Medicinal Monday - Wild Sarsaparilla

You probably know Sarsaparilla best as a sweet soft drink that was first introduced in the 19th century.  Not to be confused with its tropical cousin belonging to the genus Smilax that is native to  Mexico, the West Indies, and South and Central America, wild sarsaparilla is found in the northern and eastern parts of  North America and grows on creeping underground stems rather than large vines with brambles.  It is a common plant found in the woods of Connecticut.  This plant was used as food when hunting or during wars because it was so sustaining.  In addition, wild sarsaparilla has many medicinal purposes that treated everything from sores to toothaches.

About Sarsaparilla 

Aralia nudicaulis, commonly known as wild sarsaparilla is a flowering plant of northern and eastern North America and can be found in a fairly wide range of habitats, including boreal coniferous and mixed woods forests, as well as in thickets and along bog edges. In the spring underground stems produce compound leaves that are large and finely toothed.  This plant produces tiny globe-shaped white flowers, typically growing in clusters of three that bloom from May through July.  The leaves are bronze in the spring, green in the summer, and yellow or red in the fall.   As the leaves die back purple-black edible berries develop that taste slightly spicy and sweet.  The rhizome of wild sarsaparilla has a sweet, aromatic taste and sometimes it is used as a substitute for sassafras in the making of homemade root beer.

 Medicinal Uses

The Abnaki and Iroquois use a tonic made from this plant to strengthen the blood, and the Algonquin use an infusion of the root to treat children with kidney disorders.  A poultice of chewed roots was applied to treat earaches and a decoction of the root was taken to treat stomach pain.  The Chippewa applied fresh mashed roots to treat sores and chewed the fresh root to stop nosebleeds. An infusion of the root was rubbed on the chest and legs of a horse as a stimulant.  The Cree made a poultice of chewed roots and used it to draw infections out of wounds and would also use it to wash children's teeth to stop the spread of infection, it was also used for teething sickness.  

The Iroquois used the roots in a variety of ways. The most common way it was used was to treat cuts, sores, and ulcers.  The Kwakiutl would beat and roast broken roots and then use them as a remedy for blood spitting and coughing. The Meskwaki made a dressing for burns from the pounded roots.  The Mohegan made a complex compound infusion that included the root of the wild sarsaparilla plant that was taken as a spring tonic and the Ojibwa used an infusion of leaves as a blood medicine and to treat fits. They would also treat fishing nets with the dried root of wild sarsaparilla to attract fish. The Algonquin, Montagnais, and Iroquois reportedly use the berries to make wine. The Kwakiutl roasted the roots for food.

Did you know

The genus name, Aralia is a Latinization of an old French-Canadian name, which may have been derived from the Iroquois language.

Common names for wild sarsaparilla include rabbit root, sweet root, American Sarsaparilla, wild licorice, and Virginia sarsaparilla.

Because this plant grows with groups of three leaves it is sometimes mistaken for poison ivy; the way to tell the difference is that Sarsaparilla lacks a woody base and has fine teeth along the edges of its leaves.

Sarsaparilla Flowers look similar to those of wild leek but don't smell like onions.

American black bears, chipmunks, skunks, whitetail deer, moose, and red fox also enjoy eating the berries of this plant.

Medicinal Monday - Curious Catnip

When most of us think of catnip we think of it as nature's little drug for cats because they are so attracted to it.  Most cats can't resist playing with this perennial plant. Nepeta catataria or catnip is a member of the mint family and is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa.  Settlers took cuttings of this plant with them for food and medicinal purposes when they traveled to the New World.  These early settlers introduced this handy little perennial to Native Americans who began to use it in their medicines and recipes.

About Catnip

Catnip can grow up to three feet tall and is a gray-green perennial with square stems, heart-shaped leaves, and terminal flower spikes that are similar to plants found in the mint family.  Catnip or catmint as it is sometimes called loves full sun and usually blooms from late spring to autumn and has purple flowers.  It is drought tolerant and deer resistant.  Best of all, catnip is a repellent for certain insects like aphids and squash bugs in the garden and bees love this plant.  

