The painting is
symmetrical to emphasize balance and harmony, and it also shows that there are
two sides to everything. The roots are
depicted to indicate that there is more to life than what appears on the
surface, and what our ancestry greatly influences our lives.
The power plants
have to heal is a life force generated from the strength of Mother Earth.
Many times an Elder
will have to gain insight into the person's illness by communicating with the
Spirit World, or by intuitive scanning of a person's body to "see"
where the person is ill. The traditional
helper works to make the immune system strong enough to heal the whole person,
including the whole body and spirit, and not just to cure the illness.
Kinnikinnik is often
thought of as a substitute for "tobacco", or "something to be
smoked". However, it also refers to
"something that is mixed", meaning it is mixed with other plants (such
as red willow) presumably to produce something to smoke. This is why several plants can be referred to
as "kinnikinnik".
Plants can be used
singly, or blended together to create synergistic medicines.
"Wild mint is
used as a regular beverage, but is also used to clear chest congestion".
Rose Richardson
Blueberries were
traditionally dried for year-round use, and were pounded into a powder that was
mixed with other foods.
