Escoba de la Vibora

Escoba de la Vibora
Gutierreza sarothrae
Common names: Matchweed, Snakebroom, Broomweed

Plant Traits
This common plant grows over 150 million acres in the Western United States. Escoba is a small shrub with many little yellow flower clusters. It is resinous and has a  distinct piney smell. This prolific plant covers desert landscapes from California to New Mexico in its vibrant golden yellow.

Plant Uses
While in Herb School, I took a 2 week Springtime field trip through New Mexico and Arizona. This is when I was introduced to this amazing healing plant. Traditionally, Escoba has been used by the  natives of the Southwest in the bath. The flowers are harvested in late summer/early fall and dried in bundles. Escoba means broom in Spanish and the bundles look just like little brooms. The dried herb is made into a tea and added to the bath. The tea can also be consumed while bathing for full potency. Escoba is a fantastic anti inflammatory and pain reliever associated with rheumatic and osteo arthritis. The aches melt away in the bath and can be used without any side effects. This herb is gentle yet powerful in its effects.

When I learned about this plant I harvested some bundles and made a tea for my bath. It worked so well to soothe my aches and pains. I decided to experiment and make a fresh plant infusion into oil. The results were successful and I added it to my early balm recipe.
Escoba, along with St John’s Wort and Arnica, is one of the main active ingredients in my HilsBalm.

 I love this plant for its amazing healing abilities and it’s abundant growth range. 

Sources:
Medicinal Plants of  the Mountain West by
Michael Moore