Medicinal Uses

Catnip is found in American folk medicine as well as in Native American healing practices.  The most common use of catnip was a tea that was given to children for an upset stomach or sleeplessness. Catnip is used by the Hoh,  Rappahannock, Delaware, and Iroquois tribes for children's complaints such as colds, fever, chills, diarrhea, stomach aches, and headaches.   The Cherokee use an infusion of leaves with honey for coughs and the Chippewa make a simple decoction of leaves that were given to someone with a fever. 

The Delaware combine the leaves with peach seeds to make a tonic for children and the Keres use an infusion of the plant for a bath for tiredness.  The Mohegans use an infusion of leaves to treat colic in children and also used the leaves in a bath to raise the temperature of the body. The Ojibwa used an infusion of the leaves as a blood purifier and the Okanagan-Colville used the top of the plants for colds.  The Shinnecock would dry the leaves and smoke them in a pipe to help treat rheumatism.

Did you know...

Not only domestic cats but also jaguars, tigers, leopards, and lions are attracted by catnip and exhibit the same behavior as domestic cats.  They are responding to the scent of nepetalactone, the aromatherapeutic element in this plant.

Nepeta catataria is thought to have taken its name from the Etrurian city of Neptic -- today the town Nepi in the province of Viterbo,  Italy.

In the 11th century, Europe catnip was prized for its ability to calm nervousness and to promote restful sleep.

About one-third of cats are not affected by catnip!  The behavior is hereditary.

Winter Survival in the Eastern Woodlands @ Institute for American Indian Studies Jan. 26

We often don’t think about the resources we use.  We are displaced from them through processing, manufacturing and shipping.  For Native people living in the Northeast, using resources and preparing for winter was vital to survival.  So how do you find shelter, make food, and stay warm when the weather is cold and your resources are diminished? On Sunday, January 26 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. the public is invited to join the Institute for American Indian Studies educator, Griffin Kalin for a fun and informative program on how to survive in the Eastern Woodlands without twenty-first-century technology.

Participants will learn how to start a fire in the snow, how to find food in the forest, and how to make a shelter from the natural environment.  Visitors will even see examples of how Native Peoples of the Eastern Woodlands lived by visiting the replicated Algonkian village on the grounds of the Institute that is composed of wigwams and longhouses and the remnants of the three sisters garden.  It is an exciting as well as an engaging experience that is suitable for all ages to feel as though you have stepped back in time as you explore the forest and learn the ways of the Eastern Woodland Indians.

To participate in this event be sure to dress warm and wear appropriate footwear because some of this program will be outside. This program is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for children, members of the museum are free.  In addition to this program, entrance to the museum with its fascinating exhibits and wonderful gift shop featuring locally made handcrafted Native American art, crafts, and jewelry among other items is also included.

About the Institute for American Indian Studies

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.  New @ the Institute is an Escape Room - Wigwam Escape 1518.

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.

Medicinal Monday - Water Parsnip

Thriving in wetland areas this wildflower is related to carrots, celery, and parsley.  It has many medicinal uses in Native American culture from its analgesic and digestive properties to its use as a hunting medicine.  The water parsnip is found in Connecticut and other parts of New England.

About the Water Parsnip

This perennial wildflower is found in the wetlands; it is common along shallow marshy streams and is scattered throughout open wet meadows.   It is commonly called a water parsnip because of its resemblance to the parsnip and because of where it grows.  The stem of the water parsnip is light green and grows up to five feet in shallow water in a cluster of aquatic leaves.  Once the leaves have formed the water parsnip rises from the water and blooms from July to August.  This wildflower creates beautiful small white flowers with umbel inflorescences.  These flowers attract a wide variety of insects; bees seek nectar and pollen, flies, wasps, butterflies, and beetles are also attracted to this plant. 

Medicinal Uses

Edible parts of the plant include the root either raw or cooked, which is said to have a nutty flavor and is often eaten by Native Americans.  The leaves and younger stems are also edible after cooking. The Iroquois used water parsnips for their analgesic properties.  They made an infusion of smashed roots into a poultice to treat pain for a broken limb.   Iroquois women would take a decoction of the roots as treatment for epilepsy and the Lakota used an infusion of the roots to help settle the stomach.  The Ojibwa would gather the seeds of this wildflower and smoke them over a fire to drive away and blind any evil spirits that would steal one's hunting luck. The Shuswap considered the white flowers poisonous. 

