Medicinal Monday - A Hot Herb of Surprises -Horseradish!

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is a perennial that originated in southeastern Europe and western Asia; today this hardy plant is grown all over the world.  The use of the horseradish root has been used medicinally for more than 3,000 years to treat a wide variety of illnesses.  When brought to North America, Native American communities found many ways to use this highly regarded medicinal plant.

About Horseradish
This hardy perennial is easy to cultivate and, once established it grows well in full sun and slightly moist soil.  The plant grows in clumps and has bright green heart-shaped leaves that grow out from the main stalk that can grow up to three feet tall.  The flowers have four white petals and the plant usually blooms in the summer months. The fruits are spherical and hold four to six seeds. After the first frost in autumn kills the leaves, the root is dug up and divided, with the main root is usually kept for harvest and offshoots replanted. The entire root system can extend several feet depending on the age of the plant.

Medicinal Uses of Horseradish
After removing the center rib of the leaves the Mohegan make a poultice with the remaining leaves, this mixture is bound to both cheeks on the face to treat a toothache.  The Iroquois make an infusion of the roots and drink it as a blood medicine.  The Delaware, Ontario, use a poultice of leaves to treat neuralgia.  The Cherokee found several uses for this plant and use it to treat rheumatism, colds, sore throats, and asthma.  They also chew the roots as an oral aid for sore gums and other diseases of the mouth.

Did You Know...

Ancient Greeks and Romans used this herb to treat back pain and during the Middle Ages, this plant was incorporated into the Passover Seder as one of the bitter herbs.

The Sass family was instrumental in developing the horseradish industry in Illinois in the mid.-1800s. 

In 1869 John Henry Heinz made horseradish sauce from his mother's recipe with the intention of selling it and started the commercial horseradish industry in the Midwest.

Today, Collinsville, Illinois refers to itself as "the horseradish capital of the world" and holds an annual festival to celebrate the plant.

The name horseradish may be a derivation of the German word meerettich, which means, stronger radish.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS)

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs.  We have an outdoor replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village and 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 in Washington Connecticut.

Medicinal Monday - Elegant and Endangered Whiteflower Leafcup

This beautiful flowering plant is native to Eastern North America from Ontario south to Alabama and east to Connecticut.  Native Americans found several clever uses for this beautiful plant through experience and experimentation. Sadly,  today, this elegant plant is considered endangered in Connecticut and Vermont. 

About Whiteflower Leafcup

Polymnia canadensis,  which is part of the Sunflower Family is commonly known as whiteflower leafcup and is easily identified by its' small flowers that bloom in late summer.  The flowers can be "ray flowers" or those flowers with white petals (usually five to eight petals) or, they can be "disk flowers" that have a yellow center like a daisy.  The bases of opposite leaves expand and fuse forming a small cup around the stem, which is how the plant gets its name.  The lance-shaped lobed lower leaves that are coarsely toothed and fringed with short hairs are large in comparison to the small delicate ray or disk flowers.  Leaves on the upper part of the plant are smaller and triangular in shape. This plant grows in clumps on weak hairy stems, and usually has many branches that are floppy. This plant likes moist soil, shady forests with calcareous or chalky limestone soil and ravines.  The sap is clear and slightly sticky with a sweet fragrance. This is a biennial or short-lived perennial.

Medicinal Uses
This pretty plant is used by the Houma as a dermatological aid by making a poultice of crushed leaves and applying them to treat swellings.  The Iroquois use this plant as a remedy to treat toothaches.

Did You Know

Crushed leaves have a strong lemony scent.

Another name of the whiteflower leafcup is "bears foot".

Only ray flowers of this plant produce seeds and a single plant may produce more than 100 flower heads.

Whiteflower Leafcup is an excellent nectar plant and visited by many bees and wasps.

The genus name, Polymnia canadensis is a reference to the Greek Muse Polymnia, goddess of music, dance, and song.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS)

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs.  We have an outdoor replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village and 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 in Washington Connecticut.

Medicinal Monday - Heartleaf Arnica

The common name of this beautiful yellow flower, Heartleaf typifies the way the petals and leaves surround and color this plant. Heartleaf resembles very small sunflowers with their bright yellow petals and a golden center.  Native Americans found many uses for this perennial herb and use it for a variety of ailments including love potions.

