Strength of the Earth

by Densmore, Frances

• ISBN13: 9780873515627
• ISBN10: 0873515625
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-02-01
• Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society Pr

Summary

From techniques for tapping maple trees and harvesting wild rice to extracting dyes from bloodroot and making dishes from birch bark, Strength of the Earth details the many uses of more than 200 forest and prairie plants. Early twentieth-century ethnologist Frances Densmore recorded traditions and techniques relayed by dozens of Ojibwe women to create this invaluable handbook perfect for readers interested in Native American art and culture, organic gardening, natural remedies, and living off the land. Brenda J Child offers a fresh introduction focusing on the power of female healers.

Author Biography

Frances Densmore (1867–1957) was a Minnesota-born ethnologist with the Smithsonian Institution who specialized in the study of American Indian culture.  Brenda J. Child is an associate professor of American Studies at the University of Minnesota and a member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa (Ojibwe) Indians.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Informants

Introduction

List of plants arranged according to botanical name

List of plants arranged according to common name

List of plants arranged according to native name

Medicinal properties of plants used by the Chippewa

Principal active medicinal constituents of plants used by the Chippewa

Plants as food

List of plants used as food

Making maple sugar

Gathering wild rice

Beverages

Seasonings

Vegetables

Fruits and berries

Plants as medicine

Treatment by means of plants

Substances other than vegetable used as remedies

Medical appliances

Surgical treatment and appliances

Dental surgery

Classification of diseases and injuries

List of medical plants and their uses

Works containing lists of plants used medicinally

Plants used in Dyes

Process of dying

List of plants used in dyes

Mineral substances used in dyes

Formulae for dyes

Plants used as charms

List of plants used in charms

Plants used in usefu1 and decorative arts

List of plants

Manner of use

Legend of Winabojo and the birch tree

Legend of Winabojo and the cedar tree

Gathering birch bark and cedar bark

Articles made of birch bark

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.