The Four Sacred Herbs
The Anishnaabe (Woodland Indians) live life in a very sacred manner. Everything
in Ide has a significance and is honored and respected. To those who live the traditional way, there are four plants that
are especially revered and used in daily living.
SAMAH (Tobacco) Samah, or tobacco, is one of the four sacred plants, representing
the Eastern direction. Ananishnaabek used a form of tobacco known as kinikinik, or red willow. Some still prefer to use the
kinikinik, but many use store-bought tobacco. Samah is used in the offering of prayer to the Creator, acting as a medium for
communication. It is either offered to the fire, so the smoke can lift the prayers to the Creator, or it is set on the ground
in a nice, clean place. This is done on a daily basis as each new day is greeted with prayers of thankfulness. The Elders
say to hold it in your prayers of thankfulness. They also add that you are to hold it in your left hand as that is the hand
closer to your heart. It is always good to offer Samah when seeking knowledge or advice from an Elder or when a Pipe is present.
KEEZHIK (Cedar) Keezhik, or cedar, represents the Southern direction. The leaves
are cleaned from the stems and separated into small pieces which are used in many ways. When burned, Keezhik acts as a purifier,
cleansing the area in which it is burned and emitting a pleasant scent. Elders say to put some in your shoes and only goodness
will come your way.
MUSHKODEWUSHK (Sage) Mushkodewushk, also known as sage, is used in much the same
ways as Keezhik (cedar). It is burned as a purifier, but when compared to the piney scent of cedar, sage has a spicy air.
Mushkodewushk represents the Western direction.
WEENGUSH (Sweetgrass) Weengush, the sweetgrass, is known for its beautifully sweet
aromatc scent, which is enhanced when it rains or when it is burned. This, too, is a purifier. Many things are made with weengush
(sweetgrass) such as coiled baskets. It is often braided and thus signified the hair of O'gushnan (Our Mother the Earth).
Each of the three sections that go into the braid have a specific meaning, being mind, body and spirit. Because Anishnaabe
people live life in a very sacred manner, when taking something from the Earth, they always explain to the spirit of the plant
why it is being done and offer some tobacco in return for the generosity and help of the plant which shared itself so freely.
Many Native tribes in North America use sweetgrass in prayer, smudging or purifying ceremonies
and consider it a sacred plant. It is usually braided, dried, and burned. Sweetgrass braids smolder and doesn't produce an
open flame when burned. Just as the sweet scent of this natural grass is attractive and pleasing to people, so is it attractive
to good spirits. Sweetgrass is often burned at the beginning of a prayer or ceremony to attract positive energies.
Densmore (1974) describes that among the Chippewa (Ojibwa), "young people, chiefly young men, carried
a braid of sweet grass and cut off 2 or 3 inches of it and burned it for perfume. Young men wore two braids of sweet grass
around their necks, the braids being joined in the back and falling on either side of the neck like braids of hair."
Sweetgrass is used to "smudge"; the smoke from burning sweetgrass is fanned on people, objects or areas.
Individuals smudge themselves with the smoke, washing the eyes, ears, heart and body. Mi'kmaq have long used sweetgrass as
a smudging ingredient, often mixed with other botanicals. Sweetgrass is one of the four medicines which comprise a group of
healing plants used by the people in Anishinabe, Bode'wad mi, and Odawa societies. The other three are tobacco, cedar, and
sage (Mary Ritchie 1995).
Among the Chippewa wicko'bimucko'si (sweetgrass) is braided and used in pipe-smoking mixtures along
will red willow and bearberry, when it is burned, prayers, thoughts and wishes rise with the smoke to the creator who will
hear them. Densmore (1974) describes the story of "a hunting incident in which a party of men placed sweet grass on the fire
when the camp was in danger of starving and they were going again to hunt. Medicine men kept sweet grass in the bag with their
medicinal roots and herbs".
A tea is brewed by Native Americans for coughs, sore throats, chafing and venereal infections. It is
also used by women to stop vaginal bleeding and to expel afterbirth. It is warned that because the roots contain coumarin,
that sweetgrass tea may be considered a carcinogenic.
Ancient Cherokee Remedy for relief of poison ivy and poison oak
Even some of our Cherokee ancestors suffered from the effects of
poison ivy and poison oak and they had their own remedy for relief.
The Cherokee and most
woodland Indians used acorns for relief from poison ivy and poison oak: put about 30 acorns into 1 1/2 gallons of hot
water and boil down to half this amount, uncovered, for about 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Then strain and cool the remainder
and put on the affected area.
Another use of an oak is to boil
a 6 by 2 inch section of inner oak bark in a quart of water for 5 to 10 minutes; simmer for 1 hour; let cool and
then apply the liquid to the infected area for relief of itching.
