Old Indian trails

Katoya. Sweet Pine. Balsam Fir. Abies lasiocarpa. Burned for incense in ceremonials. It was used in poultices for fevers and colds in the chest, also for hair oil by mixing with grease and for perfume. It is more fragrant than ordinary balsam. When it grows in dry places it has a more concentrated and sweet odor.

Se-pat-semo. Sweet Grass. Vanilla Grass. Savastana odorata. After drying, Sweet Grass was generally kept by plaiting several strands. It was burned for incense and used also for making hair tonic by soaking in water. In northern Europe and Sweden it is called Holy Grass, because with other sweet-scented grasses, it is strewn before the churches. It is found throughout the world in the cold north-temperate zone, northern Europe and Asia, Newfoundland to Alaska, south to New Jersey and Wisconsin to Colorado.

Ek-siso-ke. Sharp Vine. Bear Grass. Yucca glauca. The roots were boiled in water and used as a tonic for falling hair. The Blackfoot thought there was no better remedy than the Ek-siso-ke for breaks and sprains. The roots were grated and placed in boiling water. The inflammation was reduced by holding the injured member in the rising steam. The roots were also placed upon cuts to stop bleeding and to allay inflammation.

Nits-ik-opa. Double-Root. Squaw-Root. Carum Gairdneri. Used for sore throat and placed on swellings to draw out inflammation. It was also eaten raw or boiled as a vegetable and used for flavoring stews. [320]

Oks-pi-poku. Sticky-Root, also called Ap-aks-iboku. Wide Leaves. Tufted Primrose or Alkali Lily. Pachylobus caespitosus. The root was pounded up and applied wet to sores and swellings to allay inflammation. It grows in alkali soil and is generally found in gravel beds.

Apos-ipoco. Tastes Dry. Alumn-Root. Heuchera parvifolia. It was pounded up and used wet as an application for sores and swellings. It grows on gravel bottoms and alkali flats.

Matoa-koa-ksi. Yellow-Root, or Swamp-Root. Willow-leaved Dock. Rumex salicifolius. It was boiled and used for many complaints but generally for swellings. It grows in swamps.

Mais-to-nata. Crow-Root. Dotted Blazing-Star. Lacinaria punctata. Named because of the scarlet brilliancy of its flowers. It was called Crow-Root by the Blackfoot because it was eaten by crows and ravens in the autumn. The root was boiled and applied to swellings. A tea was also made with it for stomach-ache. It was sometimes eaten raw.

O-muck-kas. Big Turnip. Parsnip. Leptotaenia multifida. Belonging to the carrot family, the Big Turnip is found on the sides of hills, growing in sandy loamy soil. It was gathered in the fall, the root being used to make a hot drink as a tonic for people in a weakened condition and to make them fat. The root was also pounded up and burned for incense. When horses had the distemper they were made to inhale smoke from this root. It was also mixed with brains and used in soft tanning.

Pa-kito-ki. Gray Leaves. Double Bladder-Pod. Physaria didymocarpa. It is to be found growing on gravel bottoms. The Blackfoot chewed the plant for sore throats, also for cramps and stomach trouble. It was also placed in water with hot rocks and used to allay swelling.

A-sat-chiot-ake. Rattle-Weed. Purple Loco-Weed, Crazy-Weed. Aragallus lagopus. Some of the flowers are purple, others blue, yellow, and white. It grows on gravel bottoms. The Blackfoot chewed it for sore throat, also to allay swelling.

A-sa-po-pin-ats. Looks-like-a-plume. Wind-Flower or Round-fruited Anemone. Anemone globosa. It is adapted for a windy place and is found growing on hillsides where the wind strikes it, either on the plains, or in the mountains. In midsummer the flower turns into cotton, which the Blackfoot burn on a hot coal for headache.

Et-a-wa-asi. Makes-you-sneeze (Snuff). American White Hellebore. Veratrum speciosum. The plant grows to be about six [321]feet high and is found in the mountain forests. The root is poisonous to eat. It was gathered by the Blackfoot both in the fall and in the spring and was used for headache. They broke off a small piece of the root, which was very dry, and snuffed it up the nose.

