ERIODICTYON CALIFORNICUM (_Ind. Que-bel_)
American White Woolly Holly Plant is the sister plant of _E. glutinosum_.
American Bottle-Weed. Its habitat lies in the volcanic regions of the Mojave Desert. This plant is rather peculiar in its growth, thriving on poisonous volcanic soils, where no other form of plant life can exist. The Indians of the desert regions used the plant as a physic, and it outranks _Rhamnus californica_ in this respect. The mission friars overlooked this plant for the reason that none of them ventured that far into the desert, valuing their lives above everything else.
The infusion obtained from the plant was used in very minimum doses, and when unable to do that, a small branch was cut and a very small piece was chewed by the constipated person.
RHAMNUS CALIFORNICA (_Ind. Hoon-wet-que-wa_)
American Coffee Berry. Its habitat is the canyons of high mountain ranges along waterway banks.
The bark was stripped off the trees, shade-dried and then ground in a _ca-wish-pat-os-vaal_, meaning the stone mortar and pestle generally used in those days, and even by druggists today, though made of different material. The prepared powder was used to a great extent at full strength in cases of constipation, and was administered in well-measured doses, but not in excess.
Owing to its medicinal properties this tree-plant was introduced into European countries where it gradually became the outstanding cathartic of all.
And this is the _Rhamnus californica_, the medicine of the Indians, named by Junipero De Serra _Cascara sagrada_--"Sacred Bark."
Its habitat is confined to swampy lands. This plant is very fond of water, and attains a very vigorous growth under these conditions. Due to its aquatic nature, the plant, when fully matured, was gathered, shade-dried and an infusion made which was used solely in the treatment of prostate gland trouble. (American Horsetail)
Its habitat is the desert lands of California, northwestern Arizona, and Nevada.
This evergreen, shrubby plant was held in high esteem by all the Indians, and a good supply of it was always kept on hand for general use. The infusion made from it was used regularly to flush the kidneys. The tea is of a very delicious taste. A person cannot help liking it, and it also helps to purify the blood. (American Tea of the Indian)