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

1928]

SMITH, ETHNOBOTANY OF THE MESKWAKI.

215

loss of mind or to revive consciousness. Burning of this type of herb
gives a peculiarly characteristic odor, reminding one of the smell of
elm bark, dried medick leaves, and coltsfoot herb. Among the white
men it has been used as a soothing expectorant, and for its bitter
qualities as a stomachic.
Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale L.),26 "tcatcamo'sikani" [inhalant] (M) and "pitcikoma'te" (M), "tcatcamo'sikfin" [inhalant]
(P P). The disk florets are dried and put away for medicine. It is
an inhalant that is snuffed up into the head to cure a cold in the head
or to treat catarrh. The Menomini use it in the same way. The Meskwaki also use the roots for medicine, and make a tea of the florets to
drink for catarrh of the stomach.
Specimen 5163 of the Dr. Jones collection is a mixture of the disk
florets of Heleniumn autumnale, the leaves of Ranunculus delphinifolius
and the flowering bracts of Monarda punctata. It is used as a snuff for
catarrh and cold in the head. The plant is recognized as a cattle poison
and is also used by the white man for the volatile oil of its florets in
much the same manner as the Indians use it.
Thin-leaved Sunflower (Helianthus decapetalus L.), "poka'tcikani"
(M), "pflkawa'tcikfin" (P P). The macerated root is used to poultice
and cure sores of long standing. White men value the sunflowers
chiefly for the fixed oils expressed from their seeds, though some use
the leaves for poultices and an infusion of the leaves as a diuretic.
Saw-tooth Sunflower (Helianthus grosse-serratus Martens),
"asawfiskipwa'wishi" [yellow weeds] (M), "wapino'wisk" (P P). The
flowers are used as a poultice to heal burns.
Pale-leaved Wood Sunflower (Helianthus strumnosus L.), "wapino'wfiskwi" [dawn weed] (M and P P). The root is used to make
a tea for lung troubles.
Rough Ox-eye (Heliopsis scabra Dunal), "wapino'wfiskwi" [dawn
weed] (P P). Root of this species is used in treating lung troubles.
Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca scariola var. integrata Gren. & Godr.)
"minikita'tabfiki" [milk leaf] (M), "skfipwa'koshi pipia'kflkit" (P P).
The leaves are brewed into a tea taken in convalescence after childbirth
to hasten the flow of milk from the breasts. The milk-juice of Lactuca
2'Present series, Vol. IV, pt. 1, pl. XI, fig. 4.