Sixa-wa-kasim. Black-Root. Red Bane-Berry. Actaea arguta. The berries are both red and white. It is found near the mountains in the underbrush along rivers. The roots were boiled and used for coughs and colds.

Siximas. Black-Root. White Bane-Berry. Actaea eburnea. The root was boiled and used for coughs and colds.

Six-ocasim. Indian Horehound. It is not found on the prairies but in the mountains along streams. It was generally used, after mixing with other plants, for baby colds.

Kaksamis. She Sage. Sweet Sage, Old Man, Pasturage Sage-Brush. Artemisia frigida. The roots or tops were boiled and used as a drink for mountain fever. It was also chewed for heart-burn. Sage was generally tied to articles that were sacrificed to the Sun.

Otsque-eina. Blue Berry. Oregon Grape. Berberis aquifolium. The roots were boiled and used for stomach trouble, also for hemorrhages. It grew in the forest on the mountains.

A-poks-ikim. Smell-Foot. Northern Valerian. Valeriana septentrionalis. A hot drink was made from the roots for stomach trouble.

A-much-ko-iyatsis. Red-Mouth Bush. Paper-Leaf Alder. Alnus tenuifolia. A hot drink was made of the bark and taken for scrofula. The bark split readily and was also used for making stirrups, which were covered with raw-hide. The Indian name originated because it was observed that when people chewed the bark it colored their mouths red.

Ma-ne-ka-pe. Young Man. Horse-Mint. Monarda scabra. An eye-wash was made by placing the blossoms in warm water and was used to allay inflammation.

So-ya-its. Lies-on-his-belly. Long-plumed Avens. Sieversia ciliata. It grows on the plains and in the mountains. The Blackfoot boiled it in water and used for sore and inflamed eyes.

Kine. Rose Berries or Apis-is-kitsa-wa. Tomato-Flower. Say’s Rose. Rosa Sayi. A drink was made of the root and given to children for diarrhea. The berries were sometimes eaten raw.

Omaka-ka-tane-wan. Gopher-Berries. Wild Potato, Ground Cherry, Cut-leaved Nightshade. Solatium triflorum. The berries were boiled and given to children for diarrhea. The plants grow on prairie-dog hills. [322]

Kita-kop-sim. Garter-Root, or Pachsi, Dry-Root. Silver-Weed. Argentina anserina. The root was used for diarrhea.

Nuxapist. Little Blanket. Indian Hemp, Dogbane. Apocynum cannabinum. A drink was made by boiling the root in water and taken for a laxative. It was also used as a wash to prevent hair falling out. It grows on high cliffs and was gathered at all times of year.

A-po-pik-a-tiss. Makes-your-hair-gray. Pore Fungus. Polyporus. A small quantity was used as a purgative. It was said to make the hair gray if too large a dose was taken. It was also used for cleaning buckskin.

At-si-po-koa. Fire-Taste. Sharp-leaved Beard-Tongue. Pentstemon acuminatus. The Blackfoot named it At-si-po-koa because of its biting flavor. It was boiled in water and taken internally for cramps and pains in the stomach. It was also used to stop vomiting.

Six-in-oko. Juniper. Red Cedar. Juniperus scopulorum. The berries were made into a tea to stop vomiting. The Juniper was used on the altar of the sacred woman at the Sun Dance.

Aks-peis. Sticky-Weed. Gum-Plant. Grindelia squarrosa. The root was boiled and taken internally for liver trouble. It grows on the prairies.

Opet-at-sapia. Gutierrezia diversifolia. Grows on the prairies in the foothills to the mountains. The roots were used by medicine men in doctoring. Red-hot stones were placed in water with the roots. Fumes arose with the steam.

E-simatch-sis. Dye. Evernia vulpina. A lichen that grows on pine trees. It was used as a yellow dye for porcupine quills. The quills were placed with the dye in boiling water. It was also used for headache.

