While thousands gathered at Mandalay Bay for SupplySide Global to see the latest botanical ingredients on display, NutraIngredients headed outside the convention halls with Chris Kilham, better known as the Medicine Hunter, to explore the native plants of the Mojave Desert.
Kilham, who has spent decades traveling the world in search of medicinal plants, explained how desert conditions can influence plant chemistry.
“Plants within a certain range respond very, very well to harsh conditions,” he said, noting that they can express protective compounds, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Among the plants encountered was yucca, recognizable by its long spear-like leaves. Kilham highlighted its saponin content and traditional uses, describing the southwestern desert as a medicinal “breadbasket” for Native American communities.
Despite its traditional applications, Kilham told NI that yucca has become less prominent in commercial products.
“There are yucca products,” he said. “There used to be more and I think the reason that there aren’t so many now has to do with a lack of marketing, frankly.”
The creosote bush, also known as chaparral, was also explored, which Kilham described as one of the Mojave Desert’s most abundant plants. He recalled its prominence in herbal formulations during the 1970s and 1980s, particularly products positioned around cleansing and detoxification.
Kilham also recalled the influence of Dr. John Christopher, a prominent herbalist of the 1970s and 1980s, whose teachings helped popularize chaparral and other herbal remedies. At the time, he said, “There was a lot of emphasis on it,” particularly in formulations positioned around cleansing and detoxification.
The final stop was Opuntia, or prickly pear cactus. Its fruit is edible, while its paddle-shaped leaves, known as nopal, can be prepared in salads or grilled.
The excursion offered a reminder that behind the botanical ingredients showcased by the natural products industry are plants with rich histories of traditional use and applications that extend from functional foods and beverages to supplements.
