. I drink copious amounts of this tea although I'm not use to seeing different types of the flower. I know the leaves and stem well. Are you aware of any growing near my location in Las Cruces? I have not seen any on my hikes.
P.s. I see your beautiful photo clearly.

Thanks DJ

[Jim Shafer]

It is a very pretty plant, but even more, the tea is great. i work on the navajo Reservation, and one of my co-workers introduced me to it! Now, i can't get enough,although it only blooms in the rainy season, in the fall, or so I'm told.

[murronda]

THE NAVAJO TEA

Navojo tea is use to drink it helps of illness,high blood pressure and so on...Navajo tea is found in grass lands small woodland and can be found of the road in the navajo reservation.the tea is agreen plant with wonderful yellow flowers navajo use ths tea for madicine and when they get it the pray to all four deretion (east,south,west.north and thanking mother earts for giving greens on earth

[Carla]

Another great post. I love your posts on flowers, trees and nature. I don't much about flowers or trees other than they are beautiful. Thanks for sharing them with us.

[Linda Mandeville]

What a pretty flower! I have been on vacation in Colorado camping in the mountains around Crested Butte. The wildflowers were spectacular! I carried my little field guide around with me trying to identify as many as I could. It was pretty easy except for the yellow flowers. I was told that is because they cross pollinate, and many look so similar. Have you ever heard that before Susan? It was the Wildflower Festival in Crested Butte. Even the flower beds in town were filled with flowers. It was simply beautiful!

SUSAN REPLIES: Yes, I've heard that! I have a botanist friend who calls them all "yella look-likes." But greenthreads have a distinctive leaf and growth habit. The people who wild-harvest them know exactly what they're looking for. Happy wildflower hunting, Linda!

[Leslie]

This plant's flower looks very much like our(New England)coreopsis which has multiple forms and flower colors in the various species. This is like our "common" Tickseed.

[Pam]

Ah, another pretty flower, and my favorite color! I love to read about Native Americans' respect for mother earth.

[Gin]

Gorgeous color! We have no composites that shade here. I'm envious. But then, if every area had the same flowers, we would lose one of the joys of visiting other places. It would be like going a thousand miles and eating at McDonalds.