Hyptis fills the arroyos and waves lithe and tall on the roadsides. Known as desert lavender and bee sage, lavanda and salvia in Spanish.
Like the lavender and sage we know, this aromatic cooling herb is actually in the mint family – who knew. Strong anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, it is used topically to treat skin conditions – irritations, cuts and burns. When taken internally, it treats respiratory and digestive issues, as well as regulating blood flow. A mild sedative, it can also be used to treat stress and anxiety. To use externally, chew up the flowers and leaves to make a poultice and apply to the skin, or throw them into your bath water. For internal use, enjoy the flowers and young leaves as a tea or make a tincture. For more info, Sonoran herbalist John Slattery has a beautiful and informative post on desert lavender on his website.