bractless blazingstar
Mentzelia nuda (Pursh) Torr. & A. Gray
Traditional Food Use
the crushed leaves in the same way roundleaf monkeyflower čheškíkȟaŋ The leaves are eaten raw or cooked.
Medicinal Documentation
Roots used for rheumatism and arthritis Additional commentary: It is believed to be one of the Cheyenne’s oldest medicines. For this reason it is held in high esteem by healers. This was never used alone, always in medicinal mixtures. The root was the most powerful plant part; dug before the plant had flowered, it was used in cases of fevers, earaches, rheumatism, arthritis, and more complicated illnesses. A tea made from the roots was taken for mumps, measles, and smallpox, and a salve was applied externally to the affected areas. This root also was chewed for thirst prevention.469
Roots chewed for thirst prevention.
Roots used for earaches
Roots used for fevers
Infusion of roots taken for mumps, measles, and smallpox
Plant used as an ingredient in medicinal preparations.
Roots used for complicated illnesses
Botanical Reference
Parts Documented: leaf, plant, root, roots
Distribution: Sandy, gravel hillsides and along stream banks; plains to montane; southern Alberta, Canada to New Mexico