"gutierrezia microcephala" was used by the native americans for various reasons. the cahuilla used an infusion of the plant as a gargle or placed the plant in their mouths as a toothache remedy. the hopi and tewa both used the plant as a carminative, as prayer stick decorations, and for roasting sweet corn, and the navajo applied a poultice of the plant to the back and legs of horses for unknown reasons. the zuni steeped the flower heads in boiling water and used the tea as a diuretic, tonic, and sweat-inducer, and also used the plant as an indicator of water.