Medicinal Monday...Spotted Jewelweed

Impatiens capensis, commonly called Spotted Jewelweed or Spotted Touch Me Not is a summer-blooming wildflower that can be found in two-thirds of the U.S. and Canada including Connecticut.  It is a pretty flower whose orange petals hang like pendants from their stems and seem to glimmer in the summer sunlight. This plant was used traditionally by Native American communities to cure or relieve a variety of ailments. 

About Touch Me Not

Spotted Touch Me Not is a tall erect plant that can reach up to five feet in height. It grows in along stream and pond banks, in marshes and swamps in thickets and woods. The stems are hairless and if broken, juice flows out of them. The oval leaves have low, widely spaced teeth and grow one leaf per node. The leaves have a coating that repels water - if the water doesn't roll off, it beads up and gleams like tiny jewels when the sun hits them. It is not known why the leaves are waterproof. When they are submerged in water they have a silver sheen. Spotted Touch Me Not has two types of flowers, the first flower people notice is the dangling showy flower shaped like a cornucopia that is bright orange with dark reddish brown spots on a yellow/orange base. The second flower is small and almost not noticeable because it doesn't open. The fruit of this flower are pale green pods that spring apart when touched. There are three to five brown seeds in each pod. The seeds begin to germinate in April and May and bloom in the summer months.

Medicinal Uses

The most common use of this plant was to treat dermatological problems from rashes and cuts to burns, sprains, and bruises. The juice of this plant whether in its original raw form as juice or made into an infusion, compound decoction, or poultice was used by the Cherokee, Chippewa, Iroquois, Meskwaki, Mohegan, Nanticoke, Omaha, and Potawatomi to treat rashes from poison ivy and sumac to ezema, cuts, sprains, and bruises.  The Mohegan, Nanticoke, Penobscot, and Shinnecock made a poultice or salve of crushed flower buds, sometimes mixed with rum, and applied this mixture to burns and bruises. The Iroquois,   Malecite, and Micmac made a compound decoction and used it as a wash for liver spots and jaundice. The Cherokee crushed the leaves and rubbed them on a child's stomach to ease a stomachache, they used a decoction of the stems to ease childbirth and made an infusion of the leaves to treat measles. The Iroquois drank an infusion of the roots to increase urination and made a poultice of smashed stems to treat sore eyes. The Ojibwa used the fresh juice from the stems to treat headaches and the Potawatomi made an infusion of the entire plant to treat stomach cramps and as a liniment for sprains.

Another use of this plant was to make an orange or yellow dye from it. The Potawatomi and Ojibwa have been documented as doing this. The Cherokee used this plant as an ingredient in green corn medicine.

Did You Know...

The genus name, Impatiens is the Latin word for impatience and refers to the seeds shooting out of it when the plant is in full bloom. 

The species name, capensis is a reference to the Cape of Good Hope, because it was thought to have originated there.

The nickname Jewelweed is thought to have been coined by the way water collects like "jewels" at the edges of the leaves.

Other common names include Silver Leaf, Silver Cap, and Lady's Eardrops.

Some modern herbal sources note that Spotted Touch Me Not is an effective remedy for poison ivy and poison sumac because the stem contains compounds that neutralize urushiol, which causes these rashes.

The nectar of the Touch Me Not flower is a main source of food for the Ruby Throated Hummingbird.

Bees, butterflies, grasshoppers, and beetles are also attracted to this plant.

White Tail Deer, Ruffed Grouse, and Red Neck Pheasants eat the seeds.

Medicinal Monday... Narrowleaf Blue-eyed Grass

Sisyrinchium angustifolium or Narrowleaf Blue-eyed Grass is one of the prettiest grasses that looks delicate but is a hardy perennial. The first time we really notice this grass is when it begins to emerge in the spring. Native American communities found many uses for this plant that grows just about anywhere in eastern North America from Florida to Canada.