E-simatch-sis. Dye. The Yellow Orthocarpus. Orthocarpus luteus. Used for dyeing gopher skins red. The plant was first pounded up and then pressed firmly upon the skin. It grows on the prairies.

Ana-wawa-toks-tima. Buffalo-Food. Yellow Cancer-Root. Thalesia fasciculata. Used by Buffalo medicine men in doctoring wounds. They chewed and blew it upon the wound.

Sa-po-tun-a-kio-toi-yis. Joint Grass. Scouring Rush. Equisetum hiemale. The grass was boiled in water and used as a drink, for horse medicine.

Pach-co-i-au-saukas. Smell-Mouth. Western Sweet Cicely. Washingtonia divaricata. It was given to mares in winter. The [323]Blackfoot say that it put them in good condition for foaling. They placed it in the mares’ mouths and made them chew it. A pleasant drink was made with a small piece of the Western Sweet Cicely root, a little more of the Sixocasim (Indian Horehound) to three cups of water. It was taken hot for colds or tickling in the throat.

Tobacco

Ka-ka-sin. Larb, or Kinnekinnick Bearberry. Arctostaphylus uva-ursi. The leaves, which are thick and evergreen, were dried and used for tobacco. The berries were eaten raw and also used mashed in fat and fried. It grows in Northern North America, also Northern Europe and Asia.

O-makse-ka-ka-sin. Big Larb. Pipsissewa, Prince’s Pine. Chimaphila umbellata. It flourishes among decaying leaves in a sandy soil in the mountain forests of Northern North America. The dried leaves were used for tobacco by all the Mountain Indians. The Blackfoot had a special preference for the Big Larb in smoking.

Pono-kau-sinni. Turnip. Elk-Food. Narrow-leaved Puccoon. Lithospermum linearifolium. The tops were dried and used for burning as incense in ceremonials.

So-yo-toi-yis. Spring Grass or I-ta-pat-anis, Cut-your-finger. Slough Grass Sedge. Carex nebrascensis praevia. The Blackfoot said it was the favorite grass of the buffalo and for this reason the medicine men tied it around the horns of the sacred Buffalo head used in the Sun Dance ceremonials. It grows in marshy places on the prairies.

A-pono-kauki. Paper-Leaves or O-to-kap-atsis. Yellow Flower. Arrow-leaved Balsam-Root. Balsamorrhiza sagittata. The large leaves were used in roasting Camas roots.

Ok-kun-okin. Berry. Sarvis-Berry, June-Berry, Service-Berry, Shadbush, May Cherry. Amelanchier oblongifolia. A tall shrub or small tree growing on the prairies along side-hills and in river bottoms. The berries ripen in midsummer generally about the middle of July. The Blackfoot used them in great quantities with stews, soups, and meat. They also dried them for winter use. Violent pains often followed the eating of raw Sarvis-Berries. [324]

Pukkeep. Chokecherry. Western Wild Cherry. Prunus demissa. The Blackfoot say it does not ripen till later than the Sarvis-Berry, generally September or even October. They were used for soups, eaten raw and pounded up and mixed with meat. The bark was boiled and used internally in combination with roots of the Western Sweet Cicely, Northern Valerian, and Sixocasim (Indian Horehound).

Miss-is-a-misoi. Stink-Wood. Buffalo-Berry, Silver-Berry. Elaeagnus argentea. The Blackfoot gave it the name of Stink-Wood because of the bad smell of the smoke. In gathering firewood a person was ridiculed if he brought in Stink-Wood. The berries were used for soup. The bark was very tough and made strong rope for tying skins and parfleches when rawhide was not at hand.

Im-a-toch-kot. Dog-Feet. Disporum trachycarpum. It bears yellow berries, which are eaten raw.

Po-kint-somo. Wild Rhubarb. Cow Parsnip. Heracleum lanatum. In the spring the stalks were eaten after roasting over hot coals. The Blackfoot say the stalks are of two kinds, which they designate by Napim (He) and Skim (She). They peeled and split the stalk of the Skim before roasting but only peeled the Napim. A stalk of the Po-kint-somo was placed on the altar of the Sun Dance ceremonial.

