Anishnabe Medicine

The Anishnabe people of North America have a Medicine Society of which is slowly reviving today from past persecution and disbelief with the people. This society consisted of members from individual village Shamans and Healers aka Medicine man and/or woman. They would meet once a year or upon request to exchange their knowledge and discoveries or initiate new members into their fold.

The Shaman strived to continually learn, locate and collect valuable medicinal herbs and plants for the well being and health of their people. Their job also included maintaining diplomatic relations with other villages and between their own people. They had a lot of power and were highly respected by the people but were cast in doubt and ousted by the Church.

Today’s lists of plants with the Latin ending of ‘officinale’ found in the Plantae Kingdom Taxonomy classification system, indicates that this plant, was at one time a official remedy for a few ailments. A example –> Taraxacum officinale = common dandelion.

Some of these plants listed have been patented but gives you an idea of the knowledge the Anishnabe shamans had learned ;

Red Willow – contains low dose of salicin (found in Bayer aspirin) drank as a tea or chewing on a snip of the inner bark, offers long lasting relief but slow to start effects.

Dandelion– contains oxytocin to induce labor. Diuretic, laxative and mild detergent when diluted with water as tea.

Labrador tea– high in Vitamin C. Drank as a tea or mixed in with other teas for colds.

Birch– another source of Salicin for rheumatism and arthritis and bathe skin eruptions.

Yarrow– used to treat open cuts and sores. Astringency helps stem flow of blood and induces sweating to help reduce fevers.

Sage– antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Drank as a tea for anxiety and insomnia and used as incense for purification.

The knowledge and skills gained over the lifetime by the elder Shaman was passed along to a apprentice. Together they would gather and collect herbs and plants. The student learning the specific use, correct amounts and skill to produce a final product for each ailment and eventually assume the position and responsibilities as the next Shaman.

As the Anishnabe people are reviving their Medicine Society so are the Herbal Practitioners. Maybe they can work together and learn from each other and cross that cultural threshold that divides our society. Please be advised to refer to a certified Practitioner before using herbal medicines.