mesquite magic

October 31, 2022 0 Comments

The Tree of Life: Mesquite is a tree or shrub that grows in desert regions around the world, areas unsuited for most agriculture. On 25% of our planet you can find mesquite species growing without any help from fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation or capitalization. This is not surprising, as the mesquite tree’s root system can grow more than 100 feet deep in search of water, making it a hardy survivor in harsh climates. Like many members of the vegetable family, mesquite restores nitrogen to the soil.

Mesquite forms bean-like pod fruits in the fall that have long been a nutritious food source for humans, wildlife, and livestock. Mesquite pods do not split open when ripe. The pods of all 3 common species of mesquite – Honey Mesquite, Screwbean Mesquite, and Velvet Mesquite – are edible, although Screwbean is less flavorful than the more widespread Honey Mesquite. A favorite of bees and other insects, mesquite flowers produce a fragrant honey.

Mesquite is known as the tree of life because of its many uses: Native Americans in the desert regions of Arizona and California used all parts of the tree. Its bark was used for basketry, pottery, cloth, rope, and medicine. The trunk and branches were used in the manufacture of bows, arrows, mortars, and furniture; Because it burns slowly and without smoke, mesquite makes good firewood. The thorns were used for tattooing and to make sewing needles. The leaves were used to make tea, as an eye wash, and for headaches and stomachaches. Chewing gum was used as candy gum, pottery repair glue, face paint, pottery paint, and hair dye.

But it was the mesquite pod, with its nutritious, bittersweet pulp, that provided the greatest benefit to desert peoples. The pods were harvested in the fall, when they were yellowish brown and still hanging from the tree. They were dried in the sun and then stored in large baskets for future use. The beans (both pods and seeds) were ground into a coarse flour, then, by adding water, turned into a cake without cooking. Some cultures removed the seeds from the pods and ground them into a flour called pinole, from which a loaf was baked.

Mesquite as food: Mesquite flour has a sweet, nutty flavor. This fragrant flour can be used in baking or as a seasoning in foods and beverages.

  • when used in baking, is used in combination with other flours – the ratio is generally 1 part mesquite flour to 2 to 3 cups of grain or rice flour. Since mesquite is sweet, you may want to lower the sugar in the recipe. Try mesquite in your pancakes, muffins, cakes, cornbread or cookies.
  • how do you have spiceMesquite flour is ideal for flavoring steaks, chicken, pork, and fish. Sprinkle mesquite over meats and vegetables before grilling; add it to your breading for meat and fish. It can be added to vegetable stir-fries, scrambled eggs, cookies, breads, soups, and even ice cream.

For anyone who drinks a smoothie in the morning or uses a meal replacement drink, try adding a tablespoon of mesquite flour. The hunger will not return for another 4 to 6 hours. Or use mesquite to make a cool summer drink or tea!

  • Summer Mesquite Drink: Add 2 tablespoons of finely ground mesquite flour to 1 cup of cold water. Stir and let sit for a couple of minutes, then strain, add honey to taste, and serve.
  • mesquite tea: 1 pound square. of mesquite pods in 1 gallon of water. Boil the pods, at boiling point, for 30 minutes. Remove the pods and strain. Chill the broth and serve over ice.

And a healthy meal at that! Mesquite flour is low in carbohydrates and fat, low on the glycemic index, high in dietary fiber, and naturally sweet. The amount of nutrition provided by mesquite flour is staggering: it is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, protein, and lysine.

According to medical studies, mesquite “it is extremely effective in controlling blood sugar levels” in diabetics. The natural sweetness of the pods comes from fructose, which the body can process without insulin. Additionally, the soluble fibers, such as galactomannin gum, in the seeds and pods slow the absorption of nutrients, resulting in a flatter blood sugar curve. Gel-forming fiber allows food to be slowly digested and absorbed over a 4-6 hour period, rather than a 1-2 hour period (which results in a rapid rise in blood sugar).

Mesquite as Medicine: The medicinal properties of mesquite have long been used by many native tribes throughout the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is most commonly used to treat eye conditions, open wounds, and dermatological ailments. Acting as an antacid, it can also treat digestive problems. It is used as an antibiotic and has soothing, astringent and antiseptic properties.

Roots, bark, and leaves are cool and dry. They are antifungal, antimicrobial, astringent, antiseptic, and antispasmodic. A powder or tea can be made from any of the above materials for athlete’s foot and fungal infections in general. This disinfectant wash or powder can be used for minor infections, stings, bites, sores, and scrapes.

The leaves and pods can be made into an eyewash for inflammation of all kinds, including conjunctivitis. The leaves, roots, and bark relieve diarrhea, dysentery, stomach ulcers, dyspepsia, and most gastrointestinal inflammations. In a poultice, the leaves were used topically for headaches or even fire ant bites. The young shoots, ground and roasted, were used to dissolve kidney stones.

The white inner bark is used as an intestinal antispasmodic. The bark is also helpful in stopping excessive menstrual bleeding and reducing fever.

Mesquite gum or resin is the most widely used element of mesquite. It is used as an eye wash to treat infections and irritations. It has various dermatological uses, including the treatment of sores, wounds, burns, chapped and raw skin, and sunburn. It is used as a restorative after episodes of dysentery, diarrhea, stomach/intestinal upset, and food poisoning. It is used as a pain reliever for stomach/intestinal pain, ulcers, colitis and hemorrhoids. Mesquite gum is also used as a treatment for lice, cough, sore throat, mouth sores, laryngitis, fever reduction, tooth and gum pain.

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