Herbs Common to
the Cherokee Country
This week, we share a few of the herbs common to the Cherokee country, and their uses. Remember,
these plants are very valuable as medicines because of the great chemical powers they contain. At the same time, these chemicals
can be potentially dangerous if used in the wrong way. Cherokee herbalists have great experience, and have gone through extensive
training and observation. Novice herbal practitioners are advised to seek out and develop a close relationship with Cherokee
herbalists or their elders to learn how to use these medicines properly.
Blackberry
One of the herbs known the longest
time for soothing stomach problems is the blackberry. Using a strong tea from the roots is helpful is reducing and soothing
swollen tissues and joints. An infusion from the leaves is also used as a tonic for stimulating the entire system. A decoction
from the roots, sweetened with sugar or honey, makes a syrup used for an expectorant. It is also healing for sore throats
and gums. The leaves can also be chewed fresh to soothe bleeding gums. The Cherokee historically use the tea for curing diarrhea.
Gum
(Black Gum)
Cherokee healers use a mild tea made from small pieces of the bark and twigs to relieve chest pains.
Hummingbird
Blossoms (Buck Brush)
This herb is used by Cherokee healers by making a weak decoction of the roots for a diuretic that
stimulates kidney function.
Cat Tail (Cattail)
This plant is not a healing agent, but is used for preventative medicine.
It is an easily digestable food helpful for recovering from illness, as it is bland. Most all parts of the plant, except for
the mature leaves and the seed head, are edible. Due to wide-spread growing areas, it is a reliable food source all across
America. The root has a very high starch content, and can be gathered at any time. Preparation is very similar to potatoes,
and can be mashed, boiled, or even mixed with other foods. The male plant provides pollen that is a wonderful source for protein.
You can add it as a supplement to other kinds of flour when making breads.
Pull Out a Sticker (Greenbriar)
A decoction
of the small roots of this plant is useful as a blood purifier. It is also a mild diuretic. Some healers make a salve from
the leaves and bark, mixed with hog lard, and apply to minor sores, scalds and burns. Some Cherokee healers also use the root
tea for arthritis.
Mint
Mint teas are a stimulant for the stomach, as it aids in digestion. The crushed and bruised
leaves can be used as a cold compress, made into a salve, or added to the bath water which relieves itching skin. Cherokee
healers also use an infusion of the leaves and stems to lower high blood pressure.
Tobacco-like Plant (Mullein)
This
is one of the oldest herbs, and some healers recommend inhaling the smoke from smoldering mullein roots and leaves to soothe
asthma attacks and chest congestion. The roots can be made into a warm decoction for soaking swollen feet or reducing swelling
in joints. It also reduces swelling from inflammation and soothes painful, irritated tissue. It is particularly useful to
the mucous membranes. A tea can be made from the flowers for a mild sedative.
Cherokee Medicinal Herbs
The Cherokee have been gifted by the Creator with an understanding of the gathering,
use and preservation of medicinal herbs. The Cherokee believe that these plants were put on this earth to provide not only
healing methods, but preventative measures, as well.
Many plants have disappeared throughout the years, or have become extremely scarce. Because
of this, we recommend extreme care in gathering wild herbs and other plants. The old ones taught that when you gather, only
pick or dig every third plant you find. This will ensure that enough specimens remain to continue propagation. Many traditionalists
carry on the practice of asking the plant’s permission to be gathered, and leave a small gift of thanks. This can be
a small bead or other such item. It is also recommended by Cherokee traditionalists that should you find a wild crop of useful
herbs, do not share it’s location unless it is to a person very close to you. This will ensure that large numbers of
people do not clean out an entire wild crop in a short time.
Additional information regarding the gathering, usage and application of medicinal herbs
can be found by talking to the elders of a Cherokee family. Many of these people will still recall some of the home remedies
that their families used, as well as provide information on herbs which they themselves use.
We share a few of the herbs common to the old Cherokee country, and their uses. Remember, these plants
are very valuable as medicines because of the great chemical powers they contain. At the same time, these chemicals can be
potentially dangerous if used in the wrong way. Cherokee herbalists have great experience, and have gone through extensive
training and observation. Novice herbal practitioners are advised to seek out and develop a close relationship with Cherokee
herbalists or their elders to learn how to use these medicines properly.
Blackberry
One of the herbs known the longest time for soothing stomach problems is the backberry. Using a strong
tea from the roots is helpful is reducing and soothing swollen tissues and joints. An infusion from the leaves is also used
as a tonic for stimulating the entire system. A decoction from the roots, sweetened with sugar or honey, makes a syrup used
for an expectorant. It is also healing for sore throats and gums. The leaves can also be chewed fresh to soothe bleeding gums.
The Cherokee historically use the tea for curing diarrhea.
