Ethnobotany of the Meskwaki Indians / by Huron H. Smith.

214

BULLETIN, PUBLIC MUSEUM, MILWAUKEE.

[Vol. 4

Erigeron philadelphicus along with leaves of Monarda punctata and the
floral pedicels of Zizia aurea and is called "pitcikumitihi aiyogi
snuff used
a'kwamidamegi uwicegi." It is snuffed up the nose to relieve sick headfor illness at the head
ache. To the white man this fleabane has the same medicinal properties
as the previous one described.
Boneset (Eupatoriumrn perfoliatumn L.),24 "skipwa'ishi mamitcakanakesiti" [sweet potato root and weeds with flowers round] (M),
"sikawa'okis mami'sh pakas&'t" (P P). Another Meskwaki name is
"manitowfi'skwi" [snake root]. Another Prairie Potawatomi name is
"manitomi'skfikiik" [snake root]. McIntosh uses the tea of the foliage
and flowers to expel worms. The Meskwaki do not use it now, but say
that long ago it was gathered for its root which was a sure cure for
snake bite. It is a time honored home remedy and popular with the
eclectics as an emetic and diaphoretic. It was used by the white man
for aborting colds, bronchitis, sore throat, and acute inflammations of
the throat.
Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatoriumn purpureum L.). Shown in plate
XLIII, fig. 1. Specimen 3620 of Dr. Jones' collection is doubtfully
identified as Eupatorium purpureum root. He gives it the name
"amanowin5tawin6ni cicaigwatemegi a'kan6netci i'kwaiwihi iim~in6 -love medicine to be nibbled when speaking to women when they
witihiiwaitci." This love medicine is kept in the mouth and nibbled
are in the wooing mood.
when speaking to women who are in the mood for being wooed. It is
said to have the power of "fetching" them.
White Snakeroot (Eupatoriumn urticaefoliumn Reichard). Shown
in plate XLIII, fig. 3, "wapu'skwi no'sowint [weed, smoke a person]
(M), "pfikwiina'sikiin" [smoke a person (P P). Neither tribe calls it a
snakeroot, but both use it as a smudge for a "reviver," and also as a
steaming agent in the sweat bath. McIntosh said that this was the best
"reviver" to be found. Among the white men, it was used more for its
aromatic and diuretic properties.
Many-headed Everlasting (Guaphalium polycephalumn Mx.),25
"pfikwinii'sikiin" [smoke a person] (P P). This is one of the best of
this type of medicines and is sure to heal. It is smudged to bring back a
'Present series, Vol. IV, pt. 1, pl. XVIII, fig. 3.
2'Present series, Vol. IV, pt. 1, pl. XI, fig. 2.