Monthly Archives: July 2020

(Fireweed)

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Names

Shoshone:

English: Fireweed

Scientific: Epilobium angustifolium

Zone

Upper Foothills

Harvest Time

  • Summer (July-September)

Primary Uses

  • Food
    • Stews
    • Stew thickener
    • Tea
  • Medicine
    • Antibacterial
    • Anti-Cancer
    • Fungicide
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Skin Conditions

Secondary Uses

  • Medicine
    • Muscle tone

Cautions

None currently listed.

Active Principle(s)

  • Quercitin
  • Enothic Acid

Video Description of Plant

Click play on the video to learn more about this plant.

Notes

Food Notes

Leaves and stems are used in stews, and leaves make very nutritious tea. Before flowering, stems can be used as a soup thickener.

Medicinal Use Notes

Leaves: Fungal infections. Drink as tea for internal yeast infections, or use topically for toenail or diabetes fungal infections.

Roots: Treats skin injuries, skin cancers. Can be used as suppository for hemorrhoids.

doy.yah.oh.hah.gahn (Arrowleaf Balsamroot)

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Names

Shoshone: doy.yah.oh.hah.gahn (Yellow on the Mountain)

English: Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Scientific: Balsamorhiza sagittata

Zone

Upper Foothills

Harvest Time

  • Roots – April, May
  • Flowers – September
  • Seeds – Fall

Primary Uses

  • Root to treat lung infection or congestion
  • Seeds pounded into mush
  • Stems are eaten as trail food

Secondary Uses

  • Topical anti-inflammatory

Cautions

Does not store well for winter use

Can be preserved in honey or alcohol

Active Principle(s)

  • Resins and glycosides

Video Description of Plant

Click play on the video to learn more about this plant.

Notes

General Uses

  • Seeds are protein source
  • Roots:
    • Medicine steamed for lungs tea for infection and improve circulation

Medicinal Uses

  • Allergy: Steamed dried root inhaled
  • Antibacterial: Decoction of dried root drank and steam inhaled
  • Anti-inflammatory: Decoction of dried root drank and steam inhaled
  • Antiviral: Decoction of dried root drank and steam inhaled
  • Chest: Steam of boiled root inhaled
  • Congestion: Steam of boiled root inhaled
  • Cough: Tea and steam inhaled
  • Healing: Root steam inhaled for lungs
  • Immune: Root tea
  • Infection: Inhale steam for lung infections
  • Lungs: Root tea (steam): decongestant antimicrobial
  • Lymph: Root tea daily improves circulation of blood and lymph
  • Neuropathy: Root tea is drunk to improve circulation
  • Pneumonia: Inhale steam, bronchodilation; disinfectant
  • Rash: Root is anti-inflammatory for rash and injuries
  • Skin: Root for burns, blisters, bruises, injuries
  • Stomach: Root tea for stomach pain
  • Swelling: Root for wound dressing
  • Throat: Root tea 3x/day for cough, pharyngitis
  • Urinary Tract Infection: Root tea for UTIs
  • Wounds: Root infusion as dressing

Process Prep

  • Roots are cooked in trenches overnight; Peeled stems are trail food, “fast food of the mountains; seeds are pounded and cooked into a meal”
  • Medicine Root. Steam 3-5x/day. Tea 3x/day