Wounded again

Sometimes keeping the desert clean means taking one for the team, whether I intended to or not.

I saw a beer/soda can under a creosote bush on the edge of my camp. Ugh, some people. So I went to fetch it. Even though I know everything in the desert is trying to kill or at least hurt us, I reached into the bush bare handed and bare armed. After all, creosote (a.k.a. greasewood, chaparral, Larrea tridentata) is one of the less vicious plants around here. I felt the twigs poke at me. Not pleasant, but I got the can, shook out the sand, crushed it and tossed it in my trash.

It was a minute or two before I noticed my arm was bleeding in three places. Oh. Two of the wounds were small pokes but one was a gash. I blotted with a paper towel and cleaned the cuts. Then I checked for blood on my clothing. There was none. Then I took this photo, because, you know, blog content.

There are worse plants to be attacked by. Creosote has medicinal properties. Here’s what googling taught me:

Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), also known as greasewood, has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. This plant has a long history of traditional use by indigenous peoples in North and South America for treating various ailments.

TRADITIONAL MEDICAL USES

Creosote bush has been used to treat a wide range of conditions, including:

Colds and respiratory infections

Intestinal discomfort and stomach cramps

Arthritis and rheumatism

Skin disorders and wounds

Menstrual pain

Cancer

Viral infections

Native American tribes, such as the Pima and Maricopa, have used creosote bush extracts or decoctions for treating chicken pox, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, and snake bites.

MODERN RESEARCH AND POTENTIAL BENEFITS

Recent scientific studies have investigated the pharmacological properties of creosote bush lignans, revealing potential benefits for:

Antiviral activity against HIV, HSV, and other viruses

Anticancer properties

Anti-inflammatory effects

Neuroprotective effects, potentially beneficial for Alzheimer's disease

Antioxidant properties

The plant's antimicrobial properties have led to its use in topical ointments and salves for treating cuts and burns.

Does this mean creosote can heal the wounds it creates? Or should I still use some Neosporin?