Using the Desert Plant Ocotillo as an Herbal Medicine

The ocotillo plant is a native plant of the desert southwestern USA and northwest Mexico. This article will discuss the uses of ocotillo as a medicine.

Ocotillo has been used for hundreds if not thousands of years by native peoples of North America. This plant grows in the southwestern USA and in Mexico throughout the Sonoran, Mojave and Chihuahuan deserts. The plant itself grows in long stalks that can reach over 8ft! it grows from one single root and is considered a succulent. It has sharp spines. It only takes about 48 hours for ocotillo to grow it's leaves after a rainfall making it one of the first emerging plants after the monsoons start in these areas. It grows along rocky slopes and exposed hilly areas.

Ocotillo is actually an amazing plant and one of my favorites. It is a perennial that can live up to 200 years! It is quite a majestic looking plant and definitely a useful one as medicine.

The flowers of the plant can be made into tea or jelly.

This plant can be used for various ailments as a medicine and is best known for treating colds and bronchitis among the native peoples in the desert. It is also very useful for all types of pelvic inflammation such as ovarian cysts, prostate issues as well as edema or bloating.

Ocotillo can be used for several medical ailments. It is not recommended to be used by pregnant women.

Some of the ailments ocotillo can treat are;

Sore Throats

Coughs and Lung Ailments

Hemorrhoids

Prostatitits

Ovarian Cysts

Stimulating Menses

If you prepare your own ocotilllo tincture you will first break off several branches and peel off the spiny outer layer and leaves. Be sure to use tongs and wear thick leather gloves as this plant has sharp spines! You will then went to cut up the inner portion in little pieces. Cover this with 3x the amount of Everclear or vodka. Store in a tight lidded jar in a cool dry place for up to 4 weeks. After this time strain out the plant matter and reserve the liquid. Take 30-60 drops 1-3x per day. Be sure to label your tincture and keep out of reach of animals and children. It can be stored in a dry and cool cupboard for up to 5 years. It is definitely a medicine worth making.

You can also order ocotillo online and find it in some health food stores. It tends to run about $10-15 per a 2oz bottle.