About Narrow Leaf Blue-Eyed Grass

Many types of this plant grow across the United States, what differentiates them is their leaf length and branching pattern. It is native to meadows and open woodlands and grows from rhizomes.  Star-shaped bright lavender-blue flowers have three petals that emerge from bracks midway at the stalk or at the tip of a flower stalk. A thin pistol emerges from the yellow center of the stamens in the center of this delicate flower. The ovary which is has fine hairs is at the base of the flower and grows above a peduncle that grows out of the bracts. After blooming the petals wither and the fertilized ovary becomes a seed capsule that changes from green to bright yellow to a dark brown as it matures. The grass leaves are narrow, flat, sword-shaped, and smooth and grow in clumps from the base of the plant. The grass stalks grow similarly to the iris.  

photo credit Giles Ayotte

Medicinal Uses

The most common traditional Native American use of this plant was to make tea from the roots to treat diarrhea. Stomachaches were relieved by making tea from the entire plant. Specifically, the Cherokee ate this plant to regulate their bowels and gave an infusion of the root to children with gastrointestinal problems. The Iroquois made a decoction of the roots and stalks and took this mixture to relieve constipation. The Mahuna took an infusion of this plant to expel worms.

photo credit John D. Byrd

Did You Know...

Narrow Leaf Blue-eyed grass is not grass at all, it is actually a type of Iris.

The name Sisyrinchium was derived from the Greek sys 'pig' and rynchos 'snout', referring to the roots being consumed by swine.

The flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bumblebees, sweat bees, and flies. Birds eat the seeds.

Sidyrinchium is a genus with about 80 species native to the Americas.

Blue-eyes Grass is a symbol of trust and loyalty in folklore.

Medicinal Monday... Desert Elkweed

 Frasera albomarginata, commonly known as Desert Elkweed makes a statement in the environment of the southwest deserts of the United States. It is considered to be a perennial herb that is found in the California desert, as well as in Nevada, Northern Arizona, New Mexico, Southern Utah, and Colorado.

photo Stan Shebs

About Desert Elkweed

This pretty little plant grows low to the ground and has a rosette of basal-shaped green leaves that have white edges. Leaves at the top of the plant are smaller than those at the base and grow in whorls. The blooms are white with dark purple spots that grow at the end of stout stems. There are four stamens with large anthers. The seeds are dark capsules that are elliptic in shape. It blooms in April, May, June, July, and August and grows up to two feet tall in well-drained soil in full sun.

Medicinal Uses

The most common use of this plant, medicinally, was to use the root as an eyewash to soothe sore eyes. It has been documented that the Navajo, Kayenta made a poultice of the plant and applied it to gunshot wounds. Another use of this plant was to make a tonic from it that was taken to cure general weakness.

Stan Shebs

DID YOU KNOW... 

Sereno Watson named this plant in 1871 from a specimen collected by Edward Palmer in Utah.

The genus name, Fraser was named after an 18th-century British nurseryman and plant collector, John Fraser.

Common names for this plant are White- margined Frasera, and Mjave gentian.

Bark Rattle Workshop at Institute for American Indian Studies - June 22, 2024

In Native American communities bark rattles are used in a number of traditional ceremonies, dances, and spiritual gatherings. For dancers, they help maintain the beat of the music by complimenting drums. On Saturday, June 22, at 10 a.m. the Institute for American Indian Studies is holding a Bark Rattle Workshop with Richard Chrisjohn (Oneida). An advocate for Indigenous sovereignty and the preservation of traditional teachings, Chrisjohn is a fourth-generation woodcarver who lives on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, Akwesasne, in Hogansburg, New York. This hands-on workshop will give participants a better understanding of the Iroquois culture and approach to our natural world. 

The highlight of this workshop is to make an elm bark rattle whose shape is dictated by the bark being used or a bark rattle necklace. Rattles and necklaces are made using the inner bark of the American elm tree. The inner portion of the rattle is filled with small objects that create a rattling sound when shaken. During this workshop, participants will also learn about the history and culture of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, as well as the traditional uses of various trees and natural materials. 

