Sagebrush, Big - Artemisia tridentata
(Denver Botanical Gardens)
Food:
"Paiute Staple Seeds roasted, ground into flour, and eaten with water. Starvation food Seeds used, generally mixed with other seeds, in times of food shortages. Paiute, Northern Candy Gum chewed. (Moerman 102)
Medicine:
"Hopi Gastrointestinal Aid Plant used for digestive disorders. Orthopedic Aid Infusion of leaves taken for ailing ilium. Navajo Analgesic Compound of plants used for headaches. --- Cold Remedy Plant used for colds. Febrifuge Plant used for fevers. Gastrointestinal Aid Decoction of plants taken for stomachaches. Gynecological Aid Infusion of plants taken by women as an aid for deliverance. Navajo, Ramah Analgesic Decoction of leaves taken for postpartum pain. Cough Medicine Decoction of leaves taken for 'big cough." (Moerman 101)
"The principal uses of these plants (sagebrushes) are medicinal, largely owning to aromatic oils, including camphor, contained in sagebrush leaves. All three species (Big Sagebrush - Artemisia tridentata, Sand Sagebrush - Artemisia filifolia and Fringed Sagebrush - Artemisia frigida) have been used by Puebloans as a cure for stomach disorders. A tea from the leaves was drunk at Picuris, most of the Tewa-speaking pueblos, and as far south as Isleta. --- With its camphor content, sagebrush has been highly valued in treating colds and coughs." (Dunmire and Tierney 151-2)
Other Uses:
"Navajo Building Material Used between the poles of the sweat house to prevent the sand from sifting through. Navajo, Ramah Brushes & Brooms Leafy stems tied together with wire and used for brooms." (Moerman 101)
Sagebrush, Sand - Artemisia filifolia
(Fringed Sagebrush
Medicine:
"Hopi Dermatological Aid Plant used for boils. Gastrointestinal Aid Infusion of plant and juniper branches taken for indigestion.--- Tewa Carminative Plant chewed or decoction taken for indigestion and flatulence." (Moerman 101)
Other Uses:
" Hopi Ceremonial Items Plant used for ritualistic purposes. Kiowa Paper Used for drying hands and as a substitute for toilet paper." (Moerman 101)