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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.



CHAMIZO
CHENOPODIACEAE
aka Cenizo, Chamiso, Chamiza, Four-wing Saltbush
(Atriplex canescens)
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FYI An evergreen shrub of the western United States to 6 feet, being dioecious. LEAVES are alternate, sessile, linear spatulate to 2 inches long with revolute margins. The BRACTS have 4 conspicuous wings or crests. FLOWERS are rose colored appearing on clustered spikes. §

PART USED LEAVES, TWIGS, FLOWERS for dye. Harvest anytime.

Used by the Navajo of North America to produce DYE.
YELLOW dye is produced in the following manner: Boil 3 lbs of leaves. twigs, and blossoms in 6 gallons of water for 1 to 2 hours. Strain. Add 1/2 cup raw alum and stir well while boiling for 10 minutes. Add 1 lb of yarn and stir again. Boil for 1 to 3 hours, depending on depth of color desired. Leave in dyebath to deepen and brighten the color. Rinse.
To produce CANARY YELLOW boil the yarn only for 1/2 hour and remove.
To produce MUSTARD YELLOW prepare as above, but use a tin or aluminum pot.




©2006 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

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