Cota Tea Plant
Many years ago before tea or coffee were consumed in the state of new mexico cota was a very popular b.
Cota tea plant. If you are. I have recently published a booklet that focuses on the traditional uses and beliefs on new mexican herbs one of which is cota. Before coffee was imported the tea was the beverage of choice. Unit b tacoma wa 98406.
By native indians in the nm area. Terracotta coffee tea. Cota tinctoria the golden marguerite yellow chamomile or oxeye chamomile is a species of perennial flowering plant in the sunflower family other common names include dyer s chamomile boston daisy and paris daisy in horticulture this plant is still widely referred to by its synonym anthemis tinctoria. The plant is taken as a tea to relieve stomachaches and other digestive ailments.
Its main use is as a leisure tea drunk. It is also used to reduce fevers to treat kidney problems to purify the blood against gonorrhea as a vermifuge to expel intestinal worms as a stimulant for the nervous system. Our cota is wild crafted from northern new mexico and is used to relieve stomachaches and other digestive ailments. Parts of the plant used.
Indian tea hopi tea navajo tea zuni tea colorado greenthread. The actual name of the herb is called cota. Sign up with your email address to receive news updates and secret promotions. As its many common names indicate it is widely used throughout the state.
There are some ceremonial uses for this herb as well. Sometimes cota is combined with other plants such a cinnamon spearmint and pennyroyal to make a tastier tea moore 1990. It has also been used to dye baskets textiles. When dried in the sun cota appears bright green.
The extended range of habitat is made possible by the fact that several species exist see table some only at high altitude others growing in the plains and virtually all of them can be used to make greenthread tea. Cota is an important plant woven into the cultural activities of both indigenous and spanish settlers of southwest north america. When dried in doors as is done during the monsoon season cota appears dark as though it was roasted. Subscribe to our newsletter.
Beverley spears cota is an integral part of life in much of new mexico. Cota is first and foremost a delightful herb tea producing a red colored tart beverage that is refreshing served cold with a bit of fresh wild mint or served hot just by itself or with lemon and honey. Made with squarespace shop about. Still its main use is in the southwest and the plant grows abundantly on the navajo hopi and pueblo lands as well as throughout much of new mexico arizona and colorado.
Cota is a perennial plant that is found in various areas of united states including arizona colorado kansas nebraska new mexico oklahoma texas utah and wyoming. A tea is available in commerce and sold as cota greenthread or indian tea. What is it used for. Cota indian tea hopi tea navajo tea zuni tea greenthread by susan bruneni photos.
Cota is also known as. A pelethra of the wild growing plant can be found in northern new mexico along roadsides and in mountain areas. In northern mexico the plant is found in the states of chihuahua and coahuila.