HEALTH and ILLNESS in the American Indian and Alaska Native Population ■ 221
10. The stem of the yucca plant is used as a laxative. The purple flower of the thistle is used to expel worms.
11. Blanket flower is the diuretic used to provide relief from painful urination.
12. A tea is made from painted cup and drunk to relieve the pain of menstruation.
13. Winter fat provides a tea from the leaves and roots and is drunk if the uterus fails to contract properly during labor.
The use of American Indian cures and herbal remedies continues to be popular. Among the Oneida Indians, the following remedies are used (Knox & Adams, 1988):
Illness Remedy Colds Witch hazel, sweet flag Sore throat Comfrey Diarrhea Elderberry flowers Headache Tansy and sage Ear infection Skunk oil Mouth sores Dried raspberry leaves
Among the Micmac Indians of Canada, the following remedies have been reported to be used (Basque & Young, 1984):
Illness Remedy Warts Juice from milkweed plant Obesity Spruce bark and water Rheumatism Juniper berries Diabetes Combination of blueberries and huckleberries Insomnia A head of lettuce a day Diarrhea Tea from wild strawberry
Drums are another source of treatment. HEALING ceremonies are accom- panied by drumming, rattles, and singing. The noise consists of sounds that interfere with the negative work of the spirits of the disease. The rhythm of the drumming plays a role in altering human consciousness (Lyon, 1996, p. 67). “Drumming is essential in helping the shaman make the transition from an or- dinary state of consciousness to the shamanistic state of consciousness” (p. 68). Quiet HEALING ceremonies are unheard of.