COWASUCK BANDof the
PENNACOOK-ABENAKI PEOPLE
The People of the White Pines
COWASUCK BANDETHNO-BOTANY OF THE ABENAKI INDIAN PEOPLE
The following is a summary of herbs, trees, and plants that were used by the Abenaki People. No dosage or usage information has been provided -
Do Not attempt to use this information for medical purposes.
Cautionary Note - Everyone has different reactions, allergies, or sensitivities to foods, herbs, plants, mushrooms, medicines, etc. Always test your reaction to a new item by minimal contact or very small dose. Do not attempt to use any herbal medicine without first being assured that you can use it safely. Remember, it took generations of our ancestors to find out which herbs and plants were good for them. In the same way we must re-learn and gain our own personal experience to which things are to our benefit.
Analgesic - a drug that relieves pain.
Analgesic: Arctium minus (LESSER BURDOCK)
Madah8dowibagw - devil’s leaf
Carum carvi (CARAWAY)
? Unknown Abenaki word ?
Cornus canadensis (BUNCHBERRY DOGWOOD)
Batkilawinbizon - pain in the side medicine
Plantago major (COMMON PLANTAIN)
8wdiibagw - white man’s foot
Ranunculus acris (TALL BUTTERCUP)
Wiz8wibemi, Pskwasaw8m
Anthelmintic - a drug used for the treatment of intestinal parasites.
Anthelmintic: Cirsium arvense (CANADIAN THISTLE)
G8wiz - little thorn
Populus tremuloides (QUAKING ASPEN)
Wawabibagw
Antihemorrhagic - a drug that stops hemorrhage, especially internal bleeding.
Antihemorrhagic: Maianthemum racemosum (FEATHER SOLOMON’S SEAL)
Salem8n
Polygonatumpubbescens (HAIRY SOLOMON’S SEAL)
Polyganatum biflorum or Smilacina stellata
8pkweskak - joint plant
Antirheumatic (External) - a drug used for rheumatism or arthritis and that is applied externally, for example - a liniment.
Antirheumatic (External): Arctium minus (LESSER BURDOCK)
Madah8dowibagw - devil’s leaf
Mitchella repens (PARTRIDGE BERRY)
Babedegwibagasig, Bakeswimen
Plantago major (COMMON PLANTAIN)
8wdiibagw - white man’s foot
Symplocarpus foetidus (SKUNK CABBAGE)
Spathyema foetida
Sieg8gwibagw - skunk plant
Taxus canadensis (CANADA YEW) (GROUND HEMLOCK)
Sagask8dakw
Thuja occidentalis (EASTERN ARBORVITAE)
? Unknown Abenaki word ?
Tsuga canadensis (EASTERN HEMLOCK)
Alnizedi
Antirheumatic (Internal) - a drug used for rheumatism or arthritis and that is taken internally, for example - aspirin.
Antirheumatic (Internal): Arctium minus (LESSER BURDOCK)
Madah8dowibagw - devil’s leaf
Taxus canadensis (CANADA YEW) (GROUND HEMLOCK)
Sagask8dakw
Tsuga canadensis (EASTERN HEMLOCK)
Alnizedi
Blood medicine - a medicine that is used to purify or influence the blood.
Blood Medicine: Aralia nudicaulis (WILD SARSAPARILLA)
Sas8ksek
Carminative - a drug that relieves flatulence or gas.
Carminative: Acorus calamus (CALAMUS)
Moskwaswaskw - muskrat plant
Cold Remedy - a medicine used for the relief or cure colds.
Cold Remedy: Achillea millefolium (COMMON YARROW)
Nahamaibagw - turkey leaf
Asarum canadense (WILD GINGER)
Skogadebakw - snake head plant
Chimaphila umbellata (PIPSISSEWA)
? Unknown Abenaki word ?
Coptis trifolia (THREE LEAF GOLD THREAD)
Lasawian, Sasawian - gold thread - little yellow root
Kalmia angustifolia (SHEEP LAUREL)
? Unknown Abenaki word ?
Ledum groenlandicum (BOG LABRADOR TEA)
Az8bkw
Cough Medicine - a medicine used for the relief or cure of coughs.
Cough Medicine: Asarum canadense (WILD GINGER)
Skogadebakw
Coptis trifolia (THREE LEAF GOLD THREAD)
Lasawian, Sasawain - gold thread, little yellow root
Epilobium angustifolium (FIREWEED)
Pabazin
Larix laricina (TAMARACK)
P8bn8dageso
Pinus strobus (WHITE PINE)
Goa, Koa
Dermatological Aid - a drug used to treat any conditions of the skin or hair such as acne, dandruff, or itching.
Dermatological Aid: Abies balsamea (BALSAM FIR)
Kokokha8wk
Alnus incana (MOUNTAIN ALDER)
Odopi
Tsuga canadensis (EASTERN HEMLOCK)
Alnizedi
Disinfectant - a drug used to eliminate infection.
