Medicinal Monday - the Tree of Life - Northern White Cedar

Thuja occidentalis also known as the northern white cedar tree was a favorite of the Algonquians and other Native American communities. The Algonquian community considered this tree indispensable.  It was used in many different ways that included everything from the construction of canoes and religious ceremonies to relief from the common cold. The Ojibwa considered this tree to be one of the most sacred and honored plants on earth.

About the Northern White Cedar

This slow-growing tree is native to eastern North America including Connecticut and flourishes along the swamps, lakes, and ponds of the forests between Nova Scotia and the Great Lakes, and, south to the mountains of Georgia. This tree can live up to 800 years and reach a height of 100 feet.  The bark of this tree that is in the cypress family is soft with shallow grooves that run vertically on the trunk. The bark is reddish-brown in color and tinged with orange. The aromatic branches are fan-like and have scaly leaves that grow in flat sprays. The seed cones are slender and when young they are yellow-green and ripen to brown as they age with six to eight overlapping scales that contain about eight seeds. The heartwood of the cedar is aromatic, durable, and water-resistant.

Medicinal Uses

The Algonquian people primarily used the cedar tree for its mild analgesic properties and aromatic oil to cure a multitude of illnesses. The Abnaki made a poultice of the leaves and used it for swellings; they also made pillows from cedar leaves to generate vitality and to prevent illness. The Algonquin, Quebec made a poultice of powered rotten wood and used it to treat rashes, and, branches were used in a steam bath to treat fevers and colds. An infusion of the plant was taken for menstrual disorders and an infusion of cones was used to treat babies with colic. A decoction of crushed branches was used as steam to relieve toothaches. The Chippewa made a compound of cedar charcoal and would put this mixture under the skin of the temples to treat a bad headache. They also burned twigs to disinfect a house for smallpox. The Woodland Cree used a decoction of needle-covered branches to treat a sore bladder. The Iroquois made a decoction of the tips of the branches and used them as a foot bath to treat rheumatism. They also used a decoction of the branches as a wash or poultice for cuts, bruises, and sores. The Malecite, Penobscot, and Micmac treated burns with the inner bark of the cedar tree by pounding it into a mash and mixing it with animal grease to make a burn dressing. They also used the resin to fill cavities and to relieve tooth pain. The Malecite made an infusion of cedar's boughs to drink to relieve coughs. To relieve sore hands and feet they made a poultice of dry cedar leaves and applied it to the swollen or painful body parts. The Ojibwa made an infusion of leaves to treat headaches, purify the blood, and treat coughs. They also drank this infusion for enjoyment. The Potawatomi created a smudge by charring the cedarwood and using it to purge any evil spirits stopping the recovery of an ill person.

Practical Uses

The Algonquians and the Chippewa use the cedar tree to make canoe skeletons and canoe ribs. They also use the wood of the cedar tree to make toboggans and fishing spears.  The Iroquois use pieces of bark as caulking material during construction. The Malecite, Ojibwa, and Menominee use the bark to weave bags and baskets. They also use wood to make splints for their baskets. The Potawatomi roll the bark into torches that they use for light when hunting at night. The Chippewa burn twigs of the cedar tree in ceremonies. The leaves are used to deter moths and as a perfume and deodorant. 

Did You Know...

Common names include swamp cedar, American arborvitae, and eastern arborvitae. 

Arborvitae is Latin for Tree of Life. 

The leaves are a winter favorite for foraging deer.

The Legend of Winabojo and the Cedar Tree is an epic myth that shows the spiritual importance of the cedar tree to the Chippewa.

The principal commercial use of northern white cedar includes rustic fencing and posts, cabin logs, lumber poles, shingles, paneling, potato barrels, boats/canoes, and woodware.

It is the lightest of all commercial woods in the United States. 

Winter Fun @ Institute for American Indian Studies – December 30

 Winter break in December may not always feel like a vacation for moms and dads especially during this busy holiday time of year. Many parents opt to use these days off from school to plan enriching outings and make time for learning outside the classroom. If you are looking for fun and educational activities for your children during their Christmas break, look no further than the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington Connecticut on 38 Curtis Road.

On Thursday, December 30 the Institute is offering a program at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. sure to chase the cabin fever blues away. The program will take place indoors and outdoors and all health protocols are followed.

Weather permitting, kids will play Native American games such as snow snake, snow boat, hoop and pole, keeper of the fire, and eagle eye. They will create a craft that they can take home as a memento of this exciting program. A highlight of the program is the traditional Native American Stories told by the Institute's Professional Native American Storyteller that teaches children about the cultural beliefs of indigenous people living in the United States.

Studies show that children who are more active perform better in school and have better emotional and physical health. The educational programs of the Institute find fun ways to keep your children engaged and active by encouraging them to learn and do new things.

 

About The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located 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 at 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

Medicinal Monday - Balsam Fir

When most of us think of a Balsam Fir tree, we think of decorating it for the holidays. What most of us might not realize is that the Balsam Fir tree not only smells good, but that its needles, roots, inner bark, and resin all have an amazing medicinal history among Native Americans and the Algonquian peoples. 

