keeping clean in the desert

[sleepy]

such an exciting Friday night.  Watching Survivor Man  and Les Stroud says to keep clean in the desert, the creosote bush is your friend.  It will kill 40+ bacteria and bugs.  He suggests burning it and letting the smoke deodorize you.  Has anyone hear such a thing?  It's new to me.

[chisos_muse]

Hmm, haven't heard that, but I have heard it's a natural laxative.....that'll clean ya too!

[bdhawk133]

Larrea tridentata, known as the Creosote bush is studied extensively for it medicinal properties. Not only does it have the ability to kill many types of bacteria, but is also has been shown to have an affect on viruses... most notably herpes and AIDS. Larrea has even proven to be effective against some forms of cancer when taking the leaves in a powdered form. A single Larrea plant has the potential to live 12,000 years because it grows in groups of long-lived clones. Any plant that can do this, while resisting being eaten or infected with some sort of disease is amazing in itself. The Larrea has a complete arsenal of chemicals that it has evolved to produce in order to defend itself, many of which are turning up to provide medicinal value for people. Two such chemicals that are currently being studied for their effects on viruses are, NDGA and quercetic (a flavanoid). Quercetin has shown to be active agains such viruses as HSV-1, polio virus type 1, parainfluenza virus type 3, and respiratory syncytial virus.  The Creosote is amazing to say the least, and I believe we have yet to uncover its full potential as a botanical medicine. So yes.........the Creosote smoke can kill bacteria.....Native Americans used to use it. 

[sleepy]

thank you very much

[Casa Grande]

Creosote is awesome in so many ways, not the least of which is the smell.....    In small doses, it can be brewed into a tea and used to help allergies....howeve r, it should be used in strict moderation as it is suspected to cause liver damage if ingested.

[uh_clem]

So how do use creosote? Do you rub it on your skin or what? I didn't see that Survivorman episode so I'm clueless. 

[Roy]

Creosote contains phenols, which are effective disinfectants, but can be highly toxic.  I also seem to recall something about hepatitis which jives with CGs reference to liver damage.  On the whole, I'd say using it (sparingly) as an emergency antibacterial agent on a wound might make sense, but no way I'd recommend ingesting the stuff, or even use it extensively on your skin (unless you happen to be a railroad tie).  Maybe the Ol' MountainDoc will check in with some of his expertise.

[homerboy2u]

This thread is really interesting, folks...wish there were some pics to tag along.

[bdhawk133]

This thread is really interresting, folks...wish there were some pics to tag along.

Homero,

I present to you.......Larrea tridentata or Creosote Bush...... known also in spanish as Paloondo (usually given for the official homeopathic drug name in the U.S.).

[bdhawk133]

To add....

The Creosote bush serves many medicinal purposes: cure of fever, influenza, colds, upset stomach, gas gout, arthritis, sinusitis, anemia, and fungus infections (CRC Ethnobotany, June 12, 1999). Creosote also has antimicrobial properties, making it a useful first aid. It is also beneficial in the treatment of allergies, autoimmunity diseases, and Premenstrual Syndrome (Moore, 1989, p.29). Creosote serves as an analgesic, antidiarrheal , diuretic, and emetic. When used as a tea, the leaves and small twigs must be gathered, washed, and dried in the sun. The useable parts must then be ground into a powder and stored in a glass container because of the oils produced. (information provided by Nellie Chavez, Employee of Vita-Man Nutrition Center).
  Creosote can be used on the skin as a tincture or salve, and can be taken internally as a tea or capsule (Moore, 1989, p.26). Although there are such a variety of medicinal purposes the Creosote serves, use of this plant is controversial to some. According to research "chemical constituents in Creosote bush may inhibit the growth of cancerous cells, but other studies have shown exactly the opposite" (Tilford, 1997, p.44). Another reason for the controversial use of Creosote bush is because of its "potential toxic effect on the liver" (Chevallier, 1996, p.224).
 

- Medicinal Plants of the Southwest, Elgersma 2000.

[Al]

Perhaps a bit of a damper, but I thought it was generally illegal for visitors to burn wood in Big Bend, even if hauled into the park . . . I'm having trouble remembering how many creosote bushes I've seen in Big Bend.

Al

[homerboy2u]

Since i don't have anything interesting to add, i'm going to shut up and keep on reading. Not with out asking if there are any more pics showing how to do the tea thing.

  My Sister, who just happens to overcome mamarian cancer,will be very interested in reading this thread.

BDHawk133...one more time,please?.

 And i thought , you were just going to show us more jungle hammocks,man...how wrong can some one be

[bdhawk133]

Since i don't have anything interesting to add, i'm going to shut up and keep on reading. Not with out asking if there are any more pics showing how to do the tea thing.

  My Sister, who just happens to overcome mamarian cancer,will be very interested in reading this thread.

BDHawk133...one more time,please?.

 And i thought , you were just going to show us more jungle hammocks,man...how wrong can some one be

HEY NOW..... Don't be hatin on my hammock man! 
Here is some info on the Creosote tea....!
WARNING: Many native and cultivated plants are extremely toxic and can result in severe illness, or even death if ingested. Never ingest any portion of any plant unless you are absolutely certain about its identity and harmlessness.
Creosote Tea
(Larrea tridentata)
Place a sprig of Creosote leaves and flowers in a cup. Add boiling water, cover and steep 5 to 10 minutes (depending on strength desired), then strain. You may want to sweeten this strong, aromatic tea with honey. Creosote bush is the dominant shrub over most of the southwestern deserts. California's Cahuilla Indians brewed Creosote tea to relieve coughs, colds, flu, infections and bowel complaints. They also covered their heads with a blanket and inhaled the steam of creosote leaves in a boiling pot of water to relieve congestion.

[sleepy]

In the Survivorman episode, he was in Sonoran desert.  He had built a fire and thrown some creosote plant on top so it would smoke.  He then "bathed" himself in the smoke to kill body odor bacteria. Leaned over smoke and used his jacket to catch smoke around him.  I'm not suggesting burning bushes in Big Bend.  It is a good thing to know in a survival situation with the need for antiseptic.  Or when all around us breaks down and we are scavenging like coyotes.

[chisos_muse]

LOL, in other words, as to avoid ANY confusion.....buy some creosote at a nursery somewhere in Brewster County, take it home and burn it. And PLEASE keep the receipt if driving back through BIBE!