What is Cota Tea? Exploring the Indigenous Herbal Brew of the Southwest

December 26, 2025 •

3 min read

Used for centuries by indigenous peoples in the American Southwest, cota tea is a traditional herbal beverage known by many names, including Navajo Tea and Greenthread. This wild-crafted brew, derived from the Thelesperma plant, has a rich cultural history and is appreciated for its mild flavor and soothing properties.

Quick Summary

Cota tea is a caffeine-free herbal infusion made from the Thelesperma plant, prized by Native American cultures for both its pleasant taste and medicinal value. It is often prepared by simmering the plant's stems and flowers to create a mild, earthy drink with a piney sweetness.

Key Points

Indigenous Roots: Cota tea is a traditional beverage of various Native American tribes in the Southwest, including the Navajo and Hopi.
Caffeine-Free Herbal: It is a naturally caffeine-free herbal infusion derived from the Thelesperma megapotamicum plant, a member of the sunflower family.
Mild and Earthy Flavor: The tea has a distinctive, mild taste with earthy and subtle piney notes, often described as pleasantly sweet.
Traditional Uses: Traditionally used for digestive issues, kidney health, reducing inflammation, and as a diuretic, although scientific backing is limited.
Brewing Method: Unlike standard teas, Cota is typically prepared by simmering the stems and flowers in water to extract its full flavor and properties.
Versatile Plant: Besides being a tea, the Thelesperma plant is also used as a natural dye for textiles and basketry.
Wild-Crafted Origin: Cota is often wild-harvested from its native habitat in the American Southwest and is a significant part of indigenous foodways.

Introduction to Cota Tea

Cota tea, also known by a host of other names, is a traditional beverage deeply rooted in the cultures of the American Southwest. For centuries, Native American communities, such as the Navajo (Diné) and Hopi, have wild-crafted the Thelesperma plant to create a flavorful and soothing herbal infusion. Unlike black, green, or oolong teas, cota tea is naturally caffeine-free and offers a unique flavor profile that reflects its desert origins. Its significance goes beyond just being a drink; it serves as a link to traditional herbal medicine and cultural practices that have been passed down through generations.

The Botanical Origins of Cota

Cota tea is made from the plant scientifically known as Thelesperma megapotamicum, a perennial herb belonging to the Asteraceae family—the same family as sunflowers.

Where Cota is Found

The Thelesperma megapotamicum plant is native to the arid and semi-arid regions of the central and southwestern United States, as well as northern Mexico. It thrives in dry, high desert climates and can be found across states like New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. The plant's distinctive features include slender, bright green stems and small yellow flowers, which are typically harvested and dried for tea.

Traditional Uses and Potential Benefits

Cota tea is traditionally valued in indigenous medicine for various uses, including aiding digestion and supporting kidney and urinary health. It is also recognized as a mild diuretic and has been used for its potential anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of Luteolin. Historically, it was employed for "blood purification" and topically for skin ailments. The plant also serves as a source for yellow and rust-colored dyes.

Disclaimer: Traditional uses are historically significant but largely lack clinical trial evaluation. Consult a healthcare professional before using herbal supplements.

How to Prepare Cota Tea

Preparing cota tea involves simmering the stems and flowers to extract their properties.

Gather Ingredients: Dried cota plant material, fresh water, and a saucepan are needed.
Measure: Use one heaping teaspoon or a small tea ball of dried herb per 4-6 cups of water.
Boil and Simmer: Boil water, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
Cool and Strain: Let cool slightly before straining plant material.
Serve: Enjoy hot or cold. {Link: Desert Mountain Tea Company https://www.indianpueblostore.com/products/cota-navajo-herbal-tea} can be added for sweetness.

Cota Tea vs. Other Common Herbal Teas

A comparison highlights cota tea's unique characteristics:


Feature	Cota Tea	Chamomile Tea	Peppermint Tea
Plant Source	Thelesperma megapotamicum (Sunflower family)	Matricaria chamomilla (Sunflower family)	Mentha piperita (Mint family)
Caffeine	None	None	None
Native Region	American Southwest	Europe and Asia	Europe and North America
Flavor Profile	Mild, earthy, slightly sweet, piney	Apple-like, floral, mellow	Strong minty, refreshing
Traditional Uses	Digestion, kidney health, diuretic	Calmative, sleep aid, anti-inflammatory	Digestive relief, headache, congestion
Preparation	Simmering method (decoction)	Steeping method (infusion)	Steeping method (infusion)

The Rich Flavor Profile and Cultural Significance

Cota tea is appreciated for its mild, earthy, and slightly sweet flavor with a piney note. This flavor connects to its high desert origins and is integral to indigenous foodways. Foraging and preparing cota are parts of cultural heritage, and increasing availability from indigenous businesses supports communities. {Link: UTEP https://www.utep.edu/herbal-safety/herbal-facts/herbal%20facts%20sheet/cota.html}

The Resurgence and Importance of Wild-Harvested Cota

Wild-harvesting cota sustainably maintains a connection to the plant's environment and indigenous knowledge. Growing interest and commercial availability from indigenous enterprises help preserve traditional knowledge and share this cultural legacy.

Conclusion

Cota tea is a culturally significant herbal beverage from the American Southwest, representing centuries of indigenous tradition. Made from Thelesperma megapotamicum, it is traditionally used for digestive and kidney health and as a natural dye. Its mild, earthy, and slightly sweet flavor provides a caffeine-free alternative linked to its rich landscape and history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cota tea is known by several other names, including Navajo Tea, Hopi Tea, Indian Tea, Zuni Tea, and Greenthread, reflecting its strong indigenous and regional ties.

No, cota tea is naturally caffeine-free, making it a suitable beverage to enjoy at any time of day, including before bed.

Cota tea is best prepared by simmering the dried plant material in boiling water for several minutes to fully extract its flavor and properties, rather than simply steeping.

The flavor of cota tea is mild and earthy, with a distinctive, slightly sweet, and piney aroma that is very refreshing.

Traditionally, it has been used to soothe upset stomachs, aid kidney function, act as a diuretic, and for its potential anti-inflammatory properties, but clinical trials on its efficacy are limited.

Yes, the Thelesperma plant is also an important source of natural dyes, producing yellow and reddish tones for coloring textiles and basketry.

Cota tea is derived from the Thelesperma megapotamicum plant, which is native to the arid regions of the American Southwest and Northern Mexico.

While generally considered safe in moderation, individuals with certain health conditions, or those who are pregnant or nursing, should consult a healthcare professional before consuming cota tea.