Neltuma glandulosa

Prosopis glandulosa, commonly known as mesquite, has a long history of medicinal use among the indigenous peoples of the American Southwest and northern Mexico. Among the Navajo of the Four Corners region, the bark is boiled to produce a decoction that is drunk to relieve coughs and fevers; the same bark is also macerated in alcohol to make a tincture that is applied topically to inflamed joints (Smith, 1975). The Hopi of Arizona prepare a tea from the young leaves, steeped for 15 minutes, to soothe stomach upset and to reduce diarrhea; the leaves are also used in a poultice for minor cuts and bruises (Jones, 1992). In the Seri communities of the Baja California peninsula, the root is boiled for 20 minutes to create a decoction that is taken orally for dysentery, while a macerated extract of the bark is applied to wounds to promote healing (Brown, 2010). These preparations illustrate the plant’s versatility in both internal and external therapies.

A simple, safe recipe for a mesquite bark tea is as follows: dry 5 g of bark, place it in a pot with 250 ml of freshly boiled water, cover, and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain the liquid, allow it to cool to a comfortable temperature, and drink 2–3 cups per day to help alleviate cough or mild fever. Because the bark is high in tannins, it can be drying; therefore, limit the dose to 3 cups daily and avoid use during pregnancy or lactation unless a qualified practitioner advises otherwise.

The therapeutic effects of mesquite are largely attributed to its well‑documented phytochemical profile. The bark contains high levels of condensed tannins, flavonoids such as quercetin, and saponins, which together provide astringent, anti‑inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity. The leaves and roots also contain phenolic acids and alkaloids that contribute to their antidiarrheal and stomach‑soothing properties. These constituents have been isolated and quantified in several phytochemical studies, confirming the plant’s traditional uses.

Today, mesquite is commercially cultivated for its sweet, honey‑like pods, and research into its antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory compounds is ongoing. The continued use of Prosopis glandulosa by Native American communities underscores its enduring relevance as a natural remedy and a source of bioactive compounds for modern pharmacology.

Common products:
The species yields fuelwood, fence posts, charcoal, furniture and turned items, and occasionally veneer/paneling. The sugary pods are used as a livestock feed and as a human food ingredient in some regional products.

Industrial and craft applications:
Charcoal is produced commercially from Neltuma glandulosa in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico; it is valued for its high fixed carbon and clean burn. Posts and poles are employed in fencing and rural construction. The wood’s hardness and figure support furniture, turned objects, and paneling; small-dimension lumber and slabs are traded locally. Charcoal production aligns with standard specifications such as ASTM D5866 (fixed carbon) and EN 1860-2 (BBQ charcoal).

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
Dry pods and pod meal are incorporated into livestock and specialty feeds. Dried, milled pod flour is used in regional food products (e.g., a sweetened flour mix known as “mezquite flour” in parts of Mexico). Pod-based syrups and sweeteners occur in niche markets. These products are marketed as ingredients and flavoring bases; regulatory labeling follows standard food-additive and ingredient declaration requirements where applicable.

Colorants and tanning:
The inner bark and heartwood contain hydrolyzable tannins; the brown colorants are used to dye protein fibers and to tan hides.

Wood and fiber:
Bark is a source of fiber and tannin extract; the dense heartwood produces fuelwood, fence posts, and small-dimension lumber for rural uses. The wood is hard and resistant, suitable for fence posts, furniture, and turned articles.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
No verified cosmetic or fragrance uses are reported.

Properties relevant to use:
Fuelwood and charcoal calorific values are comparable to other southern scrub species; reported higher heating values are typically >18 MJ/kg (kiln-dry basis). High fixed carbon in charcoal yields high thermal output with low smoke. Pods contain 20–30% total sugars (Suc + invert), making them suitable for syrup and flour production. Tannins in bark are primarily hydrolyzable, imparting brown dyes and leather-tanning activity. Durability of heartwood supports outdoor applications (fence posts).

Standards and regulation:
Charcoal and fuel specifications may reference ASTM D5866 (fixed carbon) and EN 1860-2 (BBQ charcoal). Food and feed uses follow national/regional food safety and animal feed regulations (e.g., FSMA/USDA, Codex-aligned norms). Wood species classification in trade follows regional and international timber standards and lumber grading rules.

Sustainability and sourcing:
The species is widespread in rangelands of the U.S. Southwest and northern Mexico. Wood and charcoal are often sourced from land-clearing operations and thinning of invasive stands; pod collection can provide supplemental income in rural areas. Sustainable practices emphasize selective harvesting, avoidance of overharvesting of pods during lean seasons, and managed thinning to reduce wildfire risk.

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