Mormon tea is a Nevada native herb that has been used by Native American tribes for centuries to treat a wide range of ailments. The name “Mormon tea” comes from the fact that early Mormon settlers in Utah used it as an ingredient in their famous tea blends.
There are over 30 species of Mormon tea, all of which are found in western North America. Each species has its own unique characteristics such as size, color, and habitat. The most common 18 are:
Artemisia tridentata – also known as big sagebrush, this species is commonly found in the western United States and Canada. It has been used to treat a variety of ailments including colds, coughs, and headaches.
Artemisia filifolia – also known as desert mallow or desert horsebrush, this species is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It has been used to treat stomach problems, urinary tract infections, and menstrual cramps.
Artemisia douglasiana – also known as Douglas wormwood or Sierra mugwort, this species is found in western North America. It has been used to treat digestive issues, headaches, and insomnia.
Artemisia abrotanoides – also known as tarragon, Mexican tea, or Mexican wormwood, this species is found throughout Mexico and the southwestern United States. It has been used to treat stomach problems, digestive issues, and headaches.
Artemisia umbelliformis – also known as bearbrush or mountain wormwood, this species is found in western North America. It has been used to treat digestive issues, headaches, and insomnia.
Artemisia cana – also known as snakeweed, white rabbitbrush, or Sierra mugwort, this species is found throughout the Rocky Mountains. It has been used to treat digestive problems, headaches, and insomnia.
Artemisia arbuscula – also known as desert tarragon or creosote bush, this species is found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It has been used to treat stomach problems, digestive issues, and headaches.
Artemisia vaseyana – also known as Vasey’s sagebrush, this species is found in western North America. It has been used to treat digestive problems, headaches, and insomnia.
Artemisia californica – also known as California wormwood or silver bush, this species is found throughout the southwestern United States. It has been used to treat digestive issues, headaches, and insomnia.
Artemisia tridentata – also known as bearbrush or big sagebrush, this species is found in western North America. It has been used to treat stomach problems, headaches, and insomnia.
Artemisia ludoviciana – also known as Louisiana sage or green gum, this species is found throughout the southeastern United States. It has been used to treat digestive issues, headaches, and insomnia.
Artemisia austromexicana – also known as Mexican mugwort or mountain mugwort, this species is found in western Mexico and the southwestern United States. It has been used to treat stomach problems, headaches, and insomnia.
Mormon tea contains a variety of active constituents including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids. These compounds have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. The biochemical pathways that Mormon tea interacts with are numerous. It has been shown to inhibit the activity of certain enzymes involved in inflammation and oxidative stress. It also has antimicrobial properties and can help regulate immune function.
Mormon tea should be used with caution by those with bleeding disorders or those taking blood thinners due to its natural ability to thin the blood. It may also interact with certain medications, so it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional before using.
The healing power of Mormon tea is a testament to the traditional use of herbal medicine in Native American culture. Its use in natural medicine shows that natural remedies can be just as effective (if not more so) than modern pharmaceuticals. I will break Mormon Teas down in the next specialty series of posts.
