The United States is divided into 15 broad ecological regions, each one home to a variety of fascinating native plants. In the Southwest, creosote bushes are found in and around the Mojave, Chihuahuan, and Sonoran deserts at elevations below 5,000 feet and is one of the oldest living things on Earth--approximately 11,700 years old. This evergreen plant secretes resins, which serve many purposes. The resins create a waxy coating on the leaf surface, limiting water loss and reducing transpiration. Indigenous communities such as the Tohono O'odham, Pueblo, and Navajo have inhabited Southwest deserts for centuries and have developed deep knowledge about the plants that coexist with them. Many have found creosote, or segai, to be useful for a variety of medicinal purposes (Nabhan 1985). It has antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, making it a useful ingredient for a soothing salve. This article describes a lesson on salve-making using creosote plants that values indigenous knowledge and highlights sustainable harvesting practices.