When you hear the word desert, you mainly see a huge sandy landscape with dunes as the only change in sight. But the Sonoran Desert around Scottsdale impresses with its wide variety of shrubs, flowers and cacti. Few people know that these plants not only look beautiful, but also have very special properties and stories.
The legendary saguaro cactus
The saguaro cacti are not only incredibly impressive and the symbol of the Sonoran Desert:In 1901, the saguaro flower was accepted as the official territorial flower and then confirmed as the state flower of Arizona in 1931. The saguaro cactus usually blooms in May and June. The saguaro flowers have a short lifespan:they open at night and close permanently the next day. Even if desert cacti may be the stereotypical symbol of the American West, they're really only found in small parts of the United States. For example, in the part of the Sonoran Desert in Scottsdale. The saguaros are particularly protected here and, for example, theft of a plant from the desert can be punished with high fines. The giants of the desert can live up to 250 years and the fruits of the saguaro are even suitable for consumption – but the preparation is not that simple.
The medicinal plants of the Indians
The first settlers of Arizona are known for their knowledge of medicinal plants. It is rumored that they only started healing with plants and herbs after watching animals eat certain plants when they were sick. Many remedies and medicines that are still used today are based on this ancient knowledge of the various plants and herbs that have been used for thousands of years:long before the Europeans arrived on the North American continent, the indigenous people practiced herbal medicine. Plants have been carefully studied by them for thousands of years and have contributed to a vast knowledge base of over 500 herbal plants. This was mainly passed on orally. One of the plants used by the natives is yucca. Yucca is used for ornamental purposes in gardens, but there are also parts of the plant that are edible. Depending on the species, this could be the roots, seeds, flowers, flowering stems or the purple yucca fruit. The plant is said to have many health-promoting properties. For example, it is used to stimulate blood circulation, support the digestive tract, reduce inflammation or relieve pain.
But it's not just this desert plant that has it all:the seeds of the jojoba bush, which are about the size of a coffee bean, have been used for centuries in Indian cultures, where they are typically ground into a buttery salve to heal and nourish the skin. to cure. The jojoba seeds are also eaten to aid labor or treat colds. Another medicinal herb that has been around for thousands of years, aloe vera has fantastic health benefits. It is known for treating skin injuries, can relieve heartburn symptoms, and can lower blood sugar or relieve burns. Aloe vera also contains several powerful antioxidants and antibacterial compounds.
The smell of the desert
Creosote is a shrub considered to be one of the oldest plants on Earth and is an integral part of the desert. When it rains, the oils in the plant give off a very bright scent, which people know as the "desert rain scent." This particular scent is a combination of hundreds of volatile oils secreted by the plant. This was one of the clues that led the Native Americans to test this plant for medicinal properties. This is why leaves of this plant have been used for millennia to make healing teas and a creosote ointment. Indigenous peoples rely on creosote as a “wonder drug” with a variety of uses. Ethnobotanical notes mention creosote as a remedy for fevers, colds, stomachaches, a general pain reliever, and as a remedy for diarrhea. The creosote bush is also antimicrobial, making it useful for cuts and bacterial or fungal infections. The evidence to support these claims is generally scarce. However, there are a number of smaller studies that suggest real health benefits.
Watch out for the thorns!
The Sonoran Desert is full of spiky miracle cures! One is the Prickly Pear Cactus – another plant that has been used as both a food and medicine. Native Americans made a paste from within the plant that was used to treat wounds and burns. However, the cactus was also boiled and drunk as a tea to treat urinary tract infections. Research now shows that the prickly pear cactus would also help lower cholesterol and prevent diabetes and diet-related cardiovascular disease. Another prickly remedy is the agave. In fact, due to their anti-inflammatory, antiseptic properties, the leaves, roots and sap of the plant are said to act as natural remedies for ailments such as jaundice, constipation and infection. Agave is also used to soothe the skin, reduce irritation and treat toothache. Today, the plant is best known for its sweet juice, which is often used as a sugar substitute.
