Traditional Remedies
American Indians practice an act of purification in order to maintain their harmony with nature and to cleanse the body and spirit. This is done by to- tal immersion in water in addition to the use of sweatlodges, herbal medi- cines, and special rituals. Purification is seen as the first step in the control of consciousness, a ritual that awakens the body and the senses and prepares a person for meditation. The participants view it as a new beginning (Boyd, 1974, pp. 97–100).
The basis of therapy lies in nature, hence the use of herbal remedies. Spe- cific rituals are to be followed when herbs are gathered. Each plant is picked to be dried for later use. No plant is picked unless it is the proper one, and only enough plants are picked to meet the needs of the gatherers. Timing is crucial, and the procedures are followed meticulously. So deep is their belief in the har- mony of human beings and nature that the herb gatherers exercise great care not to disturb any of the other plants and animals in the environment (Boyd, 1974, pp. 101–136).
One plant of interest, the common dandelion, contains a milky juice in its stem and is said to increase the flow of milk from the breasts of nursing mothers. Another plant, the thistle, is said to contain a substance that relieves the prickling sensation in the throats of people who live in the desert. The medicine used to hasten the birth of a baby is called weasel medicine because the weasel is clever at digging through and out of difficult territory (Leek, 1975, p. 17).
The following is a list of common ailments and herbal treatments used by the Hopi Indians (Leek, 1975, pp. 17–26):
1. Cuts and wounds are treated with globe mallow. The root of this plant is chewed to help mend broken bones.
2. To keep air from cuts, piñon gum is applied to the wound. It is used also in an amulet to protect a person from witchcraft.
3. Cliff rose is used to wash wounds. 4. Boils are brought to a head with the use of sand sagebrush. 5. Spider bites are treated with sunflower. The person bathes in water in
which the flowers have been soaked. 6. Snakebites are treated with the bladder pod. The bitter root of this
plant is chewed and then placed on the bite. 7. Lichens are used to treat the gums. They are ground to a powder and
then rubbed on the affected areas. 8. Fleabane is used to treat headaches. The entire herb is either bound
to the head or infused and drunk as a tea. 9. Digestive disorders are treated with blue gillia. The leaves are boiled
in water and drunk to relieve indigestion.