Medicines

Mi’kmaq people have always known about medicine. They have always
understood how roots and herbs from mother earth can be used to heal.

Mi’kmaq people have always known about medicine. They have always
understood how roots and herbs from mother earth can be used to heal
illnesses. Mi’kmaq shared their knowledge with the French and Europeans
and in many cases helped to save their lives when they
became ill. Their knowledge of roots and medicines make up the basis of
many of the prescription drugs that you see in the stores today. This
is a major contribution that the Mi’kmaq made to all of society.

When tuberculosis and smallpox were a threat to the mi’kmaq people, it
has been said that those who had a kettle of gigoesosg or pagosi
steeping at all times in their homes often avoided these diseases.

Here are some of the medicines used by Mi’kmaq for ailments.

- written and researched by Sarah Denny/Eskasoni, Nova Scotia
Black root - magteoegeoe - maqtewe’kewey
Good for babies with sore eyes - steep and bathe eyes. It is also good as tonic for women before and after giving birth. (viburnam compound noted patent medicine). It is from the honeysuckle family. Also good for flu and sore throat - steep and gargle.
Trillium - ogamlamonipgeg - wkwamulamunipkek
It is known to be good for babies colic, teething babies. Grate small amount and mix small amount in baby’s bottle. It wil stop the baby’s cramp, good for heart ailment -steep and drink.
Fir balsam - oisapegelao - wisapeklaw
Native people used it as tooth cleaner, relief of heartburn and cracked hands. Just chew for teeth and heartburn. For hands, crush and make into a paste with butter or lard. The paste will also relieve sore back. As a berm killer -boil some in a can with small holes, good as incense, good for laryngitis, sores and wounds.
Sarsperilla - gtjigaoapi - kji’ka’wapi
This is an all purpose medicine, especially for stomach, good for t.b. grate and boil and drink as tea.
Gold threads - oisaotagtjitjgl - wisawtaqji’jkl

Good for diabetes, sore mouth, milk tongue, ulcers, fertilitiy of women sore stomach. Picked around the end of august. Chew as they are for sore mouth or steep and drink for stomach ailment.

Ground - hemlock - gastog kastik
Use as a conditioner for falling hair (pot boiled). Good for blood and sore back, for bladder and kidney trouble. Steep and drink liquid.
Bay berry - geltjimanagsi - kl’jimanqsi
Boil together with mullen leaves. It is good for kidney trouble and arthritis. Boil for 20 minutes and drink 4 times a day.
Sweet flag - gigoesosg - ki’kwesu’sk
An all purpose medicine. Good for flu and bad colds. A native hunter’s belief: chew and spit on deer tracks - it will slow down the deer.
Tansi - tansil - tansi’l
For bad sprains, rheumatism and headache. Bandage leaves on infected area or boil and use water as liniment on affected area. For headache, place leaves on the head.
Labrador leaves - apoistegietjitjit - apuistekeie’ji’jit
Good for kidneys and flu and cold. Steep and drink liquid.
Bone medicine - gagagotjoinmosi - ka’qaqujuinmusi
For sprains or fractured bone. Crush into a powder and apply to the affected area.
Nits - ganatjitjg - kna’ji’jk
Good for diarrhea. Boil and drink 4 times a day or chew the leaves as they are.