Medicinal tea first drew my attention during a hike when the knowledgeable ranger pointed out some creosote bushes flourishing in the harsh environment of Tahquitz Canyon in Palm Springs, California. The lovely yellow blossoms and white wooly fruits beautified the region. The ranger encouraged us to sniff the foliage, which exuded a pungent scent. I could not imagine the taste of a tea made from this plant.
After reading more about Larrea Tridentata, which is the Latin name of the creosote bush, I was further intrigued and convinced that I probably should not drink creosote tea if offered, no matter how tempted. Various reports highlighted both its health benefits as a cure for the flu and indigestion and its toxicity known to damage liver cells. It is said to be antioxidant-rich as well.
Through the years, herbalism has become popular and widely accepted. T Ching has published related posts from time to time. The Internet is flooded with information, often conflicting and inaccurate. For a novice like myself, I prefer to sample and relish well-known tea products from established tea companies, a process that can become insipid and lacks the spirit of experimentation.
To trek the Tahquitz Canyon Trail, a ranger-led interpretive hike is highly recommended. Tahquitz, a shaman corrupted by power, was banished by the Cahuilla People to the canyon that bears his name today. Earthquakes in the area have been attributed to Tahquitz’s roving the canyon. Native American legends never cease to fascinate and entertain. When you are there, let your imagination run wild!
Commonly know by the misnomer “Chaparral”, the Creosote Bush has been used as a medicinal herb for a very long time. It is, however, not a medicinal herb to be taken lightly or without supervision from a knowledgeable herbalist. Personally, I believe it should never be taken as a concentrated extract such as a capsule. If it is taken internally, it should only be done so as a weak tisane (don’t want to make a concentrated tisane either) and only for a very brief period of time. Though there is a long history of medicinal use, there has also been a great deal of research indicating the possibility of serious hepato/nephrotoxicity. Though not without controversy, there is enough evidence that makes most herbalist shy away from its use. It also happens to be extremely foul tasting which pretty much makes everyone else shy away from its use.
Aside from an interesting post on the creosote, the photos make me long for a drive out to the Palm Springs area, an hour away. The entire area is incredibly beautiful, but much of the natural beauty is now covered by golf courses and planned communities, not to mention world class hotels and resorts. It’s good to see it in its’ natural state through these photos and to seek that out as well when visiting. But quickly..it’s going to be over 100F consisently very shortly until late Oct!
Your account of the Creosote Bush was very interesting and insightful. I have not heard very many good things about the use of it as a tisane. I believe the taste is hard to get past even for the toughest of us. There are so many other tisane or herbal fixes out there for flu symptoms and for indigestion that make a wonderful tasting tisane.
Yesterday, the instructor of a class that I’m taking touted the benefits of creosote tea. Now, as I write this I am sipping what probably will be my only cup. I’d like to hear from anyone who has something ( ANYTHING) positive to say about creosote tea.
In the past, I have made enjoyable tea with creosote bush twigs, leaves and blossoms.
I had a little teapot with a strainer; and I would steep things for a while, in – of course – hot water. Notes:
a] A short time of steeping is best; the tea can become very strong and bitter.
b] I have always remembered that the second steeping had the best flavor of any made from one strainerful.
c] I began seasoning it – tea – with honey and with peppermint leaves.
It tastes ok (and almost good) with the addition of honey, I ALMOST like creosote tea and am sipping some now. Maybe a different sweetener would improve the flavor as well, but I prefer honey.
cancer.. A friend of our said her nephew was cured of prostate cancer by drinking creosote tea 2 times a day for 1 month. .I would like to know if there are any more people with stories like this and if it would work on panreate and liver cancer
I take it for respiratory healing and it helps
Also, a co-worker back then told me that, on return from the South Pacific Islands in World War 2, he [successfully] treated severe foot fungus, with creosote bush.
Every evening, he boiled creosote bush cuttings, and soaked his feet in the broth; it took a month of this.
On my first comment, I meant to add that I am going to start making some tea again. Now [in Tucson], I have my own creosote bush. After only 7 years, it is about 4m x 4m; its stems at their base are about 7 or 8 cm.
Hi I need to meet up with knowledgeable people in Tucson to be cured naturally. Linda
I have not seen creosote bushes again since my visit to Tahquitz Canyon… Thanks for all the comments. Perhaps I should write a follow-up post.
Please consider reading this government study regarding creosote. Though it’s a ridiculously small sample the results seem positive.
CONCLUSIONS: Relatively small intakes of Larrea tincture, or topical application of extracts in Ricinus oil, are safe when prescribed by a clinically trained botanical prescriber. Larrea should be used with caution in persons with a history of previous, or current, liver disease. It may be preferable to avoid the use of Larrea capsules because they have been associated with potentially dangerous overdosing.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11327523
I’am now seeping creosote for a toenail fungus. I picked some while in Salton Sea. The bush was dry but with some green still on plant. I was careful not to pick to much , only what I needed. I am going to try to use the tincture for a week and then look for results. I love this plant although I only see it when I venture to the open desert and then get out of the car.
I have tried the tea only once, (today), but plan to continue for a short while.
I steeped about two table spoons in 16oz be of water. It was very strong tasting. I then addedd a
Couple drops of peppermint oil. It was delicious. I normally make a salve or oil if it for cuts scratches, poisonous insect and mosquito stings. It works excellent.
Pedro ElBravo