When the white man first came to this land they saw a Brave and his woman gathering herbs and roots. They had no understanding of the traditions, prayer, ceremonies and plant knowledge that was behind the purpose of these two people. They did not know the truths passed down from one generation to another. They did not know that the animals, birds, plants and trees existed before men and were very powerful - each in his own realm. When men were created they lived underground. The Blue-Bird freed them from the underground by finding a place where they could come through to the top of the earth. His song directed their path to the opening. As time went on, because man hunted the birds and animals, the animal realm grew antagonistic toward men. So they held a council and many of them (not all) resolved to each bring some disease to punish men.   Some chose diseases that would cause pain, others chose diseases that would cripple, others chose diseases that would ultimately bring death. But the plants and the trees favored the men who had always treated them kindly and with respect. They sought to intervene on man's behalf and they offered their juices, saps, berries, fruits, nuts and bark to alleviate man's suffering, and to heal his diseases. These were offered only to those men who were wise and held truth, honor and respect in their hearts. For it was only these who could understand the language of the plants. While many of the birds and animals were contributing to the diseases and suffering of men the souls of the trees and plants told men what was good for them and what would protect them from disease. Each member of the plant tribe had a special mission to perform and they accepted their tasks with honor. There were a few renegades among the plants - the poison ivy for example. The plant tribe's council house was under the dome of the great Mt. Katahdin (in Maine). The underground world was similar to the upper world except the seasons were opposite. Have you not noticed how spring water is warm in winter and cold in summer? The wise Native men used two different ways (both of equal importance to attain the knowledge of the uses of the many plants and trees. The first was by watching animals and insects as they regulated the workings of their bodies. When spring comes the winged insects fly to the willows and use the catkin pollen for internal cleansing. Bears, after their long winter's sleep eat mandrake leaves before they eat food. Native's dogs ate certain herbs for indigestion, and others for physic. A colony of crows knew how to find an antidote for poisonous berries which their young had eaten, causing them to vomit the poison. Almost numberless are the instances of similar cases in which animals, birds and reptiles preceeded men in the art of healing. The second method the men used to understand the plants and trees was by prayer and fasting. In gathering the very valuable and less common plants such as mandrake, bloodroot, spotted pipsissewa the small and large yellow ladies slipper, etc., The Medicine Man directed that the first three plants be passed by but the fourth gathered. Seeds of these were planted in their habitats "to placate their discouraged spirits." These native people were well acquainted with difficult time they knew sickness and accidents so well, that their whole religion is based and centered on one thing, HEALING! Over 70% of our present day pharmaceuticals are derived from the Native American healing arts the white man looks to him for help. I want to now give you a few examples of what our ancestors used for certain ailments. Jaundice was treated with a concoction of the yellow bark of the barberry. Wounds were covered with the leaves of the geranium which turned red as it died Bloodroot was used for all blood ailments (hence its name) Liverwort was used for liver problems The red roots of the black willow were used for blood purefying Goat's rue (also known as devil's thong) was made into an ointment to strengthen the muscles of young braves. Agrimony was used as an astringent for the eyes. Beaked Hazlenut was eaten as a body builder Bearberry for kidney and bladder problems Birthwart used in birthing and for colic Bitter Milkweed used as a tonic and laxative Bitter Cress was used for the heart, epilepsy and hysteria Blackberry (the root) was used for dysentery the leaves and berries for a tea extremely high in vitamin c Black Cherry was used for pulminary troubles Blue Vervain as a fever balm Blue Violets for stomach disorders Butterfly Weed was used for pleurisy Choke Cherry (the bark) used as an astringent Golden Rod used to stop bleeding in ulcers and wounds ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <<@>><<@>><<@>><<@>><<@>><<@>><<@>><<@>><<@>><<