Medicine Hidden in Plain Sight: Great Basin
We are currently exploring the Great Basin and are amazed by the incredible medicinal plants that surround us. Nature's pharmacy hiding in plain sight across these rugged landscapes.
My family and I are currently exploring the Great Basin landscape and as we look around us, we're constantly amazed by what we discover. What might look like empty sagebrush country to some reveals itself as nature's pharmacy when you know what to look for.
The rugged terrain stretching across this high-elevation basin holds treasures that sustained Native Americans and pioneers for thousands of years. Every hiking trip becomes a botanical treasure hunt as we identify the powerful medicinal plants thriving in these harsh conditions.
Lodgepole Pine: Nature's Complete Medicine Chest
Pinus contorta (Pinaceae family)
Native Americans and pioneers recognized that nearly every part of the Lodgepole Pine offered specific therapeutic benefits.¹
Traditional Uses:
- Resin - Natural antiseptic for wounds and skin conditions, waterproof adhesive
- Needles - Vitamin C-rich teas for respiratory congestion, cold prevention
- Inner bark (cambium) - Emergency food source during harsh winters
- Overall benefits - Antimicrobial, respiratory support, nutritional backup
Jeffrey Pine: The Sweet Medicine Tree
Pinus jeffreyi (Pinaceae family)
This pine cousin offers all of lodgepole's benefits plus a unique treasure: its resin tastes sweet rather than bitter, making it the original natural chewing gum. Early peoples discovered this made it perfect for oral health.²
Traditional Uses:
- Sweet resin - Natural chewing gum, breath freshener, oral antimicrobial
- Needles - Same vitamin C teas as lodgepole pine
- Bark preparations - Antiseptic washes for skin and wounds
- Overall benefits - Oral health, respiratory support, skin care
Antelope Bitterbrush: The All-Purpose Healer
Purshia tridentata (Rosaceae - rose family)
Every part of this hardy shrub earned its place in traditional medicine. The name "bitterbrush" hints at its powerful compounds. Bitter plants often indicate strong therapeutic properties.³
Traditional Uses:
- Leaves and twigs - Bitter digestive tonics, teas for colds and intestinal parasites
- Root preparations - Respiratory congestion, lung and bronchial support
- Inner bark - Teas for serious systemic conditions
- External washes - Antiseptic treatment for skin problems, wounds
- Overall benefits - Digestive support, respiratory health, skin healing
Big Sagebrush: Sacred Medicine and Survival Food
Artemisia tridentata (Asteraceae - sunflower family)
This silvery shrub dominates our landscape and held both medicinal and spiritual significance for traditional cultures. Its antimicrobial properties work through multiple preparation methods.⁴
Traditional Uses:
- Leaves (tea) - Cold and fever remedy, digestive support
- Steam inhalation - Chest congestion, respiratory clearing
- Smudging - Air purification with proven antimicrobial effects
- Seeds - Ground into nutritious flour
- Seasoning - Leaves used to flavor food
- Overall benefits - Respiratory health, antimicrobial protection, nutrition
How to Make Pine Needle Infused Oil
Pine Needle Infused Oil (for scalp, hair and beard health)
Pine needle oil stimulates scalp circulation, reduces dandruff, and strengthens hair follicles while providing natural shine and grounding aromatherapy benefits.
What you'll need:
- Fresh pine needles
- Carrier oil (olive, jojoba, grapeseed oil, etc.)
- Cinnamon stick, cloves, dried flowers, etc. (optional)
- Glass jar with lid
Instructions:
- Let fresh pine needles sit out for 1-2 days to eliminate surface moisture (pine needles naturally have low water content, but this step prevents any mold issues)
- Cut the needles with scissors and gently bruise them with a mortar and pestle to release their natural oils
- Fill a clean glass jar ¾ full with the prepared pine needles and optional additions
- Cover completely with your chosen carrier oil
- Seal jar and place in a sunny window for 2-4 weeks
- Strain out needles through cheesecloth or fine mesh
- Store finished oil in a dark glass bottle
How to use: Massage a small amount into scalp before washing hair, or use as a regular hair or beard oil.
Important Safety Note: Not all evergreen species are safe for topical use. Avoid using any plants you cannot identify with 100% certainty. Always ensure proper species identification and perform a patch test before use.
Frequently Asked Questions
"Are these plants safe to identify and use without training?"
Traditional plant medicine requires proper identification and preparation methods. While these plants have been used safely for centuries, working with an experienced herbalist ensures correct identification and appropriate preparation. Never harvest plants you cannot identify with 100% certainty.
"How do I harvest these plants sustainably?"
Traditional cultures practiced careful stewardship, taking only what was needed and ensuring plant populations remained healthy. Always harvest small amounts of a plant, avoid rare or stressed populations, and learn to identify abundant species in your area before attempting collection.
"Why were Great Basin plants so important to traditional cultures?"
These harsh environments forced traditional peoples to develop sophisticated botanical knowledge because plant resources were scarcer but more concentrated in medicinal compounds. The challenging conditions created plants with powerful therapeutic properties that could address serious health challenges effectively.
Respecting Plant Medicine Power
Many traditional medicinal plants that were once commonly used in ethnobotanical practices are now rarely utilized, even by modern herbalists. While we have historical understanding of these powerful botanical allies through traditional documentation, we have lost much of the nuanced knowledge that indigenous peoples possessed about proper preparation methods and precise dosages. The depth of traditional plant wisdom that guided safe and effective application has been largely interrupted.
These traditional plants deserve deep respect as potent medicines. Before working with any wild or traditional medicinal plants, always conduct comprehensive research and consult with local foraging guides or qualified herbalists.
Most of the time, we can still enjoy these powerful botanical allies topically through well-researched preparations that honor traditional knowledge while prioritizing safety. The pine needle oil shared above represents gentle, external applications that connect us to traditional plant wisdom through safe, accessible practices.
From Herbalist to You
When we learn to read the landscape we are surrounded with, we discover that medicine grows everywhere, even in places that seem barren and lifeless. Learning about these plants empowers us to be self-reliant when it comes to our health and well-being.
Ready to explore how traditional botanical knowledge can enhance your connection to the natural world around you? Watch our video where we demonstrate these Great Basin plant preparations.
References: ¹ "Lodgepole Pine Traditional Uses" - Oregon Encyclopedia. https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/lodgepole_pine/
² "Jeffrey Pine Resin and Traditional Applications" - University of California Agriculture. https://ucanr.edu/site/forest-research-and-outreach/lodgepole-pine-pinus-contorta
³ "Antelope Bitterbrush Ethnobotanical Uses" - Natural History Museum of Utah. https://nhmu.utah.edu/antelope-bitterbrush
⁴ "Big Sagebrush Traditional Medicine" - Wikipedia Artemisia tridentata. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_tridentata
⁵ "Traditional Plant Medicine of the American Southwest" - USDA Forest Service Wildflowers. https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/purshia_tridentata.shtml