Pach-op-it-skinni. Lumpy-Head. Wild Potato, Spring-Beauty. Claytonia lanceolata. The Wild Potato grew on the prairies and in the foothills of the mountains. The Blackfoot dug them in spring for eating, preparing them for eating by boiling.

Ek-sik-a-pato-api. Looks Back. Smartweed. Polygonum bistortoides. The root was used in soups and stews.

Pesat-se-nekim. Funny Vine. Wild Onion. Allium recurvatum. Eaten raw and also used for flavoring.

Kach-a-tan. Tender-Root. Carolina Milk Vetch. Astragalus carolinianus. The root was gathered in the spring or fall and eaten raw or cooked by boiling in water. It grows on the gravel bottoms or side-hills of the prairies.

Exixix. White-Root. Bitter-Root, State Flower of Montana, Red-Head Louisa. Lewisia rediviva. The Blackfoot believed it was healthy food. They prepared it by boiling in water. It grows plentifully in the mountains.

Sax-ika-kitsim. Quick Smell. American Wild Mint. Mentha canadensis. The leaves were placed in parfleches to flavor dried meat. It was also used to make tea.

Mass. Wild Turnip. Elk Food. Lithospermum linearifolium. [325]The roots were prepared for eating by boiling or roasting. It grows on the prairies.

O-muck-ai-ix-ixi. Big White-Root. Evening Primrose, Alkali Lily. Musenium divaricatum. The Blackfoot say the root has no flavor until dried. It was gathered in the fall and eaten raw. It grows on the prairies.

Miss-issa. Camas. Camassia esculenta. The roots were generally dug in the fall after the blossoms had fallen. They were baked by placing in a deep hole with heated rocks, leaves, and grass. A fire was also kept burning on top of the ground. It was said to require two days and two nights to cook them thoroughly in this way.

At-sina-mo. Gros Ventre Scent. Meadow-Rue. Thalictrum occidentale. The berries were dried and placed in small buckskin bags for perfumery.

Katoya. Sweet Pine. Balsam Fir. Abies lasiocarpa. The leaves had a delightful odor when confined in a buckskin bag. Sweet Pine was also mixed with grease in making hair oil to add fragrance.

Mat-o-at-sim. Perfumed Plant. Rayless Camomile, Oregon Dog-Root, Dog Fennel. Matricaria matricarioides. The blossoms were dried and used for perfumery.

Se-pat-semo. Sweet Grass. Vanilla Grass. Sevastana odorata. Sweet Grass was the most popular perfumery among the Blackfoot. It was made into braids and placed with their clothes or carried around in small bags. It was also used for a hair-wash and as incense.

Pieces of punk from the Cottonwood tree, leaves of the Balsam Poplar and the ring-bone from a horse’s leg were used for perfumes.

Sik-a-pis-chis. White Flower. Aster commutatus.

Ota-kap-is-chis-kit-sima. Yellow Flower. Clasping-leaved Arnica. Arnica amplexifolia.

A-pis-is-kit-sa-wa. Tomato-Flower. Red Rose. Rosa Sayi.

Ot-ska-a-pis-is-kit-sa. Blue Flower. Oblong-leaved Gentian. Gentiana affinis.

A-sa-po-pin-ats. Looks-like-a-plume. Round-Fruited Anemone. Anemone globosa. Its name was derived from the appearance of the flower when it turns into cotton and resembles a soft, downy feather. [326]

A-po-no-kau-ki. Paper-Leaves. Arrow-leaved Balsam-Root. Balsamorrhiza sagittata. In the hot weather its large leaves become very dry and resemble paper.

Sto-o-kat-sis. Ghost’s Lariat. Columbian Virgin’s-Bower. Atragene columbiana. A vine, with a beautiful light blue flower, that trails along the ground and also climbs trees. The Blackfoot have named it Ghost’s Lariat because it catches people and trips them up unexpectedly. [327] [329]