About Balsam Fir

This is native to boreal forests of eastern North America that can be found in New England. It ranges as far west as the Canadian Rockies and as far south as the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. The Balsam Fir is a medium-size evergreen that grows up to 66 feet tall. This tree spires upward ending in a narrow crown of dark, dense leaves. The bark on a young balsam fir tree is smooth and grey with resin blisters that tend to spray when punctured. The needles of this tree are flat and about 1 and a quarter inches long with two distinctive white stripes on their underside. The needles become shorter and thicker the higher up they grow on the tree. The cones are erect and grow up to four inches and change color from dark purple to brown as they ripen. After they ripen they disintegrate to release winged seeds in September. 

Medicinal Uses

The roots are boiled and made into a decoction that acts as an analgesic to relieve pain from rheumatism. An infusion of needles acts as an emollient anti-septic for cleaning open sores and wounds, relieving insect bites and stings, boils and infections.  The Potawatomi applied the gum or resin of the Balsam Fir as a salve to treat minor cuts and burns. The Algonquin drank a decoction made from the roots to treat kidney pain. The Ojibwa use a balsam decoction to induce sweating and as an expectorant to relieve soreness of the chest due to coughing.  They also melt the gum on hot stones and inhale the fumes to relieve headaches.  Chewing the inner bark and sap of the Balsam Fir was done to heal sores in the mouth. The Micmac brew tea from the Balsam's buds and cones and administer it as a laxative. Woodland Cree used the pitch of the balsam to treat menstrual irregularity. The Iroquois use steam from a decoction to treat rheumatism and to ease childbirth. They apply a poultice of gum and dried beaver kidneys to treat cancer. The Maliseet use the juice as a laxative and use the pitch in some medicines.

Cultural Uses

The Ojibwa used Balsam Fir in a ceremonial sweat bath. The Penobscot uses the boughs of the Balsam fir to build wigwams. The Atikamekw chew the sap as a cold remedy and use the boughs as mats to sleep and sit on. The Maliseet use the needles and branches as pillows and use the pitch to waterproof seams in canoes. 

A Legend

There is also an Algonquian legend of the Great Chenoo that descended from the icy north that used the branches of the Balsam Fir tree to hide his heart from other witches. This Chenoo hid inside a wigwam of a young family. The woman, whose husband was away hunting realized the situation and treated this witch with great hospitality so it would not eat her or her child. When the husband came home from hunting, his wife persuaded him not to fight the witch, which was too powerful. They stoked the fire and the witch's heart melted and became very sick. The couple fed the witch deer meat and the Chenoos strength revived and they lived in harmony until the Chenoo perished from the heat of the summer.

Did You Know...

Balsam Fir trees that are used as Christmas trees are not taken from the forest, they are grown on large plantations. 

The Balsam Fir was used for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree six times between 1964 and 2019.

The resin was used as a color remedy and as a glue for glasses.

Prior to the availability of foam mattresses for camping the balsam fir boughs were used as the preferred mattress by campers. 

Full Moon Walk December 18

 If you are looking to walk off some of the holiday calories and love the serenity of the winter woods under a glowing full moon, don’t miss the walk at the Institute for American Indian Studies on Saturday, December 18 beginning at 6 p.m. This is the perfect activity to take a break from the rush of the holiday season and to unwind in the beauty of nature.

English translations of full moon names date back several hundred years to Native Americans living in the Eastern Woodlands located in the eastern United States. Tribes watched the cycles of the moon to keep track of the seasons; giving each full moon a distinctive name. Although there were variations in moon names between tribes, in general, the same names were used throughout the Algonkian community.

 

The December full moon will be the last full moon of 2021. Many tribes call this moon the “Long Nights Moon” which is fitting because the winter solstice on Tuesday, December 21 is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. What makes this moon special is that it stays above the horizon for a longer period of time than other full moons. The Mohawks called the December full moon the Cold Moon because of the frigid temperatures this time of year and the Western Abenaki called it the Winter Maker Moon.

 

Participants will join the Institute’s educators who will guide them along the museum’s trails on a short and easy walk. They will discuss the nighttime phenomena that people in the Eastern Woodlands have experienced for centuries. The walk ends at the museum’s replicated 16^th century Algonkian village where hot chocolate will be enjoyed around a campfire.

Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To register for this event click here, call 860-868-0518 or email events@iaismuseum.org. The price of participation is $5 for members of the museum and $10 for non-members. In case of inclement weather call the museum on the day of the event at 860-868-0518 or check the Facebook page by clicking here.

 

About The Institute for American Indian Studies 

Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have a 16th 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.

Medicinal Monday...Sweet Mountain Cicely

Sweet Mountain Cicely commonly called sweetroot is widely used among Native American communities medicinally and as a source of food. It even has several interesting veterinary applications.  Sweet Mountain Cicely is found in the boreal zones of North America from Alaska to Newfoundland and extends as far south as South Dakota and west to the mountain ranges of the Pacific Northwest. It is also found in northern New England but does not grow in Connecticut, Rhode Island, or Massachusetts. In South America, it is found in the forests of Argentina and Chile.

