Agave deserti vs Lamium purpureum

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Agave deserti

Nutritive

Nutritive

Description

Native succulent of Sonoran and Mojave deserts, traditional food and medicine for Cahuilla and other desert peoples.

European annual weed with edible and medicinal properties; spring tonic herb.

Active Compounds

agavins, saponins, hecogenin, vitamins, minerals

iridoids, tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids

Traditional Uses

Traditional food and medicine of Cahuilla and other Sonoran desert peoples, Used as food during famines; roasted hearts eaten as staple food

spring tonic, wound healing, digestive aid, bleeding

Modern Uses

Nutritive food staple, Wound healing sap, Anti-inflammatory, Traditional medicine

anti-inflammatory, astringent, nutritive

Adult Dosage

Roasted hearts as food; sap topically for wounds

3-5g fresh or dried herb daily

Contraindications

Skin irritation from raw sap

pregnancy large doses

Side Effects

Skin dermatitis from raw sap

generally very safe as food

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E