Gum (Black Gum)
Cherokee healers use a mild tea made from small pieces of the bark and twigs to relieve chest pains.
Hummingbird Blossoms (Buck Brush)
This herb is used by Cherokee healers by making a weak decoction of the roots for a diuretic that stimulates
kidney function.
Cat Tail (Cattail)
This plant is not a healing agent, but is used for preventative medicine. It is an easily digestable
food helpful for recovering from illness, as it is bland. Most all parts of the plant, except for the mature leaves and the
seed head, are edible. Due to wide-spread growing areas, it is a reliable food source all across America. The root has a very
high starch content, and can be gathered at any time. Preparation is very similar to potatoes, and can be mashed, boiled,
or even mixed with other foods. The male plant provides a pollen that is a wonderful source for protein. You can add it as
a supplement to other kinds of flour when making breads.
Pull Out a Sticker (Greenbriar)
A decoction of the small roots of this plant is useful as a blood purifier. It is also a mild diuretic.
Some healers make a salve from the leaves and bark, mixed with hog lard, and apply to minor sores, scalds and burns. Some
Cherokee healers also use the root tea for arthritis.
Mint
Mint teas are a stimulant for the stomach, as it aids in digestion. The crushed and bruised leaves
can be used as a cold compress, made into a salve, or added to the bath water which relieves itching skin. Cherokee healers
also use an infusion of the leaves and stems to lower high blood pressure.
Tobacco-like Plant (Mullein)
This is one of the oldest herbs, and some healers recommend inhaling the smoke from smoldering mullein
roots and leaves to soothe asthma attacks and chest congestion. The roots can be made into a warm decoction for soaking swollen
feet or reducing swelling in joints. It also reduces swelling from inflammation and soothes painful, irritated tissue. It
is particularly useful to the mucous membranes. A tea can be made from the flowers for a mild sedative.
Qua lo ga (Sumac)
All parts of the common sumac have a medicinal use. Mild decoctions from the bark can be used as a
gargle for sore throats, and may be taken for a remedy for diarrhea. A tea from the leaves and berries also reduces fevers.
Fresh bruised leaves and ripe berries are made into a poultice which soothes poison ivy. A drink from the ripened or dried
berries makes a pleasant beverage which is a good source of vitamin C.
Big Stretch, or Nuyigala dinadanesgi utana (Wild Ginger)
The Cherokee commonly recommend a mild tea of this herb, made from the rootstock which is a mild stimulant
for the digestive system. It can also help colic, intestinal gas, or the common upset stomach. A strong, hot infusion of the
roots can act as an expectorant in eliminating mucus from the lungs. Fresh wild ginger may be substituted for the regular
store-bought ginger roots as a spice for cooking.
What Rabbits Eat, or Jisdu unigisdi (Wild Rose)
The ripe fruit of the Wild Rose is a rich source of Vitamin C, and is a reliable preventative and cure
for the common cold. The tea from the hips is a mild diuretic, and stimulates the bladder and kidneys. When the infusion of
the petals is used, it is an ancient remedy for sore throats. Cherokee healers recommend a decoction of the roots for diarrhea.
Squirrel Tail, or Saloli gatoga (Yarrow)
Yarrow has many uses. The best known use is to stop excess bleeding. Freshly crushed leaves can be
applied to open wounds or cuts, and the properties of the herb will cause the blood to clot. A fresh juice of yarrow, diluted
with spring or distilled water, can held internal bleeding such as stomach and intestinal disorders. The leaves, prepared
as a tea, is believed to stimulate intestinal functions and aid in digestion. It also helps the flow of the kidneys, as well
as the gallbladder. A decoction made of the leaves and stems acts as an astringent, and is a wonderful wash for all kinds
of skin problems such as acne, chapped hands, and other irritations.
Looks Like Coffee, or Kawi Iyusdi (Yellow Dock)
This plant is not only a medicinal herb, but also a food. It is much like spinach, but believe it or
not, contains MORE vitamins and minerals. Because of the long taproot, it gathers nutrients from deep underground. The leaves
are a source of iron, and also have laxative properties. Juices from the stems, prepared in a decoction, can be made into
an ointment with beeswax and olive oil, and used for itching, minor sores, diaper rash, and other irritations. Cherokee herbalists
prescribe a warm wash made from the decoction of crushed roots for a disinfectant. Juice from the root, not prepared in any
certain way, is said to be a cure for ringworm.
As always, remember that these plants are very valuable as medicines because of the great chemical
powers they contain. At the same time, these chemicals can be potentially dangerous if used in the wrong way. Cherokee herbalists
have great experience, and have gone through extensive training and observation. Novice herbal practitioners are advised to
seek out and develop a close relationship with Cherokee herbalists or their elders to learn how to use these medicines properly |
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