Indian Medicine

by Miranda Sheridan

 

      I always loved hearing stories about Indians, especially about how the Indians made their medicine. Here are some facts about Indian Medicine. The Indians had doctors called medicine men or women. These people would create medicine using the resources around them to help the sick and wounded patients. A lot of the medicine is  made out of plants, roots, and other natural herbs like may apple, mint, boneset, dock, hickory bark, and many others.

      Sometimes, Indians would make False Face Masks out of woven cornhusks. Then, they would put the masks on, and dance and shake rattles around the sick person. They did this, because they believed this would chase away the evil spirits that had brought the sickness. The cornhusk False Face Masks were supposed to represent plant spirits. They were often used as charms.

      Among the Iroquois tribe there is a Little Water Medicine Club. The Indians who belong to this Club are the keepers of a “ treasure”, called Little Water Medicine. This Medicine is supposed to cure broken bones and heal wounds. Little Water Medicine was given to the Indians from the animals. The medicine cannot be replaced, once it is all used. The doses of Little Water Medicine are very, very small. Feasts and dances are held in honor of Little Water Medicine. The story of Little Water Medicine has been told by Indians for many, many years. This story is a legend.