Indian Warrior Flower Buds (Pedicularis densiflora) - Wild Harvested

Indian Warrior Flower Buds (Pedicularis densiflora) are the wild-harvested flowering tops of a striking red-flowered plant that grows through the oak woodlands and chaparral of California and the western United States. What sets the buds apart from loose leaf or stalk material is density and grade: these are the whole flower heads, hand-selected for deep crimson-to-purple bracts and dried intact so the color and structure stay true. This is the premium cut of the plant, the part most collectors and blenders want.

The plant. Pedicularis densiflora belongs to the broomrape family (Orobanchaceae) and is one of roughly 500 species in the Pedicularis (lousewort) genus found across the northern hemisphere. It is a partially root-parasitic wildflower, drawing part of its nutrition from the roots of nearby shrubs, which is one reason it resists ordinary cultivation and is gathered in the wild. Indigenous peoples of the West have a long recorded history with Pedicularis species, and "Indian Warrior" refers specifically to the densiflora species, prized for its dense red spikes.

Active constituents. Pedicularis densiflora naturally contains phenylethanoid glycosides and iridoid compounds, the plant chemistry the genus is known and studied for. As with any wildcrafted botanical, content varies plant to plant and harvest to harvest.

Traditional use. Pedicularis has historically been dried and used as a smoking herb or brewed as a tisane, on its own or blended with other botanicals such as blue lotus, mullein, or damiana. Many customers keep Indian Warrior buds on hand as a base or accent for their own herbal smoking blends and teas. How you prepare it is up to you.

What you get. Loose, whole, dried Pedicularis densiflora flower buds, wild-harvested in North America and sold by weight from a single quarter ounce up to full-pound wholesale lots. Because it is wild-gathered, color, bud size, and stem content vary naturally between harvests.

Storage. Keep sealed in a cool, dark, dry place, away from heat and direct light. Stored well, dried buds hold their color and aroma for a long time.

Quality and price. We buy and move Indian Warrior in volume, so our per-gram pricing runs well below most specialty ethnobotanical shops at every size, and we carry true bulk pound lots for makers and retailers.

Common questions

Are these the buds or the whole stalk? These are the flower buds, the dense flowering tops, not loose leaf or bare stalk. We list the loose herb and the extract resin as separate products.

Is it wild-harvested or cultivated? Wild-harvested in North America. Pedicularis is partially root-parasitic and does not cultivate well, so wildcrafted is the norm for this plant.

Do you sell wholesale? Yes. The 4 oz, 1/2 lb, and 1 lb sizes are priced for resellers, blenders, and shops. Reach out if you need larger volume than what is listed.

How should I store it? Sealed, cool, dark, and dry. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is sold as a botanical specimen and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.