From the Root & Leaf Journal - Stories, traditions, and the old ways of working with plants.
Across the wide plains and desert lands of the American West, the sun has always been powerful.
Long days under open sky, dry winds sweeping across the land, and bright reflected light from sand and stone could take a harsh toll on the skin. For the Native peoples of the Plains, the Southwest, and the Western lands, living under this sun required both resilience and knowledge of the natural world.
One of the most remarkable resources they used came not from plants, but from the earth itself.
Clay and ochre.
These natural earth pigments of red, yellow, and white were more than decoration. In many communities, they were used to help protect the skin from sun, wind, and the dry elements of the land.
The Colors of the Earth
Across the Plains and the deserts of the Southwest, the earth itself often reveals bright colors.
Iron-rich soils produce shades of red ochre, while other minerals create yellow and pale clays. These pigments have been used by people around the world for thousands of years.
Native peoples of North America gathered these natural earths from riverbanks, canyon walls, and exposed soil deposits.
Once collected, the clay or ochre could be ground into a fine powder and mixed with small amounts of water, plant oils, or animal fats.
The result was a smooth paste that could be applied directly to the skin.
Protection From Sun and Wind
While many people today think of clay pigments primarily as body paint, they often served practical purposes as well.
When applied to the skin, clay and ochre form a thin layer over the surface of the body. This layer can help reflect sunlight and reduce direct exposure to the skin beneath.
In open landscapes where shade was scarce, this natural barrier helped protect exposed areas of the body during long hours outdoors.
The earth-based coating also helped shield skin from dry winds and blowing dust, both common in the plains and desert environments.
A Blend With Oils and Fats
Clay and ochre were often mixed with natural oils or animal fats before being applied to the skin.
These mixtures created a protective paste that combined several helpful properties such as:
• earth pigments to shield the skin
• oils or fats to help prevent dryness
• minerals from the clay itself
Buffalo fat, bear fat, or plant oils could serve as the base for these preparations, depending on the region and available resources.
Together, these ingredients created a simple but effective protective layer for people spending much of their lives outdoors.
More Than Protection
Clay and ochre also carried cultural and ceremonial meaning in many Native traditions.
Different colors could symbolize particular ideas or connections to the land. Earth pigments were sometimes used in body decoration for ceremonies, storytelling, or expressions of identity.
But even when used in this way, the practical benefits of clay and ochre for the skin were well understood.
In the bright sun of the Plains and Southwest, these natural earth pigments helped serve both practical and cultural roles.
The Wisdom of the Land
For people who lived close to the land, understanding the resources around them was essential.
The same earth that formed the cliffs, mesas, and desert hillsides also offered materials that could help protect the body from the environment.
Clay and ochre were part of a larger tradition of working with the land — using plants, minerals, and natural materials in thoughtful ways that supported daily life.
The Old Knowledge Endures
Today, modern sunscreens and protective clothing provide many ways to guard against strong sunlight.
Yet the knowledge that earth itself can help shield the skin is still fascinating.
Across the Plains and desert Southwest, the red soils and pale clays still lie where they have for thousands of years.
And they remind us that long before modern products existed, people understood how to turn the natural materials of the land into practical forms of protection.
Sometimes the simplest solutions were already there — waiting in the soil beneath our feet.