Larrea tridentata

In northern Mexico the Tarahumara and Yaqui traditionally drank infusions of Larrea tridentata leaves and young twigs for colds, flu, and stomach upset (Spier, 1987). Across the Sonoran Desert the Comcaac (Seri) chewed fresh leaves for sore throats and rubbed a leaf poultice on wounds and toothaches (Felger and Moser, 1985). In the southwestern United States, the Shoshone and related groups decocted leaves for fevers and colds, and the Pima prepared a similar decoction for gastrointestinal complaints (Moerman, 1998; 2009). Among the Cahuilla of southern California, leaves and twigs were simmered and taken as a tonic for colds and digestive upset (Bean and Saubel, 1972), while Mexican healers in Sonora made “mesquite tea” from Larrea to ease indigestion and stomachache (Nabhan et al., 2010). In the 19th and early 20th centuries American frontier herbalists frequently compounded a 1:5 ethanol tincture of leaves and tender stems for fevers and urinary infections, and classic Southwest guides record a “creosote tea” dosed sparingly for colds and stomach cramps (Moerman, 1998; 2009; Perry and Medrow, 2010; Bensen, 1995; Berry, 1977).

Two practical recipes illustrate how these preparations were made. A mild cold-and-stomach infusion uses 1–2 teaspoons (2–4 g) of dried leaves and young stems per cup (240 ml) of near-boiling water, infused 10–15 minutes and strained; traditional usage was one cup per day for up to a week, and caution is advised for people with liver or kidney disease, those taking hepatotoxic drugs, and during pregnancy and lactation. A 1:5 ethanol tincture is made with 20 g of dried leaf in 100 ml of 45–60% ethanol, macerating four to six weeks with daily shaking, then straining; typical dosing in old herbal texts is 1–2 ml diluted in water two to three times daily, with the same safety cautions about pregnancy, liver disease, and drug interactions.

Well-established phytochemicals include the lignan nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol, and essential oils rich in sabinene and limonene. These constituents provide the plant’s antioxidant and antimicrobial profile that aligns with the documented uses for colds, fevers, stomach upset, and topical care. Modern relevance remains active: laboratory studies continue to explore antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Larrea extracts, while herbalists and tribal members still prepare modest infusions and tinctures. NDGA has drawn particular attention for its pharmacology, but safety concerns require measured dosing and avoidance by those at risk for hepatotoxicity.

Common products:
Larrea tridentata is the primary natural source of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a phenolic antioxidant isolated from the plant’s leaves and small stems. NDGA is used as an antioxidant additive in specialty food applications (e.g., products rich in lipids) and in technical preparations where oxidation inhibition is needed. Commercial preparations are typically standardized leaf extracts that specify NDGA content and are sold under trade names (e.g., Masoprocol).

Industrial and craft applications:
NDGA and L. tridentata extracts function as antioxidants in industrial formulations, including metalworking and cutting fluids. Laboratory studies report NDGA as an inhibitor of corrosion for mild steel in acidic media under controlled conditions, indicating potential as a corrosion inhibitor additive in fluids and coatings where phenolic inhibition is desired. As an antioxidant, NDGA serves as a radical scavenger that slows oxidative deterioration of unsaturated components, thereby prolonging service life of products sensitive to oxidation.

Properties relevant to use:
NDGA exhibits strong radical-scavenging activity due to its catechol structure; this property underpins its role as an antioxidant in both food and non-food contexts. Extracts contain lignans and phenolics that contribute to this activity. Commercial standardization typically specifies NDGA concentration, which correlates with oxidative stability in formulations.

Scientific/model-organism use:
L. tridentata has a published nuclear genome assembly that serves as a reference for desert shrub biology, resin chemistry, and plant–environment interactions. It is used in physiological and ecological research on drought adaptation, secondary metabolism, and co-occurring desert flora.

Standards and regulation:
NDGA is regulated as a food additive in certain jurisdictions (e.g., U.S. 21 CFR 172.140) with specifications for purity and usage levels; NDGA-containing extracts for technical uses must be labeled in accordance with national chemical and safety regulations.

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No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

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