PIŇON - Pinus edulis - Pine family

This tree is a low-spreading, open-crowned evergreen that grows among cedars and junipers or entirely by itself in the foothills of New Mexico. In addition to its value as a source of fuel to the early Indians and settlers, the gum from the piñon tree was used to prepare black dye, mend broken earthenware, and cover water canteens to make them watertight. The Indians and Spanish also applied the resin to cuts and sores to "keep the air out." At one time Zuni Indians chewed the needles to treat syphilis. After chewing the needles, the patient would drink large quantities of water, take a mile run and upon return would be wrapped in several blankets and made to sweat profusely. The Spanish New Mexicans treated the same disease by mixing the piñon pitch with whiskey and brown sugar.