This is an outdoor program so participants should dress accordingly. If there is heavy rain or high temperatures, the program will move inside. Space is limited and pre-registration is requested. Please visit our website to register online at http://www.iaismuseum.org, email events@iaismuseum.org, or call (860) 868 0518. The price of participation, including materials is $30 for non-members and $20 for members. 

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 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, in Washington, Connecticut.

Strawberry Moon Volunteer Day Algonkian Village @ Institute for American Indian Studies

By filling critical roles, volunteers are an integral part of the operation of many museums nationwide. It is fulfilling to work together toward a common goal. Being a volunteer offers the chance for people to give back, become engaged, learn new skills, and connect with like-minded members of the region. If you are looking to get involved, head to the Institute for American Indian Studies on Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to noon, or from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to participate in the first Algonkian Village Maintenance Day with the staff of the Institute for American Indian Studies located at 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut.   

As a volunteer for this event, you will gain a greater appreciation for the traditional lifeways of local Native American communities while supporting an award-winning non-profit institution. This special day is a hands-on outdoor program that will take place in the authentically Replicated Algonkian Village on the grounds of the Institute. The Village consists of several traditional dome-shaped structures known as wigwams that are made from bark, saplings, and reeds, as well as drying racks, a Three Sisters Garden, and more to show how indigenous people lived in the Eastern Woodlands for thousands of years. The Village is an important component of the Institute’s educational programs that requires ongoing maintenance.

A highlight of this program is to learn about the traditional tools and techniques used by Native American communities to maintain their village; and to try your hand at them. Since this program requires physical work, an adult should accompany all minors. Participants should dress for the weather, wear appropriate shoes, and bring along a set of gloves. Although strawberry-themed light refreshments will be offered, it is suggested that you bring water and lunch, especially if you are staying for both time slots. This is a free event, but pre-registration is requested. To register online visit http://www.iaismuseum.org, email events@iaismuseum.org, or call 860-868-0518.

Medicinal Monday...Indian Tobacco

Although not as showy as its red relative, Lobelia Cardinalis, Indian Tobacco was used in a variety of ways by Native Americans. It got its moniker because it has been documented that many Native Americans used its leaves for smoking, sometimes by itself, and at other times mixed with other plants. Indian Tobacco is native to New England and extends west to Oklahoma.

photo credit Cathie Bird

About Indian Tobacco

One of the characteristics of this plant is its irregular white to purple tubular flowers that grow on the upper part of the plant between leaf axils. The flower has a yellow base with tufts of white hair and the flowers have five narrow prong-like lobes. The leaves are toothed and hairy with pointed tips. There isn't much stem, but what there is, the stem is hairy. The fruit of the flower is an inflated globe-like capsule which gives this plant its Latin name, Lobelia inflata. Inside the globe are numerous gold-colored seeds covered by a network of ridges. Indian Tobacco can be found on ledges, cliffs, meadows, fields, and along the banks of rivers and lakes. 

photo credit Josh Graciano

Medicinal Uses

Traditionally, the most common use of this plant medicinally was to treat respiratory and skin issues. The leaves were chewed to treat sore throats and they were also smoked to treat asthma. It was also used as a purgative and as a ceremonial medicine. Many Native American communities would burn the leaves as an insecticide. Specifically, the Cherokee made a poultice from the roots and applied the mixture to sore muscles, bites, stings, boils, and sores. The Iroquois made a cold infusion of the plant and took it as a physic. They also drank an infusion made from this plant to induce vomiting and to beat the whiskey habit. The Iroquois also used the smashed roots to treat earaches and venereal disease sores. 

photo Gilles Ayotte

Did You Know...

This plant was once in its own Lobeliaceae family, then moved to the Campanulaceae family, however, it has been moved back to the Lobeliaceae or Bellflower family.

It was used by doctors in the 19th century to induce vomiting, giving it another name, the Puke Plant! 

The Iroquois made a decoction of Indian Tobacco to counteract the sickness caused by witchcraft.

Today this plant is considered to be potentially a toxic herb according to Mount Sinai with moderate to large doses causing side effects such as convulsions, nausea, tremors, rapid heartbeat, and even coma.