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Medicinal:
Pipsissewa roots and leaves are boiled and the
infusion ingested as a treatment for tuberculosis
and long-lasting colds. The leaves are also used
as an astringent. Pipsissewa can also be used as
an ingredient in root beer. Much used by
many indigenous peoples to to induce sweating and
treat fevers, including typhus. The plant contains
hydroquinones, which have a pronounced
disinfectant effect within the urinary tract.
Modern day herbalism mainly employs the plant to
treat urinary problems such as cystitis and
urethritis. An infusion is used in the
treatment of various problems related to the
urinary system, it is also prescribed for more
serious conditions such as kidney stones and
gonorrhea. A decoction is very efficient in
the treatment of skin diseases. Used
externally, the fresh leaves are rubefacient, and
internally they are of great use in cardiac and
kidney diseases, chronic rheumatism and
scrofula.
The plant is
harvested when in flower, and the leaves on their
own can be harvested during the growing season.
They are dried for later use. A homeopathic
remedy is made from the leaves. It is used in the
treatment of inflammations of the urinary system.
Specific
Tribal Uses:
Catawba
- Plant used
for backache.
Chippewa -
Decoction of root used as drops for sore
eyes.
Plant used for gonorrhea.
Delaware -
Compound containing plant taken as a blood
purifier, to help remove mucous from the lungs,
for scrofula and bladder inflammation.
Infusion of plant applied to blisters.
Menominee -
Decoction of leaves taken to "clear
the blood."
Compound decoction of root taken after childbirth
to aid internal healing.
Mohegan -
Infusion of plant applied to blisters.
Nanticoke -
Infusion of plant taken for ague.
Okanagon -
Poultice of crushed plant applied to leg
and foot swellings. Plant chewed or infusion
of leaves taken by women before and after
childbirth.
Saanich -
Leaves put in bath water of sprinters and
canoers as a liniment for sore muscles.
Thompson -
Poultice of crushed plant applied to leg
and foot swellings. Warm decoction of leaves
taken before and after childbirth. Plant
chewed or infusion of leaves taken by women before
and after childbirth to ease confinement.
Decoction of leaves taken as a tonic for general
indisposition. The stem and roots boiled and
drunk as a tea. Leaves made into a tea.
Blackfoot -
Dried leaves used as the favorite smoking
tobacco.
Iroquois -
Plant mixed, as a medicine strengthener,
with any medicine. Compound decoction of
roots taken for urinating pain, for the kidneys
and dropsy, and as a laxative. Decoction of
roots or stems taken to purify bad blood or for
blood chills. Infusion of dried roots taken
for pimples and sores on the face and neck.
Decoction of stalks and roots taken for stomach
cancer. Compound decoction of bark and roots
taken to induce pregnancy and as a tonic.
Compound infusion of leaves and bark taken for
miscarriage. Infusion of plants given to babies
with worms and taken by feverish and drowsy
pregnant women. Compound decoction of plants
taken for rheumatism. Leaves and stems used
as a diuretic. Compound decoction taken as
blood purifier and for venereal disease.
Historical
Reference:
"Rheumatism
weed...it is said to have been considered by the
Indians as an effective remedy in
rheumatism."
1785
Cutler
"Have the
decided advantage of being grateful to the stomach
while almost all other diuretics disagree with it;
they invigorate the appetite, and strengthen the
body, increase the flow of urine and all
secretions...It was also used in typhus, and as a
popular remedy for rheumatism in the United
States...Externally decidedly useful in tumors,
malignant ulcers, and chronic indurated swellings,
acting as a topical stimulant and sometimes they
vesicate; but utterly useless in cancer and
scrofula, for which the empirics have employed
them...The Indian tribes of Canada and Missouri
esteem highly these plants; they are called Paigne
and herb a' pisser in Canada. They are used
chiefly for gravel and retention of urine,
rheumatism and fevers. They dye urine of a
greenish black color. The external
application commonly produces redness, vesication,
and desquamation of the skin. A drench of
the leaves is used in veterinary for the diseases
of horses unable to stale." 1830
Rafinesque
"It is
used among the aborigines of this country as a
tonic and diuretic, as sell as for rheumatic and
scrofulous disorders, and latterly as an
application to scrofulous and other open sores.
Chimaphila is still retained in the U.S. Ph."
1892 Millspaugh
"Pipsisseway
was held in great esteem by some Algonquin tribes
as a sudorific and anodyne, especially in chest
troubles, colds, etc...It is common around St.
Catherines. It is a powerful astringent and
also a diuretic."
1915
Harris ALGONQUIN
"Use of
Prince's pine founded on its astringent quality.
The name translates 'things for scorching' and the
plant is steeped and applied to blisters. A
concoction of seven herbs is taken as a sudorific
[to produce sweat] before entering the sudatory
[sweat bath]. It comprises sweet flag, fir
twigs, lambkill, alder bark, witch hazel, cedar
boughs, prince's pine and a kind of brake."
1915
Speck PENOBSCOT
"Prince's
pine is boiled and drunk to induce sweating."
1915
Speck MONTAGNAIS
"Pipsisseway
is steeped and applied to blisters."
1915
Speck -Tantaquidgeon MOHEGAN
"Pipsisseway
for ague."
1915
Speck DELAWARE
"This is
a valuable remedy in female troubles. It is
used as a seasoner to make the medicine taste
good."
1923
H. Smith MENOMINI
"A tea
for treating stomach troubles."
1932
H. Smith OJIBWE
"Diuretics,
Pipsissewa...for dropsy give pipsissewa tea."
1928
Parker SENECA
A decoction of
Prince's pine is given to the baby to drink while
its father is away hunting. If he were to
merely wound an animal, whose body would suffer
from the wound, the shadow of the baby would
suffer in sympathy if it had not drunk the tea.
1935 Jenness OJIBWA Parry
Island Lake Huron
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