About Heartleaf Arnica

This perennial herb is native to North America and can be found from Alaska to California; to New Mexico and as far east as Michigan.  Heartleaf grows up to 24 inches high and spreads by tender creeping rhizomes. This hardy plant can survive in many habitats but thrives in mountain meadows and forests.  The leaves are heart-shaped with finely toothed edges.  The daisy-like flowerheads are studded with resin glands and each one has a golden yellow center with a bright golden ray of petals radiating out. The fruit and seed of this plant are dispersed on the wind. Heartleaf Arnica can live up to twelve years.

Medicinal Uses
A common use by many Native American communities is to use it as a poultice to soothe strained muscles and bruises. In addition to this application, the Shuswap make an eyewash from this plant to treat sore eyes.  The Thompson mash the plant and use it to treat swellings, cuts, and bruises, they also make an infusion to treat tuberculosis.  The Okanagan-Colville use the roots as a love medicine. Roots are mixed with a robin's heart and tongue then dried into a powder. The user is instructed to go into the water and face east.  He would recite certain words including those of the person he loved, and, then mark his face with the yellow powdered Heartleaf Arnica mixture.

Did  You Know

This plant can survive periodic wildfires because it can resprout from its long rhizomes.

Arnica contains several chemical compounds with anti-inflammatory properties and is being investigated for possible pain relief for arthritis.

According to a European folk tale, the medicinal value of arnica was discovered by shepherds who noticed that injured sheep and goats were attracted to this plant.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS)

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs.  We have an outdoor replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village and 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 in Washington Connecticut.

Medicinal Monday - Barbara's Buttons

This little known and endangered plant that is part of the sunflower family and related to daisies.  It was named in the honor of the Herbert and Moses Marshall of Pennsylvania.  They were botanists of the American colonial period.  Native Americans found several uses for this pretty perennial and elusive plant.

About Barbara's Buttons

This plant is found in open habitats such as roadsides, bogs, as well as in open woodlands and in pine forests. The typical blooming period is late May and early June.  The small white to pinkish flowers bloom in large spherical heads and attract butterflies, beetles, bees as well as other pollen-carrying insects.  The Latin name of this plant is Marshallia obovata and it is native to the southeastern and south-central portions of the United States.

Medicinal Uses

The Catawba of South Carolina use this plant to treat a variety of diseases.

Did You Know...

The flower heads resemble buttons and it is thought that this plant was named after Saint Barbara.

Some species of the Marshalia are of conservation concern.  Marshallia Grandiflora is endangered in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee and Marshallia Obovata is listed as endangered in Florida and is threatened in Tennessee.

Barbara's Buttons are also called Piedmont Barabara's Buttons and Spoon-shaped Barabara's Buttons.

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.

Before the Bow and Arrow: Atlatl Workshop @ Institute for American Indian Studies

When people think of Native American hunting tools, bows, and arrows are among the first things that spring to mind, and with good reason.  Just about every Native American community had some form of a bow and arrow. 

Before the bow and arrow, Native Americans, along with people from many other cultures worldwide used something called an Atlatl for hunting and fishing.  Essentially an atlatl is a dart thrower that allows hunters to throw a dart or arrow farther and faster then by hand alone.   To learn more about this ancient technology and to make and throw your own atlatl, The Institute for American Indian Studies is hosting a very special workshop,  Atlatl Workshop with Susan Scherf, on May 11 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

The Workshop

If you like to make things with your hands and test your skills, then this workshop is for you. Participants in the atlatl workshop will learn about the history and different designs of this useful ancient tool that was used by Native Americans as well as by a multitude of cultures around the world. Under the guidance of IAIS Educator, Susan Scherf, participants will learn about the different designs of the atlatl before making their own. 

The fun really begins with learning how to use your newly made atlatl and seeing how much farther your dart goes.  The atlatl session ends with a friendly atlatl throwing competition.   If you become an atlatl fan, you just might end up competing in atlatl competitions that are held throughout the world!

This workshop is $5 for members of the Institute and $15 for non-members. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. To reserve your spot call 860-868-0518 or email general@iaismuseum.org.

About the Atlatl

An atlatl is one of humankind's first mechanical inventions that preceded the bow and arrow in most parts of the world. Basically, an atlatl is a type of lever that was used to throw a spear farther and faster towards the quarry. The word atlatl comes from the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs who were using them when the Spanish arrived in the 1500s.