About Sweet Mountain Cicely

This is an aromatic perennial herb, that is in the parsley family. It produces a branching stem that can grow over a foot high. The roots of this plant are massive and grow deep in the ground. All parts of the roots are edible and have a sweet taste. The bright green leaves are plentiful and are divided into three-lobed leaflets that unfurl up to three inches in length. The plume of foliage resembles ferns. When in flower Sweet Mountain Cicely can grow up to three feet tall, but most of the time it is low and close to the ground. It prefers well-drained soil and shade. The umbel flower cluster is made up of many tiny white flowers at the tip of the stem. The narrow, elongated fruit is ribbed and bristly. This plant is insect-pollinated with its seeds distributed by animals.  

Medicinal Uses

The Blackfoot and Ojibwa make a hot tea from the roots and took it to treat colds and sore throats. The Cheyenne chewed the roots as a stimulant and to treat colds. They use an infusion of pulverized leaves and stems to treat bloated stomachs and kidney trouble. The Karok chewed the roots for headaches and would place them under a pillow to prevent sickness. They would also use an infusion of roots in a bath for a person that was grieving. The Kwakiutl use the seeds and roots as an emetic. The Kawalisu use the roots to treat colds and mash the entire plant and use it as a wash to treat fleas. The Chippewa make a decoction of the root and would gargle with it to treat sore throats. They also make a poultice from the root and use it to treat ulcers. The Menominee and the Meskwaki make a decoction of the root and use it as an eyewash for sore eyes. 

Veterinary Uses

The Blackfoot put the roots in the mouth of a mare to keep her in good condition for foaling. The Chippewa use a decoction of the roots as a nostril wash for dogs to increase their sense of smell. The Meskwaki grate the root of this plant and mix it with salt to treat distemper in horses. The Omaha use the root to attract horses so that they could catch them.  The horses are fond of the root and when the roots were held out to them, they would come running making them easy to catch.

Food and Love Medicine Uses

The Karaok, Miwok, Okanagan, Thompson, and many other Native American communities would eat the young tops of this plant as greens. Many would also use the thick aromatic roots as part of their diet. The Isleta boiled the roots and stems to make a pleasant-tasting beverage.

When the Karaok saw this plant where they had never seen it growing before, they considered it a good luck charm. The Swinomish chewed the roots because they believed they were a powerful love charm. 

Did You Know...

Sweet Mountain Cicely is used in butterfly gardens.

Young seedpods taste like Good and Plenty candy.

This plant looks a bit like its cousins the poison and water hemlocks.

Sweet Mountain Cicely is rich in nectar and attracts honeybees.

Medicinal Monday...Red Baneberry

Native Americans respect and understand the plants that they live with. Red Baneberry for example was used as a poison, in ceremonies, and to treat a variety of ailments. It is this type of expertise and understanding of the natural world and how to prepare a plant as a medicine or as a poison that is amazing.

About Red Baneberry

This is a herbaceous plant that is usually found growing by streams, along rock slopes, and interspersed among hard-wood and mixed-wood forests. It prefers mineral-rich moist soil and is found throughout New England. It extends as far north as Canada and as far west as Oregon. This erect growing perennial can reach three feet in height and has a hairless stem with alternately arranged leaves, that are lobed and sharp-toothed. It spreads by rhizomes. In late June, the plant blooms with clusters of small white flowers that quickly die off leaving red fruit that ripens in July and August. This red fruit is poisonous to eat.

Medicinal Uses

The Algonquian people use the root of this plant to treat several ailments. A decoction is made by boiling the root of the plant and use it to treat coughs, colds, rheumatism, and emaciation. They also use it to purify the blood and as an analgesic. Men of the Ojibwa ate small pieces of the root to cure stomach pain. The Algonquians use a decoction of the root in childbirth to relieve pain, stop bleeding, and stimulate lactation.

Hunting Use

A potent poison can be made from the red fruit of this plant. As a member of the buttercup family, the fruit contains the toxin ranunculin, often found in this family. When exposed to the toxin there is an intense burning sensation followed by reddening of the skin and in severe cases, blistering. Algonquian hunters coat their arrows with the juice of this berry that when introduced intravascularly, the toxin, ranunculin, leads to circulatory failure and death. 

Did You Know...

Other names for Red Baneberry are Red Cotash and Herb Christopher.

The Cheyenne celebrate the plant's qualities by using the root in ceremonies. 

The scientific name of this plant is Actaea rubra.

If the berries of this plant are ingested it affects the nervous system. European species have fatally poisoned children. Symptoms include burning of the mouth and throat, salivation, severe stomach cramps, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, and hallucinations. 

Toxicity depends on a person's height, weight, age, and individual susceptibility. 

This plant is sometimes confused with mountain sweetroot, however, Red Baneberry lacks the strong anise-like scent of mountain sweetroot.