Benoit First Nation

Mi'kmaq Medicine and Plant Identification

Mi'kmaq people have always known about medicine. They have always understood how roots and herbs from mother earth can be used to heal.

Mi'kmaq shared their knowledge with the French and Europeans and in many cases helped to save their lives when they became ill. Their knowledge of roots and medicines make up the basis of many of the prescription drugs that you see in the stores today. This is a major contribution that the Mi'kmaq and other first nations made to all of society.

When tuberculosis and smallpox were a threat to the mi'kmaq people, it has been said that those who had a kettle of gigoesosg or pagosi steeping at all times in their homes often avoided these diseases.

Here are some of the medicines used by Mi'kmaq for ailments.

Caution: only people who are knowledgeable about where, when and how to pick these medicines should be doing this. Be aware that although natural, one may be allergic to these herbs and roots. The purpose of sharing this medicine is to understand what some natural methods of healing are available. It is important to consult a Mi'kmaq medicine person before trying any of these.

Rat Root - also called Beewort, Muskrat Root, Pine Root, Sweet Calomel, Sweet Cane, Sweet Flag, Sweet Sedge, Flag Root, Calamus Root, Sweet Myrtle, and Sweet Rush,

Our messengers would chew the root while running long distances to increase endurance and stamina. We also used it as an anesthetic for toothache and headaches. Externally, it is added to the bath to quiet the nerves and induce a state of tranquility. Tincture of Rat Root is useful as a parasiticide when directly, and frequently, applied to lice & scabies infestations. Rat Root does have emmanagogic properties and should be avoided during pregnancy.

Muskeg tea - Labrador leaves - apoistegietjitjit - apuistekeie'ji'jit

Muskeg tea is considered good for children and is known to be a relaxant and high in vitamin C. Inhaling the steam from this tea can help clear congested nasal passages. The tea can be made, cooled and jarred for later use, but elder advise against keeping muskeg tea for more than a few days. Boiling or steeping the tea for more than 10 minutes is not recommended because of some of the chemical compounds it contains. Good for kidneys and flu and cold.

Black root - magteoegeoe - maqtewe'kewey

Good for babies with sore eyes - steep and bathe eyes. It is also good as tonic for women before and after giving birth. (viburnam compound noted patent medicine). It is from the honeysuckle family. Also good for flu and sore throat - steep and gargle.

Trillium - ogamlamonipgeg - wkwamulamunipkek

It is known to be good for babies colic, teething babies. Grate small amount and mix small amount in baby's bottle. It wil stop the baby's cramp, good for heart ailment -steep and drink.

Fir balsam - oisapegelao - wisapeklaw

Native people used it as tooth cleaner, relief of heartburn and cracked hands. Just chew for teeth and heartburn. For hands, crush and make into a paste with butter or lard. The paste will also relieve sore back. As a berm killer -boil some in a can with small holes, good as incense, good for laryngitis, sores and wounds.

Sarsperilla - gtjigaoapi - kji'ka'wapi

This is an all purpose medicine, especially for stomach, good for t.b. grate and boil and drink as tea.

Gold threads - oisaotagtjitjgl - wisawtaqji'jkl

Good for diabetes, sore mouth, milk tongue, ulcers, fertilitiy of women sore stomach. Picked around the end of august. Chew as they are for sore mouth or steep and drink for stomach ailment.

Ground - hemlock - gastog kastik

Use as a conditioner for falling hair (pot boiled). Good for blood and sore back, for bladder and kidney trouble. Steep and drink liquid.

Bay berry - geltjimanagsi - kl'jimanqsi

Boil together with mullen leaves. It is good for kidney trouble and arthritis. Boil for 20 minutes and drink 4 times a day.

Sweet flag - gigoesosg - ki'kwesu'sk

An all purpose medicine. Good for flu and bad colds. A native hunter's belief: chew and spit on deer tracks - it will slow down the deer.

Tansi - tansil - tansi'l

For bad sprains, rheumatism and headache. Bandage leaves on infected area or boil and use water as liniment on affected area. For headache, place leaves on the head.

Bone medicine - gagagotjoinmosi - ka'qaqujuinmusi

For sprains or fractured bone. Crush into a powder and apply to the affected area.

Nits - ganatjitjg - kna'ji'jk
Good for diarrhea. Boil and drink 4 times a day or chew the leaves as they are.

Based on Mi'kmaq Medicines written and researched by Sarah Denny of Eskasoni, Nova Scotia

Source: http://www.booth.k12.nf.ca/projects/Mi'kmaq/97med.htm

The Mi'kmaq have special respect for the four sacred plants: cedar, tobacco, sage and sweetgrass.