According to the World Atlatl Association, early people in the Americas used atlatls to hunt mammoths and mastodons around 11,000 years ago. Much later, a variety of atlatl types were used in different parts of North America. 

Atlatls continued to be used alongside bows and arrows by many Native Americans after the introduction of the bow.

Typically the projectile point or spear point was made of stone such as chert using a process known as flint knapping. The point was attached to a wooden shaft made of hardwood such as ash, hickory, oak, cedar, walnut or birch.

In time, an atlatl weight was added to the spear thrower as a counter-balance. Weights became more stylized and ornate using fine stone like banded slate to make each piece a unique work of art.

Birdstone weight for an atlatl

About The Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS)

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs.  We have an outdoor replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village and 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 in Washington Connecticut.

Medicinal Monday - Alfalfa

Alfalfa is native to Asia and didn't reach North America until the 1860s.  Today this plant is grown from Maine to Virginia and westward to the Pacific coast.  Today, alfalfa is grown all over the world and is particularly important in regard to Chinese and Native American medicinal uses.

About Alfalfa

Alfalfa's official name is Medicago Sativa.  It is a flowering plant that is part of the pea family.  Alfalfa is a perennial herbaceous plant with two stems, one has three leaflets, the other five.  The flowers are violet-bluish in color and bloom from June through August.  It spreads by its' powerful root system that can absorb nutrients as far as 125 feet below the surface of the earth.  The plant resembles its' cousin, clover.  Alfalfa seed production requires the presence of pollinators and the western honey, leafcutter, and alkali bees are the most common pollinators when this plant is in bloom.

Medicinal and Culinary Uses

Native Americans quickly adapted alfalfa for human use as well as to feed animals. It was cultivated as an important forage crop and used for grazing and, also as livestock fodder.

Medicinally, the leaves of this plant that are rich in minerals and Vitamins B, C, E, and K were used as a tonic to treat digestive problems.  It was also used to treat jaundice and to promote blood clotting.  The Costanoan used a poultice of heated alfalfa leaves to treat earaches.

Did You Know...

Alfalfa was discovered by the Arabs that called this plant "The Father of All Foods."

Alfalfa sprouts are a common ingredient in South Indian cuisine.

In the 16th century, Spanish colonizers introduced alfalfa to the Americas as fodder for their horses.

Originally alfalfa was called "lucerne" when introduced in the 18th century to the colonies of the eastern United States.

In the United States, California, Idaho, and Montana are the biggest producers of alfalfa today.

Medicinal Monday... Cat's Foot...a useful herb!

This herbaceous perennial plant was introduced to North America from Europe around 1672 and is commonly known as ground ivy.  It has many other names including cat's foot, gill over the ground, field balm, run away robin, and alehoof.  This herb is common in North America and found in just about every state including Connecticut.  Native Americans found several uses for this herb adding it to their culinary and medicinal practices.

About Cat's Foot
This herb is a perennial evergreen creeper belonging to the mint family, Lamiaceae.  It can be identified by its round fan-shaped leaves with round tooth edges that are attached to square stems that are covered in fine bristly hairs. This herb thrives in moist shaded areas, but can also tolerate the sun. The small bluish-violet flowers cluster in threes and usually bloom April - June.  The herb spreads by rhizomatous and forms dense mats that can be found in the woodlands and on lawns, and considered invasive by some. When the ivy is bruised, it emits a distinctive minty odor because it is a member of the mint family.

Medicinal Uses

The dried plant and crushed leaves were used to make medicine. Many Native American communities used an infusion of the leaves of this plant to treat colds. The medicinal use of ground ivy was especially favored by the Cherokee.  Another use of this herb was dermatological in nature.  The leaves of this plant were infused and the liquid was used to treat hives and rashes in babies, and to treat measles. 

The young leaves of this plant were eaten raw or cooked like spinach and added to stews.  Older leaves would be dried and used as an herbal tea.

Did you Know...

This herb was used by the Saxons and the English before the introduction of hops in brewing ale as a flavoring and preservative.

Gelechoma Hederacea has been used in traditional medicine of Europe for centuries from the treatment for sore eyes, kidney diseases and indigestion to treating coughs and congestion.

A great quantity of the leaves of this herb is toxic to horses and cattle.

Gelechoma Hederacea is Greek and can be roughly translated to Pennyroyal Ivy.

A study in 1986 found that Ground Ivy's ursolic and oleanolic acids inhibit the Epstein-Barr virus.