How to use the Resources page at HerbWalks.com

Here is a step-by-step guide to using the “Resources” page at HerbWalks.com to gather information on plants seen on Herb Walks and Nature Hikes. The plant example used here is Chia Sage (Salvia columbariae). The links chosen are just a sampling of the possible searches that might lead to Chia.

For photos of Chia:

1. Go to HerbWalks.com and click on Resources from the menu on the left sidebar of the homepage.
2. Once on the Resources page, under the first heading of NATIVE PLANT IDENTIFICATION, PHOTOS, AND INFORMATION, click on the website link: “Wildflowers of the Santa Monica Mountains.”
3. Click on the link titled [Common Names].
4. Click on C in the index, and then scroll down that page to Chia. Voila! There you’ll find some great photos.

For medicinal uses of Chia:

1. Scroll down the page to the heading ETHNOBOTANY, HERBAL MEDICINE, AND HERBAL NUTRITION for the words Salvia columbariae, the scientific name of Chia, and you will see a link to an article entitled “Salvia columbariae contains tanshinones.”
2. Click on that link for a journal article on modern pharmaceutical research confirming Chumash Indian use of Chia root for stroke and heart attack.

For ethnobotanical information on Chia:

1. Scroll down the page in that same section for a link titled “Wild Seeds of Food Value.”
2. Click on that link.
3. The PDF file opens to Chapter III and begins with a discussin of Chia.

For nutritional information on Chia seeds:

1. Scroll down the page in that same section for a link titled “SkipThePie.org: The Nutrition Search Engine.”
2. Click on that link and use their search field to enter Chia.

For information on growing Chia Sage in your garden:

1. Scroll down the Links page to the section titled “GROWING NATIVE (NATIVE PLANT NURSERIES & INFO).”
2. Click on the link to Las Pilitas Nursery.
3. Using the search options shown on their website, you can select S in the scientific name section or C in the common name section.