Medicinal Monday - Yellow Blue Bead Lily

Found in Connecticut, this flowering perennial forest plant gets its name from the bright-colored blue berries it produces in the late-summer. The Algonquin community found several interesting uses for this plant from protecting them from mosquitos to using the roots of this plant to draw out poison in an open wound. 

About the Yellow Blue Bead Lily
This slow-growing plant is found most often in boreal forests throughout eastern North America. It often forms large colonies in cool, moist, shaded areas, however, it can also be found in mixed forest stands. Established colonies can survive for years as long as there is limited sunlight. The leaves have a leather-like texture and form at the base of the plant, they are soft and not toothed. A single leafless stalk grows up from the base of the plant and ends in several yellow bell-shaped flowers that bloom May - July. The inedible berries begin to ripen at the end of July and, by August they are a deep blue color. The plant regenerates by sending out rhizomes and by its seeds. The berries are pretty to look at but, they are semi-poisonous.

Medicinal Uses
A poultice of leaves is used as a disinfectant and anti-inflammatory by the Algonquin living in Quebec and by the Chippewa. The poultice is applied to wounds, sores, and burns. The Chippewa also make an infusion of leaves and use it as an external wash to soothe wounds and sores. The children bite patterns in the smooth skin of the leaves for entertainment and eat the young shoots of this plant in the spring. The leaves of this plant were crushed and the resulting residue is rubbed on the arms and face as a mosquito repellent. The Ojibwa and the Potawatomi use the roots to ease childbirth because of the plants anti-inflammatory and sedative properties. 

In addition to medicinal uses, the Great Lakes communities, Ojibwa, Menominee, and Meskwaki believe that dogs ate the roots of this plant to poison their teeth before attacking prey. If a dog with poison teeth bit someone, a poultice of the roots is applied to the bite in order to draw out the poison.

Did You Know...

The plant is also called Clinton's lily, corn lily, cow tongue, snakeberry, dogberry, and straw lily.

The plant is named Clintonia borealis in honor of a former New York senator and governor, DeWitt Clinton.

Hunters in North Quebec rubbed their traps with the roots because they believed bears were attracted to the scent.

According to a Mi'kmaq tale, when a grass snake eats a poisonous toad, it slithers in rapid circles around a shoot of the blue bead lily to transfer the poison to the plant.

Medicinal Monday... Cattails

Cattails grow in the wetlands of Connecticut and are easily recognizable by their brown cigar like shaped head. They can be used as a food source and for useful household items such as baskets and mats. The fluffy wool is similar to down and can be used as insulation in clothing. The tight heads are often dry inside even after a heavy rain, making this essential survival tinder. 

Distinguishing Features

Cattails can be found in Connecticut in wetlands, swamps, wet thickets and moist fields.  Fully grown they stand around five to six feet on thin but sturdy stalks.  The pale grayish-green leaves are linear in shape and extend from the stalk like decorative ribbons. 

Cattails are easy to recognize because of the brown cigar head that stands on top of a very long stalk.  The young shoots emerge in the spring, and once fertilized the female flowers transform into the cigar head also called candlewicks that make them so easily identifiable.  These brown tops actually consist of thousands of tiny seeds that emerge in the fall when the flower heads open. 

Medicinal Uses

The pollen of the cattail plant is an excellent astringent and also helps to control bleeding. The root was pounded and used as a poultice on infections, blisters, and stings.  The sticky starch found at the base of the leaves was used as an antiseptic and is said to be a bit numbing.  They were also used to treat infections caused by wounds, sprains, boils, and swelling. Internally cattails were used for abdominal cramps and coughs.

Nutritional & Domestic Use

Many parts of this plant were edible.  For example, lower parts of the leaves were used in a salad; the young stems could also be eaten raw or boiled; the young flowers (cattails) could be roasted. The sticky sap between the leaves is an excellent starch and could be used to thicken soup or broth and the root of the plant was pounded into a type of flour. 


In addition to their nutritional value, cattail leaves and stalks were commonly used for many domestic items.  Mats were woven for and used in the interior and exterior of wigwams in the form of door flaps, chimney coverings, and partitions.   Mats were also woven and used to eat, sit or sleep on.  In addition, using hand-held finger weaving and braiding techniques, Native Americans in Connecticut made string, baskets, bags, belts, straps and even children's toys from this useful plant.

The "fluff" from cattails was carefully collected and used as a source of insulation.  This "fluff" was used to insulate footwear and clothes.  It was even used to pad a baby's sleeping area and as diaper material.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies

The Institute for American Indian Studies preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality, and knowledge of Native American cultures. Through archaeology, the IAIS is able to build new understandings of the world and history of Native Americans, the focus is on stewardship and preservation.  This is achieved through workshops, special events, and education for students of all ages.


 Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS has an outdoor Three Sisters and Healing Plants Gardens as well as a replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village.  Inside the museum, authentic artifacts are displayed in permanent, semi-permanent and temporary exhibits from prehistory to the present that allows visitors a walk through time. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut and can be reached online or by calling 860-868-0518.

Medicinal Monday - Rose Mint

Agastache pallidiflora or New Mexico giant hyssop, also known as Rose Mint spreads over desert canyons of the American southwest like a beautiful wand with bright rose-lavender colors. This tall showy perennial has been used medicinally and in ceremonies by the Navajo, Ramah for centuries.

About Rose Mint
This sturdy plant is in the mint family and is native to the southwest, primarily Texas and New Mexico. It has a long cylindrical terminal spikelike panicle of deep rose-purple flowers. The leaves are deeply serrated and the stems are square. This plant is typically found in moist canyons at middle elevations. It is found in New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and parts of Colorado. The flowers bloom in densely packed clusters from June - September. They produce a continual mass of lavender rose-scented flowers that are extremely attractive to bees and butterflies. 

Medicinal and Ceremonial Uses

The Navajo Ramah harvest the roots, dry them, and then pulverize them. The result is a powder used to treat sores and cankers. Another use of this plant is to treat fever and bad coughs. The Ramah also make Rose Mint into a fumigant for pest control and deer infection. 

Culturally, Rose Mint is important because it is used in the form of a chant lotion by Navajo, Ramah in ceremonies. It is also considered to be important in witchcraft because it keeps witches and evil spirits away.

Did You Know... 

John Calyton named this genus in 1762. It was first named Brittonastrum pallidiflora by Amos Heller in 1899. The name was changed to Agastache pallidiflora in 1906 by Axel Rydberg.

This plant is also known as Bill Williams Mountain Hyssop

Rose Mint is known to act as a sedative to nervousness and anxiety.

The Institute for American Indian Studies Hosts Inside with IAIS in April Monday, Wednesday, and Friday @ 2 p.m

There are many inspirational stories about how different museums, companies, and individuals are coping with the social distancing restrictions brought about as a result of COVID19. The Institute for American Indian Studies has a few stories of its own and launched a series called “Inside with IAIS” in March. Back by popular demand and social distancing restrictions, the IAIS is continuing its video series “Inside with IAIS” in April. The educational staff at the Institute has pivoted from on-grounds educational programs to internet-based, distance learning programs that are entertaining and educational for the whole family. These programs will take place in April on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 2 p.m. on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/IAISMuseum

The Institutes’ Staff Educators and Archeologists have filmed a series of videos that stream on Facebook. Each video has a different focus and story to tell. There are programs on archeological based learning, sessions on foraging and survival skills, as well as broadcasts on Native American Stories that teach a myriad of life lessons for young and old alike.

On Friday, April 10 and 17, Darlene Kascak (STN), a traditional Native American storyteller will entertain and educate with the popular “Tales from the Rabbit Bag,” and on Monday, April 6, there will be an archeological look at the importance of rocks.

If you want to stretch your legs in the great outdoors, take a virtual Nature walk with Institute Staff to learn how to ID plants, trees, and animals this spring on Wednesday, April 8. If you are a fan of survival shows, learn how to forage on Monday, April 13 – you will be amazed at the things you can find that have always grown right under your nose! On April 15, learn what clever tool Native Americans and, many other cultures from around the globe used to hunt with before the invention of the bow and arrow.

Check back often on our Facebook page for updates, new videos, Wisdom Wednesday, Medicinal Monday, and other programming so you can continue to learn from the comforts of home!

One way you can help the Institute for American Indian Studies during this time is to become a member. Our mission is to educate and preserve Native American history and culture and we need your help to accomplish this. Please click the link here and become a member today. As an IAIS Member, your benefits include Unlimited free admission to the museum, Reduced or free admission for special events, Discounted workshop and summer camp fees, Discounts in the IAIS Museum Shop, Quarterly Calendar of IAIS activities and workshops, invitations to exhibit openings and special events, and Your choice of one of four books as a welcoming gift.

About The Institute for American Indian StudiesLocated on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have the 16^th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

List of Inside with IAIS Videos

Inside Community - https://www.facebook.com/IAISMuseum/videos/3047169402008405/

Nature Journaling for Kids https://www.facebook.com/IAISMuseum/videos/236181334191364/

Difference between natural rocks and artifacts https://www.facebook.com/IAISMuseum/videos/636067410292358/

Outdoor Survival Shelter Building - https://www.facebook.com/IAISMuseum/videos/618339135563401/

Native American Story About Frogs - https://www.facebook.com/IAISMuseum/videos/245374036631763/

Native American Story – How the Rabbit Got His Ears - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=204133197525826&external_log_id=aed5153351e60a51774e54128afc4979&q=Inside%20with%20IAIS