Disinfectant: Abies balsamea (BALSAM FIR)
Kokokha8wk
Eye Medicine - a drug used for any afflictions of the eye.
Eye Medicine: Cornus sericea (RED OSIER DOGWOOD)
Makwakwsek
Corylus cornuta (BEAKED HAZELNUT)
Bag8niz
Salix sp. (WILLOW)
Ganozas
Febrifuge - a drug used to reduce fevers.
Febrifuge: Achillea millefolium (COMMON YARROW)
Nahamaibagw - turkey leaf
Arctium minus (LESSER BURDOCK)
Madah8dowibagw
Gastrointestinal Aid - a drug used to treat distress of the digestive tract.
Gastrointestinal Aid: Polypodium virginianum (ROCK POLYPODY) fern
Senikaladabagw
Hemostat - a drug used to stop external bleeding, this includes topical treatments for nosebleed.
Hemostat: Urtica dioica (STINGING NETTLE)
Maz8nibagw
Love Medicine - a drug to procure love from another.
Love Medicine: Nuphar sp. (YELLOW POND LILY)
Nymaphaca adena
Wiz8watawa
Other - a drug used for various conditions and ailments.
Misc. Disease Remedy: Achillea millefolium (COMMON YARROW)
Nahamaibagw - turkey leaf
Arctiumminus (LESSER BURDOCK)
Madah8dowibagw
Nose Medicine - a drug used for the treatment of various nose ailments.
Nose Medicine: Chimaphila umbellata (PIPSISSEWA)
? Unknown Abenaki word ?
Kalmia angustifolia (SHEEP LAUREL)
? Unknown Abenaki word ?
Ledum groenlandicum (BOG LABRADOR TEA)
Az8bakw
Orthopedic Aid - a drug used for afflictions of the muscles or bones.
Orthopedic Aid: Eupatorium perfoliatum (COMMON BONESET)
Zaz8bakwh8zik - it goes through the leaf
Other - a drug used for various conditions and ailments.
Other: Botrychium virginiannum (RATTLESNAKE FERN)
Masasizikwa - rattlesnake / Masozi - fern
Gymnocarpium disjunctum (OAK FERN)
Anaskemezii masozi - oak-fern
Panacea - a drug used as a cure-all.
Panacea: Abies balsamea (BALSAM FIR)
Kokokha8wk
Mentha canadensis (CANADIAN MINT)
? Unknown Abenaki word ?
Thuja occidentalis (EASTERN ARBORVITAE)
? Unknown Abenaki word ?
Trillium erectum (RED TRILLIUM)
? Unknown Abenaki word ?
Pediatric Aid - a drug specifically used for the treatment of children.
Pediatric Aid: Achillea millefolium (COMMON YARROW)
Nahamaibagw - turkey leaf
Botrychium virginianum (RATTLESNAKE FERN)
Masasizikwa - rattlesnake / Masozi - fern
Cirsium arvense (CANADIAN THISTLE)
G8wiz
Mentha canadensis (CANADIAN MINT)
? Unknown Abenaki word ?
Trillium erectum (RED TRILLIUM)
? Unknown Abenaki word ?
Verbascum thapsus (MULLEIN)
Madah8dowi odam8 - devil’s tobacco
Poison - a substance that usually kills, injures, or impairs.
Poison: Caltha palustris (YELLOW MARSH MARIGOLD)
? Unknown Abenaki word ?
Iris versicolor (HARLEQUIN BLUEFLAG)
Wl8watawa - blue tea
or Iris prisatica
Kskimokas, numb root, numb maker
Psychological Aid - a drug directed toward the mind and specifically toward issues of will or desire.
Psychological Aid: Nuphar sp. (YELLOW POND LILY)
Wiz8watawa
Nymphaea sp. (WATERLILY)
Bamagwaag - pond lily / Meskatak - pond lily root
Respiratory Aid - a drug used to help breathing.
Respiratory Aid: Acer pensylvanicum (STRIPED MAPLE)
8sagakw - strange tree
Sedative - a drug that reduces excitement or upset.
Sedative: Mentha canadensis (CANADIAN MINT)
? Unknown Abenaki word ?
Toothache Remedy - a drug used for toothaches as well as any other dental medicines. Toothache - Obid8gw8gan or 8bidawas.
Toothache Remedy: Verbascum thapsus (MULLEIN)
Madah8dowi odam8 - devil’s tobacco
Unspecified - a drug used as an unspecified medicine or to treat unspecified illnesses - with no specific information.
Unspecified: Abies balsamea (BALSAM FIR)
Kokokha8wk
Botrychium virginianum (RATTLESNAKE FERN)
Masasizikwa masozi - rattlesnake-fern
Urinary Aid - a drug used for problems of the urinary tract and by men for sexual organ problems.
Urinary Aid: Picea glauca (WHITE SPRUCE)
Mesazeso
Veterinary Aid - a drug used to treat diseases and injuries of animals.
Veterinary Aid: Sanguinaria canadensis (BLOOD ROOT)
Babagakanihl8g, bagakanihl8g - that which bleeds