Did you know...

The Latin name of the water parsnip is Sium that comes from the Latin word sion meaning "water parsley" and the word suave that means "sweet".

Extreme caution should be taken when harvesting any part of this plant in the wild because it resembles several poisonous plants including the Spotted Water Hemlock, which is the most poisonous vascular plant in North America.

Older plants and flowers should be avoided because they are toxic.

Winter Fun @ IAIS - December 27 & 28

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 December 27 and 28 from 12 noon to 3 p.m., the Institute is offering a program perfect for kids that takes place indoors and outdoors and is sure to entertain.  

Kids will play Native American games such as snow snake, snow boat, hoop and pole, keeper of the fire, and eagle eye.  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.

In addition to the learning experiences, kids will also create a craft to take home such as a corn husk doll, buzzer or beading.  A corn husk doll is a Native American toy that is made out of the dried leaves or "husk" of a corn cob.  It is thought to be the first known doll in America.  Children will also learn the legend about why corn husk dolls are designed without facial features.

To sign up for this workshop call 860-868-0518 or visit the website.  This program is included in the price of admission - $10 adults, $8 Seniors, $6 children; members of the museum are free.

Medicinal Monday - Thorney and Beautiful - the Black Hawthorn Tree

The Hawthorn Tree was considered magical by many cultures around the world and figures in mythology.  In Native American Lore, there is a Chippewa legend, "Why the Porcupine has Quills".  The story is about a porcupine that is being hunted by a bear.  The clever porcupine used the branches of a Hawthorn Tree on his back as protection and when the bear tried to bite the porcupine, the thorns pricked the bears' mouth and he went along on his way, leaving the porcupine alone.  Nanabozho, a trickster god was impressed with the porcupine and took the branches of the Hawthorn tree and peeled the bark away making them white and put them on the back of the porcupine with clay, which is how the porcupine got its quills.  Native Americans not only told stories of the clever porcupine but also used the Hawthorn tree for medicinal purposes that are equally as clever.

About the Hawthorn Tree

This is a beautiful tree with lovely white or pink flowers, small tart berries, and a thorny, protective trunk.  The tree has many interesting folk names including may-tree, whitethorn, quickthorn, thornapple, mayblossom, and hawberry. Its range spans most of North America and is also found in Asia and throughout Europe.  There is also a range of species and subspecies of this tree, all have a slightly different bloom, berry and ripening time. Not all varieties are trees, some are large shrubs that make good hedges.  Whatever their size is, they all have thorns.

Hawthorn Trees need full sun and well-drained soil, almost any type of soil will do.  Songbirds love these trees and will often visit them in the spring and fall to eat the bright colored berries. Most trees grow 15 to 30 feet tall and look best when grown together in a cluster. These trees are susceptible to a number of diseases including apple scab, fire blight, leaf spots, and rust.

Medicinal Uses

The flowers, leaves, and berries of Hawthorn trees have been used medicinally for hundreds of years. The Kwakiutl used a poultice of chewed leaves and applied them to swellings and the Okanagan and the Thompson used the thorns as probes for boils and ulcers.  The Okanagan-Colville would use the thorn to pierce areas by arthritic pain.  The upper end of the thorn was set on fire and burned down to the point where it was buried in the skin. 

An oral infusion of new shoots was used to wash out a baby's mouth for mouth sores and was also used to treat diarrhea in children.  The Okanagan and  Thompson used a decoction of sapwood, bark, and roots as a stomach medicine, and the fruit of this tree was eaten as a good health food to treat general sickness and build strength.  The Iroquois used the dotted Hawthorn tree used an infusion of branches without leaves for stomach problems. They also used a decoction of this tree as witchcraft medicine that was taken to prevent "breaking out like cancer", a condition caused by witchcraft.

Did You Know...

Modern scientific study has shown that Hawthorn is used for high blood pressure and that it strengthens the heartbeat.  The berries are anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant.

The name hawthorn comes from the old English word haw, which means hedge when combined with the word thorn, it literally means "thorny hedge".

Certain moths and butterflies feed exclusively on the nectar and leaves of the Hawthorn trees.

In Celtic Lore Hawthorn is a gateway tree that holds the doorway between our realm and the fairy realm. It is thought to be the tree sacred to fairies and faes.   It was also thought to have the power to put people into a deep sleep.

In the U.S. the charcoal made from burnt root wood of the Hawthorn tree was used in pig iron furnaces used to make iron ore.

The berries of the Hawthorn Tree resemble a cranberry or crabapple in looks and in taste.  Some are made into condiments and preserves.

Medicinal Monday - the Majestic Ponderosa Pine

This time of year the scent of pine trees is in the air. Ponderosa pine trees were revered by many Native American communities and were used in many ways for building material and medicinal purposes to ceremonial practices depending on the culture of the tribe itself.

About Ponderosa Pine

This tree thrives in a relatively dry climate with rocky soil because of its ability to acquire and conserve water.  The ponderosa pine has deep roots that penetrate the ground to find moisture.  It is found in the western United States and Canada from British Columbia southward through 16 U.S. states. A variety of this tree, scopulorum is found in the Rocky Mountains south to Mexico and west to the Great Plains to Texas.  Interestingly, the thick bark of the ponderosa pine tree is known to be fairly fire resistant and can survive low-intensity fires.

The ponderosa pine is a large coniferous pine (evergreen) that has orange-red bark in broad plates with black crevices when it is mature, younger trees have blackish-brown bark.  There are five subspecies of this tree and it goes by several names in addition to ponderosa pine including bull pine, blackjack pine, pumpkin pine, yellowbellies, and western yellow pine.

Another distinguishing characteristic of this pine tree species is its needles that can be identified by needle length and groupings.  On a mature tree, the needles are 10-28 centimeters long in groups of two or three and encased in a papery sheath. Female cones are large and woody and male cones are orange to yellow in color and found at the tips of the branches in small clusters.  The tree blooms every two years; it flowers April - June in the first year, and in the second year, the cones mature between August and September.

Medicinal Uses

The Nez Perce Native Americans used the green needles for dandruff, the pitch of the pine tree was made into an ointment and used for back pain and rheumatism. The Cheyenne used the pitch of the pine tree to hold hair in place and the gum was used to treat scabby skin and sores. The Flathead made a poultice of pitch and melted animal tallow and used this to treat back pain. The Okanagan-Colville made an infusion of dried buds for an eyewash; they also made a decoction of tops of the needles and used it to treat high fevers.  The Paiute used a poultice of dried chewed pitch to treat boils, and, the Shuswap used the needles and pitch to remove underarm orders.  The Navajo used a compound decoction of needles as a cough medicine and for a bad fever.

Seeds and inner bark were eaten.  Seeds were also crushed and used as a thickener for soup or was made into a meal and used to make bread.  The resin was sometimes chewed as gum to freshen breath.

Ceremonial Uses

 The Navajo removed the cones with seeds as a ceremonial medicine and the needles were used as a ceremonial emetic in "Night Chant" medicine.  Many Native American communities used the boughs of the ponderosa pine in sweat lodges for muscular pain.  The Okanagan-Colville would spread the pine needles on the floor of a sweat-house to fight off witchcraft.

Practical Uses

The bark of the ponderosa pine was used to make baskets and the needles were used to embellish them.  The wood was used to make timber and building material.  The wood of the tree was also used for fires.  A green dye was obtained from the needles and a blue dye was made from the roots. Pitch was obtained from the tree and used for waterproofing and as a wood preservative.  The Diegueno used the bark to make shelters. Single logs were used to make dugout canoes that were hollowed out with fire. This tree was an important building material for many Native American communities.

Did you know...

Fire- seasoned snags of the ponderosa pine provide a habitat for small mammals such as woodpeckers and other cavity-nesting birds.

The ponderosa pine tree was designated as Montana's official state tree in 1949.

Ponderosa Pine is the most widely distributed type of pine tree in the United States.

Ponderosa Pine has been successfully introduced to Europe.

The tallest ponderosa pine tree according to the National Register of Big Trees lists is 268 feet tall and is located in Portland Oregon.

Ponderosa is Latin for "having great weight" and refers to the impressive size of this tree.

About Institute For American Indian Studies

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS has an outdoor Three Sisters and Healing Plants Gardens as well as a replicated 16th c. Algonquian 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.